Sunday, May 27, 2007

How to mark darts when you can't use chalk

I've been working on a silk chiffon dress this past week. I thought I would take a few pictures of how I mark dart placement when I just won't take the risk of putting chalk or air/water erase marker on a fabric. A sheer wedding gown is THE place to be paranoid that your markings just won't come out, even though you've pre-tested the method.

First of all, I'll start by saying that I almost never use commercial patterns. What you'll see in the following pictures is why. Every now & then, I'll go completely insane and think, "oh, this pattern is SO CLOSE to what I want, I'll just use the pattern and make a few corrections. If the amount of butchering done to the patterns in the following pictures doesn't frighten you, it should. It frightens me. It would have been simpler to start from scratch on alpha-numeric paper. This is actually two separate patterns laid on top of each other because I wanted the top of one & the bottom of another. I'm insane, I know.

O.K. I'll number this so it flows smoothly:

1) I lay the fabric on my ironing board wrong side up and then lay the pattern piece on top of the fabric. I secure with pins through all layers into the ironing board just outside the dart area so that nothing moves around. It's exceptionally hard to see the fabric here because it's a single layer of 8 mm china silk, but trust me, it's there.



2)I slice down the center of the dart in order to be able to move it out of the way. Then I fold back the pattern paper and place a pin where the mark is.



3) here, I'm holding both sides out the way in order to position both pins. Dang, when did my hands get wrinkly?



4) Holding back to place the center markings. You can see peaking out of the bottom that I've actually placed the point position pin first. It's just one more pin to keep the pattern from slipping around.



5) Just slip the pattern paper away (it's not pinned to the fabric anywhere) and you've got pins sticking into your fabric.



6) pick up a placement pin from one side of the fabric and slide it into the exact hole left by the pin on the other side of the fabric. In this example I'm taking the left hand center position pin and putting it right next to the right hand center position pin. Usually I'll take the right hand pin out and pierce the hole left by it, but I didn't think it would show up in a photo. I know it looks like I'm moving right to left, but I've moved around to the other side of the ironing board. The dart point is actually just out of sight on the top of this photo.



7) Here you can see the pins lying flat after having gone through both markings.



8)Now, pick the fabric up and start to pinch it together along the dart fold.


9)Don't let your pins come out! Now that you've got the fold pinched up, put a pin through a tiny amount of fabric just below the dart point pin, securing it to the ironing board.


10)put the pins through the fabric perpindicular (sorry, can't spell that) to the folded edge.


11)Now place a line of pins along your stitching line, connecting the previous pins


12)put your needle down through the fabric just above the top horizontal pin. backtack.


13)Take the horizontal pin out, start stitching. I snag the pin head of the vertical row of pins with my right hand fingernail and allow it to slide out of the fabric as I'm stitching.


14)When I get to the other horizontal pin, I stop & make sure that my sewing machine needle pierces the exact hole left by this pin.


15)Now just sew down to the point of the dart. This is probably a complete no-no somewhere in the annals of good sewing, but it's what I do because it works. I sew to the point of the dart, making sure that my sewing machine needle pierces the fabric at the exact same location of the last dart, then allow my sewing machine needle to make another stitch off to the right of the fabric. I then pull my fabric out of my machine & tie a triple knot loosely in the end & clip leaving about a 1 1/2 inch tail. Don't ask me if it's pretty, but my dart ends never snag and never pull out.



Hope this was helpful.

40 comments:

Anonymous said...

This is what I needed. Thank you!

Anonymous said...

Hey,

When ever I surf on web I never forget to visit this website[url=http://www.weightrapidloss.com/lose-10-pounds-in-2-weeks-quick-weight-loss-tips].[/url]alisabenay.blogspot.com is filled with quality info. Frankly speaking we really do not pay attention towards our health. Are you really serious about your weight?. Research indicates that closely 80% of all United States grownups are either obese or weighty[url=http://www.weightrapidloss.com/lose-10-pounds-in-2-weeks-quick-weight-loss-tips].[/url] Hence if you're one of these people, you're not alone. In fact, most of us need to lose a few pounds once in a while to get sexy and perfect six pack abs. Now next question is how you can achive quick weight loss? [url=http://www.weightrapidloss.com/lose-10-pounds-in-2-weeks-quick-weight-loss-tips]Quick weight loss[/url] is not like piece of cake. If you improve some of your daily diet habbits then, its like piece of cake to quickly lose weight.

About me: I am writer of [url=http://www.weightrapidloss.com/lose-10-pounds-in-2-weeks-quick-weight-loss-tips]Quick weight loss tips[/url]. I am also health expert who can help you lose weight quickly. If you do not want to go under difficult training program than you may also try [url=http://www.weightrapidloss.com/acai-berry-for-quick-weight-loss]Acai Berry[/url] or [url=http://www.weightrapidloss.com/colon-cleanse-for-weight-loss]Colon Cleansing[/url] for effortless weight loss.

Shelly Moon said...

Nice method. Thanks for sharing!

Anonymous said...

Uninterrupted myriad considered stupendous partiality to consolidation in well-founded the aggregate, well-liked
included, there is a elephantine destitution as a use to studying English argot in those parts of the jot down, where English is not a most top-level language. This conclusion leads us that there is staggering clamour in make uneasy of English-speaking tutors, who are specializing in teaching English. South Korea is like of most bullish countries in terms of propagative betterment, which means teaching English in Korea would be incomparably profitable. Teaching English in Korea

Anonymous said...

Hey! Do you know if they make any plugins to help with Search Engine Optimization?
I'm trying to get my blog to rank for some targeted keywords but I'm not seeing very good
results. If you know of any please share.
Many thanks!

My web site :: 激安プラダ バッグ

Anonymous said...

It is appropriate time to make some plans for the future and it's time to be happy. I've read this post and if
I could I want to suggest you some interesting things or suggestions.
Perhaps you can write next articles referring to this article.
I want to read even more things about it!


Have a look at my site ... 激安プラダ バッグ

Anonymous said...

Oh my goodness! Incredible article dude! Thanks, However I am going
through difficulties with your RSS. I don't understand why I can't join it.
Is there anybody else getting the same RSS issues? Anyone that knows the solution can you kindly respond?
Thanks!!

My homepage; ロレックスコピー

Anonymous said...

I'm gone to say to my little brother, that he should also pay a quick visit this website on regular basis to get updated from most recent news update.

Here is my site; Sito Ufficiale Gucci Borse

Anonymous said...

Hello colleagues, its enormous paragraph on the topic of teachingand fully explained, keep it up all the time.



Here is my blog Louis Vuitton Outlet

Anonymous said...

I am not in a position to view this web site properly
on firefox I feel there is a problem

Also visit my web blog: trying to conceive tips

Anonymous said...

Why visitors still use to read news papers when in this technological world everything is accessible on net?


my web page: Abercrombie and Fitch

Anonymous said...

You actually make it seem so easy with your presentation but
I find this matter to be actually something which I think
I would never understand. It seems too complex and extremely broad for me.
I am looking forward for your next post, I'll try to get the hang of it!

Feel free to surf to my site: Wholesale Jerseys Cheap

Anonymous said...

I every time emailed this weblog post page to all my associates,
for the reason that if like to read it then my contacts will too.


Stop by my blog ... Cheap Jerseys

Anonymous said...

What's up, every time i used to check weblog posts here early in the dawn, for the reason that i enjoy to learn more and more.

my page Louis Vuitton Purses

Anonymous said...

Hello! I realize this is sort of off-topic however I had
to ask. Does operating a well-established website such as yours take
a massive amount work? I am completely new to blogging but I do write in
my diary daily. I'd like to start a blog so I can share my personal experience and views online. Please let me know if you have any kind of recommendations or tips for brand new aspiring bloggers. Thankyou!

Here is my website ... michael kors

Anonymous said...

Having read this I thought it was very informative.
I appreciate you spending some time and energy to put this
article together. I once again find myself personally
spending way too much time both reading and leaving comments.

But so what, it was still worth it!

Also visit my blog related site

Anonymous said...

Whats up this is kinda of off topic but I
was wanting to know if blogs use WYSIWYG editors or if you have to
manually code with HTML. I'm starting a blog soon but have no coding experience so I wanted to get guidance from someone with experience. Any help would be enormously appreciated!

My web blog click for source

Anonymous said...

Good day! I could have sworn I've been to this site before but after checking through some of the post I realized it's new to me.
Nonetheless, I'm definitely delighted I found it and I'll be bookmarking and checking back frequently!


My web site Sac A Main Louis Vuitton

Anonymous said...

My spouse and I stumbled over here coming from a different web address and
thought I might check things out. I like what I see so i
am just following you. Look forward to looking into your web page for a
second time.

Feel free to visit my blog Christian Louboutin Sale

Anonymous said...

I do consider all the ideas you have offered to your post.
They're very convincing and can definitely work. Nonetheless, the posts are too short for novices. Could you please prolong them a bit from subsequent time? Thanks for the post.

Review my homepage - Michael Kors Canada []

Anonymous said...

Howdy! This post couldn't be written any better! Reading through this post reminds me of my previous roommate! He constantly kept talking about this. I most certainly will send this information to him. Fairly certain he'll have a
very good read. Thanks for sharing!

Also visit my blog ... Sac Guess

Anonymous said...

you're really a just right webmaster. The website loading pace is amazing. It sort of feels that you're doing any unique trick.

Also, The contents are masterwork. you have performed a fantastic process on this subject!


Here is my weblog - Louis Vuitton

Anonymous said...

Right now it appears like Movable Type is the best blogging platform
out there right now. (from what I've read) Is that what you are using on your blog?

My web site: More Help

Anonymous said...

Greetings! I know this is kinda off topic nevertheless I'd figured I'd ask.
Would you be interested in trading links or maybe guest authoring a blog article or vice-versa?
My site addresses a lot of the same subjects as yours and I think we could greatly benefit from each
other. If you might be interested feel free to shoot me an email.
I look forward to hearing from you! Great blog by the way!


My web page Sac Louis Vuitton Pas Cher

Anonymous said...

The Blackberry S wаѕ and іѕ a must-have.

Τhe Blackberry S2
сell phone may be thе voice services.
Thе micгo ЅD cаrd if you plan to downlοad and instаll the updаtе on our Epic 4 G.

0, which is ωhу this music aρplicatіοn works like а charm.
With this trаit, thегe is no better model on
the marκet one full OS verѕion
behind the ѕtate-of-the-art. Yοu can adjuѕt vοlume, оrganizе sсhedules anԁ
sеnd e-mailѕ," the 28-year old said.

Anonymous said...

Ipad device is
often a chill out mасhine. For the most part, the comρany
is putting its flag іn thе grоund when
it comеs to Kindles. You are a student, you are гequіred to do muсh work
to adԁ a рurchaѕе to your PC using the connector cable that came
with the devіce through Bluetooth. Тhis is a reаlly undеsirеd аttгibute іn
аny type of scгeen, be it a tablet or a laptop.

Anonymous said...

It's actually a cool and useful piece of information. I'm happy that you simply shared
this helpful information with us. Please stay us informed like
this. Thank you for sharing.

my page ... Chaussures De Foot Pas Cher

Anonymous said...

We're a group of volunteers and opening a new scheme in our community. Your website offered us with valuable information to work on. You have done a formidable job and our entire community will be thankful to you.

my web page; binaural audio

Anonymous said...

Nice blog right here! Additionally your site quite a bit up very
fast! What web host are you the usage of? Can I get your affiliate hyperlink to your host?
I wish my website loaded up as quickly as yours lol

Feel free to surf to my homepage Air Max Pas Cher

Anonymous said...

Hi there Dear, are you truly visiting this site on a regular basis, if so
then you will definitely obtain fastidious knowledge.


Feel free to surf to my web site - Air Jordan

Anonymous said...

Hi! I know this is kinda off topic but I was wondering if you knew where I could locate a captcha plugin for my comment form?
I'm using the same blog platform as yours and I'm having trouble finding one?
Thanks a lot!

my website ... Tory Burch Handbags

Anonymous said...

This site definitely has all the information and facts I needed about this subject and didn't know who to ask.

Here is my web-site: article source [http://winnie.kuis.kyoto-u.ac.jp/members/nobuta/index.php/%E5%88%A9%E7%94%A8%E8%80%85:CamillaOb]

Anonymous said...

Hello friends, good paragraph and fastidious arguments commented here,
I am in fact enjoying by these.

Here is my homepage: Louis Vuitton Pas Cher

Anonymous said...

Storage boxes usuallу fit undеr yοur bed,
ωork perfеctly ωеll weddіng ԁress
anԁ are easy to handlе. Briԁes, their аttendants anԁ
mоther of the brіdе, he should рrobablу refrain
fгom squеezing the dгesѕ.
Smаll boutiques and ԁress shορs
tend to ѕtoсk ԁгeѕs sаmples.
Ms Βurton joіned Alexander McQueen's studio remained a secret until the wedding day is one of my mum's friеnd's daughters was getting married.

My site; ao cuoi [livealadle.com]

Anonymous said...

I was suggested this website by my cousin.
I'm not sure whether this post is written by him as nobody else know such detailed about my difficulty. You are amazing! Thanks!

Also visit my web site: Air Max Sale

Anonymous said...

each time i used to read smaller content that also clear their
motive, and that is also happening with this post which I am reading now.



Also visit my site Air Max Pas Cher

Anonymous said...

Appreciate the recommendation. Let me try it out.

Feel free to visit my weblog; Nike Blazers Shoes

Anonymous said...

Hello, I want to subscribe for this webpage to obtain newest updates, so
where can i do it please help out.

my blog Air Max

Anonymous said...

It's appropriate time to make some plans for the future and it is time to be happy. I've read this post and if I could I wish to suggest you some interesting things or suggestions.
Perhaps you can write next articles referring to this article.
I desire to read more things about it!

my blog post Discover More Here

Anonymous said...

This paragraph is in fact a good one it helps
new web viewers, who are wishing for blogging.

Also visit my webpage Louis Vuitton Handbags