Refashionista: Sleeves into blouse (tutorial)

Today's refashionista post is a first for me. I have never taken sleeves from an unwanted blouse and turned them into a new blouse in their original shape. I have used to get some material before, but not like this. The shape of this sleeve was just perfect for a gathered neckline top. And it's super simple to make. A perfect project for someone who knows a little about sewing, but has limited sewing time. It really comes together rather fast.

Be sure to click more below to see the tutorial !




Sleeve top tutorial

This tutorial is for those that already have some knowledge of sewing, or for those that are fast and intuitive learners :).

First you have to harvest the sleeves. I had a blouse from Tamar's Grandma that had pleated gathers on the shoulders, so they were very wide. The sleeves need to be wide enough to accomodate your top part comfortably when sewed together. Once you have cut off the sleeves, cut them open very close to the seam (you don't want to lose any width). Then place them together right sides facing. My sleeve already had a nice "neckline" or the part of the sleeve head had an inward arche. If your's doesn't, you need to cut it that way. Cut both sleeve heads the same way (1). Then sew the to sleeves together (3).

The next step is tracing a facing for the neckline to make into the tunnel for the ribbon. Just take a piece of fabric similar to the fabric of the blouse. I used some lining fabric (5). Place the neckline on the fabric and trace the line on the fabric. Then make two marks a couple of inches down (the width of your ribbon+seam allowance). Based on those markings, draw the facing. It should look like a very long banana :). Sew the facing onto the neckline, right sides facing. Before turning the facing to the inside of the blouse, bind both armholes with bias binding (2). I did it before sewing the facing, and realized later I should've done it after. The last step here is turning the facing inside, pressing it, and sewing it down to make the tunnel for the ribbon (red seam on black facing, picture 5).

Try on your unfinished top, and when needed, cut it shorter, factoring in how you want to finish the hem. I added a wide stretch hem, so I cut my "sleeves" a little bit shorter on the bottom (4). Sew the hem, either by attaching a separate hem like I did or simply hemming it the traditional way. If you want to add the stretchy hem, Cut a wide (2xwidth of finished hem+seam allowances) strip of thick knit jersey. The length of the strip should be about 10cm shorter than the bottom circumference of your top. Fold the hem in half and sew to the bottom of the blouse (8).

Almost done! Now all you need to do is put a ribbon through the tunnel you created with the facing (6; 7).

Phew! Those were some long instructions. I hope they were clear enough. As always, your questions and comments are more than welcome in the comments below!