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Adjusting for arm or body length

Problem: Arm Length

Arm length varies greatly from person to person. This small detail can make or break the fit of the jacket, but it’s a very easy fix.

lengthen-arm-01
1. Locate the “lengthen or shorten here” line on the upper sleeve (N) and lower sleeve (M).

lengthen-arm-02
2. Slash the pattern across these lines.

lengthen-arm-03

lengthen-arm-04
3. To lengthen, spread the pattern apart by the amount of length you’d like to add. To shorten, overlap the pieces. Tape and retrace.

Problem: Overall Length

lengthen-body-01
1. Locate the “lengthen or shorten here” line on the front body (B) and back body (C) pieces.

lengthen-body-02
2. Slash the pattern across these lines.

lengthen-body-03

lengthen-body-04
3. To lengthen, spread the pattern apart by the amount of length you’d like to add. To shorten, overlap the pieces. Tape and retrace.

4. For version 1, adjust the lining in the same way.

When You’re Finished

Now that you’ve altered your fit and pattern, you may feel like creating another test version. This is entirely up to you and how severe the changes you’ve made are. For minor changes, you may feel confident moving on to cut your real fabric. For big changes, you may want to give it another test.

Up Next

Now we’ve gone over a couple adjustments that anyone can use. Tomorrow, we’ll cover three more adjustments that are specifically useful for the ladies.

The Albion Sewalong

  1. Welcome to the Albion Sewalong & Contest (5 Comments)
  2. Gather fabric and supplies (49 Comments)
  3. How to fit and adjust your pattern (17 Comments)
  4. Adjusting for wide or narrow shoulders (5 Comments)
  5. Adjusting for arm or body length
  6. Adjustments for women: Giving waist definition (3 Comments)
  7. Adjustments for women: smaller arms (5 Comments)
  8. Adjustments for women: Full bust
  9. Cutting, Interlining, Interfacing, & Staystitching (8 Comments)
  10. Coat (v1): Creating patch pockets (2 Comments)
  11. Creating the yokes (1 Comment)
  12. In-seam pockets and side seams (10 Comments)
  13. Making the hood (2 Comments)
  14. Customization: drawstring hood (2 Comments)
  15. Creating sleeves (6 Comments)
  16. Coat (v1): Body and sleeve lining (4 Comments)
  17. Installing the center front facing (4 Comments)
  18. Customization: Adding a zipper (3 Comments)
  19. Customization: Add a drawstring waist (4 Comments)
  20. Coat (v1): Installing the lining (4 Comments)
  21. Finishing, hemming, and closures (5 Comments)
  22. Customization: Make your own toggles (3 Comments)
  23. How to enter your finished project into the Albion contest (25 Comments)
  24. Beautiful Albions and the winner of the Bernina 380! (26 Comments)