Altering a ready-to-wear blouse with darts

1 reply [Last post]
Fri, 08/02/2013 - 01:08
MaryHelen1217
User offline. Last seen 9 years 39 weeks ago. Offline
Joined: 06/25/2013
Posts: 1

 I am brand new to sewing, but do own a sewing machine & a serger, and am watching your videos as I go. I am needing to alter several uniform shirts for my daughter, who lost weight over the summer. Some are short sleeved, some 3/4 sleeve, some will need the collars shortened, some not, but all have 2 long darts both in the front and in the back. The darts are all similar, and they begin at the underarm or sleeve seam and go toward the bust, then curve down to the bottom of the shirt ending in a cut pleat of sorts.  I considered using the "pinch and pin" method I found on YouTube, where it just advises you to pinch the sides and then hem the extra, but that doesn't help with the collar issue, and more importantly, I wonder if ignoring the darts is a good idea. Do you have a video that could help me, or could you please explain what you think I should do to best alter the shirts?

I tried to attach a photo, but was unable to...

Top
Mon, 08/12/2013 - 17:35
#1
Nehzat
User offline. Last seen 1 year 12 weeks ago. Offline
Instructor
Joined: 10/27/2007
Posts: 1026
Re: Altering Ready to Wear Shirt with Darts

Dear Maryhelen1217,

You can take in from the darts that start from the armhole going down to the hemline. The pinch and pin method will work well bellow the bust line, not above it. You can take in the excess material from the side seams as well. 

I am not quite sure what the collar issue could be. But it seams to me that you do not need to touch the collar of the shirts, when making the shirts smaller.

You can benefit from watching the alteration and sewing videos, regarding taking in seams and darts. Look at the list of chapters and watch the videos regarding any topic you are interested in. 

Happy sewing,

Nehzat

Top