If anyone feels tempted to have a go at the alteration challenge that was set on the Sewing Bee last night (don’t worry, no spoilers contained in this post if you haven’t seen it!), here’s a bit of background knowledge to help you.
Putting a sleeve into a sleeveless armhole is never a good idea, take note from the most successful version last night – Chinelo’s pleated sleeve head. A sleeveless armhole is much smaller than an armhole designed for a sleeve, with good reason – so that it doesn’t gape! This makes for a snug armhole that is completely the wrong shape to then go adding in a sleeve.
I’ve also seen the term “set-in sleeve” not being used properly this morning. So, as I like things to be just so and as I believe that if you’re learning a new skill, it’s best to get it right from the start, here’s a little starter for ten on sleeves…..
So, if ever you’re trying to put a sleeve into a sleeveless armhole, remember……you need to add some kind of fullness into the top of the sleeve, be it in the form of gathers or pleats. That is, if you want to be able to move in the garment!
Wendy Ward 