How to Sew a Set-In Sleeve the Easy Way...by Sew Sew Live

[@etoiledemer7472]

this is an excellent excellent excellent video 😮😮

[@SewSewLive]

I’m glad it helpful! Thanks for the comment.

[@kathleenstoin671]

I agree about not using a long stitch for the ease stitches. I also loosen my tension slightly, which makes it a bit easier to pull the bobbin thread.

[@SewSewLive]

Nice! Sounds like you have a good system.

[@betht2679]

Thank you so much for this tutorial. Your instructions are way less complicated than the pattern. I really appreciate it 🙂

[@SewSewLive]

My pleasure! I try to make things easier to understand for everyone.

[@pearlygirl88]

Thank you so much. I’m working on my first set of sleeves and I was about to start crying. Following your channel now!

[@SewSewLive]

Good luck! They’re definitely tricky the first few times but you got this! 🙌🏼

[@Charis88848]

Me too!

[@patriciawiltse1721]

Thank you - you have saved my sanity!!!!!

[@SewSewLive]

Wonderful to hear!

[@harleyquebecenrevue3580]

Best detailed instructions, thank you.

[@saracyclesandsews]

This is kinda blowing my mind. I never thought to keep the stitch length the same...makes so much sense! 💡💡💡

[@SewSewLive]

Right? Why deal with puckers!?

[@wowzieee]

Thank you. I could have entertained you with my self arguing while I trimmed the sleeve and could t figure out why my mock up was so tight. Now I m going to go back and win the battle.

[@SewSewLive]

You got this! Ease is our arm’s friend!

[@jcampbell100]

I was about to sew the sleeve in my Jacket for the 3rd time!! Watched and followed along and it worked!!! Thanks saved this to my favorites.

[@SewSewLive]

Well that’s awesome! Glad you got them done!

[@irishflutegirl9022]

This was a life saver ! Thank you . Why don’t the sewing pattern companies instruct it this way in their instructions? I’ve done it the ugly hard way for 25 years.

[@SewSewLive]

A very experienced sewist showed me this method when I was a lot younger and I’m so thankful!

[@anyoneanyone3808]

Holy cow thank you.I've been sewing for a few years and always had so much trouble with these .You are my sewing angel😀

[@SewSewLive]

Aww! I’m so glad I could help! 😊

[@andrahmeda-oc7wo]

Okay. This method is *amazing*!! Thank you so so much for this fantastic video. I’ve sewn many sleeves over the years and there haven’t been many times where I’ve been able to do it without swearing or getting frustrated. This method sewed in perfectly the first time and I didn’t even bother basting because of how you clearly showed how to check for fit, where to put the easing, and walked us through the whole process in an accessible way. Five/five stars!

[@SewSewLive]

That’s awesome! I’m so glad you got great results!

[@vickichisholm931]

Gosh I wish I'd know this method years ago! I have just made a jacket with set in sleeves for a wedding and was not happy with the set sleeve. Unpicked it all and used your method and it works; the sleeve looks great. Thank you.

[@SewSewLive]

Well I’m so glad to hear it! I’m still learning tricks all the time. Sewing is so amazing!

[@soheavyastokill]

Thank you so much, I was losing my mind trying to do this for the first time. It worked perfectly.

[@SewSewLive]

Nice! Happy sewing! And enjoy your sleeves ☺️

[@julieryding2030]

OMG! I have been doing everything that you have said don’t do!!!! Thank you for this 😊

[@SewSewLive]

Haha! It’s a counterintuitive thing to sew for sure!

[@annmccarthy7802]

Thanks for an easy and understandable tutorial. I now understand what setting sleeves entails for the first time in 50 years of sewing!

[@SewSewLive]

Oh my gosh. I’m so happy to hear this. Happy sewing Ann!

[@michellehollihan4896]

Thank you. I purchased a pattern that gave no sleeve instruction, so glad you popped!

[@SewSewLive]

You are so welcome!

[@BudgetswithJK]

Thanks for the help. After watching what seems like several thousand videos. I found your video to be simple and to the point!

[@SewSewLive]

Aww! I’m so glad it helped Raheena! Happy sewing!

[@francesgiacobbe6821]

I used your method for setting in sleeves. It differed from my usual method in that your SA was smaller and you used only 1 row…most directions say to sew 2 rows of gathering. Also, your stitch length was shorter and the same on both the ‘basting’ and the final sewing. Worked brilliantly and I was sewing a medium weight cotton. Now, off to watch another of your videos…they are great!

[@SewSewLive]

Exactly! I don’t use two rows because we’re not gathering and I don’t alter the stitch length because I don’t want the fabric to gather-Just tighten. I’m glad you found it worked for you! It always works for me!

[@SewSewLive]

😊

[@carolineauld3158]

OMG thank you so much. I'm pulling my hair out trying to do this! Finally it makes sense.

[@SewSewLive]

Nice!! Happy sewing!

[@TaDarling1]

I stumbled onto this video by accident but the content was so well explained that I felt compelled to watch it in it's entirety. My sleeves always end up with those little tucks (and in the wrong places) so I found this video insightful.

[@SewSewLive]

Nice! I have lots of other How Tos in the playlist. And you’re always welcome to join the live stream 😊

[@jcampbell100]

Excellent thank you I have been struggling with sleeves this is going to help a lot,

[@SewSewLive]

They can be so tricky! Good luck 🙂

[@SifuKitaro]

very helpful, may i know..how many extra inch need for the cap?...

[@SewSewLive]

Yes! Usually a sleeve cap is about 1.5” larger than the armhole. But it can be less and a little more. (But mainly for set-in sleeves in woven non-stretch fabrics).

[@stephenheller918]

Thanks. This was really helpful and my sleeves turned out great.

[@SewSewLive]

That’s great!

[@cristinatalucci9884]

Wow! Amazing skills. I always made gathering stitches because that's what the big 4 patterns say to do. I struggle with getting tucks in the sleeves. I'll have to try this on my next top. I'm impressed and hope I can sew as quick as you someday!

[@SewSewLive]

I hope this works for you! And being fast doesn’t always work in my favor 😉

[@CeceliaIvyPriceArtisticChaos]

I was so scared to do this but you made it so relaxing and easy. Thank you!!

[@SewSewLive]

That’s exactly how I felt when I was taught this method 25 years ago! I’m glad it works for you. ☺️

[@nancypollard4531]

I love this! This is the exact kind of content I spent years looking for. I think you are really on to something. Besides after watching you for 2 years? I totally trust you.

[@SewSewLive]

Nice Nancy! I’m finally putting time in to these short vids! Thanks for the feedback.

[@allnaturalbrown]

I was absolutely frustrated while working on a beginner sewer course where Level 3 was making PJ's. The Level 2 robe sleeves were easy as it was a drop sleeve, but when trying to pin in the sleeve I had so much extra fabric and the video just said to do it like robe. Umm, that wasn't working. Your video saved me and helped not only give me the much needed technique but was also clear and concise. I can't tell you how much I appreciate this! Many MANY THANKS!!

[@SewSewLive]

Woohoo! Enjoy your new PJs!

[@megs7019]

I really enjoyed to watching sewing.

[@SewSewLive]

Awesome! Sorry for the late response!

[@k3of5ks]

This was such a great refresher course. I always forget these things. Thank you!

[@SewSewLive]

Awesome! Sorry for the late response!

[@lynetterene]

Thank you so much for sharing....this helped out so much!

[@SewSewLive]

Absolutely! I’m glad it helped Lynette!

[@louiset2079]

Great tutorial. After watching Saremy sew set-in sleeves and French seams on her live streams, I just tried practicing with french seams on a toil. So happy with the result I got - not a single tuck.

[@SewSewLive]

🙌 nice job Louise!!

[@adamkingsbury4509]

Great tutorial. I really liked your presentation of it!

[@SewSewLive]

I’m so glad to hear it! Thank you.

[@regalrose3365]

Great tutorial, thanks 😊

[@SewSewLive]

You’re welcome 😊

[@amberdru778]

So thank ful for this! Gained a subscriber :)

[@SewSewLive]

Thanks for subscribing Amber 🙂 I’m so glad it helped!

[@walterw9829]

Excellent tutorial.

[@SewSewLive]

Thanks Walter!

[@bigc8127]

Great method!

[@SewSewLive]

Thanks!

[@oliviajohnson7305]

Wonderful video! Thank you very much for taking the time to teach this, sleeves have been a very frustrating thing for me to learn. I wanted to tripple check I understood something: you said you used half an inch for the ease stitch and then sewed the sleeve in "right on top of it". If the general seam allowance for clothing is 5/8 of an inch, is 1/2 inch a good go-to allowance for sleeves?

[@SewSewLive]

Thanks for watching! I like the easing stitch to be close to the seam. I don’t see right on top of the actual stitches though-right next to them! I also have a video where I French seam a set in sleeve and on that one I’m sewing further away from the easing stitch on the first pass because I have to sew the seam twice. So I think if you find a placement that works for yoI, anything can work. (I’m not a fan of two rows of ease stitching and stitching between them for your seam since that puts needle holes on the public side of your garment). Happy sewing!

[@ninaspalace]

Thank you, I will try your method. How would you finish the inside seam, other than a serger?

[@SewSewLive]

I have a video for using a French seam too-no serger required! kzbin.info/www/bejne/ionHd5yIhphjapI

[@barefacedquestions]

I appreciate this a lot. When sewing the sleeve to the bodice permenently, should the sleeve or the bodice be on top? The sleeve on top making it easier to smooth out gathers, but somehow everything becomes a lumpy mess for me and it is hard to manage.

[@SewSewLive]

I usually mention how I position the sleeve for sewing so I’m sorry if I didn’t in this video but I always sew it with the bodice wrong side out, sleeve right side out, then I slip the sleeve inside the bodice armhole -right sides together. I then sew with the sleeve on top but I’m on inside of this armhole circle. I do this so all of the garment is above where I’m sewing. I don’t have a free arm on my machine as you can see so that’s why I do it this way. I doubt it’s possible to understand a written description but hopefully it is possible to see this position in the video. I always do it this way. Always. Because you’re right! It can become a lumpy mess that gets in your way. You’re already trying to keep track of so much. Good luck!

[@barefacedquestions]

@@SewSewLive Thank you for taking the time to write an explanation. Out of all the tutorials I've tried, yours are the best, even without visual. Thanks.

[@mayahammod5584]

Sweetheart. Amazing tutorial. Thank you

[@SewSewLive]

You’re welcome 😊

[@mayahammod5584]

Thanks so much xx

[@barneyreggie]

Should I not worry about aligning the two dots on either side of the mark for the shoulder seam with the corresponding bodice dots?

[@SewSewLive]

Hmm. I’m not sure exactly what your pattern is like but you should be able to sew your sleeve matching all the things you’re supposed to match. If it says to match it, then do. Hope that helps. 😊

[@tdodo3026]

Thanks for the video. Which juki do you have? Thanks

[@SewSewLive]

You’re welcome. I use a Juki 8700-7

[@phyllisgordon6577]

Thanks a ton. In which direction did you sew the side seam? I have always opened the underarm seam as well as the side sea.m.

[@SewSewLive]

Often I have finished the edges and they’ll be as one (whether they’re serger or French seamed). And I like to offset that juncture. I’ll press the side seam of the garment toward the back and the underarm seam of the sleeve toward the front. Just so that the thickness under the arm is more distributed. But pressing open both seams is very nice too. I also have a set-in sleeve video with French seams too. Thanks so much for watching!

[@phyllisgordon6577]

@@SewSewLive Thank you for your reply.

[@CharanSachar]

Thank you so much for showing this. Do you have a recommended easy patterns for the Kurtas (men's shirts) that you see me wear? I think I need to make an attempt

[@SewSewLive]

How about this one? I’ve seen Folkwear patterns in the past and they’re quite good. I haven’t made this one yet. www.folkwear.com/products/135-jewels-of-india?variant=35086255822

[@rosimargallagher4266]

Thanks!!

[@SewSewLive]

No problem!

[@lenaeospeixinhos]

Thank you! ❤

[@SewSewLive]

Happy sewing!

[@brendamorrisseau5740]

Tnx!!!! So helpful

[@SewSewLive]

Happy sewing!

[@TealCheetah]

YES! THANK YOU!

[@SewSewLive]

You're welcome!!

[@kimnguyen1227]

how many inches on this sleeve did you ease in? Thanks for the tutorial! I don't think I realized I should use the same length stitch and that i need to sew a little bit to the left to avoid the gathers.

[@SewSewLive]

I usually ease in the max amount on tutorials or do the hardest version. I think this sleeve has 1.75” of ease. I just released a Skill Building Session all about Fitting Set-In Sleeves. It talks a lot about the ease too! It’s on my website if you’re in that mode right now. It’s under the Skill Building Session Tab.

[@kimnguyen1227]

@@SewSewLive Thanks for that! 1.75 is really daunting, but I think it's about what one of the dressmaking books produced for me. I had the toughest time if not an impossible time easing it without reducing the ease to a little bit more than 1 inch.

[@keiyamcmorris9271]

Thank you can u do a pattern tutorial on this sleeve

[@SewSewLive]

There is a video in the Pattern Drafting playlist called Drafting a Sleeve Block. I also do it on a Scout T but I can remember which one! I think it’s the floral fabric one. I added more ease tot heir sleeve and make the armhole bigger.

[@keiyamcmorris9271]

@@SewSewLive awesome thanks to replying

[@rosemarybarrett7650]

Awesome 👏. I also never heard numbers about maximum ease to work in 1 1/2” but most sleeve drafts are less. What would you do if you measure both seam lines and find the drafting is more than this? Short of using another pattern I mean 😏

[@SewSewLive]

Well. I haven’t seen that...yet. Thankfully! That would be tough to ease in (maybe some fabrics are possible but you may end up distorting the armhole or having to slide some of the fullness into the curves of the armhole where it doesn’t belong). If it was that much, I’d probably slash the sleeve from cap to hem and remove some of it. There are other aspects to getting a good fitting sleeve besides the ease and hopefully the drafter will employ some of those techniques too. May you never encounter a sleeve with more than an inch and a quarter to ease in! 🤣

[@norakathleenbertoglio4414]

Thank you!

[@SewSewLive]

You’re welcome!

[@deltajohnson1525]

"Don't backstitch", Why not? Is this a basting stitch?

[@SewSewLive]

I think I call it an easing stitch since technically a basting stitch is temporary and you don’t have to remove this if you don’t want to. But basically, yes. Otherwise you can’t pull on the thread.

[@deltajohnson1525]

@@SewSewLive Ok, thank you! After all the pulling of the thread is complete, should we then knot the thread? I've never done this. Thanks again.

[@SewSewLive]

The video explains it all!

[@Charis88848]

Thank you!

[@SewSewLive]

You’re welcome! Thanks for watching!