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Member since 5/8/04
Posts: 957
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Posted on: 2/9/06 7:43 AM ET
I'm making a long skirt and the front darts extend below the bottom of my top about 1/2-3/4" -- enough to bug me. I plan on doing a faced waistband on the skirt and am wondering if I could release the darts and gather up the excess fabric? Do I gather the fabric on either side of the fullness of the tummy where the dart was, or do I spread the excess fabric from beginning on one dart across the tummy and end at the dart on the otherside of the tummy?
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I feed my soul by the stitches I sew. Bernina 765, Bernina 480, Bernina 1230, Bernina L460, Babylock Euphoria




  
Member since 6/22/04
Posts: 4602
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Posted on: 2/9/06 8:48 AM ET
In reply to BeckyC
You can convert darts to gathers, pleats, and ease in any way that suits your figure and the style and fabric. Either way you describe would work. The fabric could also be eased across the whole front instead of certain points but that will depend on how it looks on you. The shaping created by waist darts can also be done in the side seam if the tummy contours aren't demanding the room right in front. Your waist darts would be gone and the side seam would be more curved then.
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Liz

thefittinglife.blogspot.com
  
Member since 1/26/03
Posts: 3678
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Posted on: 2/9/06 9:29 AM ET
In reply to BeckyC
To add to Liz's point about any way that suits your figure, etc. you can loosely baste the fullness and move it around while the skirt is on you to see where it falls best.

If your tummy protrudes you might also be able to make shorter darts. If they slope too steeply you can divide them into more darts, and position them wherever they work best, i.e. wherever your body has the most contour.

Once you solve this fitting issue you can transfer the dart size and placement, or the gather placement, to any other skirt or pants.

You can, as Liz said, transfer the shaping to the side seam. If you have front and back center seams you can put some in there too.
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Buy the best and you only cry once.

  
Member since 8/24/02
Posts: 3634
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Posted on: 2/9/06 7:27 PM ET
Front darts just emphasise my pot belly, so I've avoided them for years. What I do is take half the dart amount from the side seam and ease the rest. I've found that if I ease the entire dart amount, it too much to ease and look good. Think it's my small waist & large/high hips).
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Sydney, Australia
  
Member since 5/8/04
Posts: 957
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Posted on: 2/9/06 10:04 PM ET
Thanks for all your suggestions. Tomorrow I'll fit the skirt muslin to see what works best.


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I feed my soul by the stitches I sew. Bernina 765, Bernina 480, Bernina 1230, Bernina L460, Babylock Euphoria




  
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