Beginner Pattern Drafting - Sleeve Block 101. How to create your own sleeve pattern!

Hello Friends! Welcome! ♥️💕
With everything going on in the world right now, it can be really difficult to know what to say or do, and I’ve really struggled with motivation this week, worrying about what I should upload or even if I should upload at all. But we all need something to keep us going and keep our spirits up, so I am determined to keep this little corner of the internet going.
With that in mind, this week I returned to something that you all loved - pattern drafting.
Building on our Bodice Block, this week I show you how to create a Sleeve Block to go alongside it, furthering your skills and creating a set of patterns you can literally make any style of garment from! And we will be doing just that really soon here on the channel, so make sure you hit that Subscribe so you don’t miss a video! ⭐️⭐️
So grab a cuppa, afford yourself some of that all important kindness and patience, and come along with a sleeping Luna and I to create your very own Sleeve Block to your personal measurements.
Evelyn
xoxo
Bodice Block Tutorial -
• Beginner Pattern Draft...
WRITTEN PRÉCIS:
Begin by taking required measurements -
Vertical Measurements -
Shoulder Point to Wrist
Shoulder Point to 3/4 Sleeve Length
Shoulder Point to Elbow
Shoulder Point Short Sleeve Length
Full armscye (using Bodice Block - see link above)
Bicep Circumference
Elbow Circumference
Wrist Circumference
Plot a horizontal line across the bottom of your pattern paper (“Wrist Line”)
Square up from the approximate centre of this Wrist Line, plotting your Shoulder Line to Wrist measurement. The top of this new line is your “Shoulder Point”.
Square across the top of this line (“Shoulder Point Line”).
Plot your vertical measurements for downwards along this Shoulder Point Line, squaring across to create your short sleeve, elbow and 3/4 sleeve lines.
To plot the sleeve cap line, mark 5.5 inches below the Shoulder Point, squaring a line across.
Mark your wrist measurement plus 1/2 an inch of ease along the Wrist Line, plotting half to the left of the vertical Shoulder Point Line and half to the right.
Mark your elbow measurement plus 1/2 an inch of ease along the Elbow Line and your bicep measurement plus 1/2 an inch of ease along the Sleeve Cap Line in the same way.
Divide your full armscye measurement by two, and plot this from the Shoulder Point diagonally down onto the Sleeve Cap Line towards your Bicep marks on each side. Add ease here, joining to your Bicep marks if the measurement meets the Sleeve Cap line before your Bicep point.
Divide these new diagonal lines into four and mark each quarter along the line.
Front Armhole Curve - (right diagonal line)
At the uppermost quarter mark come out from the line 3/4 of an inch and make a mark.
At the second quarter mark come out 3/16 of an inch and make a mark.
On the third quarter mark come inwards into the sleeve block by 1/2 an inch and make a mark.
Join the Shoulder Point and these 3 marks to the Bicep mark on the Cap Sleeve Line, creating your Front Armhole Curve.
Back Armhole Curve - (left diagonal line)
At the uppermost quarter come out 5/8 of an inch and make a mark.
At the second quarter come out 1/4 of an inch and make a mark.
On the third quarter come in 3/8 of an inch a make a mark.
Join the Shoulder Point along these marks to the Bicep mark on the Cap Sleeve line to create your Back Armhole Curve.
To finish drafting, plot a line joining your Bicep, Elbow and Wrist Lines on both sides of your block, adding ease where needed to create a true, straight line.
Label your block and remember - there are no Seam Allowances! Decide whether to add them to your block before cutting it out, or add them as you cut out your fabric - it’s up to you!

[@annettepillai1815]

Very clear explanation 🙏

[@isabelstewart3616]

Would love to see a trouser block. Loving your tutorials so clear. Watched the video on circular skirts, Can you tell me what you divide by for 1/4 circle skirt Thanks

[@EvelynAdore]

Thank you so much Isabel!! My goal is accessibility so your words mean so much ♥️♥️♥️ Trouser block coming soon!! For a 1/4 circle divide by 1.571 🥰🥰 xx

[@joolsofsewing3723]

Another really good pattern tutorial, thank you!! I am really looking forward to the tutorial for the dress!! Perhaps you might consider a vintage style blouse with puff sleeves and a pie crust or ruffle collar Evelyn? Maybe a simple midi pinnafore dress to with a high gathered waist? I could go on forever!! I am off over to your Instagram account now 😁

[@EvelynAdore]

Such kind words 💕💕 oh I just love those ideas! Keep them coming! So lovely to connect with you ♥️♥️♥️