fitting sleeves for large athletic arms!

[pageski]

Hi,

I have big arms especially at the top just around my biceps. My torso is not as big proportionally. The arms on blouse are always too small.

I make a 12 in sleeveless and armholes are fine although the neck line is some times too low and I could probably use a 10 in the pattern front. If I use a 12 in a v-neck it is too low in the front, however I cant take the shoulders up because I need the length in the armhole.

But an even bigger problem is the sleeves. I cannot get my arms into a 12 sleeve, and need a 14 to accommodate my size.

Should I gather a size 14 sleeve slightly to fit it into a 12 armhole?

Thanks for your help!

Cynthia

[lendube]

Hi Cynthia and welcome. I would use the 12 front but cut the armhole opening using the size 14 to trace. Then use the 14 sleeve. If that makes the armhole opening too large then taper from a 12 opening to the 14 sleeve as gradually as you can. Try pinning the tissue or making a muslin first. Gathers would only work with some looks and certainly not with all. Maybe someone else has a better idea.

[kjh9835]

I have a Fit for Real People book that covers this on page 169.

I could type out the directions but if it were me, I'd need the pictures also to see how to do this. Its not complicated if you are used to patterns but just reading it sounds odd. If you want to PM me your email, I could scan and send the page to you. I do not "pass on" email addresses or anything but I think if I scanned and put the attachment here, it would be a copyright issue but I could send it to you personally.

Kathy

Edit: I'll be gone most of the day but will check back when I get home to see if you want it.

[sewingmom]

Most patterns come in multi sizes. Kwiksew is a great one with many sizes on the same sheet of patttern pieces. I would take the pieces that fit and layer them pieceing together the size you need. !4 sleeve, !0 neckline and 12 for shoulders and where necessary taper gently to the next size.

[bridesmom]

The instructions in 'fit for real people' are great for this type of issue. I would suggest doing a muslin (Or sample piece) out of some cheap scrap fabric as you play with the fit, and give yourself at least 1" seams for adjustment.

[kjh9835]

I was able to send it this morning to her email as I got in too late last night. You can see the pics quite well but not the typed instructions. I tried to re-size without any luck. I told her I'd post them here if she needed them but she thinks she can do it with just the pics.

Kathy