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Saturday, March 15, 2014

Sleeves On Saturdays

This post will be one more visit with the square shoulder sleeve, not so much for drafting, but for design inspiration. The first sleeve I did was the one below which you've seen many times now. The top is sweet and fine for what it is, a pajama top. Other than being an interesting sleeve to draft, it's just a top.
But what if we cut the sleeve pattern apart and use a stripe fabric?
We'll get something that is quite interesting! 
By cutting the pattern apart, we can play with the stripes. The center section has horizontal stripes and the side section has vertical stripes that meet on top of the shoulder. It may hurt your eyes a bit, but I love mixing patterns and manipulating stripes, so this is right up my alley!
                           
I did my best to have the horizontal stripes on the sleeves match the horizontal stripes on the top. I did an okay job :)
I used the free pattern, from Deer and Doe for the base pattern. You can find a link here and see the post I did on the original top that I made for Thrifty Thursday.
You can find the drafting instructions for the square shoulder sleeve here, http://rhondabuss.blogspot.com/2012/05/sleeves-on-saturdays.html
Begin by drafting the sleeve. I made a small change in the drafting of the sleeve above from the original. The extended tabs on the original are 2 5/8" wide. For the stripe top, I made the extended tabs only 1 1/2" wide.
Once you have drafted the sleeve, simply draw a line down from the extended tab to the hem of  the sleeve. This will become a seam line.
 Be sure to add notches so that you will be able to match the correct seam lines when sewing.
The final pattern. Add seam allowances. For sewing instructions of the square shoulder sleeve, see this post, http://www.rhondabuss.blogspot.com/2014/03/sleeves-on-saturdays_8.html
One last note on this sleeve. If you make this sleeve out of a knit fabric as I did, you will need to add a small shoulder pad for structure. If you don't, the sleeve head will lay limp on top of the arm. Notice I said small, we aren't looking for Greta Garbo!!!!, just a nice structured sleeve.
Hope your weekend is off to a great start!
Rhonda



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13 comments:

  1. I must give this a try. My list of "to tries" is so long................not sure when I'll actually get to it. :(

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    1. This would look cute on you. I know all to well about "the list," you should see my pile of projects. Oh well!!!

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  2. Love the stripes, and that you even played with them on the hem and neck binding. What a great design!

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    1. :) I just can't leave things alone! My students would roll their eyes when I would start with, "you know...." They knew I was going to come up with something that would mean more work. Oh well, they were usually happy in the end.

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  3. This is so cool, Rhonda. Thanks so much for your inspiration and sharing your skills so generously.

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  4. Interesting use of the stripes. I suppose that would work with a normal sleeve head too. Cute.

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  5. Oh I've just got to try this on with stripe fabric. Love it!

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  6. Do you need to change the measurements for a larger size? I would probably make a size larger than you. Can't wait to get started.

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    1. No, the measurements remain the same regardless of the size.

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  7. I drafted the sleeve now just need to find time to cut it out. I hope to have it done by the April HCC meeting. Thanks.

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  8. Great top. I really want one. You did a good job with the directions so I can give it a try. Thanks.

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