A friend of mine called the other day and told me that she had just bought a new blouse. The only problem was that it had long sleeves. I told her to shorten the sleeve, but she was worried she might make a mistake and ruin the blouse.
In much the same way, my husband David and I were in our closet at home. David was looking for a clean shirt. It has turned hot here in Texas, I mean hot. He realized that he did not have a decent short sleeved shirt. So, we decided to shorten the long sleeved shirts, and maybe this fall we will buy a whole new wardrobe of long sleeved shirts.
Long sleeves can easily be shortened or made into short sleeves. Indeed, you can alter the length of a sleeve almost at will. This is until you have already cut off part of the sleeve. The goal is to alter the sleeve correctly.
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.
Step One, set the length of sleeve you want. This sounds easy, and it is. However, you do have to choose the length you want for this sleeve. You may determine this length by comparing other shirts until you find one that is just right. You can even use this other shirt like a template.
Second, Measure both under- arm seam and at the shoulder. Add 1 " to this measurement, and mark the fabric with a fabric marker.
Step Three, cut straight across the sleeve between the outer and under measurement marks.
Fourth, Since the sleeve shape tapers, you will need to take out the stitching almost to the underarm seam. Reshape the under arm (sleeve). Sew a seam on the inside of the sleeve to hold that taper in place.
The inch and a half of fabric to be used for the hem, must be cut and sewn with an angle opposite to accommodate the taper so that when it is folded under it will not bind.
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 have a professional blind hem stitching machine, you will get the best results. Otherwise, your sewing machine probably came with a blind hem foot. If you do not have a blind hem foot, you can get one at your local sewing machine dealers store. It is also possible to hand stitch the seam if necessary. - 15995
In much the same way, my husband David and I were in our closet at home. David was looking for a clean shirt. It has turned hot here in Texas, I mean hot. He realized that he did not have a decent short sleeved shirt. So, we decided to shorten the long sleeved shirts, and maybe this fall we will buy a whole new wardrobe of long sleeved shirts.
Long sleeves can easily be shortened or made into short sleeves. Indeed, you can alter the length of a sleeve almost at will. This is until you have already cut off part of the sleeve. The goal is to alter the sleeve correctly.
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.
Step One, set the length of sleeve you want. This sounds easy, and it is. However, you do have to choose the length you want for this sleeve. You may determine this length by comparing other shirts until you find one that is just right. You can even use this other shirt like a template.
Second, Measure both under- arm seam and at the shoulder. Add 1 " to this measurement, and mark the fabric with a fabric marker.
Step Three, cut straight across the sleeve between the outer and under measurement marks.
Fourth, Since the sleeve shape tapers, you will need to take out the stitching almost to the underarm seam. Reshape the under arm (sleeve). Sew a seam on the inside of the sleeve to hold that taper in place.
The inch and a half of fabric to be used for the hem, must be cut and sewn with an angle opposite to accommodate the taper so that when it is folded under it will not bind.
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 have a professional blind hem stitching machine, you will get the best results. Otherwise, your sewing machine probably came with a blind hem foot. If you do not have a blind hem foot, you can get one at your local sewing machine dealers store. It is also possible to hand stitch the seam if necessary. - 15995
About the Author:
Sewing Instructions are taught by Author Donna Trumble in her Basic Sewing Instructions books and courses. She also offers a free ebook titled Top Ten Sewing Answers.
