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is there an easy way to add a sleeve to a sleeveless dress? Cool weather is coming!
meleliza   Intermediate PA Member since 5/4/11 Posts: 493	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 9/23/12 7:46 AM I have a sleeveless dress I like and I think it might look cute with a long sleeve for fall. But I don't want to spend loads of time learning sleeve drafting just now. How about a swap out? ------ Melanie
JTink Intermediate VA USA Member since 4/20/08 Posts: 4820	Login to reply to this post In reply to meleliza << Like this post Date: 9/23/12 7:51 AM It's possible to use a sleeve from another pattern. Takes a little measuring and you may want to run up a quick and dirty muslin to make sure you have everything set in right and it's a good fit.
Marie367   Intermediate OH USA Member since 5/28/11 Posts: 1362	Login to reply to this post In reply to meleliza << Like this post Date: 9/23/12 9:08 AM I switch sleeves in patterns all the time. In a sleeveless dress you need to make sure the seam will fall in the right place-some sleeveless dresses are set back just a tad from your shoulder or where you want your sleeve head to be. Then you need to make sure the patterns work together so a muslin will tell you pretty quick. HTH
sew2006 Advanced ON CANADA Member since 6/24/06 Posts: 1704	Login to reply to this post In reply to meleliza << 6 members like this. Date: 9/23/12 9:24 AM If this is a pattern you are working with and you borrow a sleeve from another pattern borrow the shape of the front/back armhole too. Match at shoulder tip and underarm and trace the new armholes. Sleeveless garments are drafted closer to the body in the underarm area to prevent gapping in this area. A garment with a sleeve will have the underarm lower and away from the body to provide room to reach/raise your arm. A quick muslin is a great idea. ------ Janome10001, Babylock ESG3, Brother ULT 2001, White 634D serger, Pfaff 1472, Singer featherweight, Singer 14T957Dc, Bernina FunLock 009DCC coverlock, Brother PQ1500S, Janome CP900.
heathergwo Advanced Beginner CA USA Member since 11/14/11 Posts: 766	Login to reply to this post 2 members like this. Date: 9/23/12 12:12 PM I would add that it's probably easiest to add a sleeve from the same pattern company. I.E. if your dress is from McCall's, try to pick a McCall's sleeve as that will help decrease the fitting adjustments you might have to make. Good luck and let us know how it turns out! ------ Brother Innovis 1250D Singer Curvy 8763 Brother 1034D Janome 385.19606 Brother 2340CV
meleliza   Intermediate PA Member since 5/4/11 Posts: 493	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 9/24/12 12:24 PM Thanks everyone! After considering the options, I decided long sleeves would be more difficult than I'm interested in for this project, but I'm going to keep the idea in mind. I took a fultter sleeve that was partly from another pattern and partely my own and only quickly added it to my muslin. I think I can make it work. ------ Melanie
tourist   Intermediate BC CANADA Member since 7/23/07 Posts: 5422	Login to reply to this post 2 members like this. Date: 9/24/12 7:45 PM I just have to say this because I know someone else wants to: Yes you can add sleeves to a sleeveless dress. It's called a sweater! ------ http://bgballroom.wordpress.com to follow the progress on my next ballgown.
meleliza   Intermediate PA Member since 5/4/11 Posts: 493	Login to reply to this post In reply to tourist << Like this post Date: 9/27/12 2:18 PM Well, of course. I do that all the time, but I'm trying to get some variety. Now that I can wear dresses and pullover tops again I'm a little sick of the cardigan look. Years of nursing/maternity attire can do that to you! ------ Melanie
Ms. McCall   Advanced Beginner CA Member since 3/2/06 Posts: 178	Login to reply to this post 3 members like this. Date: 9/27/12 3:01 PM Just to reiterate what's already been said - you can use the arm from another pattern, just make sure to use the armhole from the pattern you're stealing the arm from. Then you already know they work together. ------ BrownPaperPattern.blogspot.com
meleliza   Intermediate PA Member since 5/4/11 Posts: 493	Login to reply to this post In reply to Ms. McCall << Like this post Date: 9/27/12 6:01 PM If I take the armhole from another pattern, where do inline them up? It isn't always easy to tell, especially if I've made adjustments. ------ Melanie

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