Katrina Kay Creations

Create Clothes That Fit Your Curves

  • Home
  • Start Here
  • About
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Videos
You are here: Home / Patternmaking Tutorial / Combining Darts in Patternmaking, Lesson 2

Combining Darts in Patternmaking, Lesson 2

March 17, 2016 by Katrina

Combining Darts in Patternmaking Lesson 2

In Lesson 1, I talked about the importance of darts when making your own patterns and I showed you how to manipulate or move darts using 2 methods – the Slash/Spread Method and the Pivot Method. (If you haven’t looked at the tutorial for Lesson 1 and done the work, I suggest you do that now or you may not fully understand Lesson 2.) Not only can you move darts to create new styles and designs, you can also combine them with other darts. Today in Lesson 2, I’m going to show you how to combine one dart with another dart and also turn them into something totally different.

Again, keep in mind, we’re not dealing with any fitting issues. We’re just going over the very basics of patternmaking without anything to make it complicated.

**Note: If you already signed up for the Worksheet, Pattern Template and Video Tutorial in Lesson 1, then Lesson 2 will be automatically emailed to you. There’s no need to sign up again. If Lesson 2 is not in your inbox, please email me: [email protected].

Combining Darts 

There’s no rule that says you have to have a shoulder dart, waist dart or any dart. Maybe the look you’re going for doesn’t require a dart at the shoulder, etc. That’s the thing about darts, you can keep them, move them, combine them or release them. Make your darts work for you.

We’re still using our 2 methods of moving (manipulating) darts:

  1. The Slash/Spread Method
  2. The Pivot Method

In the video below, you’re going to learn how to combine the shoulder dart with the waist dart and then change it from a waist dart to a waist tuck. You won’t believe how easy it really is. 

Don’t forget to download the worksheets and the Practice Template/Sloper and put what you’ve learned into practice. The worksheet has 3 patternmaking exercises you can try on your own. But don’t worry, I don’t leave you hanging. There’s also an additional video tutorial with the answers to the worksheet exercises. I go over combining darts and changing them to tucks, gathers and pleats.

Remember, if you want to develop your patternmaking skills, you have to learn by doing. Hopefully, this will give you your own ideas to try on your own. Don’t just stop at the homework exercises I give you. Come up with some of your own by looking at the drawings on some of your commercial patterns and practice those too. I would love to see what you come up with.

Do you have any questions? Did you find any of the homework exercises more challenging than others? Let me know in the comments below.


 

Related posts:

  1. How to Balance Your Plus Size Sewing Pattern
  2. Plus Size Sewing Pattern Alteration: Center Back & Back Neckline
  3. Plus Size Pants Pattern: Balance A Key Step to Making Pants That Fit
  4. Plus Size Pattern Alteration: 7 Steps to Your Custom Shoulder Slope

Filed Under: Patternmaking Tutorial

« Importance of Darts in Patternmaking, Lesson 1
Adding Seams in Patternmaking, Lesson 3 »

Comments

  1. Joan Ballett says

    May 26, 2020 at 10:33 am

    Hi Katrina.
    I consider myself an advanced sewer, although for the past couple of years I switched to watercolors for a break. I can sew anything as long as I have a pattern.
    I am interested in drafting my own personal sloper, but as you said, I need to start at the beginning and build up from there.
    Hopefully that is where you come in :). I would like you to direct me through the steps in an orderly manner,
    I found your tutorials on drafts, and have just completed lesson 1. YAY!
    In the pivot method, how do you know in which direction to rotate the dart?
    I am now going to move on to lesson 2 Combining Darts.
    I have followed dozens of sites, but am really thrilled with yours!

    • Katrina says

      June 27, 2020 at 3:34 pm

      Hi Joan, to know which direction to move the dart in the Pivot Method really depends on the position of the original dart you’re moving. I always do a practice run to see which direction is the least complicated. If both directions are complicated, it’s best to go with the Slash & Spread Method.

      Welcome to the KKC community. I appreciate your support.

  2. Katie says

    June 8, 2018 at 1:04 am

    I realize I’m a bit late as these videos seem to have been done a couple years ago but I’m hoping that since I received the email giving me access that someone is still following these replys. I completid lesson one on darts but can’t find lesson 2 video. It says watch the video below but there is only a line and no video. Can someone help me have access to it. I am really interested in learning how to sew without a store bought pattern as they never fit right.
    Thanks
    Katie

    • Katrina says

      June 8, 2018 at 12:22 pm

      Hi Katie, I’m not sure why you can’t see the video above in this blog post, but here’s the link to it on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2&v=0ZUQCUPti-0.

      Please let me know if you have further problems.

  3. zanap says

    June 23, 2016 at 3:31 pm

    Thanks so much for your lessons. So far I am able to grasp every detail because your explanations are very clear. I have been sewing for years but now would like to draft my own patterns.

    • Katrina says

      June 24, 2016 at 12:05 am

      You’re welcome, Zanap. I’m so glad to hear you’re able to grasp the lessons! I wanted them to be as understandable as possible. Drafting your own patterns will certainly give you more options and make you less dependent on commercial patterns and ready-to-wear that sometime require major alterations. Thank you for viewing the tutorials.

  4. Cheryl Hillman says

    June 14, 2016 at 10:41 pm

    Hi Katrina,
    I want to compliment you on your clear instructions. I have completed Lesson 1, and read the tutorial for Lesson 2. When I try to download the worksheet, practice template, and video answers for Lesson 2, the screen asks me to sign up or to verify my e-mail which I have already done. This is confusing. I keep re-opening the tutorials and trying again, but now there are a whole row of open items on my computer. I have decided to skip the practice material for Lesson 2, and read the tutorial for Lesson 3, but I don’t see that one anywhere.

    • Katrina says

      June 16, 2016 at 2:50 am

      Hi Cheryl, I sent you an email (actually 2 because I sent the wrong link the first time) with the links for Lesson 2. And as I mentioned in the email, please let me know where you were trying to download from so I can make sure there isn’t a problem I need to fix. Thanks!

  5. Shirley says

    June 1, 2016 at 8:20 am

    This was really helpful, Katrina! Being able to change a waist dart to a tuck will allow me to use the same pattern but create a more relaxed look. Thank you so much.

    • Katrina says

      June 2, 2016 at 4:10 am

      You’re welcome, Shirley. Yes, we need to get as much use as we can from our patterns, especially those we’ve already altered to fit. I’m so glad this tutorial was helpful to you.

  6. Loretta says

    April 7, 2016 at 5:44 pm

    Hi Katrina, hope you are doing well!

    I just got back from a long stay away and was just now able to watch the second video, but I don’t see the homework or the blog you mentioned in your video, unless…..I’m just not seeing it…sorry.

    • Katrina says

      April 7, 2016 at 11:19 pm

      Loretta, check your inbox. I emailed you the links. Please let me know if you didn’t get my email.

  7. Brenda says

    March 18, 2016 at 12:18 pm

    Thanks so much for creating and providing this series! Love your work.

    • Katrina says

      March 18, 2016 at 3:38 pm

      You’re welcome, Brenda. I really appreciate you saying that and thanks for your support.

Trackbacks

  1. Adding Seams in Patternmaking, Lesson 3 - Katrina Kay Creations says:
    June 22, 2016 at 12:15 am

    […] 1, we learned how to manipulate or move darts using the Slash/Spread and the Pivot Method. In Lesson 2, we learned how to combine darts to create new designs using the same methods. (If you […]

  2. Importance of Darts in Patternmaking, Lesson 1 - Katrina Kay Creations says:
    May 31, 2016 at 5:43 pm

    […] (You can find Lesson 2 here) […]

FREE Guide

Click here to subscribe

Connect With Me

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube

About

KKC About Photo Are you tired of spending more time altering & fixing patterns than actually sewing? Or spending money on clothes that don't fit your curves? Then you've come to the right place. Here's what I want for you... READ MORE...

Most Popular

10 sewing mistakes tn | katrinakaycreations.com

10 Sewing Mistakes That Will Make Your Clothes Look Homemade

Don't have a dress form or a friend to help you fit the clothes you sew? This post gives you 7 ways to make fitting your muslin (or the clothes you sew) easier. So don't let solo fitting stop you from sewing your own clothes. Read the blog post or pin to save for later.

7 Ways to Make Solo Fitting Easier

Recent Posts

How to use balance lines to balance your pants pattern

How to Use Balance Lines to Fit Your Pants Pattern

3 Ways To Assemble Your PDF Sewing Patterns, FAST

Privacy

  • Privacy Policy

Terms

  • Terms of Use

Disclaimer

  • Disclaimer

Copyright © 2025 · Tasteful theme by Restored 316