How to SHORTEN JACKET SLEEVES from the top!

[@CatherineSews]

I don't think I'll EVER get around to doing the pocket video that I promised in this video, so here's an excellent video from @Threadsmagazine: www.threadsmagazine.com/2021/04/21/attach-a-patch-pocket-without-visible-stitches

[@jamess950]

Thanks for this video. I bought an 18th style mens coat for Halloween and it was just a little too big all over especially in the sleeves. I have a sewing machine that I’m barely comfortable using. But with the help of your video I was able to cut the sleeves down properly (saving the width!) and re-set them and there’s only one little wrinkle that nobody will notice because it’s Halloween. 😆 Thanks again!

[@JuliaSophia52]

I love a beautifully altered jacket, one like this that shows no indication of alteration. Yes I love watching Downtown Tailoring, I always learn something when I watch her videos even after sewing for over 50 years. Please yes, show us how to sew that pocket from the inside. Today is the first time I've seen your channel and for sure I immediately subscribed. Thank you.

[@CatherineSews]

I'm so glad you found my channel and jumped on board! So happy to have you along for the ride. I'll get onto that patch pocket video soon!

[@glzbeth]

Great job.

[@dogsbody61]

Great job, sis! That video is so intense. I felt like I was watching open-heart surgery! Can’t thank you enough for the alteration. It’s beautiful!

[@CatherineSews]

Good analogy! Haha, I kind of felt like I was on par with a heart surgeon. So glad it worked out. It looks great on you!

[@MICHAELCOLEMAN-j7w]

YES I WHOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO MAKE VIDEO OF THE PATCH POCKET WITH LINING INSIDE NOT SHOWING ON THE OUTSIDE❤. THANK YOU TAKING TIME TO DO ALL THIS FOR US .

[@karengoog7595]

Yes please to the patch pocket trick. From a fellow Canadian! I’m relearning to sew and do alterations in my retirement and I save all your videos. Thank you, Karen

[@lavonnemacfarland7380]

Your brother is lucky to have such a skilled sister. The jacket looks great!

[@CatherineSews]

Thanks, La Vonne! I'm pretty lucky to have him too! Thanks so much for watching and commenting!

[@mercmaven7175]

Great instructions, you have given me courage to shorten my sleeve jacket. Thank you!❤❤

[@BackwoodsBushcraft]

Normally not a commenter but I have to say: what great energy and charisma you have. Congrats on the succesful complicated job!

[@CatherineSews]

Wow, thank you! Such a lovely comment ❤️

[@michellebradley2770]

Thank you for your honesty about how intimidating this edit is. Loved the whole thing.

[@craftymystic4868]

Oh yes for patch pocket trick! Hanks for sharing.

[@CatherineSews]

Ok, I'll get on that pocket video soon! Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@shalomd6267]

Thank you SO MUCH for being so real about this project. How you managed to do it without giant strings of swear words, i don't know. Fantastic technique, thank you Catherine (with a C, like my mum) AND Downtown Tailoring (LOVE her.) Your brother looks super spiffy in the jacket.

[@leannsews]

Absolutely for the patch pocket. I had wrinkles in my forehead when you were sewing the lining. I think that helped.😉 Great job!

[@CatherineSews]

Haha, yes, your wrinkled brow really helped me along. I appreciate the concern! Thanks so much for watching and for the cute comment.

[@cathyswope5174]

And yes, patch pocket trick would be great

[@CatherineSews]

Ok, I'll get on it soon!

[@kerstinshadbolt1003]

As a habitual thrifter, this is a fantastic skill to learn. Yes please to the pocket method too. Thank you for your brilliant videos. 🌷

[@CatherineSews]

Thank you! Thrifting is so much fun, cheap and environmentally friendly. I will do! that patch pocket video soon!

[@KarenBusby-w6m]

I am so short that even petite jacket sleeves are too long for me. I also love to find well-constructed blazers at thrift stores. This video is golden!!! Thank you so much for sharing your project with us. Two thumbs up to making a tutorial for the patch pocket technique. I can't wait to see it.

[@kathleenchalmers8234]

Hi Catherine, Loved the video. I have been sewing since the original Barbie doll came out. I have sewn many wedding dresses, mens pants and jackets and most of my clothes. I spent 10 years as a Quality Manager of an up scale woman’s sportswear company and you get the picture, i sew a lot. I tend to jump in at the deep end and hope i can figure out how to swim. You taught me about the matching marking tacks on the sleeve and using two different colours of thread. That is so smart! You never make mistakes, just learning experiences and you are never, ever, too old or too smart to learn from others. I ‘liked’ and subscribed and I am looking forward to finding all your videos. Take care and thanks so much . Kath

[@CatherineSews]

Thanks for such a lovely comment, Kath! It's humbling to hear from subscribers like you who have a wealth of experience. But please don't think I never make mistakes! I usually have to edit a few hours of sewing down to about 20 minutes, so mistakes usually get edited out. I sometimes leave them in to show that I'm human, or to show how to resolve them or what pitfalls to watch out for, but most often they have to get cut due to time. So happy to have you on board!

[@marymagdalene3004]

I like your style of demonstrating what you do. Makes it easier to follow along. Thanks for posting this video!

[@robert-wheaton]

Great video. When I buy jackets, often the sleeves are a bit too long. It's good to know that there is a way to shorten the sleeve and still keep the detail of the original garment.

[@debbiestherapy]

Love that you showed your brother in the jacket! This one was causing me some anxiety watching! You have the patience and determination needed for sure! Great job!🎉

[@terrilee6745]

Wow!!!! Great job! And yes to the pocket trick!

[@att742]

I have so many jackets in my sewing basket with sleeves that must be altered with working buttons. A huge thank you, I knew that this could be done and you have given me the confidence to jump on that task. I am incredibly grateful for the tip on how to redraw the sleeve. On my own, I would have shortened the entire sleeve cap and made it too tight.

[@philiptipping6738]

Your brother is very lucky. Cheers Mary

[@CatherineSews]

We're lucky to have each other. We've always been super close, and isn't it great when we can use our sewing skills to help out the people we love?

[@lorioverman1668]

I agree you must love your brother. Lots of time consuming work. I have altered several mens jackets and thank goodness I have not had to take the sleeves out. You do great work and I enjoy listening to your videos. Thank you!

[@lucilledaub5991]

You did an excellent job shortening the suit jacket sleeves. I love your videos on showing how to sew things.

[@albertsmyth9616]

What an enormously useful video! Thank you so much for including your mistakes as well as it’ll mean that I won’t commit them in error. It’s a bit like in prep school where they used to make one write down one’s calculations in the maths class so they could see where you went wrong and therefore help one better. Bless you.

[@theresazimmerman4010]

Yes, would love to see the pocket method. Enjoyed seeing how you shortened the jacket sleeves, most informative.

[@frankiewestberry]

Whew! I was seconds away from cutting a sleeve before I said let me find a video to make sure I’m doing this right…and I’m so glad I found this. I had already marked the amount and everything and you said no no no 😂

[@AngeVPV]

Please do a video about pocket. I love Downtown Tailoring Chanel. She is the best!

[@CatherineSews]

Thanks, Ange! The pocket video should come out sometime in the fall. And yes, cheers to @DowntownTailoring!

[@JocelyneRichard-h6z]

Amazing how fast you're working !!! Thank you !!! ❤

[@nanasloves]

I love how brave you are and skilled!

[@terrilee6745]

my husband is always buying suit jackets to big!! I have shortened the sleeves the traditional way. But... next time I am going to do it this way! Great Job! and yes!!! to the patch pocket!.

[@mtpokit]

Great alt Catherine. That's an issue with us chunky guys, finding a blazer that fits the middle and isn't too long. Nice save on the surgeon's cuff!

[@louannmaxson5919]

Yes, please show how to sew patch pockets with no external stitching. I just discovered your videos and WOW! Thank you so much!

[@CatherineSews]

So happy to have you on board, LouAnn!

[@LaughSewCreate]

Wow. You had me on edge there for a minute. Thanks for explaining that. I wouldn't have known how to tackle that!

[@CatherineSews]

Right!? I was on edge too! So happy that it worked out well. Thanks for stopping by🤩

[@davidthomas8492]

Hello 👋 how are you doing today How's everything going?

[@mjdevorick8404]

Double thumbs up!

[@kimjay2380]

Wow, another really clear instructive video Catherine! Thank you so much for all the knowledge and wisdom you share with us. I would love to see the pocket trick you mentioned - yes please. 😍😍😍

[@juliacregg1]

This is perfect. I have to shorten my husbands linen sleeve jacket. Thank you ❤❤👍👍

[@nanastrippin2006]

You are definitely a brave soul cuz I would never attempt to hem it from the top myself. Although I will say that, It is actually totally possible to hem it from the mitered edge of the sleeve, but you do not have to put the miter back in if you don't want to, huat cereat a tube overlapping the folds at the edge if the sleeve. Also, when you do hem it from the bottom mitered edge of the sleeve and there are functioning buttonholes, you will lose a couple of the buttonholes, but you can still put them back in after you're done hemming and before you attach the lining, So it is deff possible, but it is definitely just as intimidating foe sure.... Good job!!

[@dorothyyoung8231]

Oh, heavens! When you said the jacket isn’t fully lined I heaved a sigh of relief!

[@nancyingram966]

I enjoyed watching this, and I'd do it....for someone I love! I'd like to see a video on the jacket patch pocket, please. Thanks for all your videos!

[@valerieoshea4871]

Yes please do a video on the patch pocket. Thanks....love your videos

[@dinnyhinds3296]

Absolutely marvelous tutorial. Thank you

[@ΦΩΤΕΙΝΗΛΑΖΟΥ-κ2η]

Thank you for sharing this useful video Katherine!

[@deborahmckinney808]

Yes I’d like to see how the pocket is put on. I got a little lost with the sleeve lining but it came out well. I need to do this to a jacket! Thank you

[@CatherineSews]

Yes, that sleeve lining was cuckoo! I haven't got to that pocket video yet, but hope to soon.

[@c2442l]

I love @DowntownTailoring too! Your channel and hers are my favorite sewing channels on KZbin! And I would like to see a video on patch pockets with no outside stitching.

[@DenBank1]

That's professional honesty. Giving proper attribution to the original source. I see several similar unique upcycling designs between you tubers and I don't know who copied who. Thanks. I am subscribed to both of you.

[@CatherineSews]

Well said!

[@mikaelacash3791]

Way to go! Clothing alterations can seriously be so hard. I once took out a skirt that has I think 3 layers to it (two of those layers being a lining that had to be sewn inside out, and a third layer sheer layer that just went over top of that to be pretty), and my gosh was that hard! The most terrifying part was just how much fabric there was to it and trying to manage it all! But now I have a new costume piece that I have to not just take in the sleeve on, but also the shoulder, and I have never done either of those types of alterations before! And I have no idea how it's gonna work with having to alter both the sleeve AND shoulder. I'm gonna do my best not to mess it up, though. Lol

[@deemaddin3800]

Hi Catherine, brilliant and thank you. From Australia, I do clothing alterations and needed to shorten some sleeves, I prefer shortening at the shoulder now! Kind regards, Dee

[@PatternStudio101]

Great job Catherine 👏 I don't like to do alterations because I hate talking off lol

[@CatherineSews]

Haha, unpicking is just part of the gig. Sometimes I sit in front of a movie to make it less tedious. And a good seam ripper helps too!

[@sallyescrader1771]

@catherineSews … Hi Catherine - Long-time subscriber from the UK here. I am just finishing completely re-sizing a fully lined jacket: take in sides, shorten jacket length, shorten sleeves, make sleeves narrower & making shoulders narrower!! All this without touching the cuffs or the neckline. I noticed your “fight” with the fabric when pinning the lining and just HAD to write to you. The whole jacket can be turned inside out through the opening in the sleeve lining. That’s how it’s the last seam sewn when the jackets are made. It would have made your alteration so much less fiddly. Give that a try on the next one you alter! Absolutely LOVE your videos 😊

[@CatherineSews]

@@sallyescrader1771 Hi Sally, thanks for being a long-time subscriber! I love that! You’re right, that alteration was a FIGHT! At 2:00 I show that the jacket was only partially lined so when I went in through the opening in the sleeve lining, it just got me into the one sleeve. That was where my struggle began! 🤣

[@sallyescrader1771]

@@CatherineSews Sorry, Catherine! Silly me! I had my ongoing (nearly finished) re-sizing job on my mind when I wrote to you, so I forgot the lining and main fabric were both sewn to the fabric of the sleeve! Apologies 😌 I think I may have asked you before whether you’re on instagram… but can’t find my comment anywhere (because I have SO many of your tutorials saved!)… are you?

[@CatherineSews]

@@sallyescrader1771 My dear, no need to apologize! All thoughts on how to make things easier are always welcomed 🥰😘 Yes, I’m on instagram as @CathBHay

[@sallyescrader1771]

@@CatherineSews Thanks, Catherine. I’m new to instagram, so not entirely sure how it works, but I thought maybe I could share this HUGE job I’m doing at the moment. If you’re interested, that is!

[@barbarastclair9429]

That was very helpful. I have a wool coat that I want to shorten the sleeves on. It has similar cuffs to what you have there on the jacket. I'm going to watch downtown tailoring, as well, to see if she has any more hints. It's a beautiful coat, full length. I just need the arms shortened a little and a little bit more tailored in the waist, and I think I can do it now ... well maybe. Definitely would like to know that trick about the pocket and I love your videos you are very helpful thank you so much so glad I found you.

[@newtkeeper]

Knowing how to do good pockets is a must. Please do make videos about how to do all different types of pockets. I am new to your channel and I am very glad I found you. I gotta say though, I watched your A-Line plaid skirt video and was surprised you didn't include pockets in it. I am brand new to sewing and I am loving how detailed you are in explaining what you are doing and why you are doing it; that is so helpful especially since I am decades away from school age and finding an in-person teacher who will have a class that fits with your work schedule is complicated and expensive. Again, thank you for sharing your knowledge and skill on "youtube university". =)

[@CatherineSews]

Great comment! I’m so glad you found my channel. There’s a reason I didn’t put pockets in the bias skirt, and why a lot of women’s clothing doesn’t have pockets. It’s because on a slim fitting garment where the fabric skims over the body, the outline of a pocket would really show through and spoil the look of the whole thing. BUT, a video all about pockets has been on my To Do list for a while and your comment just nudged it towards the top of the list!

[@suzannecrelley2369]

This was so helpful Catherine. Thank you

[@janirabrannigan]

That was incredible.

[@CatherineSews]

Thanks, Janira! I was very happy that the finished product turned out so well. So was my brother!

[@Peaceflag47]

Yes, please show us how to do the pockets from the inside!

[@elayned6147]

❤! Yes, patch pockets from the inside please! I’m a tailor for many years now and surprisingly have not done that yet, but I have shortened a slee from top. Good job,Thanks, just subscribed 😊

[@ConkreteMan]

I have had to have sleeve adjustments to every jacket I’ve ever had. I don’t know that ANY of them were done this way! Most of them looked wonky with the buttons right at the hemline. I’m going to try this on a jacket for myself. The process looks crazy intense, but I’m sure if I watch the video enough times it’ll work. 🤞🏽

[@jackieparker4360]

Fantastic video, thank you. I'm starting out on the alteration side of things and know I'll be tuning in to all your tutorials. Just so clear and enjoyable. X

[@lisaschaefer155]

Whew! That's a tough alteration! Yes!!! Teach us how to do the patch pocket with no outside stitching!!!

[@schap562]

Video was great!!! I also watched the Downtown Trailoring way of doing this. Your way was easier for me. Thank you.❤

[@leiflynnjeffery757]

Awesome going to do this alteration I watched you do and Downtown Tailoring. Thanks

[@evemontoya2576]

Great video, I have done it the other way,with no complications, I’ve yet to try this one, thanks for the video, it was very informative.

[@CatherineSews]

Thanks for watching and commenting, Eve!

[@geebee1689]

Awesome, thank you. Greetings from the UK

[@tonileggate]

I guess not enough people said yes please to the invisibly sewn patch pocket as I can't find a video for that. I, for one, would really like to know how to do that as I hate 'patched' pockets. At 72 I would love to learn something totally new to me that I will actually be able to use. My fingers are tightly crossed. Many thanks for this video, I am not sure my eyesight would have coped, nor my machine with that incredible thickness! A brilliant method that I hope I will never need!

[@CatherineSews]

Yes, actually, quite a few people said yes to that one and I just haven't got to it yet! It's been on my To Do list for a while and I really need to get it DONE!

[@tonileggate]

@@CatherineSews Brilliant news! Thank you...

[@evelynferrer1322]

Great job. Yes do the pockets

[@The442nd]

Geees! This was stressful. Your brother is very lucky

[@kimwellington3486]

Thank you for all these super helpful videos! You explain things beautifully Would like to see your patch pocket trick please! Also, was hoping to upcycle a bunch of old ties into a bag or piece of clothing, any tips?? :)

[@CatherineSews]

Thanks, Kim! Old ties can be a source of wonderful silks. I've seen some really creative projects on Pinterest.

[@philiptipping6738]

Well done. Cheers Mary

[@CatherineSews]

Thank you, Mary! Cheers!

[@kimberdixon984]

You did a beautiful job. I'm just not confident of my skills enough to dive in though. Maybe I should practice on a jacket we don't plan to keep and THEN I'd feel confident enough to alter a jacket for my son in law. I can't practice on the jacket he needs to wear in the wedding in 3 weeks though....eek! That one part where you were sewing in a tiny tube looked SO HARD! Yours turned out great though. Thank you for the video

[@utefeather9356]

Good job! Yes. Please show us the pocket trick.

[@vickiewilliams3259]

Wow! I think that's way over my head. But I'd love to see the patch pocket trick. I thought about it for a couple of minutes and then had to stop before my head exploded.....

[@CatherineSews]

Haha, oh no, I don't want your head to explode! I better get that video done soon, lol.

[@cybersecretary]

Love Downtown tailoring !

[@cathywiser6911]

Would love to see the pocket. I want to have a go at the sleeve alteration but it looked so hard I might watch it again first!

[@CatherineSews]

Haha, yes, the sleeve was pretty challenging! I'll get that pocket video out soon!

[@fatemehzarei9247]

You make it easy to me .wonderful

[@lindadurkin828]

You have a fabulous show. It is justdwhat I’ve been wanting to learn. How about that pocket😊

[@Bettycrockrr]

Brilliant video. Have to be honest. Broke out in a sweat watching it. All the things that could have gone wrong. And with plaid!

[@elaineh7482]

Thanks for sharing. I really like that way best❤

[@marietremble9426]

Fabulous vid! I’ve been wanting to figure this out for years. I will definitely check out downtown tailoring. Crazy that someone from out west has to alert me to a great resource in my own hometown (Ottawa). BTW, David’s partner, Suzie, told me about your channel….sooo glad she did.

[@CatherineSews]

Oh, hello Marie! I'm so glad that Suze told you about my channel! And yes, you've got a treasure there in Ottawa with Downtown Tailoring! Cheers!

[@BonitaSwan]

I watched your tutorial and am somewhat confused after watching the same tutorial from Downtown Tailoring. You measured from the top of the sleeve at the raw edge down the length you needed to shorten the sleeve and cut there. Downtown Tailoring measured down from the seam allowance at the top of the sleeve the length needed to shorten the sleeve and then marked up from that line the width of the seam allowance and cut at that marking. This was confusing me and I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong. Thanks for your time!!

[@lindsaysidwell2130]

Great video, so good to see someone who has experience and good knowledge trying something new. Seeing the pitfalls as you go is so helpful! Well done and thanks! PS, can we see how to do the pocket please? :)

[@TexasTwins]

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🤩 Super sewing!! 🏆🥇

[@cathyswope5174]

Great example, although I hope I never need to use it! 😜

[@CatherineSews]

Haha, I can relate! I don't look forward to doing it ever again, but it's good to know that it's possible.

[@cameronbodell7985]

Beautiful job! Are you supposed to leave room for seam allowance when marking the sleeves at 4:25?

[@sharongallagher3443]

Excellant job. I would like to see how to sew the pocket. ~

[@CrossCultural-c7f]

…paraphrased: I am terrified. If I went along once, I can do it again. Yes. This was so tension provoking that I had to stand up and pace around… This was a challenging, educational and encouraging video for me. Thank you.

[@CatherineSews]

Thanks for sticking it out until then end, despite all the tense moments!

[@judyho290]

Lol….”I would do that alteration like this again FOR SOMEBODY THAT I LOVE”. Yup, ditto.

[@CatherineSews]

Haha, you know it, sister! My brother also gave me a lovely bottle of wine, so my price has now gone up to LOVE + WINE!

[@sarahferrell5458]

Yeah I want to see the inside pocket sewing rock!

[@denisestone9119]

Impressive!

[@beheadoth]

Great video, it will be very useful for me

[@user-qc7hf5wz8f]

Hi, usually how much would it cost for these types of alterations? Thank you and great video! 😁

[@schap562]

Did you ever do the video on the jacket pockets?

[@CatherineSews]

@@schap562 No! I put a link in the comment that is pinned at the top here.

[@kooldesinzblm]

Ok Kathryn sews how do you do a patch pocket without outer stitching ?

[@CatherineSews]

I know! I really have to get on that video!!

[@lucynasloanewilliams8417]

THANKYOU!

[@marekkremen852]

my tailor completely messed up this and now my jacker doesnt fit at all. i think the tailor took constant 1.5 cm from all around and changed the width of the sleeve. Can jacket like this be saved? Thanks for help

[@venitacoffin204]

Please show how to do the pocket trick

[@judyblackmancallender3663]

No, no, no! That's Wrong! You should always sew the sleeves onto the jacket body first, bcuz as you so rightly said, "there's sooo much going on" around the top of the sleeves. Ok. Afterwards, go in and attach the other pieces individually. Tailors usually leave the insides of jackets in a crappy mess!! Yuk!! Doing it in this way, is a much better procedure, as it will give extra stability to the entire sleeve top area, and, in the event of a serious tug or pull on the sleeve or shoulder, the entire work wouldn't become easily undone, ruining the jacket. Hope this helps.❤❤❤😂 Happy sewing fellow Sewists and Seamstresses. We are all forever learning to perfect our skills. God's Speed all. 😊

[@fighixiyz3190]

Such a good tutorial, thank you very much. How much length can I take without affecting the width? In my case I would need to shorten about 2,5 to 3 inches. Do you think that would still be possible? Thank you

[@CatherineSews]

I think you’d still be ok at 3”. Good luck with it!

[@ستارالساعدي-ث5س]

Good method thanks

[@140ex5]

Why don’t I have a sister like you? 😮