Sleeves Styles and Designs

          Most often, sleeves play both functional and decorative role in the dress. The functional role of sleeves can be seen in its ability to comfort a person. For example, long sleeves might be warmer during the winter and short sleeves might be cooler in the summer. In addition, fit-in sleeves may allow less movement of hands compare to kimono sleeves that create much room for hand movement.

     Next, the decorative element of sleeves speaks for itself – its main goal is to charm everybody around with the peculiar size, style, and color of one’s sleeves. The main styles of the sleeve are set-in sleeves, kimono sleeves, and raglan sleeves. The difference among these three styles is important to mention. Set-in sleeves have to be created separately from the dress and then connected to it with the seam around the armhole. Kimono sleeves, on the other hand, are not separate patterns, but created as continuation of dress’ bodice. Finally, raglan sleeves connect with bodice at the neck and armhole, creating a flipped “V” shape on the dress. One must remember about perfect measurements while sewing a dress.

     To continue further, different designs of sleeves’ exist and there are cap, puff (balloon), flare, batwing, and raglan. Puff or balloon sleeve is the prettiest among them and requires the investment of time and skill to construct it proportionally. If one has a desire to sew a balloon sleeve dress then he/she has to pay a particular attention to the construction of the sleeve.

Balloon Sleeve Dress