With some clever pattern manipulation, you can turn one sleeve pattern into five sleeve styles. Garment sewing expert Judith Neukam shows how to make small changes to a pattern for dramatically different looks. They include three types of puffed sleeves, a cowl sleeve, and a tulip sleeve.

Judith starts with a basic sleeve pattern. She demonstrates how and where to draw lines on the pattern. Then it is on to clipping and cutting along the lines, spreading the pattern at the established hinges, and adding paper to create a new pattern.

The five sleeve styles explained may offer inspiration for creating you own sleeves.

This detailed tutorial is one video from Season 3 of the comprehensive Teach Yourself to Sew series.

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Teach Yourself to Sew

Judith, the series host, got her first taste of sewing when she took the free lessons that came with her mother’s sewing machine purchase. Judith was 9 at the time. Soon after, she was sewing her own clothes and feeding her passion for the craft. In her Teach Yourself to Sew series, Judith shares her enduring love of sewing and her invaluable years of sewing experience.

Getting started

She starts with discussing the equipment and the essential sewing notions for anyone who sews. You’ll learn about shopping for fabrics, choosing patterns (including selecting the correct size), and planning the perfect pattern layout. From machine-sewing simple seams to inserting zippers and stitching buttonholes, Judith demonstrates the key steps to making a custom garment.

Discover methods for clean-finishing seam allowances and applying facings so all edges are neat. To add shape to garments, Judith explains how and why to sew darts, and how to gather fabric for volume. Other garment elements, such as sleeves, pockets, and elasticized waistbands, are shown in easy-to-follow video tutorials.

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