How to Sew Darts in Pants

Sew the sides and inseam of your pants using a sewing pattern, and try the pants on before sewing the waistband to the pants.

Measure for the placement of the darts. You can place two darts each on the front and back of the waistband, or only on the front or the back -- whichever you prefer. The dart should land halfway between the center front or center back of the waistband and the side seams of the pants. Mark this area with a fabric marker.

Put the pair of pants on inside out. Create a small fold of fabric in the areas you marked with the fabric marker to pinch away the excess fabric and shape the pants to your waist. The fold should face outward, with the right sides of the fabric together. You will need another person to help with this if you're making darts on the back of the pants. Place a few pins, starting at the waistband and then creating a triangular fold downward toward the legs that is about two to three inches long, depending on how much fabric you have pinched. Remove the pants.

Create a clean triangular fold where your pins start and end. When you pin the pants while they are on, the triangle dart you pinned may bunch up. Lay the fabric flat and recreate the triangle.

Make sure that the darts on each side are the same length and width so they match.

Stitch the triangular pleat using the pins as a guide. Start stitching at the waistband, and stitch to the point of the triangle. Backstitch by sewing forward and backward a few times to secure.

Proceed with making your pants according to the sewing pattern instructions. Be sure to size your waistband according to the new waistband width you have created.