Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 3: Measure the sleeves
• Tips
• Necessities

By shortening the sleeves of a jacket or jacket, you can transform an ill-fitting, sloppy garment into a fitting and chic one. It's fairly easy to shorten your sleeves, but you will need to master the basics of sewing and have a sewing machine. Measure the sleeves to determine the new length, mark the fabric, cut to desired length, then hem the sleeves to finish.

To step

Part 1 of 3: Measure the sleeves

1. Put on the jacket to determine how short the new sleeves should be. To make sure the jacket fits you as well as possible, put it on and see where the sleeves should be. It's a good idea to bend your arms and let them hang straight at your sides to see where the sleeves should go in these poses. It may be a good idea to select a spot between these two lengths.
   • For example, if you want the sleeves to fit right up to your wrists, but they are too short that length when you bend your arms, you may need to cut them a little less so that they reach about 1/2 inch below your wrists.
2. Stitch the last two inches when you get to the end. To secure the last stitches, push down on the lever on the side of your sewing machine and hold it down while keeping light pressure on the pedal. This way you reverse the sewing direction of your sewing machine. Sew two inches, let go of the lever and sew back to where you started. Trim the excess yarn and your shortened sleeve is done.
   • When you have finished sewing one sleeve, do the same for the other sleeve.

Tips

• Choose a firmer needle for jackets made from a thicker fabric such as denim, leather and suede. A larger size needle is thicker.

Necessities

• Chalk
• Ruler
• Scissors
• Pins
• Sewing machine
• Yarn