Every so often it can be fun to indulge in a straight-up knock-off, and today I’m sharing the simple ruched sleeve technique I used for a Anthropologie tee knock-off here, and all the other details (including my inspiration garment) over at the Train to Crazy where Andrea (is doing a fun Make This Look miniseries.
For this project I began by hemming the sleeve hems, and then pinning a strip of 1/4″ elastic from the top curve of your sleeve to the bottom center of the hem (wrong side). The elastic should measure about 4 or so inches less that the height of the sleeve i.e. my sleeve was 12.5″, and my elastic was 8″.
Then beginning at the top, secure the elastic to your fabric by zigzagging back and forth a few times to make sure that sucker isn’t going anywhere (medium width and length). Zig zag down until you can grasp the fabric behind the presser foot, and then stretch the elastic to the full length of the sleeve while you zig zag down.
When you’re finished you should get nice and evenly distributed vertical gathers!
Again, don’t forget to stop by Andrea’s wonderful blog for more deets!
26 Comments
Oh so fun! I love everything about this shirt, the print, the color, the hem, the sleeves. . . Great job!
Thanks Heather!
Love the t-shirt! Thanks for sharing.
So cute Mim! Thank you for demystifying ruching and how to style a good looking outfit!
Wow thanks! I always feel like I’m clueless on styling outfits, so that makes me feel good!
This is so cute! I love it.
Thanks Sabra! I was just thinking about you today actually, I am still so inspired by those amazing jeans that you wore to the lunch I can’t stop thinking about them! I really want to try, but I can’t find a pattern! I want to do a high waisted 70′s looking jean, and I’m afraid to alter a pattern so much! Have to keep looking…
Okay, I love the ruched sleeves but I especially love the print of the top!
Thank you so much for being a guest! I love the shirt. It’s the perfect fit and the ducks are awesome =)
Wow! I totally want to try that! The top looks great with the flared leg jeans (which I love!)!
once i tried to do this and was terrible, i thought i could break my machine because we need to pull back the elastic while sewing and i couldn´t control the other hand, a disaster, i should try again , look pretty!
I love all those Anthro tops with the ruched sleeves, thanks for sharing how to do it, I gotta try it. And fun fabric and I like how you styled it too, those jeans are so flattering!
Isn’t it amazing how an idea like those sleeves isn’t rocket science, but who thought of doing that? And it adds so much! So cute. So fine. And can I just say, you are so beautiful!
I knew this was how the detail on kid leggings worked- I don’t know why it didn’t occur to me it would work the same way on sleeves! Fun top.
Hi Miriam, as always the Tee looks great. i am still struggling with my own creation by the way… the shoulder Fit is bad – the shoulder Sean travels to the back and i have alot of excess fabric at the arm holes… i am actually thinking about cutting that whole sucker up again and starting all over again – cause i want my very own perfect Tee…
greets from the snow lands (Winter just came back here after a Brief glimpse of spring last week)
Susanne
Hey Susanne, I’m so sorry to hear that! I hope you get it figured out, if you have any suggestions for the pattern or tutorial let me know, I’d love to hear any ideas to improve it! And I know all about never-ending-winters, this one has dragged on and on, I can’t WAIT for the SPring!!
So cute! You are so creative and talented!!!
Lovely little technique, thanks! I used a tiny bit of elastic on a project and I kept pulling it right out from under the needle, zigzagging it in place would have helped tremendously, thanks! I am really smitten with this shirt…
the length + ruche of these sleeves is flattering on everyone, my fave! so pretty!
That is a really flattering cut. I really like the rounded front hem. I rouched some regular knit shirts to make them maternity last year and it was like the world opened up for me–rouche everything! I used very thin baby elastic, and it was tricky; I think next time I would use a wider one like you have.
Also, you have some great style. The tribal earrings and your hair cut–especially the bangs–are fantastic with your shirt!
Just wanted to pop in and let you know that I featured your blog today on the post Wednesday Weekly Review #22!! (http://blueeyedbeautyblogg.blogspot.com/2013/03/wednesday-weekly-review-22.html)
Helen
Blue Eyed Beauty Blog
Exercise Encouragement Group Blog
Wow thank you, I’m flattered!!
This is just perfect- I love the color of the knit and the stamped ducks…who needs Anthro anyway?!
Right!! Except to knock-off of course!
Oh goodness I love everything about this! I’m in that awkward “just had my first baby and still nothing fits, oh crap what if they never fit again” stage and have been looking for a flattering comfy tee. Duh I should just make one! I will definitely be stalking out all your knit tee posts
Thanks!
Hey Slim Jim,
Or should I say slim Mim, you hot little thing you, love your due, love that shirt and love of course those slimming hot to trot jeans, where’d you get those puppies? Me and the boot cut we’re married together. Pretty and simple accessories. I’m kyfing your elastic idea on the sleeve to make Mill house’s swim shirt this year.
Catch this and paint it purple, love you ever.
Em