The Dior Dart

patternmaking, Sewing55 Comments

It is not often that you hear reference to Dior darts these days, but since a couple of dresses I’ve made have this design feature, let’s discuss!

A Dior dart is a short bust dart that extends from a side front panel seam on the bodice, and it often occurs in fitted tops and dresses from the sixties.  It certainly features heavily in the 1968 Burda Moden’s that I own:

As a sixties fashion fanatic I was a fan of this type of dart, but it wasn’t until I entered the garment industry that I heard my colleagues describing it as a ‘Dior dart’ – and I took their word for gospel as they had all trained during that era!

I haven’t heard it referred to it as such again, well until I recently picked up a book that seconds the idea.  In Basic Pattern Cutting by Maria Mori, the author claims the side panel bust dart was first used by Christian Dior – so maybe my colleagues were right after all:

I’ve always loved the look – the side panel seam slims, the short bust dart minimises – and these factors contribute to the desirable ‘youthful’ effect of that era.  It is not just for the youthful though.  In my Burda magazines there are plenty of examples in the mature/plus sizes, and they look very slimming.

Perhaps the best thing about the Dior dart is that it is easy to create for yourself!  Here’s how:

From your block or pattern, swing all dart suppression into a single side bust dart:

If you are using an existing pattern, you will need to extend all darts to the bust point first.

Fold the dart just as it will be pressed in the finished garment, then draw in a side panel seam:

Add a seam allowance to the centre front panel, then cut along this line with the dart still folded:

Now trace around the side panel with the dart closed, but add double the width of the seam allowance:

Notch the dart legs on the centre front panel, and their match point on the side panel:

Reduce the dart length by 2cm so the dart apex stops short of the bust point:

Now you are ready to cut and sew!

Do you like the side panel bust dart too?  And have you ever heard it referred to as a Dior dart?

Posted by

Designer, Patternmaker, Blogger Of All Things Sewing. Follow as I share projects, patterns, and my favourite tricks of the trade.

55 thoughts on “The Dior Dart”

  2. I've never heard of the Dior dart either but I certainly like them. Thanks for showing the pattern making process. I really love pattern making and I find myself looking at stuff in shops and working out (or sometimes trying to) how to make up the pattern, Not that I have time or will, I like the process. I love your block and the lovely little gadget that punches notches.

    Like

    Reply

  3. This is a new one for me too! The black Chanel jacket that I have being eyeing off has a side panel and it was so far to the side of the bust point that I wondered what to do for bust shaping…this could be my answer.

    Like

    Reply

  5. I hadn't heard it referred to as a dior dart before – but I love patterns that use them. I made a cropped grey wool jacket last year, that had these darts and loved the fit. When I saw the post title, I thought you were going to talk about those strange bust shapes from the recent dior show!

    Like

    Reply

  7. This is my favorite post of the week! I too am a pattern maker/technical designer but have never heard of a Dior dart. Thanks for sharing but most of all, thanks for showing me how to create it from my block! Wonderful!

    Like

    Reply

  9. Woah I'm working on a short coat at the moment that has this exact dart! It also has a strange modified raglan sleeve that Rhonda Buss explained a while ago that I (almost immediately) forgot. XD Thanks for sharing. I'll mention this when I make that post.

    Like

    Reply

  12. I've had this type of dart on a few patterns. Unfortunately, by the time I've finished making adjustments for small bust, this dart ends up a tiny sliver – almost not worth putting in. But it certainly does make for a lovely shape on someone with a larger bust.

    Like

    Reply

  13. I've made this dart on a Burda jacket and a coat over the years but I've never heard it referred to as a Dior dart before. I like them, too, because they give such a lovely fitted look.

    Like

    Reply

  16. That is very interesting; I have never heard of that referred to as a Dior dart. I've used it a lot in making women's clothes, but that particular term had never come up before. Thanks!

    Like

    Reply

  20. The Colette Hazel pattern has this type of dart I do believe. It is my first time using it, and I'd never heard it called a Dior dart. Thanks for sharing!! I do like the shape it gave.

    Like

    Reply

  21. I'm also a little confused about the adding of the double seam allowance. Does that still fit the other seam when sewn or does it need to be eased? Haven't worked with a dart like this before so it's all new to me ( like 95% of all drafting) <:)

    Like

    Reply

  22. Yes, I added a seam allowance to the front panel before cutting the side panel away. Because this removes from the side panel, it is added back at the same time as the side panel seam allowance is added. It's a bit quicker than slicing it up and adding them individually.

    Like

    Reply

  28. I have to add a second comment, because serendipitously I came across a RTW dress made with a 'Dior Dart' this afternoon while at the mall. My daughter and I wandered into an Ann Taylor store (we are in the US), and an orange double-knit dress caught my eye because of the interesting use of decorative hemstitching. Upon closer inspection, there was a side panel with a short bust dart coming from the panel. I don't recall ever seeing this in RTW before today.

    Like

    Reply

  30. Thank you for the explanation! I have been looking at these darts and wondering how they are done and whether they might work for me or not. I usually do a substantial FBA, and I'm thinking that this might be a good alternative for dealing with that issue.
    ~Jen

    Like

    Reply

  31. This method of shaping is PERFECTION in my opinion. Especially if one is curvy and short waisted. Never heard the name Dior dart, but I love it!

    Like

    Reply

  37. I have never heard it called a Dior dart. I have made several BurdaStyle magazine jacket patterns which had this type of dart. The Pattern Drafting and Grading book by M. Mohr (1968) describes it as “Part of a side dart on Front seam for smoother fit over the bust(a style feature)” and shows it in a coat, shift dress, blouse and jacket.

    Like

    Reply

  38. Curious what the back of your garment looks like…is there another side panel? Could the side seam then be eliminated? Using a dark fabric for the side panels would be such a great slimming effect. Your post really got my design ideas flowing 🙂
    Have never heard this type of dart referred to as the Dior dart but, Mr. Dior was certainly an innovator.

    Like

    Reply

  40. I'd never noticed this before or that your dress had a side panel but now that I'm looking it does create a very nice silhouette effect. Thank you so much for sharing these things. I love learning about use of darts. Your old post on darts completely changed the way I sew and cut darts–and they are so much prettier and more useful now!

    Like

    Reply

  41. Thanks for that . I have been thinking about using that strategy on a jacket I want to make . Sherry I really would appreciate you talking about the wide legged pants you made with the buttons at the front AKA Sailor pants . Does the opening incorporate a pocket. I would love to make some pants which also have this opening and pockets incorporated into the opening . Any idea how this could be done ??

    Like

    Reply

  42. Hi mem – I cheated on my trousers and made fake pockets, but it is possible to make real ones! The whole upper front/pocket edge is faced in one piece and buttonholed, and the underlay forms the rest of the pocket bag. The underlay can extend right across the CF (a bit like a kangaroo pocket) and have a hidden CF zip opening, or you can cut it to a pocket bag shape and have a zip opening in side/CB. Have fun, and make sure you show us your results!

    Like

    Reply

  43. I'm not sure it's the official name at all! Judging by the comments, few have heard it called that, so it is more likely a nickname given to that style of dart style by my ex-colleagues. I hope I haven't given the wrong impression!

    Like

    Reply

  47. Hello Sherry , Thanks for that I hadnt thought of using the zip as the real opening . I had been worrying over using the Pockets and buttons as the opening . Silly me to complicate things when they dont need to be . Thanks alot for that . Yes I will be posting again soon . I have been really busy sewing but not posting . I had some internet issues and then got out of the habit but given that enjoy reading everyone elses posts so much I should really reciprocate . I WILL return !!

    Like

    Reply
  49. Pingback: Xerea (you’ve gotta see her) | Fifty Two Fancies

  50. Hi Sherry!
    I was reader of this blog, a few years ago, and dropped off when you took a break. I didn’t know you were back at it, but I just followed you on Instagram.
    So I was wondering how to draft my own Dior Dart and I saw your post in the search results and remembered reading the original post!!
    Thanks for keeping this content up because it’s so valuable!
    Your back in my Feedly subscriptions!
    I’m so excited I’ve found you again!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

Have your say!

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.