Adding Sleeves Sewing Tutorial

This week I have been busy adding some sleeves to one of my daughter's tops.  She used to wear a top underneath this one, but as the warmer weather is coming, I thought it would be easier to have just one layer instead of two layers of clothing! I have done this previously with clothes especially for my eldest to make sure her clothes are modest but still fashionable enough for her age!

I thought I would take some photos this time to show you how easy it is to do this! I used an old top which the sleeves were too short so instead of using the sleeves I used the body part of the top to make some sleeves. I made sure I use the bottom part of the top so that I keep the neat hem and saves me having to sew a new hem on the bottom of each sleeve! If you have some sleeves long enough then that would be even simpler to do!

Instructions:

Step 1: I found some spare fabric and also some sleeves to use for measurement . I used the spare short sleeve as a template to cut out a similar width sleeve for my project. Make sure that the length of the sleeve will be the right side by measuring the difference on the arm of the person needing this top. (pics 1,2,3)

Step 2:  Cut out 2 identical pieces of fabric to use for the sleeve. Making sure that you have enough space to sew the side hems. (I apologise for the bad photos!) (pic 4)

Step 3: Fold the Rectangle piece of cut fabric lengthways (correct side up). Then attach the sleeve to the inside of the arm of the main top. Pin the sleeve to the arm. The arm hole was a little larger for me so I just made sure I pinned it evenly to leave a small space on the underneath of the arm which I can sew up at the end! (Pic 5)

Step 4:  I then used the sewing machine to attach the sleeve to the arm of the top. I also added an extra row of stitching to make it more secure and also to add a nice design to it! (Pic 7)

Step 5: Once you have attached the top part of the sleeve, you then need to turn the top inside out. Then straighten the sleeve and pin the edge of the sleeve lengthways. (Pic 8)

Step 6: Then sew along the edge of the sleeve until you reach the arm. Then make sure that there is no spaces in stitching at armhole area, if there is then secure with the sewing machine. My armhole was larger than the sleeve so I had to sew up part of the armhole to make the sleeve sit neatly! Turn the top back from inside out and you now have your completed long sleeve! (Pic 9)

Step 7: Now repeat the process of adding the sleeve to the other arm and you then have your completed long sleeved top! (Pic 10,11)

My daughter loves her new top! And is happy now not to have to wear several layers of clothes!  This is ideal for older daughters who are wanting to wear long sleeved modest clothing and not wanting to wear several layers of clothing to do so!

I first attempted to do this in 2011 with some spare sleeves! I was really happy with the outcome and have done this several times since. Here is the photograph of the original one I did! http://www.karimascrafts.com/2011/04/adding-sleeves-to-dress-or-top.html