Shift Dress Sew Along: Sleeves

Today we'll be tackling the sleeves! If you've decided to go with a sleeveless version, follow the method that we used for neckline facings to stitch your armhole facings. 

First up, stitch two rows of basting stitches between the notches on your sleeves, inside the seam allowance. This will help you when you're easing the sleeve into the armscye (armhole). You can already see it's folding up a bit, just laying on the table. 

Now pin, stitch, press, and finish the sleeve seam. 

Pin the sleeve into the armscye. You want to hit all the main points before you begin the easing process. So pin, 

• The top of the sleeve cap to match the shoulder seam. Make sure to pin your shoulder seam flaps down so those stay open. 
• The side seam to the sleeve seam, lining up the seams so you get a nice tidy line. 
• The notches. 

Then, pull on the bobbin threads of your basting stitches to ease the rest of the sleeve into the armscye. When you're done pinning, you'll see a bit of wobbliness on the sleeve side. That's good, as long as you don't have folds in your fabric that you'll be stitching over.

Stitch the sleeve seam. Check to make sure that you didn't get any puckers or folds. If you do have some folds in your fabric, grab your trusty seam ripper and give it another go! And don't despair. As they song goes from Damn Yankees, "Why should we curse? We've gotta get better cause we can't get worse." Except curse if it makes you feel better. 

Once you've ensured there's no folds in your seam, press the seam allowance towards the bodice. 

Serge the sleeve seam. Repeat the whole process for your other sleeve, and then admire your handiwork. It's really looking like a dress now! 

We're almost done! All that's left is hemming.

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