Replies

1. 
   offerocker | Jan 15, 2006 02:02am | #1

   What is her method?

   My mother taught me to put needle down in widest marking, rotate material so that end of dart was directly in front, (as in a seam line), and I would automatically sew straight to 'nothing'.  Worked every time for me.  I don't know of any other method.

1. 
   SewNancy | Jan 15, 2006 07:29pm | #2

   She sinks the needle into the point and sews to the wide end. I found it easier to make all my darts the exact same size and the point is perfect. I have more control. I find the most problem in stretch wovens and this solved it.
   Nancy

1. 
   offerocker | Jan 15, 2006 07:37pm | #3

   Thanks!  Interesting.  That would take away all chances of 'overshooting' the mark!  Do you drop the feed dogs at the beginning/end of these?  I do in all seams, and try to do it within the seam allowance, then continue to the end.

1. 
   SewNancy | Jan 15, 2006 10:09pm | #4

   No, I don't drop the feed dogs. I have a tie off on my machine.
   And, she recommends using a 3 stitch size and restitching the end.
   Nancy

1. 
   Jean | Jan 15, 2006 11:55pm | #5

   A dart trick that I like if  you want it sewn straight with no curve is to pull your thread so it's longer than the dart, sink your needle (either end of the dart works) and then pull the threads forward so they indicate the stitching line, hold in place and sew along the thread line.

2. 
   offerocker | Jan 16, 2006 01:13am | #6

   Re: Experience is the thing you have left when everything else is gone  ...Amen to THAT!  Plus, good old "gut instinct" the product of experience - if one is paying attention, ha ha.

3. 
   Jean | Jan 16, 2006 05:31am | #7

   ;-)

4. 
   offerocker | Jan 16, 2006 05:48am | #8

   THANKS!   DITTO. From an old dog who still remembers a few tricks, ha ha.     Kathleen

2. 
   susannah_sews | Jan 17, 2006 07:34am | #9

   Hi

   I just posted on another thread about the darts article in issue 123.  As a bit of an "old dog", I was sceptical, but tried out the technique on darts for the lining of a skirt.  I was very suprised, and impressed, with how easy it was to get very good darts, exactly the same length and very smooth.  Now the darts in the lining are superior to those in the skirt! 

   Sometimes we might need to be a bit more open minded about the articles, and not assume that they are as elementary as they first appear!

   Keep up the good work, Threads!!

    

   Susannah