FBA/French dartAnn

[Etta]

Ann   I've always shied away from any Burda WOF patterns with French darts because I need to do a FBA. I know how to do a FBA with a reglar front dart. Is there anything special I must do since the dart is swinging out to the side? Help.There are several blouses I would like to tackle.    TIA
                                                                            Etta

[Liana]

I'm not Ann, but I'll try.    I like French darts and have used them a lot, including adding french darts instead of the regular horizontal or vertical ones with an FBA. 

You shouldn't have to do anything different.  Just slash to the bust point through the center of the dart and proceed as usual.

[karent]

I'm not Ann either, but I've done a lot of this.  I need a FBA, and I like french darts as they kind of "tuck under" the bust and give me a bit of waist definition I don't get from the usual darts.  You just slash through the center of the dart, like Liana said, and do the usual.  I do have to be a bit careful about grainlines, though, as I can get the grain a bit off if I'm not paying attention.  K

[AnnRowley]

Liana and Karen, I'm so pleased to see your posts because I have no idea what a French dart is!

 I'm sort of presuming from your replies that it's a dart that starts low down on the side seam and swings diagonally towards the bust point?  If so I must admit I've never given it  name - and now it's got one I shall probably forget it anyway.

Etta, it looks like you got you reply inspite of my ignorance thanks to the pool of knowledge available here...we are all so lucky to have this resource.

[Liana]

Ann,
Interesting that there's no particular name that you learned for it.  I suppose if we thought of it as just another dart, then we wouldn't be worrying that there might be a special way to treat it.   

[fzxdoc]

To see a French dart, and read its description, and scroll down to the "dart seam" section.


photo credits at www.simplicity.com

I love French darts because I am under the impression that they make my waist look smaller, with that inward curve. It might be a misimpression, so if it is, don't burst my bubble! 

Kathryn

[cherry]

Off topic, but I just learned this week what a "French alteration" is. Imagine working like crazy on period costumes for a show, then during a fitting the actor complains "it's too tight/feels uncomfortable/ it makes me look fat...." You and your costume colleague stand back, look at it critically, and say thoughtfully "You're right, what it needs is a French alteration".  At the next fitting the actor tries it on again, and says "much better", even though you haven't done a thing to it!

[fzxdoc]

Very cute, Cherry.  I wonder wether that would work when sewing for my DD! 

Kathryn

[Laura]

On www,thesewingdivas.wordpress.com  Els explains very well how a french dart is sewn. Hope it helps.

Laura

[Etta]

Thank you one and all. Great info. I'm learning something new every day. At seventy-seven a little slow but still learning.   Etta

[karent]

Yes, Kathryn, that is exactly what I meant when I said the french dart gives me a little "tuck under" the bust.  I'm thoroughly convinced it gives a bit more waist definition as well, so if we both believe it, well then it must be true!  Actually, Ann, I've also seen the term used for straight darts that just go down farther on the side seam than the usual dart, but the curved one is the one I know best.  K

[joan71]

Does anybody have a favorite pattern using the French dart or can tell me how to alter a pattern to create one?

Seems like it would be a very good thing to have in my sewing arsenal for my DD bust.

TIA,
Joan