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.
We live in Texas where it commonly 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.
There are many reasons to alter a shirt. Wear and tear often ruin a shirt sleeve, but as a short sleeved shirt, it would be fine.
A sleeve can be changed in many ways. You can vary the length significantly from sleeveless to short sleeve to three quarter sleeve length. You have many options to enhance the sleeve with lace, frills, or cuffs. It is a project that you can have real confidence doing if you follow some very basic steps.
First, determine the sleeve length you want. If you are uncertain, try on a couple of other shirts, until you find one that fits the way you like.
Step Two, calculate the sleeve length using your tape measure. Start at the upper should seam and measure to the point you have chosen. Then beginning at the under arm seam, measure to the same place on the underside of the sleeve. Be sure to add for finish, seam allowance, and cuff if desires. Add one and a half inches to each measurement.
Third, Cut the sleeve straight across, connecting both under arm and top sleeve measurements.
At this point, you will need to adjust for the taper of the sleeve shape otherwise when you finish the sleeve will bind or bunch up in the underarm. The stitching inside the sleeve between the hem and under arm sleeve must be removed in order for you to reshape the sleeve. Sew a seam along this 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.
Finally, finish the sleeve hem. Here you have several choices depending on the general style of the shirt. You may install a cuff or not. You may finish with top stitching or blind hem. In either case, the procedure is much the same. Fold the edge of the sleeve under half an inch and press it. Fold it under again one inch and press. Finally, sew the seam as decided.
Your sewing machine may have a specialty stitch called the blind hem stitch. You can use this stitch with the specialty blind hem foot to produce your blind hem. You can also get exceptional professional results using a specialty machine called a blind hemmer.
We live in Texas where it commonly 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.
There are many reasons to alter a shirt. Wear and tear often ruin a shirt sleeve, but as a short sleeved shirt, it would be fine.
A sleeve can be changed in many ways. You can vary the length significantly from sleeveless to short sleeve to three quarter sleeve length. You have many options to enhance the sleeve with lace, frills, or cuffs. It is a project that you can have real confidence doing if you follow some very basic steps.
First, determine the sleeve length you want. If you are uncertain, try on a couple of other shirts, until you find one that fits the way you like.
Step Two, calculate the sleeve length using your tape measure. Start at the upper should seam and measure to the point you have chosen. Then beginning at the under arm seam, measure to the same place on the underside of the sleeve. Be sure to add for finish, seam allowance, and cuff if desires. Add one and a half inches to each measurement.
Third, Cut the sleeve straight across, connecting both under arm and top sleeve measurements.
At this point, you will need to adjust for the taper of the sleeve shape otherwise when you finish the sleeve will bind or bunch up in the underarm. The stitching inside the sleeve between the hem and under arm sleeve must be removed in order for you to reshape the sleeve. Sew a seam along this 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.
Finally, finish the sleeve hem. Here you have several choices depending on the general style of the shirt. You may install a cuff or not. You may finish with top stitching or blind hem. In either case, the procedure is much the same. Fold the edge of the sleeve under half an inch and press it. Fold it under again one inch and press. Finally, sew the seam as decided.
Your sewing machine may have a specialty stitch called the blind hem stitch. You can use this stitch with the specialty blind hem foot to produce your blind hem. You can also get exceptional professional results using a specialty machine called a blind hemmer.
About the Author:
Sewing Instructions are revealed by Author Donna Trumble in her Basic Sewing Instructions books and courses. Download your free ebook titled Top Ten Sewing Answers.
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