Make Puffy Sleeves and Add a Little Something to Your Shirts

Tools and materials:

• Elastic
• Sleeveless dress
• Scissors
• Pattern
• Rotary cutter
• Clips
• Sewing machine

Cut the dress 

The first thing we want to do is cut our dress. One, for the material that we will use to make our sleeves. And second, because our dress is going to become a gorgeous shirt. To leave a peplum, make sure you cut the dress about an inch and a half (or more) below the bodice.

Separate the fabric

Take the bottom of the dress (that was just cut off) and side rim the seams. This should leave you with two separate pieces of fabric. 

Cut the sleeves 

Take a bell sleeve pattern and turn it upside down - this will give the sleeves their puff. (If you don’t have a pattern, check out the video for the measurements you’ll need to make your own!) Place the fabric on the pattern and use a rotary cutter to cut the fabric.

Measure your elastic

Wrap your elastic around your arm to measure how much you need. Keep in mind that the goal is to have the sleeves fit both on and off the shoulder - so don’t make it too tight. Next, check the length of the fabric on your arm and then measure the spot on your arm where the fabric hits with more elastic. You should finish with four pieces of elastic. 

Insert the elastic

Fold a hem on both edges of both pieces of fabric that is wide enough for the elastic to fit through. Pin to secure. Then, sew the hem closed and weave the elastic through using a safety pin. 

Remember to keep hold of the elastic as you weave it through to make sure it doesn’t accidentally get pulled in. Once the elastic comes out the other side, pin the two halves together and even out the gathering. 129

Sew the sleeve together 

Make sure the sleeve is inside out and sew the sleeve together. Next, take the two halves of our elastic and sew them together with a straight stitch. Seal with a zigzag stitch. To cover the elastic, fold a piece of fabric over the elastic and seal it closed. 

Repeat on the bottom

To finish the sleeves, repeat the steps from the top elastic for the bottom elastic.

Attach the sleeves to the shirt 

Match the side sleeve of the bodice with the sleeve seam. Use clips to secure. To attach the sleeves sew about half an inch on either side of the middle. 

I might be a little obsessed with this transformation. This top is so cool, super versatile, and looks amazing. So, before you throw that old dress away, let me teach you how to make puffy sleeves!