I was going through my closet recently and was looking for some of my spring tops. I needed a refresh so I decided to make something new. I’m going to show you How To Make A Flared Sleeve Top With Free Printable Pattern! This is such a stylish top. I love the look of the flared sleeves with this print fabric. I think it turned out great. My sewing friend Debbie showed me this pattern and I love it. It makes it easy to cut out the fabric pieces you need for this cute top and size it for the perfect fit. If you have some clothes you want to get rid of, this top makes a great replacement for worn out clothes. Sometimes called a bell sleeve top, this is a trendy top that is great for a night out. It would look great in a solid color as well. If you are looking to build out your diy wardrobe, we have many wonderful projects you can choose from. This new top is one I am really pleased with and I hope you enjoy making it as much as I did!
Once you have your fabric picked out, you only need a few supplies. If you are planning on sewing more projects in the future, I always recommend investing in a rotary cutter, mat, and ruler set as it makes cutting out curved fabric pieces super quick and easy compared to scissors. If you are looking for other projects to sew then check out our 35 free sewing patterns for women. Gather up the rest of your supplies and let’s get started!
What You’ll Need:
- 1.5 Yards Of 60″ Wide Fabric
- 1/4 yard iron on interfacing
- Matching Thread
- Iron
- Pins
- Scissors
- Optional Rotary Cutter & Mat
- Measuring tape
- Thread nippers
- Sewing machine
- Fabric marker
- Bodkin or Safety Pin
Size Chart:
| Imperial (inches) | Small | Medium | Large |
| Chest | 34 | 36 | 38 |
| Waist | 28 | 30 | 32 |
| Hip | 38 | 40 | 42 |
This pattern is drafted for a height of 5’ 4”- 5” 5”. Looking for a bigger or smaller size of this pattern? Then check out our post on Pattern Grading.
Printing Instructions
This flared sleeve top pattern has layers, so that you can choose to print only the size you need. To achieve this Adobe Reader must be installed on your machine or device. Adobe Reader allows you to click on the layers icon which will show you each size with an eyeball beside it. Click on the eyeball beside the size you do not want to print.
Before printing check that your printer is set to No scaling or Actual size. Set the Page orientation to Auto or Portrait. And then print page 1. Measure the 2” test square to see if it measures exactly 2”. If it does, print the remaining pages.
Trimming Pages
Cut off the right and top margins of each printed page before assembling the pattern. You can use tape or school glue to adhere your paper pattern together.
Pattern Assembly
After the pages have been printed and trimmed as instructed above, use the quarter circles located at the corner of each page for perfect alignment. When done your pattern should look like this:
Pattern Pieces Checklist
Once you have printed and assembled your pattern you will cut:
- Front – Cut one on fold
- Back – Cut one on fold
- Front facing and Interfacing – Cut 1 on fold
- Back facing and Interfacing – Cut 1 on Fold
- Sleeves – Cut 2 Mirrored images
Seam Allowance
Use a 3/8” seam allowance unless otherwise instructed.
How To Make A Flared Sleeve Top With Free Printable Pattern
I like to start any clothing sewing project by is to wash, dry, and iron your fabric. This helps preshrink your fabric and prepares it for washing later so that your stitches don’t pull out or fray the first time you wash it. Plus, it helps make the fabric super soft. Once you have done this, the next step in this how to make a flared sleeve top with free pattern tutorial is to use your pattern to cut out your fabric pieces according to the cut list above. Use the included printable pattern to cut out fabric pieces.
Next, iron the interfacing to the wrong side of the front and back facing.
Pin the front and back facing right sides together at the shoulders.
With right sides together, pin the front and back top pieces at the shoulders and sew them together using a 3/8″ seam allowance.
After that, pin the shirt and the facing at the neck hole right sides together.
Sew them together using the same seam allowance as before.
Now on this diy flared sleeve top tutorial, snip into the notch at the front neckline and clip into the curves at the back neckline. Be careful not to cut through your stitching. Finish the raw edges of the facing. Turn the facing to the inside of the shirt and press.
Find and mark the center of the top of the sleeve.
Also, place a pin so you will be able to easily identify where the front of the sleeve is. With right sides together, align the sleeve center with the shoulder seam. Pin the end of the sleeve to the end of the armhole, then pin the rest of the armhole. You will find that there is extra fabric as you get to the shoulder seam, fold the extra sleeve fabric to form pleats.
Head back over to your sewing machine and sew the sleeve to the armhole. Finish the raw edges with a serger or using a zigzag.
Fold the sleeve right sides together and pin, continuing into the side seam. Sew from the sleeve down to the hem at the side seam. Finish the raw edges with a serger or zigzag stitch.
Double fold the hem of the top as well as the hem of the sleeve by 1/2” and sew.
And that’s it! Now you know how to make a flared sleeve top with free printable pattern! We hope you enjoyed this fun sewing tutorial. I love making my own clothing and this is a great project if you have been wanting to make something yourself.
If you liked learning how to make a flared sleeve top with free printable pattern, make sure to pin it to your favorite Pinterest board or share it with friends on social media. If you decide to make this simple project on your own, make certain that you take a picture afterward and tag us on social media as we love seeing the fabrics and color choices that people use!
How To Make A Flared Sleeve Top With Free Printable Pattern
Sew your own trendy top! This flared sleeve top is great for any weather and looks great! Dress it up with a skirt or keep it casual with your favorite pair of jeans.
Tools
Instructions
- Use the included printable pattern to cut out fabric pieces.
- Iron the interfacing to the wrong side of the front and back facing.
- Pin the front and back facing right sides together at the shoulders.
- With right sides together, pin the front and back top pieces at the shoulders and sew.
- With right sides together, pin the shirt and the facing at the neckhole.
- Sew.
- Snip into the notch at the front neckline and clip into the curves at the back neckline. Be careful not to cut through your stitching. Finish the raw edges of the facing.
- Turn the facing to the inside of the shirt and press.
- Find and mark the center of the top of the sleeve. Also place a pin so you will be able to easily identify where the front of the sleeve is.
- With right sides together, align the sleeve center with the shoulder seam. Pin the end of the sleeve to the end of the armhole , then pin the rest of the armhole. You will find that there is extra fabric as you get to the shoulder seam, fold the extra sleeve fabric to form pleats.
- Sew the sleeve to the armhole. Finish the raw edges with a serger or using a zigzag.
- Fold the sleeve right sides together and pin, continuing into the side seam. Sew from the sleeve down to the hem at the side seam. Finish the raw edges with a serger or zigzag stitch.
- Double fold the hem of the top as well as the hem of the sleeve by 1/2” and sew.
- Enjoy!
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Excellent instructions! I have been sewing for, I’ll just say a long time. It is so nice to read instructions that tell the sewer to set the sleeves before sewing the side seam. The instructions in patterns never told sewers to do this and it makes construction so much easier. Do that do that now? Anyway, thank you and again excellent instructions!!