Full Bust Adjustment – French Darts

Most sewing patterns are made with B-cup bust sizes. If you have a larger bust cup size, you’ll likely need to do a full bust adjustment. You’ll know if you need this because the bust is tight or pulling. There may be gaping at the neckline or armhole. There are often draglines from multiple locations pointing toward the Apex area.

1. If you have a tight bust area and diagonal drag lines on the side panel, cut open your sample as shown, stopping just before you get to the armhole.
2. Open the amount needed, tape, pin, and measure it.
3. Come back to the pattern and slash it open as shown, stopping just before the armhole. And on the center of the French dart line, stopping just before the Apex.
4. Allow the Apex to open the amount you measured in your sample.
5. Then, allow the side panel to drop down until it reaches a parallel line on the vertical cut line.
6. This will be the amount you add to your pattern piece. Your dart becomes deeper.
7. Your dart position may need to change to where the Apex is. Since we opened it up, this has lowered our dart. Many times, you don’t need to change the dart position.
8. If you want to keep the original waist size, you would reduce the waist at the side seam, which would angle the side seam more. Double-check your back body panel to make sure the side seams still match.

This information and more can be found in The Fitting Book. Order your book today through the link below.

Learn the 3-Step Fitting Process:

A) Identify the Fitting Issue.

B) Pin, Cut, & Tape the Fitting Sample.

C) Correct the Sewing Pattern.

The Fitting Book Includes:

Tops

Pants

Skirts/Dresses

My Secret in Diagonal Draglines

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