We have had a few sewists ask how to widen the sleeve opening for the Collage Gather Top. This is a super simple adjustment that will give you more room in the sleeve opening without the need to size up.
If you have not gotten the Collage Gather Top pattern yet, grab it here!
The measurements for the armhole opening are included in the size chart.
This adjustment will take just a few minutes and includes 3 of the pattern pieces:
- Front Shoulder
- Back Shoulder
- Cuff and/or Gathered Sleeve
This tutorial will explain how to add 1" to the sleeve opening, but can be adjusted with any measurements that suit you best.
Front Shoulder
Add 1/2" to the Front Shoulder panel sleeve opening and draw a curve to make this extended line meet the bottom of the panel, trying to mimic the original curve as closely as possible.
Back Shoulder
Add 1/2" to the Back Shoulder panel sleeve opening and draw a curve to make this extended line meet the bottom of the panel, trying to mimic the original curve as closely as possible.
Cuff and/or Gathered Sleeve
Add 1/2" to the short end of the Cuff piece and cut on the fold as instructed. Or add 1" to the short end of the Gathered Sleeve piece.
Cut your new pattern pieces and follow the instructions as usual!
4 comments
I purchased the collage gather dress but didn’t realise it doesn’t have the long sleeve option, can I purchase this sleeve as an add-on?
I’ve just made my first collage top and I totally love it!! I was wondering. As a relatively new sewer, could I make this top in a light sweatshirt material?
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Matchy Matchy Sewing Club replied:
Yes, you can sew this with a sweatshirt or knit fabric! Depending on the amount of stretch in your fabric you may need to change the neck bias binding to a neck facing or neck neck band. Can’t wait to see your make!
Hi, I was wondering if it would be possible to make the middle panel of the Collage top a little narrower. Do you think this would work?
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Matchy Matchy Sewing Club replied:
The only issue you may run into with reducing the width of the center panel is the neckline. There is about an inch or two between the seam and the neck opening. You can definitely experiment to get a proportion that works for you, just be aware that you want to leave about an inch from the neckline to accommodate the bias binding comfortably. Can’t wait to see!
Hello, do you have the checked material in the picture available for sale in your fabrics at present? If I was making it with 3 different fabrics as you have used, can you give me any guidance of how much fabric of each that I would need?
Kind regards
Joni
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Matchy Matchy Sewing Club replied:
Hi Joni, We do sell this fabric, though it’s out of stock at the moment. We have more coming in a month or two. You can sign up for restock alerts via email on the item page. Thanks!
https://matchymatchysewingclub.com/products/black-check-rustic-linen