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eTee Conversion to Cap Sleeve

eTee Conversion to Cap Sleeve

Carol Scott attended Sew Kansas this summer and wore a really cute variation of the eTee that resulted from her running out of fabric! We asked her to share her process.

"I was a Fashion Design professor for 26 years and taught patternmaking, clothing construction, tailoring, design and pattern grading. Since retiring 9 years ago, I still teach knitwear design and machine knitting at seminars and for groups nationwide. Even in retirement, I still can't find the time to sew and knit as much as I'd like to!"

-Carol Scott, Guest Blogger

​When she didn't have enough fabric to cut the eTee sleeves, Carol had to get creative. She modified the pattern to have a cap sleeve and more of a scoop neck. Here are her changes for the pattern Front:

  1. ​Drop neckline at center front 1 1/2"
  2. Swing out neckline at shoulder 1 3/4"
  3. Draw new scooped-out neckline - don't follow original curve exactly (Carol's version was dropped 1 1/4" down at middle of curve)
  4. Make new shoulder line 8 1/2" long with the line rising above the shoulder at armhole by 3/8"

To make the cap sleeve shape:
  1. Measure down 2 1/4" from the lower armhole
  2. Swing out 1" from that point with a gentle curve​
  3. Then draw your sleeve hem as a gentle 8 1/2" curve from the new shoulder down to the new lower armhole point

And the back...

Here are the changes for the pattern Back: ​

  1. Drop neckline at center back 5/8" 
  2. Swing out neckline at shoulder 2" 
  3. Draw new scooped-out neckline - don't follow original curve exactly 
  4. Make new shoulder line 8 3/4" long following original shoulder angle 


To make the cap sleeve shape: 

  1. Measure down 2 1/4" from the lower armhole 
  2. Swing out 1" from that point with a gentle curve​ 
  3. Then draw your sleeve hem as a gentle 8 3/4" curve from the new shoulder down to the new lower armhole point

To complete the garment, Carol serged the sleeve hems and turned them back with a straight stitch hem. She finished the neck with a neck band per the instructions, but the new neck measurements are bigger, so be sure to cut a longer band.

We love it! Thanks for sharing your problem-solving idea for smaller yardage, Carol!

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