Expert: Sarah - 6/9/2009

Question
Helloo, just checking about taking up a suit jacket sleeve cuff with the buttons and all? my friends son, so they would like to be able to let it down again after he has grown, should i just tuck it all up and move the button up on outside, what would you recommend ?, thank you.
Tania.

Answer
Hi Tania,

Sorry for the delay in getting back to you. Yes, your inclination is right - you want to carefully separate the lining from the sleeve at the sleeve opening. Tuck the excess of the sleeve under and carefully press in place. Pressing will help when you're hemming the sleeve to keep everything even and in place. You may want to do this inside out, so you can assure that your sleeve hem is level.  Then turn the lining under and press. You want the lining fold to be about 1" above the fold of your sleeve, so the lining doesn't show when the garment is finished. Then whipstitch the lining to the sleeve with a thread of a matching color. It is a simple modification.  

Because you're not trimming the excess, there may be a bit of a crease that you can see from the outside since you have so much fabric tucked under. There isn't much you can do about this, but depending on the fabric it may not be too noticeable.

Hope this helps!

~ Sarah