Hi!!

Recently I've been trying to modify a blouse that's too big for me... but I'm having problems with the back darts...

does anyone know how can I make then smaller so I get the perfect fit? Because the darts have this "triangular" shape... I don't know how to even make them smaller with just the pins >.<

please help :D!!!

I'm also interested in the answer to this question... recently lost quite a bit of weight and looking to make my blouses smaller rather than buy new ones.

the sad part of losing weight.... I also need to fix most of my pants! hahaha....

do you have a pic? i can´t imagine a dart being triangular...

ummm... maybe I didn't express myself correctly... hahahaha

anyway... this is what I mean...

this pic only shows one of the back darts of the blouse I need to fix (the black line is what I think I need to do to make it smaller).
http://img846.imageshack.us/i/p1030141.jpg/

this pic is the other dart with the pins placed the way I think I need to sew to get the perfect fit...
http://img830.imageshack.us/i/p1030144z.jpg/

now is it a bit more clear? >.<

PS: I don't know how to add the photos so they appear here :(

ok, you want to make the blouse smaller and pinned the fabric that´s too much at the back, did i get that right?
in the photo it looks the right way! the darts can have this shape when you decided where the darts end. you can make them from down to bottom or this triangular shape because with this method you can take away the excess of fabric exactly where it´s (not) needed.
it´s always better to have two smaller darts than one big dart in the centre back. normally the darts are placed one third from centre back (measure centre back to side seam). if you have a volume of more than approx. 3-4cm per dart you should make a second dart per side next to the bigger dart (4 darts then). this dart should be smaller and shorter. the darts needn´t to be straight, you can always adjust them to your body form or just play around with styling.
did you have a look at the side seams while pinning the excess at the back? are they still in there "normal straight place" or are they tending to turn to the back?

oh my, i´m sorry when my answer is somewhat confusing... it´s late, but you can always ask me again (or the others on here)

it's not confusing at all!!! thanks a lot!

I have some questions, though:

when you say "a volume of more than approx. 3-4 cm per dart", you mean that's the measurement in the widest (I don't know if that word is correct hahaha) part of the dart?

and if the second dart per side (to make 4) are smaller and shorter... is there some sort of proportion? Like half the size of the original darts or something? Or just make them so it fits nice?

I will check if the side seams are still on the correct place... didn't think of that >.<

thanks a lot again!!! :)

you´re welcome!
yes, i meant the measurement of the widest part of the dart.
normally, the bigger dart is about 28-30cm long, the smaller one about 26-28cm. you can always make one end longer than the other end or even the whole dart longer or shorter if it fits well.

yeiii~ thanks a lot!!!! :D

If the dart goes all the way to the hem open it out and iron flat. Then find your natural waist and put a pin at that point where the original darts where. Fold lengthways and make a long skinny 'D' shaped dart. This will give a better back shape. You can also take some fullness out of the side seam by removing a long thin curved section along the length. Hope this helps.