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MN2009 Protea / Sewalongs

Protea Sewalong: Side Seams and Sleeves

Protea sewalong side seams & sleeves

Next step in your Protea top or dress … sleeves! Protea has two great sleeve options – a straight fitted sleeve or a flutter sleeve. The insertion process is exactly the same, so I’ll be showing you the process on the fitted sleeve here.

how to sew the sleeves on the Protea sewing pattern by Megan Nielsen Patterns

Before we insert the sleeves, we have to sew up the side seams.

Turn the top so that the front and back are right sides together.

how to sew the sleeves on the Protea sewing pattern by Megan Nielsen Patterns

Line up the side seams and pin in place.

how to sew the sleeves on the Protea sewing pattern by Megan Nielsen Patterns

Sew along the side seams 5/8″ (1.5 cm) from the raw edge.

Finish the raw edge by your preferred method, such as stitching with a zig-zag stitch or overlocking/serging.
Press seams open or towards the back of the garment.

how to sew the sleeves on the Protea sewing pattern by Megan Nielsen Patterns

** A NOTE: The instructions advise sewing a set of basting stitches between the upper two single notches, however, the ease of the sleeve actually needs to be distributed between the lower front and back notches as shown above.

how to sew the sleeves on the Protea sewing pattern by Megan Nielsen Patterns
how to sew the sleeves on the Protea sewing pattern by Megan Nielsen Patterns

Set your sewing machine to the longest stitch length and sew a line of stitches between the front and back notches on either side of the sleeve cap, roughly 5/8″ (1.5 cm) from the raw edge. Do not back stitch, and ensure you leave the threads loose. For more controlled gathers consider sewing a second row of basting 3/8″ (1cm) along the raw edge.

how to sew the sleeves on the Protea sewing pattern by Megan Nielsen Patterns

Fold the sleeves in half with right sides together.

how to sew the sleeves on the Protea sewing pattern by Megan Nielsen Patterns

Pin and sew 5/8″ (1.5 cm) from the raw edge.

Finish the raw edge using your preferred method, and press either open or towards the front.

(From here on out, the sleeves are shown incorrectly in the photos, with the basting stitches between the single notches. The basting stitches should extend between the lower front and back notches as shown in the above steps.)

how to sew the sleeves on the Protea sewing pattern by Megan Nielsen Patterns

Turn your sleeves right side out.

how to sew the sleeves on the Protea sewing pattern by Megan Nielsen Patterns

And turn your bodice wrong side facing out.

how to sew the sleeves on the Protea sewing pattern by Megan Nielsen Patterns

Place the sleeve inside the armhole.

When inserting the sleeve, be careful that the sleeve is the right way round. The front of the sleeve includes single notches whereas the back of the sleeve includes double notches.

how to sew the sleeves on the Protea sewing pattern by Megan Nielsen Patterns

Match up the sleeve seam with the side seam with right sides together.

Align the sleeve cap notch with the shoulder seam.

The front and back notches on the sleeves should be aligned with the notches on the bodice pieces.

how to sew the sleeves on the Protea sewing pattern by Megan Nielsen Patterns

Pull on the loose threads from your basting stitches to adjust the ease of the sleeve, and fit and line up into the armscye.

how to sew the sleeves on the Protea sewing pattern by Megan Nielsen Patterns

Finish pinning the sleeve to the armscye as the ease is adjusted.

how to sew the sleeves on the Protea sewing pattern by Megan Nielsen Patterns

Sew the sleeve to the blouse 5/8″ (1.5 cm) from the raw edge.

Finish the seam edges using your preferred method, and press the seams toward the inside of the sleeve. Repeat this for the second sleeve.

Remove the basting stitches if visible from the right side of the garment.

We’ll hem the sleeve later on!

how to sew the sleeves on the Protea sewing pattern by Megan Nielsen Patterns

LOOKING FOR MORE PROTEA POSTS?

  • Sewalong: Staystitching, Darts & Shoulder Seams
  • Sewalong: Neckline Facing
  • Sewalong: Side Seams & Sleeves (this post!)
  • 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

DON’T HAVE THE PATTERN YET?

Order Protea today in sizes 0-20 and Curve sizes 14-34

About Author

Holly writes part time for the Megan Nielsen blog– sewing like crazy, creating tutorials and sewalongs. She has been sewing since she was a little girl, and has her degree in apparel design. Now she’s a stay at home mama, and spends all her free nap times at her sewing machine.

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