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The article below is an excerpt from Elementary Sewing Skills by Merchant & Mills published by Pavilion. The book is a great reference guide to the most common techniques needed for garment sewing. Photography by Roderick Field. Sewing Sleeves
While we tend to pay most attention to the open end of a sleeve, in sewing the real action lies at the shoulder end. We will tackle three main types of sleeve. Each of these has a different look and fit and each employs a very different method of construction. Set-in sleeves are the most traditional and common type of sleeve. Most set-in sleeves are cut to sit right on the shoulder. They give a flattering and tailored, fitted look. Raglan sleeves have the seam cut across the body. They can be fitted or very loose. They give a comfortable look and indeed are comfortable to wear, allowing good freedom of movement. Shirt sleeves have a casual look. They are often cut to have a dropped shoulder with the sleeve seam sitting slightly onto the arm. These sleeves are loose in fit.
Set-in sleevesA set-in sleeve will have ‘ease’ at the sleeve head. It is called ‘set in’ because the shoulder and side seams of the garment are already sewn together and all seams pressed open and finished. This will give a lovely rounded line to the garment. Take care not to make any tucks in the sleeve when sewing in the sleeve. Ease is easiest to handle with loose-weave fabrics, such as woollens and linens, as it is easy to draw the fibres together; tightly woven fabrics such as denim are trickier.
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Raglan sleeve with dart Two-piece raglan sleeve |
1. Either pin and create the dart or pin and sew the two-piece sleeve together. Make sure that you are creating a pair of sleeves, and press the seams open.
2. Sew together the underarm seam on both the sleeve and the garment body. With right sides together, pin the sleeve to the body of the garment, matching the underarm seams and matching the notches.
3. With the sleeve side up, carefully sew into place.
4. Press the seam open from both sides of the fabric. Clip seams at front and back notches to allow seams at the neck to lie open. Zigzag underarm seams together. Zigzag other seams individually.
This style of sleeve offers a more casual look, as it is a looser fit and can be dropped away from the natural shoulder. There is normally no ease allowance in a shirt sleeve. It is put in on the flat before the side and sleeve seams are sewn.
1. With right sides together, pin the sleeve into the armholes, matching the notches as you go. Sew together with sleeve side up.
2. Press the seam open, then press the seam towards the sleeve (away from the body). Zigzag the sleeve and armhole seams together to finish the seam.
3. Matching up the underarm seams, pin and sew the side seams and the sleeve seams together. Start sewing from the side seam, then sew down the sleeve seam.
Elementary Sewing Skills by Merchant & Mills can be purchased online here, and you can read my review of their book here.
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