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Making darts in upholstery fabric
robbandbec Intermediate IN USA Member since 3/24/11 Posts: 7	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 4/2/11 9:04 PM I have purchased fabric to recover a wingback chair. The very first piece I have to put on is the bottom front piece, requiring two darts be sewed into my heavy (expensive) upholstery fabric. I am hesitating to try putting darts in this thick fabric b/c I don't want to ruin it; even a small piece. Any tips for sewing darts in heavy fabric?
lakaribane Beginner HAITI Member since 7/23/07 Posts: 1746	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 4/2/11 9:08 PM How about gathering the spots needing darts but on a loooong segment so as to phase out the gathered effect? Does that make sense? You would be shortening the length but without too much of the "wrinkled" effect that gathering usually gives... ------ Fashion Maté, where I blog about what I (eventually) sew : http://fashionmate.blogspot.com Addicted to Pinterest? Me too! : http://pinterest.com/lakaribane/
Mary W   Advanced PA USA Member since 8/24/02 Posts: 58	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 4/5/11 6:47 AM You could cut some fabric out out the seam allowance of the dart, or perhaps you could just fold the fabric under and tack or staple it making a pleat of sorts.If the pleat would fall on a corner you can angle it so that the pleat is off to the side of the chair.
robbandbec Intermediate IN USA Member since 3/24/11 Posts: 7	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 4/7/11 4:43 PM I've had this fabric and chair laying around four or five months. This dart thing has been holding me back. I finally referred to some books I already own, and one book says to clip the dart wings to within 5/8" of the point, press the wing pieces to each side then down, then press the point down. Does that sound like it may work to anyone?
Mary W   Advanced PA USA Member since 8/24/02 Posts: 58	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 4/8/11 7:23 AM That sounds like it would work. Maybe you could test it with a piece of fabric of a similar weight and fit it over the corner and see how you think it will look.
gramma b Advanced USA Member since 7/25/08 Posts: 2267	Login to reply to this post In reply to robbandbec Like this post Date: 4/8/11 8:35 AM Do you have the original cover or are you going over it? Laying your new fabric inside-out and pinning, of course, will let you check the tightness. I have hand-tacked the cut darts open for things like patio cushions after double-stitching seams. You can do this on the inside or topstitch outside for strength. Use a heavy-duty needle and even hand-turn the wheel slowly.... Check books/online for tips too....I know the fabric can be as expensive as the upholsterer, hats off to you for trying!
PattiAnnJ   Advanced OH USA Member since 12/3/06 Posts: 4982	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 4/8/11 10:59 AM To get a super flat fold use a nylon head mallet and pound from the back - try it out on scraps. Every sew-er should have a "hammer" as a sewing notion!
stirwatersblue Intermediate KS USA Member since 12/13/08 Posts: 2469	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 4/8/11 1:31 PM Darts are pretty risk-free; trying them out shouldn't hurt anything (it's basically just a fold, after all!). If they don't work; unpick them. No harm done! Just do the trimming of the seam allowances, etc *after* you've decided you like how they look. ------ ~Gem in the prairie

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