Flutter Sleeve Pattern Drafting

Step 1

A flutter sleeve is a sleeve that flares toward the hem. There are several ways to make this style.

Step 2

Draft this sleeve from a basic straight sleeve pattern. A separate lesson explains how to draft that pattern.

Trace the pattern onto a separate sheet, copying all notches.

From the highest point of the sleeve cap, measure the chosen sleeve length straight down and draw the hemline. For a sleeve above the elbow, draw the hemline horizontally; for one below the elbow, draw it parallel to the lower edge of the basic pattern.

Step 3

Cut out the required portion of the pattern. Draw vertical lines symmetrically on either side of the centerline. Usually, make 5–7 lines; see Figure 1.

Slash along the lines, leaving 5 mm uncut at the top edge. Spread the pattern sections, adding 3–6 cm at each slash; see Figure 1.

Step 4

You can make the sleeve as a flounce. Figure 2 shows several ways to draft its pattern.

If you wish, decorate the dress with several flounces. First cut the smallest flounce. Then trace that pattern piece on a new sheet, extend it by 2–3 cm, and cut out the new pattern piece. For a third pattern, trace the second piece and again extend it by 2–3 cm; see Figure 3.

For a flutter sleeve made from several flounces, first assemble the layers at the center and along the attachment lines. Only then sew the sleeve into the armhole.

Step 5

A spiral-flounce sleeve is a particularly attractive flutter-sleeve option. It is especially effective in several layers. Draft the spiral-flounce sleeve pattern in a square; see Figure 4.

Step 6

First draw two circles with radii of 4 cm and 15 cm. Then join the circles with smooth pattern curves.

Open out the piece cut this way and sew its inner edge into the armhole.

Step 7

The Timofeev Sewing School video courses show another way to draft a flutter sleeve from a princess seam. Alexander Timofeev demonstrates how to draft the pattern and explains the cutting and sewing details of this style.