Sewing A Balanced Dart
Balanced darts are used in garments to reduce a 'stepped' look when sewing darts in bulky fabrics. The additional fabric that is added actually creates a smoother silhouette and provides a good fit.
Here's how:
1. Mark the dart on your garment.
![](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0039/0755/1350/files/IMG_7595_240x240.jpg?v=1635720339)
2. Pin the dart then cut an extra rectangle of fabric that is bigger that the dart (longer and wider).
![](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0039/0755/1350/files/IMG_7596_240x240.jpg?v=1635720313)
3. Re-pin the dart with the rectangle of fabric underneath.
![](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0039/0755/1350/files/IMG_7597_240x240.jpg?v=1635720378)
4. Stitch the dart beginning and ending in the excess fabric.
![](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0039/0755/1350/files/IMG_7592_240x240.jpg?v=1635720497)
5. Pull the excess fabric away from the stitching line. Cut the excess fabric to match the shape of the dart on the main garment.
![](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0039/0755/1350/files/IMG_7598_240x240.jpg?v=1635720411)
![](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0039/0755/1350/files/IMG_7602_240x240.jpg?v=1635720469)
6. Press the dart apart from the excess fabric so that the dart is 'balanced' and there is the same amount of fabric on both sides of the stitching line.
![](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0039/0755/1350/files/IMG_7603_2_240x240.jpg?v=1635720445)