PatternReview.com online sewing community
Join our community of 579,234 sewists!
SIGNUP Membership is free and includes 1 free lesson
Login |
Join our community of 579,234 sewists!
Signup | Login
To participate in the PatternReview.com forums please Login or Join PatternReview
Member since 1/30/06
Posts: 138
Send Message
Posted on: 3/7/07 9:11 PM ET
I am making a blouse. The size I am using is fine but I need a larger arm hole, especially in the front. What is the best way to enlarge it? I do not do well with free hand drawing. Any suggestions very much appreciated.
The armhole is binding and needs to be cut back. Guess I didn't make myself clear about this.
-- Edited on 3/8/07 9:04 AM --
  
Member since 7/10/06
Posts: 2263
Send Message
Posted on: 3/8/07 2:15 AM ET
What I normally do is slice the pattern, perpendicular to the grainline, in the top third of the armhole, and then spread the amount I need to add. You need to do this both in the bodice front and back and on the sleeve. If you only really need the extra room in the front, you may need to do a full bust adjustment (FBA) instead, and if you search the boards you will find a lot of info on that.
------
I've moved! Visit my new sewing blog at http://chiralcraft.wordpress.com

Do you sew from KnipMode? Join us at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/knipmode_english/
  
Member since 3/2/04
Posts: 2073
Send Message
Posted on: 3/8/07 10:32 AM ET
Does this blouse have sleeves? If you change the armhole size, you'll need to change the sleeves too.

You can scoop out some of the fabric in the front armhole. Put it on and mark where it needs to be bigger on one armhole. The scoop out just needs to be a smooth line and taper to nothing at each end.

Trim off where you've marked the one armhole, and use that scrap of fabric, flipped over, to mark and trim the other armhole.

If your blouse does have sleeves, you should add width to each side of the sleeve, up by the armhole area. This way you'll have enough fabric to fill the bigger armhole. If you add too much, you can always remove the excess later. If you've already cut out the sleeves, just use a tiny seam allowance when you sew the sleeve into a tube shape, so that [hopefully] it'll be big enough.

One thing to be sure and consider...when you finish the armhole, it'll be bigger just because the seam allowance will be trimmed down.

HTH :)




------
Ardis

the lefthanded daughter of a lefthanded mother
  
* Advertising and soliciting is strictly prohibited on PatternReview.com. If you find a post which is not in agreement with our Terms and Conditions, please click on the Report Post button to report it.
Selected Reviews, Classes & Patterns
Nature's Fabrics
Natural & Organic Fabrics
Specials!
Metro Textiles
NYC Fabric Store
Specials!
Discovery Fabrics
High Performance Fabrics
Specials!