How to Raise or Lower a Bust Dart

Altering a sewing pattern to position bust darts correctly is actually very easy to do and will make the world of difference to the fit of your handmade garments. In this handy tutorial video I show you just how easy it is to raise or lower a bust dart so you can position them in exactly the right place. The point of the bust dart should be pointing to your bust apex and a general rule of thumb is that it should finish about 1" away from the bust apex for a smaller bust and up to 2 and a half inches away for a fuller bust. I hope this video will give you the confidence to alter sewing patterns in this way and achieve a great fit from your pattern.

I use the following sewing tools in this video:

[mrgarner]

Oh my... you have so simply solved my problem.
Thank you very much.

[gladyscolon]

Simple alteration and I needed the lecture today. Many thanks!

[alexaelliott]

That’s made a complicated job easy.. it’s really one of the most useful tips I have seen. Thank you.

[cathywood]

Thank you, the darts are always too high for me so this is a great help. Wish me luck!

[nicolegooding]

Loved the demonstration of how a dart creates room.

[maureenflaherty]

This is super helpful after many years of "fudging" things. Thank you!!

[wandagoncalves]

Oh my, thank you, I had no idea it would be that easy.

[FeistyCat-mj]

I really needed this instruction.. thanks. My dress is a floor length shift dress so the bust darts are extremely important as the rest of the dress is loose fit..

[robintate]

Just found this!! and WOW what a awesome explanation!! I've been needing this for every cause I am full busted and your channel is one of the best on You Tube!!! Thanks Lucy👍🤗❤

[sewlittletime]

Thank you for this tutorial Lucy...it worked perfectly for me and can't believe how simple it was xx

[jounderhill]

Thank you! You made this simple and easy to follow! 😁

[shoniewright]

Thank you for this easy straight forward tutorial, this way is much simpler than many I've seen.

[carolynrogers]

Excellent explanation Lucy, I love the palmer Pletch books.

[cherylp.]

Wow, that was amazing. How clever. I thought it would be a lot more difficult, that I’d need to redraw a bunch of tricky lines. Thanks so much. This is something I hadn’t considered I’d need to do but I definitely need to lower them.( oh yes and the paper circle demonstration was brilliant, I understand now)

[emmasanders]

This is fantastically clear and helpful - thank you. 👍

[susancollinsworth]

thank you so much! This was just lovely, so simples and straightforward. :)

[dreamdancer]

Thank you, what about if I needed to move the dart to the left or right, would that be using the same method too?

[elizabethwalters]

So helpful and informative..
Many thanks again Lucy and SE.
Just love all of your videos…you give me so much confidence and have taught me so much 👍👏💕

[kimdrew]

Wow!! love love love this. Your channel has taught me so much 😃

[pennyhanson]

Thank you for showing us! So much simpler than the way I tried to do a similar thing recently - should have checked YouTube first! Kind regards from Penny 😊