Friday, January 2, 2009

What is wrong with these sleeves?!

Here's my BWOF jacket 104 from the September issue. The front is looking good, but the sleeve caps are caving in when I move my arms. I haven't trimmed the seam allowances yet. Does anyone have any ideas of how to fix this problem? I can't think of it ever happening to me before.




10 comments:

  1. Ooh, I don't know about the sleeve cap thing. LOVE the jacket though! I hope you can fix it!

    Drat it, NO my bwof didn't come today!! RATS. Hopefully tomorrow?! I hope this isn't the one that gets lost in the mail!!

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  2. (1) There may not be enough ease in the bicept and upper arm area of the sleeve and the arm is pushing up the fabric in order to find room. I always allow about 2 inches ease in that area. Sorry, but the best solution is to cut new sleeves from an altered pattern. Hopefully, you have enough fabric, but you may need to purchase more. You may also need to insert a sleeve head when you insert the new sleeves.

    (2) I can also see what may be pull across the upper back but this may be only the way you are standing in order to take the picture. I am more inclined to believe that you need more room in the sleeve.

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  3. Even though you see flaws I still love the jacket. You may want to check out Erica B's Blog. She has a recent post sleeves.....

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  4. Awesome fabric, great jacket! I agree, the sleeve is caving because it needs more ease. Without cutting another set of sleeves, you might try ripping the seam out and lessening the seam allowance on the sleeve side as much as you can. Good luck!

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  5. you know, i know very little about REAL sewing. :) but i too was thinking it looks like there's not enough fabric in the sleeve. bummer!!!

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  6. I think Patsijean has the answer. However, I would not worry too much as it still looks ok. The fabric may also be stiffer than what you are used to. Something to watch out for on future projects. Great jacket - what ever you do, don't throw it out because of this small imperfection :))

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  7. I did figure out what the problem was - too much fabric in the cap believe it or not. This jacket is completed, but I ran out of daylight to have it photographed today. Now I'll have to wait for next Saturday to get any decent outside pictures. Thanks for all the helpful advice!

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  8. It looks great already. Can't wait to see updated pics!

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  9. Hi there - just started sewing after 'gap'. Just to say, before you scream I don't do the Eighties and I never watched Dallas or Destiny, I think you should test out some small soft shoulder pads, or make your own. I have loads of fab (not 80's) tunics, tops, all handsewn from European markets and these people often used shoulder pads. Shoulder pads didn't have a bad name until the 80's so I think they would raise the line and fill out the top curve of your jacket - cheers sallysews

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  10. How do you like your brother machine for button holes?

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