Tuesday Techniques!
If you want to use patterns that have options for sleeves then you might find that the sleeve provided doesn't fit your arm. This may be especially true for patterns that are designed for woven, non-stretch fabrics.
If you have bigger upper arms and find that when you use the sleeve pattern the sleeve feels too tight then you might want to add more room.
Adjusting sleeves can seem daunting as the shape of the sleeve head and how that fits into the armhole can feel a bit like a dark art. But there are some simple adjustments you can make which could make all the difference between a comfortable garment with sleeves or always feeling like you have to pick the sleeveless option.
In this Tuesday Techniques session I explain
how to measure your upper arm and the size of the sleeve pattern
how to decide where you might need the extra room
two options for making the adjustment depending on how much you need to add and where you need the extra space.
If you have a pattern that you want to work on then why not give these modifications a try as you watch the video. The pattern I have used in this example is the Made to Sew Copen dress which is an almost free PDF pattern (they are now charging 50p to avoid spam issues!). This is a great basic pattern from which to make your own design and style changes.
If you want help with changes to the shoulder area before you adjust your sleeve then check out this post: Basic Shoulder Adjustments
If you have a pattern that is not a simple bodice like the one in this example and would like pointers on how to apply this change to that specific pattern please let me know either in the Facebook Group or by email and I can share some tips and techniques to help you tweak this process for your garment.
If you have any questions then I love to help so email me at hello@sewmuchmorefun.co.uk and if you have any a-has or inspiration from this session let me know in the comments below.