Q&A for How to Shorten Jacket Sleeves

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  • Question
    How much seam allowance should you leave?
    David Pew
    Professional Tailor
    David Pew is a Professional Tailor and the Owner of Sew Generously based in Seattle, Washington. With over a decade of experience, David specializes in bespoke tailoring and alterations. He uses his experiences, skills, and eye for detail to produce the highest quality of products.
    Professional Tailor
    Expert Answer
    When I'm shortening sleeves, I typically leave about 2 inches of seam allowance inside the sleeve and the lining. That way, the sleeves can be lengthened again later if they need to be, which is especially helpful if the alteration is for someone young.
  • Question
    Do I need to add interfacing?
    David Pew
    Professional Tailor
    David Pew is a Professional Tailor and the Owner of Sew Generously based in Seattle, Washington. With over a decade of experience, David specializes in bespoke tailoring and alterations. He uses his experiences, skills, and eye for detail to produce the highest quality of products.
    Professional Tailor
    Expert Answer
    If you shorten the sleeve past the point where the interfacing is, you'll need to add interfacing. If the edge of a sleeve isn't interfaced, it will look floppy, rather than crisp.
  • Question
    Why do you cut the lining longer?
    David Pew
    Professional Tailor
    David Pew is a Professional Tailor and the Owner of Sew Generously based in Seattle, Washington. With over a decade of experience, David specializes in bespoke tailoring and alterations. He uses his experiences, skills, and eye for detail to produce the highest quality of products.
    Professional Tailor
    Expert Answer
    The lining of a sleeve should always be about an inch longer than it needs to be. Otherwise, when you move around, your sleeve will crumple up, because the lining will pull on the sleeve.
  • Question
    How much does it cost to shorten the sleeves on a jacket?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    If you have it done professionally, it may cost you around $40, although some tailors will charge more or less. If you have access to a sewing machine and a few other basic supplies (such as thread, fabric scissors, and pins), you can do it yourself for almost nothing!
  • Question
    What length are jacket sleeves supposed to be?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    In general, the end of the sleeve should hit right about at your wrist bone, and about a half inch of your shirt sleeve should be visible underneath.
  • Question
    How do you shorten jacket sleeves with cuffs?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    If your jacket has cuffs, you’ll need to use a seam ripper to unpick the seams of the cuffs. Remove any buttons from the cuffs and set them aside. Mark out where you want the new end of the sleeve to be above the original cuff line, then cut off the excess fabric. You’ll need to refinish the cuff before attaching it back to the sleeve.
  • Question
    What about the buttons on the side of the jacket sleeve? How do I know where to place them?
    Zack
    Top Answerer
    Look at a jacket that has buttons placed on the side of the sleeve. Measure the distance and adapt to your jacket.
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