Another fun Rowan tee/bodysuit hack comin’ at ya! I had the idea to cut the sleeves above the elbow and add long ties for a cute little bow look. I love how it turned out! So much, that I made a second version. So of course I have to share the process with you all here. Wanna see? Let’s go!
The only pattern adjustment I made was to the sleeve length. I drew a new cut line about 5″ down from the short sleeve cut line. So longer than a short sleeve, but shorter than the 3/4″ length.
Go ahead and complete the construction of your tee. Everything except for the sleeve hem. Leave the sleeve edges raw.
Measure the circumference of your sleeve edge. As you can see here, mine was about 9 1/4″.
Now cut two strips of fabric 3″ wide, with the length about 3 times the circumference of your sleeve. You can go longer if you want longer ties.
Fold each strip in half like above, right sides together, and press.
Now go back to your sleeves. We are going to make some notches. I’m going to color code them so its easier to understand which ones I’m talking about as we proceed.
At the seam of the sleeve, make a notch. This is the red notch.
Exactly halfway around the sleeve from the seam/red notch, is the purple notch.
3/4″ on either side of the purple notch are the blue notches.
Now measuere from the seam/red notch to one of the blue notches. We’ll call this measurement X.
Back to the ties again. Mark the halfway point along the long, raw edge of the folded tie with a red notch.
Mark blue notches on either side of the red notch, using measurement X from the sleeves.
Now, with right sides together, stitch the ties together 1/4″ from the raw edge along the short end, pivoting and stitching along the long end until you reach the blue notch.
Do this on both ends, leaving the space between the blue notches open.
Clip the corners and trim back the seam allowance.
At each of the blue notches, clip into the seam allowance, being careful not to cut through any stitching.
Turn the ties right side out through the opening left between the blue notches.
Press the ties well, with the space between the blue notches pressed up with the raw edges still exposed, like shown.
Now we are going to pin the ties to the sleeves. With the right side of the sleeve facing up, line up the red notch of the tie with the seam/red notch on the sleeve. Pin in place.
Now match up the blue notches on the ties with the blue notches on the sleeves. Pin in place.
Sew 1/4″ from the raw edge, from blue notch to blue notch, using a zig zag or other stretch stitch.
Press the tie band down, with the seam allowance pressed up towards the inside of the sleeve.
Stitch close to the edge of the seam allowance all the way around the sleeve, using either a zig zag stitch or twin needle. Now the seam allowance at the opening will also be secured and won’t show.
Tie your ties into cute little bows, and you’re done!
Here is another version I made in a slightly heavier knit, so the bows have a little more structure than the yellow version. I also made the ends of the ties pointed instead of square on this one. Just another idea to add some customization!
LOOKING FOR MORE ROWAN POSTS?
- Sewalong : Crew Neck Band and Turtleneck
- Sewalong : V-neck Band
- Sewalong : Sleeves and Side Seams
- Sewalong : Bodysuit Leg Openings
- Sewalong : Hem
- Sewing Technique : Lettuce Hem
- Sewing Technique : Shell Tuck Stitch / Scallop Edge
- Hack : Sleeveless with Sleeve Bands
- Hack : Fully Enclosed Sleeveless
- Hack: Sleeve Ties (this post!)
- Hack : Square Neckline
- Hack : Cinched Side Seams
- Hack : Ruffle Shoulders
- Hack : Maxi Dress
- Hack : Scoop Neckline
- Hack : Bodycon Dress
- Hack : Tiered Dress
- Tutorial : Lengthen or Shorten
- Tutorial : 3 Ways To Sew a Ringer Tee
- Rowan Inspiration and Ideas
- Rowan Tester Round Up
- Rowan Curve Tester Round Up
- Rowan Curve Maker Round Up
DON’T HAVE THE PATTERN YET?
