dart
DART
/dɑːrt/
A folded and stitched wedge of fabric used in garment construction to shape flat fabric to body curves.
Essential for converting flat two-dimensional textiles into three-dimensional forms around contours like bust, waist, or hips.
The story behind the word. Coming from Old French 'dart', the word originally described a sharp, pointed weapon. Dressmakers adopted the term because drawn darts on paper patterns resemble the narrow, pointed triangular shape of a dart tip.
Word relationships
- tuck: A tuck is a straight fold stitched along its entire length, whereas a dart tapers down to a point.
Commonly confused with
- pleat: A pleat folds fabric for movement or decorative volume, while a dart stitches down a tapered fold to fit curves tightly.
Word family
- darted (adjective): Constructed with shaped darts for a tailored fit.
Collocations
- bust dart
- waist dart
- dart intake
- sew a dart
Example sentences
- "Adding a bust dart allowed the silk blouse to drape gracefully without pulling across the chest." Pattern drafting
- "The dressmaker pinned a small waist dart into the back panel to eliminate excess fabric bulk." Garment fitting
Memory hook
A dart TAPERS to a sharp point just like a thrown dart. Pinch and point for perfect shape.
When not to use
Do not confuse with athletic throwing darts or sudden swift movements, though they share historical etymology.
Fun facts
- Darts were rarely used in medieval clothing; modern dart-based contouring gained prominence in the Renaissance as clothing became fitted.
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