Alteration - Adding Darts to a Shirt 

Fabric:  Vogue Fabrics
Pattern:  The Angela Wolf Pattern Collection

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In trying to find the perfect balance in fit and style, many women love the comfort of a basic blouse or jean shirt, but would prefer a little more shape.  That includes myself.  Adding bust darts is an easy way to give yourself a little more of a figure, especially if you have a larger bust.  Instead of the blouse hitting at the bust and just hanging, you can add the effect of a defined waistline, no matter what size you are.

Steps:

• Try on your blouse or shirt. 
• Mark the center of each bust point with pins or chalk.
• Begin pinning a vertical dart, starting 1 inch below the center of bust point.
• Try to pin a straight line, following the grainline of the fabric.
• Take the shirt off and turn the shirt inside out.
• Chalk mark your pins.
• Remove the pins.
• Re-pin your new stitch line from the inside of the garment, following your chalk marks.
• Open the hem for 3 inches on each side of your new pinned line.
• Begin stitching with a 2.5 or 3.0 stitch length from the top of the dart.
•  Press the dart toward the center of the shirt.
• Topstitch along your dart for a designer look.
• Press up the hem and re-stitch.

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