Maxine Sweater sleeve hack, etc!

Hello everyone, 

As promised, here's an easy way to modify the sleeve on the Maxine Sweater pattern as I did in my last make I posted on Instagram/Facebook page.

I widened and lengthened the sleeve but left out the cuffs. As you can see from the pattern piece below, I made the width at the cuff as wide as it is at the bicep (armpit?). No changes were made to the sleeve cap. 

I also added 7,5cm to the length, which includes the 3cm I folded up for hemming. The amount you add to the length may vary depending on your arm length and also your sleeve length preference, so please test this. 

With the sleeve being so wide now, it was never going to have to stretch to fit my arm so I decided to hem it with three rows of regular straight stitch instead of using any stretch stitches. I love the way this looks and no coverstitch machine necessary. (Just as well, since I don't actually have one!!!) 

The fabric I used for this is a beautiful french terry sweater knit fabric from faberwood.com and I'm so in love with it. This will definitely be a favourite item in my wardrobe.

I used the same sleeve modification when I made a Maxine Sweater with elasticated cuffs in blush teddy coat fabric . I did exactly the same but left a 2-3cm opening when hemming it, in order to feed the elastic through. This was a little while ago, but I believe the elastic was about 1.5cm wide. I've worn this loads and the sleeve variation just gives a different, more delicate feel to the garment. 

If you haven't tried the pattern already and you'd like to give it a go, you can find it on my website in paper or digital format. (15 March, 2020)

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Sweater to woven T-shirt hack! (11 July, 2020)

Here's another thing I tried with this pattern. I used a linen fabric for the body and sleeves to make a T-shirt. I wasn't sure about the colour of the linen to start with so I used a bright orange jersey for the neckband and cuffs to add some interest. I think this worked really well and am really pleased how it turned out. Here's a list of the changes i made to the pattern:

- I shortened the sleeves. This can be any length you like, but mine measured 9cm on the inseam.

- I added jersey cuffs, same width as the neckband piece. I measured my upper arm to determine the length of the cuff pieces and only added 2cm to this measurement for seam allowance.

- I skipped the waistband and used binding as facing instead, which i made from the main linen fabric. (see last photo)

- no other changes to the pattern pieces.

This makes a lovely boxy woven t-shirt. I think I may make a few more of these for the summer. 

Stay safe and happy sewing, 

Dhurata x