12 Types of Darts for Sewing, Best Darts for Clothing

Learn about all the types of darts and their functions. Darts play a very creative part in dressmaking. It is the dart that provides the contours and the shape of the fashion piece. If there were no darts, dressmakers would not be able to put curves in the fabric and adjust the pattern to fit the size and shape of the wearer. 

Types of Darts Tutorial

Darts are strategically placed to make the garment fit over the bust or hips, and other points of a garment, needing fullness or tapering. Dart placement can also be part of the design and can add to the uniqueness of the garment.

There are two basic types of darts:

1. The single-pointed dart is wide at one end and narrows at the other.  It has a v shape when completed.  Used on trousers and skirts at the waist, and blouses at the bust, it is the most common dart. 
2. The double-pointed dart is pointed and tapered at both ends.  It is also known as the body dart because it will shape the bodice leading up towards the bust and tapering down towards the waist.

Types of Darts – Placement

Darts are placed in several different parts of the garment. They come in many different sizes and are found as bodice darts, shoulder darts, mid-armhole darts, mid-neckline, center front neck darts, and the standard waist dart. You can refer to the diagram for examples of the below types of darts.

1. Plain Darts

Plain darts are also known as standard types of darts. They are the most widely used darts. They can be placed anywhere on a garment for a fitted look, but are mostly found on the bust and the waist. 

2. Bust Darts

3. Side Angled Dart or the French Dart

4. Shoulder Darts

5. Neck Darts

6. Dart Tucks

7. Elbow Darts

Darts set in at the elbow make the sleeve more fitted. They are especially useful for creating a fitted shape in the sleeve for a more tailored look.

8. Fisheye Dart

Horizontal types of darts under the rear of a pair of baggy pants are used to stop the sagging at the back of the pants. It is a horizontal double-pointed dart. The fisheye dart can be used at the back of a neckline to take up the slack from round shoulders if a more fitted design is wanted.

9. Curved Darts

Darts on some patterns can be drawn with a gentle curve. These types of darts are used to create fullness or shape on a skirt or pants pattern. Curved darts, depending on the pattern, can be stitched in a concave direction or convex.

10. Sleeve Hem Darts

A little dart sloping from the hem at the little finger edge of the sleeve, sloping to the elbow, helps to taper the sleeve. This allows the sleeve to fit comfortably from the wrist to the elbow.

11. Skirt/ Pants Types of Darts

12. Serger Darts:

Using a serger to make darts, especially on cotton knits, is a great time saver and helps to reduce bulky full darts.

13. Darts with an Eased Finish

If you want to escape the pointed types of darts look, but still need the eased fullness at the bust, then ease the fabric to create the contour. Take the fabric destined to be a dart and ease it into the same space to create fullness. This dart would need to be carefully pinned and tacked in place before sewing to evenly distribute the fullness.

How to Sew all Types of Darts

For more on sewing darts, read my full articles on: How to Sew Darts

Types of Darts – In Conclusion

Darts, wide at one end and pointed at the other, are meant to be sewn to create a point in the fabric. This point enables the dressmaker to create contours and curves in the sewing of the garment. Darts may take a bit of time to get accurate, but they are a vital part of sewing and a creative aspect too. Many types of darts well-positioned in the fabric will do just that.