I used to dread setting in sleeves. Despite all the careful gathering and redistributing of fullness, they never went in smoothly and I grew to hate the task. Until I discovered how easy it was to set in sleeves using strips of material cut on the bias.
If you fear this task too, I encourage you to watch this brilliant, short and to-the-point video showing how it's done (1 minute 19 seconds, no messing around):
I first saw this video on Rhinestones & Telephones during the Peony Sewalong last year and was impressed by how easy this method looked - and it really is. Although it seems like it might be more hassle to cut bias strips and sew them to the sleeve caps, personally I much prefer it to faffing about with thread gathering and find it both quicker and easier.
Watch it and never fear setting in sleeves again.
Happy Weekend!
K x
Thank you! I shall pin this immediately!
ReplyDeleteBundana x
Yay! Give it a go, you won't regret it :)
DeleteBrilliant! Thanks for sharing. I suppose you could use purchased bias tape too ?
ReplyDeleteGood question. You only need a strip cut on the bias rather than folded bias tape with the extra foldy bits. But if you do try with purchased tape let us know how it goes.
DeleteBRILLIANT and perfect timing! I am just browsing the internet whilst on a cuppa-break from doing just this task. I've already unpicked one sleeve and before I unpick the other one decided to take a break - and found you writing about the EXACT thing I am doing!! are you really some kind of angel Kestrel? Thanks so much! I shan't dilly dally now!
ReplyDeleteHa ha, yes you're right, I AM some kind of angel. I hope this method works out for you, do report back on how you get on...
DeleteThat was amazing!!! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThis is great! Ha, I just decided a few days ago to start basting 2 threads along the top to gather the sleeves to make it easier for me to work with. This looks a bit more professional though!
ReplyDeleteWoah. Mind blown! Thanks so much for sharing that!!
ReplyDeleteI saw some days ago this technique in another blog and I want to try it!%)) But my next 4 projects don't have sleeves%))
ReplyDeleteI do a variation on this but I have to spend some time determining the differences between the 2 methods.
ReplyDeleteWow, my mind is boggled, thanks for sharing, I will definitely give that a try :)
ReplyDeleteThis is amazing! So simple and I will definitely be trying it. I HATE setting in sleeves, so thank you so much for this!
ReplyDeleteAwesome!!
ReplyDeleteLooks awesome! Thanks
ReplyDeleteI will definitely be doing this for the next sleeve I have to set in. Gertie shows a similar way of doing this too.
ReplyDeleteWow, that's amazing! Thanks for sharing! I can't wait to try this!
ReplyDeleteI do have a few questions about this, though it seems great- how did she determine the length of bias tape? Surely it wouldn't be the same for each garment. Maybe you are supposed to measure your sleeve cap and armhole? Hmm. If you come to any revelations on this, please let us know! :)
ReplyDeleteYou measure from about front to back notch on sleeve to determine length, as she shows how you start at one notch and then stretch bias strip to other notch as you sew.
DeleteOh great! Thanks for that bit of clarification :)
DeleteJust watched this. Looks great. Will give it a go when needed, as setting in sleeves is my least favourite part of sewing!
ReplyDeleteI've just tried it for the first time and used a scrap of bias tape I had, it worked a treat and I am so relieved. I hate setting in sleeves and have never mastered the art, so this is brilliant, thank you so so much!!
ReplyDeleteOh great!! So glad that you found it useful :)
DeleteWow, got to try this! Thanks for showing it.
ReplyDelete