Last night I had the opportunity to talk to the Chicago Chapter of the American Sewing Guild. What a great group pf ladies! My program was on drafting sleeves. I was told to plan on a 30 minute talk, but the talk went on for an hour!!! Hopefully I didn't wear out my welcome :), but they seemed to enjoy the evening as much as I did. I hope so anyway. As I drove home last night, I thought about the fact that there are a number of new followers to the blog....welcome!!! So I thought I would showcase of few of my favorite sleeve posts.
When I was in design school, I found a drafting book devoted to sleeves. I was in love! Since then, I have had a passion for sleeve drafting.
So first up is a coat that I actually drafted when I was in school....yikes!!!, 30 years ago!!! I made a joke last night about having clothes that I have made that are now vintage. Oh well, I love the coat, and yes, I still wear it. I'm actually thinking about making some separates to wear with it and put it in this year's Haute Couture Fashion Show. The title of the show is Through The Looking Glass and the focus is on Alice's journey through Wonderland, so I think this will fit into the theme.
This sleeve is actually a play on the traditional petal sleeve. You can see the finished garment HERE.
The Pleated Epaulet Sleeve This sleeve gives the shoulder a very squared look. It looks great in a t-shirt as well as a jacket or coat.
The Rounded Square Shoulder Sleeve is one of my favorite sleeves. Very easy to draft and it opens itself to lots of design possibilities.You can see a picture of me in the sleeve HERE.
.JPG)
So this is just a sample of some of the sleeves we've done on Saturdays. Click on the links above to see the drafting instructions. You can also go to my Sleeves On Saturdays Pinterest page.
To all who have been around for a long time, thanks for all of your support and to those who are new, I hope you'll find lots of inspiration and maybe give a little pattern drafting a try.
Happy Valentine's Day!!!
Rhonda
I was at this presentation, and I have to admit that I had no idea that there were so many beautiful options for designing a sleeve. The execution of each garment was superlative - far better than anything you could ever hope to purchase in a store. Rhonda's got some amazing skills, and a ton of creativity!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Janice :) It was truly my pleasure to meet you!
DeleteI love that All Points South Sleeve. I would love to have that in a winter coat and your help in drafting certainly makes it not only possible but easy too. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteIf you do make up the sleeve, and you have a chance, I would love to see a picture. Let me know if you have any questions.
DeleteThanks, Rhonda, for sharing these inspiring sleeve techniques. I am quite smitten with The Twisted Petal Sleeve. It looks like the perfect complement to a flirty spring top. I'm pinning this image right now!
ReplyDeleteGreat ideas to try in exchange for the plain set in sleeve. These sleeves can take an outfit from humdrum to exciting. Thanks for posting the drafting instructions too.
ReplyDeleteI so wish I could have been there for your lecture. These sleeves are all so inspirational. Thanks, Rhonda, for all you share.
ReplyDeleteI wish I would have more time to try at least some of those sleeves. The cowl draped sleeve is so pretty.
ReplyDeleteRhonda you are so generous and creative. I have some blouses to refashion and some of these sleeve designs would work. Thank you
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed readin all your sleeve posts . wonder where my earlier comment disappeared ..
ReplyDeleteTerrifically interesting! I'd be fascinated to see each of the pattern pieces for these sleeves. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteIf you click on the highlighted name of each sleeve, it will take you to the post where I demonstrate how to draft each sleeve. At the end of each post is a final pattern.
DeleteWhat talent! Those sleeves are beautiful, interesting and couture! Thanks for such a beautiful and inspiring post.
ReplyDeleteYou really need to publish a book on these sleeve designs. I am sure it would be very popular, they are so nice and your tutorials are brilliant and explain things really well. I would buy one in a heartbeat. They would really take people skills up several levels compared to most of the new sewing books out there. Xx
ReplyDeleteThat is exactly what I want to do. My problem has been in finding a publisher. Maybe I need to just go ahead and self publish the book.
DeleteHi Rhonda, I'd live for you to cover this sleeve: http://moldesdicasmoda.com/detalhes-de-modelacao-29/
ReplyDeleteI meant this: http://pin.it/IxutGjG
ReplyDelete