A Guide for Sewing Professional Shirt Cuffs
Use a few simple techniques to create beautiful cuffs every time.
Whether you’re sewing a men’s or women’s shirt, it’s easy to overlook the cuffs. Unlike the collar or the front button placket, cuffs aren’t the first detail to get noticed. Still, it’s nice to know you’ve created the nicest cuffs you can.
I’ve learned from experience, including an excellent menswear sewing class at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, that by using a few simple techniques, it’s possible to create beautiful cuffs every time.
Shirt cuff corners are most commonly made squared, rounded, or notched (cut diagonally). I’m going to demonstrate rounded and notched cuffs.
Materials and fabric preparation
Each shirt cuff consists of two pieces: the inner cuff (or cuff facing) and the outer cuff.
Interfacing, generally fusible, gives the cuff extra body. I like to use a lightweight knit fusible, as I’m not a fan of…
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This is wonderful step-by-step instruction, which I will bookmark! I also love the ingenuity of using a quarter to round corners. I'm hoping Peter will be a frequent contributor in this space.
Nicely done tutorial Peter. I make dress shirts for hubby, yes those with stiffer cuffs and collars. I usually attach the outer cuff to the shirt and then top-stitch from the outside, catching the folded down inner cuff. Will have to try your method. How about collars next? I'm still trying to perfect them, with a lot of guidance and help from David PC.
Classy! I will try this method for the cuffs next time I make a shirt. So clear.
Very well written, I will definitely use this the next time I make a shirt. Love that bird fabric, and I really like that contrasting inner cuff.
Yeah for old Singer machines. I have a 201 that I love.
Thank you for the tutorial. Like your blog, it is well written with loads of pictures.
Love that you are using an old Singer. I too have one and use it sometimes. Does a beautiful job. And your instructions are wonderful. I will be sure to use them on my next shirt! Thank you.
Oh my, very nice. Excellent clear visual and verbal instructions. Thank you very much. Hope my practice cuff turns out as nice as yours.
A very clear tutorial. Thank you.
Excellent lesson! I make many of my husband's shirts, and he loves to wear them -- gets many comments. I second the suggestion that you do a lesson on collars! And how about sleeve plackets??
Beautifully done! Thank you for the clarity and photos showing the details. You are a wonderful instructor! I haven't seen such beautiful cuffs in ages! Yes, please do more!
After 60 years of sewing, and I did not know this technique! So easy, I will use it from now on. Thank you for the very clear tutorial. I have learned so much from your tutorials. Yes, collars next, please.
Thanks so much for sharing your expertise here! Wish I had seen this BEFORE making my last western shirt. Can't wait to try it. How about sharing what you know about making collar bands - those are sometimes challenging. Keep up your good work and great pics and explanations!