I’ve started a new project; a summer top. It has four darts in the front and two in the back. Tailor tacks are what you’re supposed to use to transfer dart markings from the pattern to the fabric. However, I think Tailor Tack Lite* (TM 😉 work just as great
Tailor tacks are more secure than my Lite method but my cheat is just as good if I’m going to sew the darts right after I transfer the placement and it’s still as accurate.
What’s the difference? Just go through the fabric once. A tailor’s tack passes through and back through the fabric.
How it’s done
Your fabric is still doubled and pinned to the pattern.
- Snip little cuts into the seam allowance on each dart leg line to mark where the leg of the dart is.
2. Thread a needle (double thread) but do not knot.
3. Insert the needle straight into dart point through the pattern and both layers of fabric. Pull the thread through so half of the thread length is on the front and half is now out the back.
4. Lift the pattern off the fabric until you see the thread. Place your finger onto the thread to hold it down and then slowly peel the pattern completely off the fabric.
5. Flip the fabric over and snip the thread close to the needle.
6. Slowly peel the two pieces of fabric apart until you see the thread. Pull some thread from both sides into the middle and then cut the thread so you have a piece of thread showing on both sides of each garment piece.
That’s it. The threads may come out though so work carefully if you have more darts to mark.