Session 2 - Feb. 25th
There are many ways to make sleeves, some more technical, some less technical. I tend to lean a little towards the less technical side.
Sleeves:
Sleeves are part science, part art. You can use measurements to a point, then you have to throw it all up in the air and fiddle with it until it works.
Most of what you need to know you can find on
this diagram.
In addition to this, you can measure from the top of the curve, to the edge, and see where the back seam will fall on your arm. If it's not in a good place, rearrange your curve accordingly.
What else is there?
Most importantly, try this out in scrap fabric! Cut out the sleeve, using the instructions on the diagram, using a large seam allowance. Pin or baste the sleeve into the armhole of your dress, and see what your movement is like.
- Can you bend your arm? If not, rearrange the pins to give yourself more ease in the elbow.
- Can you raise your arm? If not, make your curve shallower, or add a small gusset into the seam.
- Is it slim enough? If not, pin it tighter along the bicep and forearm, making sure you can still bend your elbow.
- Can you get your hand past the wrist? If you can't get your hand past the wrist, are you willing to have buttons on the sleeve? Make the wrist larger or tighter as necessary.
Variations
Sleeves are one of the places where you can introduce a lot of individuality. It can end at the wrist, the knuckles, or even five inches past your fingertips in a long drape! There's even examples of sleeve ends that fall further than this, with perhaps a foot long drape at the end. You can leave them straight without buttons, button them to the elbow, or even tiny buttons up the upper arm. Pick the look you want, and what you think works best for you and the time that you want to spend (buttons take longer!).