As one who prefers garments with sleeves, I've been inserting them for years. Adopting the techniques of hemming the sleeve first and placing the sleeve against the feed dogs have been gamechangers. Less stress and better results. I love these techniques videos and think they are such a valuable, useful resource. Thank you, Karina!
I’ve was taught back in 1971 to sew the sleeves in with the gathers on top. I just recently was told to put the sleeve on the bottom. I like sewing the sleeves in flat before the side seams are sewn especially with a knit. I sew a lot of camp shirts for my husband and that’s the way I do it.
Wow! I have been doing it the hard way (the last way you demonstrated) since the 1960's when I learned to sew! Back then, I used to look for raglan-sleeved patterns so I wouldn't have to deal with the frustration of setting in sleeves. I finally did master set-in sleeves but I will definitely adopt your favorite methods from now on! Thank you so much, Katrina!! You are a great teacher! [And no one is ever too old to learn better techniques...I'll be 75 this year.]
Hi Karina! I'm a self taught sewist, long before the internet, and am delighted to say that today I'm changing my sleeve sewing method for good! I always had my easing stitches on the top when sewing but your logic for doing it the other way is faultless! See, even at 67 you can learn new things!!!! Thanks so much for all your wonderful videos. You are an exceptionally good teacher.
I never thought sleeves are hard to put in. I agree that you have better mobility when you put the sleeves in on the round. One other technique I learned from an older seamstress is to start sewing at the notch sew the underarm seam all the way around and double sew notch to notch. This gives more security at that stress point. The other thing is to trim the seam allowance notch to notch then zigzag or serger. It also gives you more room.
As someone new to sewing and doing her first set of sleeves, I was starting to loose my mind - but your explanations is so simple and easy. Thank you. Also, you have such a calming voice and it has made me feel better about sewing and doing this whole thing ❤
Thank you for this lesson. I really appreciate the examples and why is better to sew gathers touching the feed dogs instead of presser foot. Thank you thank you!! I feel better with myself after you showed the unpicking of those puckers, because is normal!! Sometimes, little things like that can change the way I see myself as sewer. So thank you again.
The unpicking happens for everyone, it’s part of it but that sleeve was also drafted with tons of ease and I was expecting to unpick too :) There are others where it’s great the first try :)
@@LiftingPinsandNeedles We can be so hard on ourselves, but I’m glad for this channel. I learn so much from you. By the way, I love the pleats on sleeves. Looks beautiful. I want to try it now. ❤️
You are a great teacher Karina. I have been sewing on and off for 60 years and I am always learning from you. Thank you. What is that lovely cowl top/dress you have on?
THANK YOU ❤ this is my very first set of sleeves. I was ready to go sleeveless... lol. Your explanation/ demo was excellent. I got it on the first try! 🤗
OMG you have just changed my world! Something so obvious that I don't know why I never thought of that. I absolutely hate sewing woven sleeves, especially for coats and jackets. I usually have so many puckers that I always end up hand basting. I will do it your way from now on as it seems to make so much more sense. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU ❤️
Thank you Karina, I appreciate the lessons you give. I always save the videos so I can refer back when I need. After all, at my age I watch videos much faster that I get through my projects.
I have seen you sew this technique (feed dogs on sleeve) before and then tried it myself successfully. Somehow I seem to have forgotten and gone back to the old "bad" way again. I am very happy to be reminded about how to have more success. Thank you!
Karina, I've lost a lot of weight so I have numerous blouses that are too big. I've been so hesitant to take them in because I wasn't confident I could sew the sleeves correctly. Thank you so much for your video. You demonstrated clearly and concisely the method to install a sleeve . Addressing the extra material, as well as the problem of puckering, was an added bonus. I feel much more confident about resizing my blouses now thanks to you!
I'm impressed because your way to set-in sleeves is so obvious now that you demonstrated it. I've been dreading sleeves for ages but now I'm eager to try one. Thanks for sharing this tip.
I can hardly wait to do this! It drove me crazy after watching numerous videos with 'anyone' can do this. Yeah, anyone but moi! Not to mention that I have been able to sew anything but clothes, much to my chagrin. Thank you so much for posting this! I'm soon to be demystified experientially!🕵♀
I'm glad I set in sleeves before I found out that many people found it difficult, lol. I didn't know that it was hard so I always had a positive attitude and then I never had a problem! But I'm always a bit cocky when I start a new hobby; I never think that I can't do it, on the contrary I always think if so-and-so can do it of course I can also lol. You should have seen me get a concussion when learning how to rollerskate! 😜
Thank you so much! Been sewing for years, can't wait to try this method of the feed dog on the sleeve. Was taught to always attach the sleeve to the garmet with the gathers up! I'm retired and want to hone my sewing skills and you are a wonderful resource! Look forward to your videos!
This video is absoluely brilliant! So well done and clear. I am nervous about sewing my first pattern with a set-in sleeve and this has helped me so much. Thank you!!
Your techniques videos are my favorite. I wish my mind was as elastic as it was when I was young, and I could remember everything. Now I rely on these types of videos, because I am able to remember that you showed the best way to do something and I can rewatch. Thank you.
I have been sewing on and off for decades, but these 'how to' tutorials always present one with something new that I would not have worked out for myself. Please continue to make them, they are invaluable. You are also a most talented tutor who explains the techniques very well.
Thank you Karina for another 'must see' tutorial! Very welcome as I find sleeves tricky. Your explanation and use of the video show everything I need to know. Your cheerful and sunny presentation make your tutorials extra special.
You are a very good teacher. I think setting in sleeves also depends on the fabric. Knit sleeves often go in, in a 1 to 1 ratio. In this case, I sew them flat and sew the sleeve and side seam in a go. I always put the sleeve at the bottom against the teeth. The first method is the easiest for most non-stretch fabrics. Heavier/thicker fabrics require other techniques.
I made a whole video about why I sew sleeves on the round for all fabrics :) I can’t get myself to get I’ve the bulk under the arm with the flat method. Super uncomfortable for me.
I too have sewn for many years & must confess- I’ve been reluctant to sew sleeves in with the sleeve on the feed dogs ( because I couldn’t see the “gathers) But! Now I’m going to follow your lead and change my ways! Thank you for these great tips!
Thank you so much. The sleeves on my last project took forever and i was so frustrated, they used the method that you don't recommend. Can't wait to try the method i just learnd from you!
Brilliant explanation of woven sleeve insertion. You have shared pearls of wisdom and helped me to understand why my sleeve insertion success has not been consistent. It makes so much sense to utilize the feed dogs and put the bigger piece on the bottom.
Thank you Karina! I never even considered doing it this way🤔. I’m going to give it a try. I’ve been setting in sleeves the “old fashioned way” for decades!
Thank you so much! As always you are very helpful and have made me feel more comfortable to try sewing more sleeved garments! Also, whenever I watch your videos, my cat becomes very interested in the bird sounds and watches too! :)
Karina, I love these how to technique videos. I have them saved in a file. Whenever I am trying something new, or haven’t done it in awhile, I think - What would Karina do? Then I’m off to check your videos. I was taught to have the sleeve on the bottom, so I feel good about that! I like the way that you gather in sections after pinning. Makes complete sense to me.
Thank you for this tutorial Karina. I dread setting in woven sleeves even though I use your first method. I gather the sleeve before setting in, so your method of gathering once the sleeve is in place will be so much easier so thank you. I have learned so much since I found your channel although I've been sewing for 60 years. Can I be cheeky and ask what pattern is the lovely cowl neck you're wearing in the tutorial? I love the way the cowl goes into the armhole.
This is a great tip -- ive always done sleeves with sleeve facing the presser foot and always had the same problems you showed with the foot pushing the puckers!
You always lift my sewing skills to the next level. The information about what part of the sleeve to have next to the feed dogs was super helpful. Thanks for a great video Karina 😊
Your technique videos are some of my favorites! If I am sewing something tricky for me, like a zipper fly, I know I can look at your selection of videos and find one that will help to make the process easier!
Thank you for this in-depth tutorial! I'll be doing my first woven sleeve top next week. Well, the first I've done without my mother's guidance. The two or three from over 30 years ago were so long ago. I greatly appreciate this content! Also, please tell me about the lovely top you're wearing in this video. Is it a pattern or a hack of a pattern. It's beautiful!
Since I found your channel I watch all of your how-to videos so please keep them coming! Before I saw your technique on setting the sleeves on the round I always sewed them on the flat, but you are correct that the round method does give more mobility to the sleeve area, which I need and find the sleeves more comfortable to wear. Thank you so much!
I'm so excited to have stumbled upon this video. I'm starting a class this month that is all about building a woven top. We will make the sleeveless shell, then we move on to a sleeved version. I can't wait to see how they instruct the sleeve technique. I've got my secret weapon! 😉😘
Thank you for posting this great info!! I never knew to do it the other way when sewing the gathered tops of the sleeves but that makes sense! Always love watching your videos!! 😊
This video is so helpful to me - I found it right when I was dreading to set in 3/4 length sleeves on a dress I am working on this week. Thank you very much for making this great video!
I loved this video, thank you, Karina. I love puffy sleeves anyway, but next time I am setting in a sleeve without any gathering/pleats, I shall try putting the sleeve against the feed dogs instead, and see how it turns out 👍
Thank you for your hints and I will try your method next time! I have already used your method of putting elastic in the back of skirt waist and love it! Thank you.
Love this video. How do I adapt a gathered sleeve design to a pleated cap? I don't like "poufy" sleeves either, but I have a few patterns (from the 90's) that have gathered caps. I know how to redraw the shoulder line to remove the 1/2" allowance for the shoulder pads of that era, but I've never adapted a gathered cap to a pleated one. Guessing how to do that, but I want to be sure. Thank you for your excellent teaching...you are so calm!
Oh wow I am looking forward to trying these methods. I have done a couple of sleeves but not real successful with many. I’ve been sewing about 3-4 years but due to 3 surgeries my skills aren’t quite where I want them to be. So I really appreciate these tips and can’t wait to try this.
Thank you. Now I can try projects with sleeves using woven fabric. Love the techniques. I did the traditional way and found it discouraging. Nice to know there are easier options and how to gauge difficulty in sleeve choices. Love the red blouse by the way 🇨🇦👋❤️
Hello Karina, another excellent tutorial. There is a lot of variation in the sleeve ease required by different patterns. Can you tell us how to adjust patterns so we only have to cope with 1-1.5 inch of ease requirement. Many thanks.
Yes there is a lot of variation but I am not happy to manipulate the original sleeve. One small change can affect a lot of things, including ease of mobility and bicep circumference. Over time, I know what brands have the most ease and I’ve lost interest in those patterns. The brands I sew the most have an appropriate amount and the sleeves are easy to set in.
I loved the first method! I am to the point where I have to set in sleeves for a top I am sewing, thank you so much Karina!!!! You are amazing! One more question, though. Do you think I could use the same method, in case I join a waistband to a ''cloche'' skirt, only in this case, the waist of the skirt is wider than the waistband? So, could I gather the extra fabric of the waist of the skirt and then join the 2 pieces together like you just showed?
Hi I'm watching your video, but still struggling to ease in my sleeve. Not sure what I'm doing wrong but i shall keep practicing. I'm doing a McCalls mens civil war jacket pattern turning it into a star wars imperial officer.
