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Sewing/Widening Sleeve

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Expert: Sharon Vogel - 9/25/2009


Question

Jedi robe
I would like to know the best way to widen a sleeve.  I have already cut the fabric and in fact have sewn the sleeve into the garment.  When I stitched up the side and down to the wrist, it is not as full as I'd like it.  It is a Halloween costume for my son, so it doesn't have to look perfect and I don't mind having two extra seams on the sleeve where the extra fabric is sewn in.  I'd like to add in some extra fabric somehow to widen the sleeve.  I feel like I need a triangular shape piece of fabric tapered out, but not sure exactly how to go about this.  Any advice will be appreciated.  I tried to attach a photo of the effect I'm looking for.  Right now the costume fits like a regular shirt with only a little extra room at the wrist.  He'll be wearing another long sleeve shirt under the robe so it's tight on him right now.

Answer

sleeve extension
Dear Susan,
I would decide how much wider I want the sleeve to be at the hem.  Using the tissue pattern piece, lay it out with some plain tissue under one sleeve edge.  Divide the amount you decided you wanted to add in half and then extend a line from the sleeve edge for this amount following the general curve of the hem edge.  Using a straightedge, connect the end of this line to end of the armhole seam edge. Since this type of sleeve is generally symmetrical, the amount needed to be added to each side will be the same.  Remember to add enough for a seam allowance on the edge where the new pieces will be sewn to the existing sleeve.  Cut out two pieces for each sleeve and sew to the sides of the sleeve and then sew the sleeve seam.  See the attached illustration.

Good luck and happy sewing!

Sharon
    Questioner's Rating
    Rating(1-10)Knowledgeability = 10Clarity of Response = 10Politeness = 10
    CommentThank you so much for your advice. I will give it a try.


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Sharon Vogel

Expertise

I can answer general sewing questions as well as tailoring, heirloom, menswear, children's wear, craft sewing, quilting and just about any fabric or notion. I can also help with some sewing machine repair and maintenance.

Experience

I started sewing at the age of 3...thanks to my mom and grandmother, and I am now in my fifties. Home economics classes in junior high and high school helped me to finesse my skills.

Education/Credentials
Palmer and Plesch tailoring class Basically, self-taught...give me the instructions and I will figure it out and then make it better!

Awards and Honors
A few blue ribbons at fairs along the way

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