1. Darts, easing, gathers, & Casing

2. Darts
Triangular folds of fabric stitched to a point when sewing a garment.
Control fullness
Give shape to fitted clothing
Point to the fullest part of the body

3. Steps to sewing a dart
Step #1: Fold the dart with right sides of the fabric together, matching stitching lines. Place on pin exactly at the point and other pins at the small dot markings.

4. Steps to sewing a dart Step #2:
Stitch from the wide end of the dart to the point

5. Steps to sewing a dart Step #3
Stitch the last two or three stitches as close to the fold line as possible. (This creates a sharp point) Don’t backstitch.
Step #4
Tie thread ends
in a knot

6. Easing Allows fabric to be shaped over a curved area of the body.
Makes flared hems possible.
One edge of fabric is slightly longer than the other
No visible folds or gathers
Most common use is a set-in sleeve

7. Steps to Ease stitching
Create a basting stitch.
(Stitch close to the
seam line with long
machine stitches)

8. Steps to Ease stitching
Stitch a second row ¼ inch away
Step #3:
Pin the fabric, right
sides together, with
the eased side up

9. Steps to ease stitching
Pull up the thread between markings and distribute the fullness evenly.
Step #5:
Stitch with standard stitching along the seam line (careful not to stitch in any folds or gathers)

10. Gathers
Soft folds of fabric formed by pulling up basting stitches to make the fabric fit in smaller space.
Start with 2 parallel rows of basting
Bobbin threads are pulled from both ends
Stitched to the shorter length of fabric

11. Casing
A closed tunnel of fabric that holds a piece of elastic or a drawstring inside
Used at:
sleeve edges
necklines
waistlines
hemlines
Controls fullness
Easier than a waistband or cuff