The Rowan tee and bodysuit pattern provides 3 sleeve options: short sleeve, 3/4 length, and long sleeve. But I’m here to provide you with another option : sleeveless! I actually have two ways to make a sleeveless Rowan, and today were going to go over the easiest one. And that is simply adding bands to the armholes. Just a quick pattern adjustment first and then we can get to sewing. Shall we?
First we need to make a couple of adjustments to our pattern.
At the underarm, I marked down 3/4″.
At the shoulder, I also marked in 3/4″
Redraw your armholes, connecting those two 3/4″ marks, on both the front and back bodices.
Cut at these newly drawn armholes, and cut one front bodice and one back bodice with your newly adjusted patterns, as normal.
Sew your shoulder seams and neckband (any of the three options), as normal. If you need help with any of the neckbands, don’t forget to check out the other posts from the sewalong!
Turn your garment so the wrong side of the fabric is out.
Line up the side seams and sew 1/4″ from the raw edge using wither a zig zag stitch or serger.
Now take a tape measure, and measure around your armhole.
Cut two strips of fabric, 2″ wide. Length should be the measurement you just took around the armhole.
Do not add any seam allowance. The bands need to end up being slightly smaller than the armholes, and that will be achieved once we remove 1/2″ in the seam.
Fold each strip in half with right sides together…
and sew 1/4″ from the raw edge along the short ends, using either a zig zag stitch or serger.
Press the seam either open or flat.
Now fold the bands in half with wrong sides together, linging up the raw edges, and press.
Mark where the seam is, and then mark halfway around the band from that.
Have your garment inside out…
And place your band inside the armhole, so that right sides of the fabric are together. Line up the seam of the band with the side seam at the underarm, pin in place.
Line up the other marking on the band with the shoulder seam and pin.
Continue pinning the rest of the band to the armhole, lining up the raw edges. The band will be just slightly smaller than the armhole.
Sew around the armhole, 1/4″ from the raw edge, using either a zig zag stitch or serger.
Press the band away from the body, with the seam allowance pressed towards the body.
Optional: topstitch close to the seam (on the body, not the band).
Repeat with the the other band and armhole.
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 (this post!)
- Hack : Fully Enclosed Sleeveless
- Hack: Sleeve Ties
- 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?
