How to Sew a Sleeve Header

A sleeve header is a great way to add structure and support to a tailored jacket or coat whether it is lined or unlined. It sits at the top of the sleeve, underneath the shoulder seam and prevents the fabric at the top of the sleeve from collapsing or drooping. It will give your tailored jackets and coats a truly professional finish and often isn't suggested or indicated in sewing patterns, but is easy to create and add yourself.
In this video I'll show you how to create a sleeve header using your sleeve pattern piece and advise which fabrics to use to create one. If the sleeves are unlined you can use the fabric for the garment itself, but if you are lining the sleeves you can use a light to medium weight fleece such as the Thermolam I used, which is linked below.
I'll also show you how to insert the sleeve header into your coat or jacket and talk through how you can finish it with a sleeve lining.
Tailoring can seem scary, and obviously we're not talking Saville Row here - that is a whole other level of professionalism and an incredible amount of education and training, but it is possible to complete certain tasks at an amateur level and improve the finish of your tailoring projects tenfold.
00:00 Intro
00:37 What is a sleeve header?
02:40 How to create a sleeve header
04:38 How to sew a sleeve header into a sleeve
07:42 Conclusion
As always everything I mentioned is linked below.
► Dress Lucy is wearing New Look 6682 sewing pattern www.sewessential.co.uk/misses...
► Fabric for dress Lucy is wearing www.sewessential.co.uk/floral...
► Vogue 9133 sewing pattern www.sewessential.co.uk/misses...
► Grey abstract print coating fabric www.sewessential.co.uk/abstra...
► Thermolam fleece www.sewessential.co.uk/vilene...
► Prym cutting mat www.sewessential.co.uk/sewing...

[@gracewain5471]

I love how many pins you used!!

[@SewEssential]

Haha you can never to be too careful when it comes to pinning, especially round a curve IMHO 🤣

[@gracewain5471]

@@SewEssential absolutely!! Especially when it comes to sleeves, the more pins the safer it is!

[@elizabethrowe7262]

I like that idea, pads never liked them and always made my shoulders squared looking and hated that fashion back in in the 80's! This way you have shown is so much nicer and blends in and looks so professional too. Thanks Lucy!

[@rhondaphillips432]

I found you today and subscribed, love your work. FROM GEORGIA USA 🇺🇸❤♥💙💕💖

[@marathonfortruth4768]

Excellent. I never liked shoulder pads so this is a great alternative.

[@curveappeal8180]

I think this is a great idea and perhaps an alternative to a shoulder pad…I’m very petite so shoulder pads can sometimes make me look like I have no neck 😂

[@SewEssential]

Thank you, I did still use a shoulder pad because you still need the structure and support there, we do different sizes of shoulder pad though and I've done another video showing how to cover them and mentioned that I trimmed them down a bit to fit me, should be out the week after next I think. I know what you mean though when they're too big they remind me of Dynasty and Dallas from the 80s, I can hear the theme tune now!

[@carolmichell4860]

Definitely agree!

[@claudiajones9075]

I love the coat fabric, it's beautiful! I will use the technique on my next jacket or coat project.

[@SewEssential]

Thank you so much, I'm glad it was useful for you.

[@annvidovic5270]

I was setting a sleeve while I watched your video and I added a sleeve head in what is a new shape to me. Looks great, thanks for sharing the idea.

[@michaelgracewatts2943]

Love the jacket and thanks for the tutorial Lucy. Grace

[@SewEssential]

It's a pleasure I'll show you the jacket properly next week.

[@janethatfield6277]

Hi Lucy love your coat. Fantastic video just what I’ve been looking for as I’m trying to repair a blazer for my Daughters friends Son after he ripped the sleeve out 😒. After trying so many times your tutorial has made it more ch more clearer. Thank you so much. X

[@CharlotteGrissett]

Thanks you

[@brendajefferson5984]

Very informative video, thank you.

[@janetagim2783]

Thank you, this was so helpful😊

[@karenbensdon4643]

I’ve always loved that part of a tailored jacket sleeve and never knew how it was accomplished. This was so great to see. Was hoping you would include showing adding in the lining. Will that be in a future video?

[@marc-aaroncotton1218]

Hi. Do you have a video of making the coat? Also how much bias tape did you use for the full coat? Thanks

[@dianaames4946]

I didn't quite understand, do you cover that header if the sleeve is not lined?

[@gaynormainwaring1853]

I’ve recently made a lightweight, lined jacket - wish I’d seen the tutorial for the sleeve header before I’d finished it.

[@danukool]

Angela Kane is your mother in law?