When learning how to make clothes it can be tempting to sew a dress together, before fitting the sleeves. This can be fiddly and make it harder to fit the sleeves.
Instead to fit the sleeves of a garment follow these step:
- Stitch the garment shoulder seams together.
- Make sure the sides of the garment are left open.
- Add ease to the top of the sleeve, see link for how.
- Fit the top of the sleeve to the garment armhole.
- Then sew closed the sleeve and the side of the garment.
Learn How to Add Ease, Gathers to Top of Sleeve
Fitting Sleeve Cuff
It is easier to fit a band cuff or to hem a sleeve, before sewing the sleeve together and attaching it to a garment.
To attach a band cuff, simply fold the cuff in half. Making sure the cuff has interfacing attached. Then stitch it flat to the bottom of the sleeve. Then once the sleeve is attached to the garment, the cuff and sleeve can be closed at the same time.
The same can be done for a skirt or trouser waistband. Attach the waistband first before sewing the garment together. Zips and buttons can be attached after the garment has been stitched together.