Are raglan sleeves only for knits? I see very few raglan patterns in the pattern books. If I make a dress with raglan sleeves out of cotton, will it be uncomfortable to move in?
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Replies
Let's just say it was a while ago, but the first dress I ever made was a royal blue cotton with raglan sleeves and a-line skirt. I hated it and it's a miracle I kept sewing! The technicals were ok but the look, arrrggh! That being said, there used to be more raglans out of wovens. I learned to add a gusset to the underarm as it was a given that they wouldn't move with you otherwise. So with a gusset, I think you can get away with it. How about a woven with some lycra? Could be nice. Sandra Betzina has a very popular top with raglan sleeves. I found it constricting and should have added gussets. I am tiny by the way. This pattern is reviewed in Patternreview.com if you are interested. Good luck.
One of the McCall's casual men's/unisex shirt patterns (like a Hawaiian shirt or similar) has raglan sleeves, don't know the number offhand.
I found raglan sleeves most uncomfortable until I learned to pinch the shoulder sleeve seam (where the armscye would be) to make the shoulder fit my body. Do this on the pattern, taking most from the shoulder side. This pulls the bottom of the armscye up and somehow it all works. Galey
yes you can and they were very popular in the sixties. you see them now in boxy short jackets . A gusset makes movement very easy.I think though that if you have sloping shoulders or a narrow upper chest they should be avoided and I also think that they look MUCH better when a raglan( small) shoulder pad is used to accentuate the shoulder points.
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