The potential for hacks with Protea are endless! And I’m all for a hack that requires minimal pattern alterations. Or none at all! For example – I knew I wanted to try out some elastic puff sleeves on my Protea dress. But instead of slashing and spreading the fitted sleeve, I just used the flutter sleeve pattern! No alterations were needed, it was already full enough. Just needed to add elastic. So Let me show you how I did that…
Cut, sew, and attach your flutter sleeves to your bodice, exactly as directed in the instructions and in the previous post.
Evenly hem the sleeve as instructed, at a 3/8″ double fold. BUT – for this, leave a 1″ or so gap in your stitching around the hem. We’re going to use this opening to add the elastic.
Measure around your upper arm, and add a little bit for the overlap in elastic.
Cut two pieces of either 1/4″ or 3/8″ elastic (whichever works best in your hem) at this length.
Attach a safety pin to one end of the elastic.
Using the opening in your stitching, insert your elastic into one side of the channel.
Thread it through the channel until it comes out the other side.
Overlap your elastic and zig-zag stitch it together.
Close the gap in your sleeve her by sewing 1/8″ away from the folded edge.
Give the elastic a little pull and stretch to even out the gathering of the fabric, and that’s it! Repeat for the other sleeve.
LOOKING FOR MORE PROTEA POSTS?
- How to choose between Protea & Protea Curve
- Protea Inspiration & Ideas
- Protea Tester Round Up & Protea Curve Tester Round Up
- Hacks for the Protea Capsule Wardrobe
- Protea Maker Round-Up
- Sewalong: Staystitching, Darts & Shoulder Seams
- Sewalong: Neckline Facing
- Sewalong: Side Seams & Sleeves
- Bonus Protea Hack: Sleeveless Protea
- Sewalong: Dress Drawstring Channel
- Sewalong: Pockets & Skirt
- Sewalong: Tiered Skirt
- Sewalong: Attaching the Skirt to the Bodice
- Sewalong: Dress Drawstring
- Sewalong: Skirt Waistband
- Sewalong: Hem
- Bonus Protea Hack: Elastic Puff Sleeves (this post!)
DON’T HAVE THE PATTERN YET?
