---
title: "Dart"
description: "A dart is a stitched, tapering fold of fabric that shapes flat cloth to the curves of the body, such as the bust, waist or hip."
type: Glossary
url: https://teazle.art/glossary/dart
published: 2026-10-14
updated: 2026-10-14
author: "The Teazle editors"
---

# Dart

*A dart is a stitched, tapering fold of fabric that shapes flat cloth to the curves of the body, such as the bust, waist or hip.*

A dart takes a wedge of fabric out of a garment and sews it shut, so that flat cloth turns into a three-dimensional shell. Its point aims at the fullest part of the curve, the bust point or the hip, and stops just short of it.

## What can replace a dart?

Its shaping can be moved into seams (princess lines), gathers, [pleats](https://teazle.art/glossary/pleat.md) or [smocking](https://teazle.art/glossary/smocking.md), or avoided by cutting on the bias.


## Sources

1. [Common sewing and pattern making terms defined](https://blog.fabrics-store.com/?p=32171). Fabrics-store.com
2. [Sewing terms to know](https://www.threadsmagazine.com/2010/10/11/sewing-terms-to-know). Threads Magazine
3. [Dart (Q5225562)](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5225562). Wikidata

Canonical: https://teazle.art/glossary/dart