Adding sleeves to a tank top dress is a great way to update your wardrobe and increase the wear of your clothes. It can be a simple process, but it does require some planning and preparation. First, you need to decide on the type of sleeve you want to add, such as ordinary sleeves, cap sleeves, flutter sleeves, or cold-shouldered sleeves. Then, you need to choose the right fabric, ensuring it matches the colour and weight of the dress fabric. If your dress is stretchy, go for a stretch fabric, and if it's non-stretch, opt for a woven fabric. You might also need lining fabric if your dress is lined. Once you have your fabric, you can create a pattern for your sleeves by using an existing shirt with a similar armhole size as a guide. Cut out your sleeve pieces, sew them together, and then attach them to the dress by pinning and sewing them into the armhole. Finally, finish your seams with a zigzag or serged stitch, and press. Now you have a dress with sleeves!
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Fabric | Fold fabric in half |
Find matching or complimenting fabric | |
Use sheer fabric | |
Armscye | Straight and simple |
Sleeve type | Ordinary |
Cap | |
Fluttery | |
Cold-shouldered | |
Lace | |
Sewing method | Sew straight line |
Pin and stitch | |
Zigzag stitch | |
Double needle |
What You'll Learn
Find a shirt with a similar armhole size and use it as a pattern
If you want to add sleeves to a tank top dress, finding a shirt with a similar armhole size is a great way to start. This shirt will serve as your pattern, so choose one that has sleeves similar to what you want for your dress.
Lay the shirt flat on a surface, on top of some pattern paper. You can use regular paper, parchment paper, or medical paper for this. Cut around the sleeve, creating your pattern.
Now, lay this pattern piece on your chosen fabric, along its folded edge. Cut around it, adding a 1/2-inch seam allowance. Cut two of these sleeves.
Open up one sleeve and fold its bottom edge twice, then hem it. Repeat this process for the other sleeve.
With right sides together, fold the sleeves in half and sew up the inseam with a straight stitch.
Turn your dress inside out and slip the sleeve into the armhole, ensuring that it is right side out. Match the seams of the sleeve to the seams of the armpit and pin the sleeve in place.
With the sleeve tucked inside and pinned, sew around the armhole. Repeat this entire process for the second sleeve.
Finally, trim and finish your seams with a zigzag or serged stitch, and press your new sleeves.
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Cut your fabric
The first step to adding sleeves to a tank top dress is to cut your fabric. You will need to decide on the type of sleeve you want to add, as this will determine how you cut your fabric. Some common sleeve types include ordinary sleeves, cap sleeves, flutter sleeves, and cold-shouldered sleeves. Once you have decided on the sleeve type, you can cut your fabric accordingly.
If you are adding ordinary sleeves, you can simply fold your fabric in half and place your tank top dress on top, using the armhole as a guide to trace and cut the sleeve shape. You can use pins or tailor's chalk to trace the sleeve. For a kid's sleeve, you would typically reduce the armhole curve depth from 3.5 inches to 2.5 inches. Don't forget to add a seam allowance to your sleeve pattern piece before cutting – about 1/2 inch should do it.
If you are adding a cap sleeve, you will need to cut a straight sleeve with a slight curve at the top to match the armhole of your dress. Again, you can use an existing sleeve as a template or create your own pattern by tracing around the armhole of your dress. Don't forget to add a seam allowance!
For flutter sleeves, you can cut a straight sleeve with a curved top, similar to a cap sleeve. However, the width of the sleeve will be much wider, creating a fluttery effect when sewn.
Cold-shouldered sleeves are created by drafting a simple sleeve pattern and then cutting off the top portion to create a cold-shoulder effect.
When cutting your fabric, it is important to consider the type of fabric you are using. If your dress is made from a stretchy fabric, choose a stretch fabric for your sleeves. If your dress is woven, select a woven fabric for the sleeves. Additionally, if your dress is lined, you will need to buy lining fabric for the sleeves as well. While it can be challenging to find fabric that exactly matches your dress, try to find fabric that matches in both colour and weight.
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Hem the sleeves
Hemming sleeves is a simple process that can be done in a few easy steps. Here is a guide on how to hem sleeves:
Step 1: Decide on the Right Length for the Sleeves
Determine the right sleeve length for you. Most people prefer long sleeves that hit about 3/4" of an inch below the wrist. You can fold and pin the sleeves to the desired length.
Step 2: Mark and Cut
Mark the desired length of the sleeves with a hemming gauge or a piece of chalk. This will ensure a straight and consistent hem.
Step 3: Align the Side Seams
Before cutting the sleeves, align the side seams of the sleeves with the side seams of the dress. This ensures that the sleeves are even and match the dress.
Step 4: Leave a Seam Allowance
Measure and add a seam allowance to match the original hem width of the sleeves. This ensures that the new hem aligns with the original stitching.
Step 5: Finish the Hem
Cut the sleeves along the marked line. Finish the raw edge of the sleeves with a zigzag stitch or a serged edge to prevent fraying. Then, fold and press the hem, and stitch it in place using a straight stitch or a blind hem stitch.
Additional Tips:
- When purchasing thread for hemming, match the colour of the thread as closely as possible to the fabric of the dress.
- Use sharp, fine pins when working with delicate or fine fabrics to prevent leaving holes in the material.
- Press the hem with steam and a pressing cloth to create a crisp, clean edge before stitching.
- For a unique look, consider adding a lace trim or a decorative stitch to the edge of the sleeves.
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Sew the sleeve seams
Sewing the sleeve seams is a crucial step in adding sleeves to a tank top dress. Here is a detailed guide on how to sew the sleeve seams:
Preparation:
- Fabric choice: Choose a fabric that closely matches the colour and weight of the original dress. If the dress is stretchy, select a stretch fabric; if it's non-stretch, opt for a woven fabric. Don't forget to buy lining fabric if your dress is lined.
- Pattern creation: Create a sleeve pattern by using a shirt with a similar armhole size as your tank top dress. Place the shirt on pattern paper and cut around the sleeve. You can also use existing sleeve patterns or draft your own.
- Cutting the fabric: Fold your chosen fabric and lining (if needed) with right sides together. Place the sleeve pattern along the folded edge and cut around it, adding a seam allowance (typically around 1/2 inch). Cut two of these sleeves from the fabric and lining.
Sewing the Sleeve Seams:
- Hemming the sleeves: Open up one of the sleeves and fold the bottom edge over twice to create a neat hem. Secure it with pins. Repeat this process for the second sleeve.
- Sewing the inseam: With the right sides of the sleeve fabric facing each other, fold the sleeves in half and sew up the inseam using a straight stitch. This will create the sleeve's tube-like structure.
- Attaching the sleeves to the dress: Turn your tank top dress inside out. Slip the sleeve into the armhole, ensuring that the right side of the sleeve is facing out. Match up the seams at the armpit and pin the sleeve in place.
- Sewing the armhole: With the sleeve tucked inside the dress and pinned, sew around the armhole, securing the sleeve to the dress. Repeat this process for the second sleeve.
- Finishing the seams: Trim and finish the seams of the sleeves and armholes with a zigzag or serged stitch. Press the seams to create a crisp edge.
By following these steps, you will have successfully sewn the sleeve seams, attaching the sleeves to your tank top dress. Remember to take your time, work carefully, and ensure that your fabric choices and measurements are accurate before cutting and sewing.
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Sew the sleeves to the dress
Sewing sleeves to a tank top dress is a simple process, but it can be tricky to draft the sleeves. Here is a detailed and direct guide on how to sew sleeves to a tank top dress:
Preparation:
First, you need to decide on the type of sleeve you want to add. There are several options, including ordinary sleeves, cap sleeves, flutter sleeves, cold-shouldered sleeves, and lace sleeves. Choose the style that best suits your preferences and the dress.
For ordinary sleeves, you can follow these steps:
- Fold your sleeve fabric in half, with the right sides facing each other, and mark the fabric according to the picture provided.
- Adjust the armhole curve depth as needed, depending on the size of the dress.
- Hem the sleeves and then join the side seams.
For cap sleeves:
- Open up the side seams of the dress with a seam ripper for about 4 inches from the top.
- Finish the sleeve cap edges with a zig-zag stitch and hem the bottom edge.
For flutter sleeves:
- Open up the side seams in the same way as for cap sleeves.
- Finish the sleeve cap edges and hem the bottom edge.
Sewing the Sleeves:
Once you have prepared your sleeves, you can start sewing them to the dress:
- Turn your dress inside out and slip the sleeve into the armhole, with the right side of the sleeve facing out. Match up the seams at the armpit and pin the sleeve in place.
- Sew around the armhole, using a straight stitch.
- Trim and finish your seams with a zigzag or serged stitch, and press.
- Repeat the process for the second sleeve.
Additional Tips:
- When choosing fabric for your sleeves, try to match the colour and weight of the original dress fabric.
- If your dress is stretchy, use stretch fabric for the sleeves. If it's non-stretch, use woven fabric.
- If your dress has an irregular armhole, you may need to adjust your sleeve pattern accordingly.
- Always finish your seams to prevent fraying and to give your garment a neat appearance.
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