How to Make Sleeves Bigger

Method 1: Simple Seam Allowance

If the sleeves are just a little too tight and the garment has seam allowance, you can gain some extra room by simply letting out the seams. Here's how:

Materials:

1. Sewing machine or hand-sewing needle and thread

2. Fabric scissors

3. Seam ripper

4. Iron

5. Measuring tape

Instructions:

1. Turn the garment inside out.

2. Locate the seam allowances on the sleeves. These are usually 1/2 inch (1.27 cm) wide.

3. Use a seam ripper to carefully remove the stitching along the seam allowances.

4. Iron the seam allowances flat.

5. Measure the desired sleeve width and add 1/2 inch (1.27 cm) for seam allowances.

6. Cut the seam allowances to the desired width, making sure to cut on the straight grain of the fabric.

7. Pin the seam allowances in place.

8. Stitch the seam allowances back together using a sewing machine or hand-sewing needle and thread.

9. Turn the garment right side out and iron.

Method 2: Insert A Gusset

If you need to make the sleeves significantly bigger or don't have enough seam allowance to let out, you can insert a gusset. A gusset is a triangular or diamond-shaped piece of fabric that is inserted between two pieces of fabric to create more room.

Materials:

1. Fabric that matches the garment

2. Fabric scissors

3. Sewing machine or hand-sewing needle and thread

4. Iron

5. Measuring tape

6. Paper and pencil

Instructions:

1. Turn the garment inside out.

2. Locate the point on the sleeve where you want to insert the gusset.

3. Measure the width of the sleeve at this point.

4. Draw a gusset template on a piece of paper. The gusset should be a triangle or diamond with a base width equal to the sleeve width and a height that will create the desired sleeve size.

5. Cut out the gusset template and pin it to the garment, aligning the base with the seam line.

6. Cut along the sides of the gusset, making sure to leave a 1/2 inch (1.27 cm) seam allowance.

7. Turn the gusset right side out and press flat.

8. Pin the gusset to the sleeve, right sides together, and stitch in place using a sewing machine or hand-sewing needle and thread.

9. Turn the garment right side out and iron.