One of our friends recently found a beautiful blouse; bought it, and brought it home. Then she realized the blouse was long sleeved, and she had never altered a blouse before. She set the blouse on her cutting table, and thought to herself. This is the a great blouse. I love it. If I try to shorten the sleeves, I could ruin it.
We live in Texas where it often reaches a hundred degrees during the summer. Long sleeved shirts are just too hot to wear. So one day, my husband and I decided we would just shorten a bunch of his long sleeved shirts. It is just like having brand new shirts.
Why would you alter a perfectly good blouse or shirt? Why would you cut off a perfectly good sleeve? There are many possible needs: comfort, style, repair, just want to. The more apt question is how do you alter a sleeve?
What kind of sleeve would you like? You can create many variations including short sleeve, sleeveless, or three quarter sleeve. In addition to length you can add creative touches like cuffs, lace, or frills. There are lots of choices, but once you understand the basics, the project is quite easy.
Initially, identify how long you want the sleeve to be. Since you have many options, you must decide. If it is helpful compare other shirts you have until you get a good idea what you really want.
Now that you have a clear idea what length you want, measure from the top seam at the shoulder down to the point you want your sleeve to end. Then measure from the under arm seam to the same point parallel point on the sleeve. To this measurement, add one and a half inches. Mark the sleeve straight across with a fabric marker.
Step Three, cut straight across the sleeve between the outer and under measurement marks.
Step Four, remove the stitching along the inside of the sleeve to the underarm seam. Keep in mind that the shape of the sleeve tapers. You will need to carefully reshape the sleeve to avoid binding under the arm. To accomplish this, seam on the inside of the sleeve along the taper.
Note: the inch and a half fold over must be cut exactly opposite of the taper angle in order both front and back of the sleeve to allow for opposite taper on the hem.
Fifth, turn under ", and press. Fold again 1, and press. You may either topstitch this hem or blind hem. Examine the blouse or shirt carefully. Is there any top stitching around the collar or down the front of the shirt? If there is topstitching, topstitch the sleeve. If you find that there is no apparent top stitching anywhere on the shirt, you will need to stitch the sleeve together with a blind hem.
If you plan to use a blind hem, you can accomplish your sewing using you sewing machine blind hem stitch with its appropriate blind hem foot. Or if you plan to do many hems, there is a great specialty machine called a blind hemmer that produced a professional blind hem perfect for sleeves, slacks, dresses, skirts, wherever you may need a blind hem. - 15343
We live in Texas where it often reaches a hundred degrees during the summer. Long sleeved shirts are just too hot to wear. So one day, my husband and I decided we would just shorten a bunch of his long sleeved shirts. It is just like having brand new shirts.
Why would you alter a perfectly good blouse or shirt? Why would you cut off a perfectly good sleeve? There are many possible needs: comfort, style, repair, just want to. The more apt question is how do you alter a sleeve?
What kind of sleeve would you like? You can create many variations including short sleeve, sleeveless, or three quarter sleeve. In addition to length you can add creative touches like cuffs, lace, or frills. There are lots of choices, but once you understand the basics, the project is quite easy.
Initially, identify how long you want the sleeve to be. Since you have many options, you must decide. If it is helpful compare other shirts you have until you get a good idea what you really want.
Now that you have a clear idea what length you want, measure from the top seam at the shoulder down to the point you want your sleeve to end. Then measure from the under arm seam to the same point parallel point on the sleeve. To this measurement, add one and a half inches. Mark the sleeve straight across with a fabric marker.
Step Three, cut straight across the sleeve between the outer and under measurement marks.
Step Four, remove the stitching along the inside of the sleeve to the underarm seam. Keep in mind that the shape of the sleeve tapers. You will need to carefully reshape the sleeve to avoid binding under the arm. To accomplish this, seam on the inside of the sleeve along the taper.
Note: the inch and a half fold over must be cut exactly opposite of the taper angle in order both front and back of the sleeve to allow for opposite taper on the hem.
Fifth, turn under ", and press. Fold again 1, and press. You may either topstitch this hem or blind hem. Examine the blouse or shirt carefully. Is there any top stitching around the collar or down the front of the shirt? If there is topstitching, topstitch the sleeve. If you find that there is no apparent top stitching anywhere on the shirt, you will need to stitch the sleeve together with a blind hem.
If you plan to use a blind hem, you can accomplish your sewing using you sewing machine blind hem stitch with its appropriate blind hem foot. Or if you plan to do many hems, there is a great specialty machine called a blind hemmer that produced a professional blind hem perfect for sleeves, slacks, dresses, skirts, wherever you may need a blind hem. - 15343
About the Author:
Sewing Instructions are shared by Author Donna Trumble in her Basic Sewing Instructions books and courses. She also offers a free ebook titled Top Ten Sewing Answers.
