Sleeves On Saturdays

The Cowl Draped Sleeve 

Today's sleeve is beautiful when paired with a draped front top but will also make a simple top look special.

 The folds fall gracefully from the top of the sleeve. I think you'll be amazed by how easy it is to draft.

Begin with your basic sleeve pattern. This sleeve will also look wonderful when made from a fitted sleeve.

Find the approximate elbow area of the sleeve. Draw a horizontal line at this point. At the cap, measure over 2" from the center of the sleeve and approximately half way down the sleeve cap and draw in the diagonal lines you see pictured above. 

Now cut from the top of the sleeve to the elbow line and across to the side seams, being careful to not cut through. In the cap area cut on the diagonal lines once again being careful to cut to the seam line but not through. Spread your pieces as you see above and tape or pin in place. 

 Draw a horizontal line at the top of the cap that will connect the two pie shaped pieces. This sleeve will need a facing. The second line that you see above is 2" from the line that connects the two pieces of the cap that have been spread. You can spread more than I did. The more you spread, the deeper the drapes will be. Also note in the above picture that you will straighten out the area where the cap has been spread.

The final pattern. I made mine out of a knit, so I cut my sleeve on the straight of grain. If you would like to do this sleeve out of a woven, draw in a bias grain line.

 You can see in this picture that the top of the sleeve cap is open which looks lovely with an arm peeking through.

 Here you see the soft drapes.

A very pretty, feminine sleeve. Enjoy!