PINTUCKS AND PUFF SLEEVES: How to elevate a basic T-shirt

[@colleenmcmonagle6238]

Such a talent, patient and excellent teacher with a most pleasant disposition. I thoroughly enjoy watching and listening to your tutorials.

[@CatherineSews]

Thank you for the lovely comment! I'm so happy to have you on board!

[@sherrilrendon8330]

When sewing with very sheer fabrics: you can also use a foot that is made specially for sheer fabrics. It is not expensive. It is somewhat like a walking foot for sheer fabrics. Also, Use a finer needle and a slightly looser tension for the sheers. Also use the straight stitch throat plate to avoid the sheer becoming stuffed down into the machine. Then remember to change it back to the regular throat plate when you are finished. Hope this is useful to you. You are doing a GREAT job! (I am just passing years of sewing experience your way.) Wish you all the best.

[@CatherineSews]

Great tips, thank you. I especially like the reminder to use the straight stitch throat plate. It makes a big difference with sheers and with knits as well.

[@bekesize]

Folding the sleeve pattern piece to create equal distances is genuis! Thanks!

[@CatherineSews]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks so much for watching and commenting!

[@chocolatechip12]

Those sleeves are just gorgeous! Puff sleeves are always so flattering and comfortable.

[@CatherineSews]

Yes! Thank you!

[@elizabethmerrick3469]

Hi. I was trying to make puff sleeves and your video showed me. Brilliant! Thank you.

[@CatherineSews]

Wonderful! Great to hear!

[@donnalamberth4881]

I love your pintucks! I'm so glad I found you. I love the way you explain every step. I been sewing for many many years but I always want to learn new things and I did from you. Thanks so much . Something from a quilter --- when starting on very fine fabric take two cotton scraps and stack together start to sew into those first. sew off the cotton onto thin fabric . works eveytime. This helps to not pull fabric into the machine. Thanks for sharing with all of us, Donna L

[@CatherineSews]

That's a great tip! Thank you for watching and leaving such a lovely comment.

[@CraftAddictedWendy]

“Starters” and “enders” (little scrap fabric pieces to start and end stitching) are a quilter’s best friends, especially when trying to sew perfect points. Fabric loves to bunch into the cave of feed dogs and these tell the machine who’s boss!

[@MarySparkle]

That lavender color looks wonderful on you. And so does the pink.

[@CatherineSews]

Oh, thank you, Mary! Very kind of you.

[@jenny8344]

Just found your channel and have spent the afternoon binge watching you. You’re fantastic. I’ve been sewing for years ( self taught) and I learned so many little tricks and tips. Thank you.

[@lucilledaub5991]

I love your pink top. It’s a nice color on you.

[@dpr4820]

Taping the fabric to the cutting mat. Why have I never thought of that?! 🤦‍♀️

[@CatherineSews]

So glad you like that tip! Thanks for the nice comment, DPR!

[@karenwilliams4152]

Yeah, me 2!

[@TheSwissHillbilly]

I'm so excited to find you! I haven't sewn since I was a teenager, with my Mom over my shoulder. She's gone now, so I have no "expert" to ask questions. She was so creative and would have loved this channel!

[@CatherineSews]

Awww, thank you so much. It makes me happy to know that my channel has conjured up sweet memories of sewing with your mum. How lovely 🥰

[@dale3404]

I never thought of taping down the slippery fabric. Great idea. Thanks!

[@EFergDindrane]

This is lovely! I'm going to make it in a dark green, I think. And those colors are both quite pretty on you, so no worries!

[@CatherineSews]

Thanks so much! Best of luck with your dark green version!

[@PreciousMe]

Hi Catherine, I'm a recent subscriber and am binging all of your older videos. If you think the lavender and pink "wash you out, " try a small scarf around your neck in one of your colors. Works every time. Big Hugs

[@1wolfpup]

That’s a beautiful shirt. What an awesome way to be comfortable and look much more elegant. Nice. Thank you, for sharing.

[@CatherineSews]

Nice to hear. Thanks, Wolfpup!

[@dale3404]

So cute. I love the idea of making it dressier than a regular t shirt.

[@CatherineSews]

Right!? It's just as comfy as a t-shirt, but a bit dressier and more feminine.

[@nickykatz]

I know this one is an older video but it is still one of my favourites. Would love to make this in black

[@sonialorenzo9223]

I just learned so many tips just watching you working with slippery piece of fabric. I always worry about the grain line and tearing the fabric again solves that issue.

[@CatherineSews]

That's great to hear, Sonia! And yes, tearing slippery fabrics really helps you make sure you lay it out on grain. Cheers!

[@lorrainedempsey3320]

I was happy for the precise explanation of pintucks. I love pintucks. Those puff sleeves are very pretty. Great video. Thx.

[@CatherineSews]

Thank you, Lorraine!

[@Silverhaired59]

Did you read my mind? I am an amateur sewist, never used a pattern before. But my body is disfigured by a fat disorder that gives me hanging, loose fat on my arms. Even clothes made for obese people do not fit my arms. Your sleeve in this video is exactly what I needed to learn. Your pintuck technique will help me to take the oversized men’s knit shirts I wear to get over my arms currently into cute tops that are not boxy and masculine. I am so glad I found your channel!

[@FlashGordon1023]

I will come back to these T-shirt videos in the future. A dedicated playlist would be nice, but if not i will just search for them.

[@CatherineSews]

I could do that! Thanks for the suggestion 😀

[@loreleig5062]

That looks amazing. You always do such a good job of explaining the steps (your students are very lucky) ! Thank you

[@CatherineSews]

What a sweet comment! Thanks so much!

[@4016kiwi]

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[@4016kiwi]

@@CatherineSews I’ll

[@karenwerts2331]

Tissue paper (gift wrap) on the feed dog side of the flimsy fabric prevents the machine from "eating" your fabric. Pin it to your fabric and tear away after you sew.

[@fondabadger9617]

Thank you so much for this video, great techniques, " If it doesn't look good don't sew it". 😇

[@catherineewing3920]

I LOVE your ways to change a simple t-shirt!!! It’s exactly what I’ve been looking for 😊Thank you so much!

[@leannsews]

I'm really enjoying your channel. I'm going back to watch your videos. They're fun. 🥳

[@CatherineSews]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@SnoopyandDoby]

So that's how they make these kind of sleeves. Thanks for the tutorial!

[@CatherineSews]

Yup! You're more than welcome. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@nancyhilborn885]

Great hacking ideas! Excited to try some of your gems 😁. Thanks for sharing.

[@ClaireMurray1]

As a new sewer I always get lots of little tips from your videos. Thank you

[@lindabrotherton1225]

I love the puffy sleeves and the scope neck with floating front.❤

[@AngeVPV]

Very romantic look. Love it!

[@kathyjames9250]

Thanks for demonstrating sleeves so much. You inspire me to dig out my retro knit top pattern with big poof-y gathered sleeves. My granddaughter named them “bumpy sleeves.” Your video suggests to me that the sleeves could be done in a woven fabric, so there is a world of possibilities!

[@sparrowrefashion]

That looks just fantastic 🥰 You're wonderful inspiration 🤗

[@CatherineSews]

Awww, thank you so much! What a lovely comment. Thanks for being here.

[@lucilledaub5991]

I love your soft pink colored top.

[@sheelaghweeks434]

Lovely work, my dear. 🥰

[@CatherineSews]

Thank you!

[@emoore4876]

Can’t sew a stitch but I love watching you sew. Absolutely love the beautiful pink blouse and I wish I had one like it.

[@dianemills649]

When sewing a sheer fabric seam, use a sacrificial patch. Fold a small patch of woven fabric in half, sew across and butt your sheer fabric against it and keep sewing. If you are going to sew more, cut the patch off and add to the bottom so you are ready for the next seam.

[@rosac8168]

I’ve been trying to do this for so long and always mess up along the way then quit so glad I found you 😊

[@belieftransformation]

That’s such a sweet top that you made! The pink looks so beautiful on you; it’s so soft looking! Thanks for sharing!

[@carlyk502]

That top turned out really beautiful I might say. Although the light pink is probably not a good color for your skin tone. The lavender is a much better choice. From one sewer to another, thank you sewist guru for your tried & true techniques. You’re truly an inspiration for me! I love your blog.

[@linda.brotherton1689]

You are an amazing teaching.🌹 Thank you so much

[@CatherineSews]

Thanks, Linda. That's so kind.

[@suzannes1625]

Gorgeous! 🌸 so many helpful hints too. Thank you.

[@sozofam2164]

Looks beautiful! You have the best ideas!

[@Beacreative1]

So cute! Thanks for the tutorial 😀

[@CatherineSews]

Thanks for watching and commenting! It means a lot!

[@KWChamonix]

I have learned so much from you. Thank you

[@brendadouglas9833]

Looks terrific, I will have to do this hack for sure. Thank you for sharing.

[@joanmarks9334]

Beautiful result and a lot of useful tips. ❤

[@PatternStudio101]

I love this blouse!!! So so my style!!

[@CatherineSews]

Yay! So glad you like it!

[@Colleen230]

So pretty! New sub here....cannot wait to see your other hacks. Thanks for the inspiration!

[@CatherineSews]

Welcome aboard! So happy you found me ❤️

[@ernameine2016]

It's so nice and lovely!!!

[@pixiecora2212]

Very pretty!

[@heatherthrone9999]

Well thought out, explaned and executed. THX

[@CatherineSews]

Thank you! That's great to hear. 😃

[@elizabethgarrett406]

Looks amazing, thank you for all the tips, looking forward to trying to make my own

[@CatherineSews]

Thanks, Elizabeth! I really hope you enjoy making your own version. I've already worn mine a few times and love it!

[@Dranma51]

So pretty! ❤️

[@tracyfrost]

Great idea

[@mikeandjeanninejeffers1196]

Love It!

[@CatherineSews]

Thanks so much!

[@Sewmore]

You are amazing

[@maryann1187]

To keep fabric from getting sucked into the machine, use a scrap piece of folded woven fabric at the start and then chain stitch your pieces. It’s called a ‘leader’…….quilters use these when piecing.

[@helenwood3199]

It's darling. So delicate. Do you see some drag lines at the bodice around the arm holes? How can one plan ahead for a better fit there?

[@dawnhobbs6737]

Do you do low v necks? I love your channel.

[@CatherineSews]

Thanks, Dawn! A video on V-necks has been on my To Do list for a long time. Very soon, I promise!

[@jesshothersall]

Have to admit I was totally baffled by the threading backwards description? A much easier way of not backstitching (from when machines never had reverse gear) is just to start and stop sewing leaving longish ends at both ends, then go to the wrongside of the finished tuck/dart fabric and pull gently on the spool thread, that will begin to pull the top thread up through the fabric so you can get hold of it and pull it right through, then just tie the ends with a secure knot and snip off. Only takes moments to do once you've tried it a couple of times. Lovely video thanks very much.

[@carlyk502]

I think I too have a very large piece of that same color georgette somewhere in my stash?

[@Bernietheoc]

👏

[@saharfoodland3439]

looks great , new friend here :)

[@CatherineSews]

Thanks so much!

[@darleneblackwood7386]

Sew beautiful

[@nadialetourneau4490]

I just love this version!

[@mariemauro7848]

Great

[@Sewmore]

You must have taken pattern design. Am I right? This is beautiful!

[@CatherineSews]

Yes, I went to Ryerson on Toronto for Fashion Design.

[@barbaramartinez9290]

I was taught a long time ago to cut a strip of paper and place it under the seam when sewing sheers (for curtains). Would that help with your fiddly fabric? You just tear the paper away when finished.

[@CarolG-p8b]

I have a t shirt type top that has puff sleeves. I want to change to a regular I puff sleeve. Do you have a tutorial on that? It's a top I bought, not made.

[@Maplecook]

Woot! Woot!

[@CatherineSews]

Thanks for always showing up for me, MC! That must be the 108th comment you've left for me!

[@Maplecook]

@@CatherineSews I never count with friends. =)

[@deidrabenson361]

❤️❤️❤️

[@NoThanks28]

Is there a way to make this thinner fabric stand up at the shoulder seam. I saw someone used organza. Maybe interfacing at the top of the shoulder by the seam?

[@CatherineSews]

A gathered strip of organza (maybe about 4" wide, folded in half lengthwise) sewn into the head of a a puffed sleeve can be a beautiful way to make the puff stand up taller.

[@NoThanks28]

@CatherineSews how long would you make it? Just a couple inches at the top?

[@CatherineSews]

@@NoThanks28 I'd cut about 4" by maybe 10". Fold it in half lengthwise (you could finish the ahort ends with a little seam) and then gather one of the long edges before sewing it to the sleeve seam.

[@kathrynletchford5114]

It's a beautiful shirt, but I would seriously, just get matching thread.

[@CatherineSews]

Haha, ya, you're probably right!!

[@tangorhumba3777]

Im surprised you made a polo neck as normally you cut them off any garment

[@lindaduffy8387]

So….why will tshirt fabric not work for the front of this?? Putting the pin tucks in before cutting is genius!

[@CatherineSews]

Hi Linda, you could definitely use a T-shirt knit for the front of this, but any woven fabric will work better for pin tucks than a knit would, and I had the lovely scrap of Georgette in my stash. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@marymagdalene3004]

Cute top but I did not enjoy this video. Music playing in background annoying. All the steps were hard to follow and I felt like I was working too hard to relax and enjoy it. Sorry for unhappy review, but hope that I can find others of yours that I can give a thumbs up to.

[@CatherineSews]

Sorry that video didn't go well for you! I hope you've found others on my channel that work better for you.

[@expertapproved8043]

Woot! Woot!

[@CatherineSews]

Thanks!