Floral Trench Coat (part 4): setting the sleeves

The coat has sleeves. Finally.

 

This coat is taking forever because everything that could go wrong has gone wrong. I'm trying to take it one step at a time, but each step seems to break down into smaller, more frustrating steps. It's actually kind of funny. I was SO worried about repeating the wonky facing situation from 2015, that everything else has caused many more problems and I haven't even gotten to attaching the facing yet!

 

When making coats or jackets, I usually use bias cut 3" x 11" (7.6 cm x 28 cm)  strips of fleece for sleeve heads. It is rare that I have an issue setting sleeves this way, though it does happen. To set using sleeve heads, I place one end of the strip  near the notch or dot and sew the strip along the sleeve cap, slightly stretching as I go along. This serves the same purpose as two rows of ease stitches whilst also providing shoulder cap support.

 

 

I do not know what went wrong, but I could not get the sleeves to set without creating massive puckers and wrinkles. I tried stretching the bias strip more aggressively, less aggressively, not at all. Nothing worked.  In measuring the sleeve cap and armhole seams, I found about two extra inches of ease - which isn't too bad. I tried trimming one of the armholes to give a little more room. Nothing. I just could not get the sleeve to set properly. I don't have pictures of the wonkiness because I was seriously over it.

 

I stitched and un-stitched the right sleeve four times and the left sleeve twice before giving up and taking out the sleeve heads. I went back to the two rows of ease stitches and both sleeves set with no problems. 😳 See what I mean? Foolishness!

 

The sleeves are in and they kind of look sad without the extra support. I'll try basting one of the sleeve heads to the serged seam to see if that helps.

 

That's it for this update. I've made more progress since this and...sigh...have un-stitched all of that too. Ooof.

 

L

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Prior posts:

 

Floral Trench Coat (part 1):  gathering supplies

Floral Trench Coat (part 2):  pattern, sizing, & interfacing

Floral Trench Coat (part 3):  constructing the front & back - a comedy of errors

Jalie 2559: Sleeve Heads

The pattern calls for installing sleeve heads for sleeve cap support.  I did this in my Vogue jacket, and  recognize the benefits of having this structure in a jacket. 

The pattern includes a separate piece for the sleeve head (a 2" bias strip with diagonal edges).  According to the instructions, set the sleeve in first and then sew the bias strip (folded in half lengthwise) to the seam allowance of the sleeve cap.  I tried this and didn't like the results.  While there was some support, the sleeve cap caved significantly.  Unfortunately, I neglected to take pictures before removing the sleeve head. 

I knew there was a better way to do this, so I referred to Kenneth King's book, Cool Couture.  His method not only results in a nicely supported shoulder area, the process of inserting sleeve heads makes setting the sleeve really easy.

Here are the steps:

1.  Sandra Betzina and Kenneth King suggest using lamb's wool or mohair, respectively, for the sleeve head.  Having neither one of these on hand, I opted for hefty polar fleece.  Cut a bias strip measuring 3" by 11" (7.6 cm by 28 cm).  I thought 3" was rather ride since on the Vogue jacket, I used a 2" strip.  I opted to take the average and cut a 2.5" strip.

2.  Anchor the strip to the wrong side of the sleeve cap one inch below one of the notches.  Sew a few stitches using a 1/8" seam allowance.  I would use a 1/4" seam allowance so that presser foot (or walking foot) has something to grab onto.  Hmm.  Looking at this photo, I think I may have used a 1/2" seam allowance.

3.  Stretch only the strip as much as you can while sewing it to the sleeve cap.  This shouldn't require a lot of effort since the fleece is already stretchy and on the bias.  Be sure to keep the piece taut and stretched as you sew. Continue stitching until you're about one inch below the opposite notch.

4. Shake the sleeve and watch the ease fall into place.  Neither Kenneth nor Sandra suggest a stitch length.  I used a regular stitch length (2.5 mm) on one sleeve and a basting stitch (4.0 mm) on the other.  While they both eased relatively the same, I like using the smaller length better.  On future jackets, I will use a length of 3.0.  This way, I have the benefits of both a secure stitch and longer stitch for adjusting ease.

5.  Pin the sleeve into the armhole right sides together.  Basting stitches aren't needed since the ease has already been removed by the bias strip.

Voi-la!  This is the pucker-free finished product!  These pictures are of the sleeve before steaming the cap into shape.  I think it looks pretty good!

Ugh!  I can totally see my pattern alteration error in the back.  Hopefully it's not too noticeable while I'm wearing it.  I've put in too much time and fabric to scrap this project now.  This jacket will be completed!


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Since writing this post several days ago, I've removed both sleeves and opened up the front and back princess seams and the center back seam.  There was just too much width in these areas.  Looking at these pictures now I can totally see where the back of the jacket is too wide.  I took about 1/2" out by sewing 1/4" in from the existing seam lines.  I also removed some width from the bicep to elbow area of each sleeve.  The jacket fits much better now.  I will make the same changes to the lining pieces and permanently adjust the pattern pieces. 

Up next:  I need to start working on the lining.  I am dreading this part of the project!

L