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11 Ways to Shorten Sleeves - From Easy Fixes to Altering Like a Pro

37.1K views· 1,896 likes· 53:39· Dec 20, 2025

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Join me in London in May 2026 for an unforgettable Sustainable Fashion Tour! https://tinyurl.com/travelwithCatherine Join my online sewing community: skool.com/catherinessewingroom/about Nothing can ruin an outfit faster than sleeves that are too long—but shortening sleeves doesn’t have to be intimidating. In this video, I show you 11 different ways to shorten sleeves, from quick, beginner-friendly methods to more advanced alteration techniques, including some really fun and creative ways that you might never have seen before! You’ll learn how to shorten sleeves on a variety of garments, including: Long-sleeved t-shirts Sweaters and knits Woven shirts A denim jacket A blazer I’ll cover when to shorten sleeves from the bottom, the top, or the middle, and how to choose the best method for each fabric and garment. This tutorial is perfect for sewing beginners, thrifters, and upcyclers who want better-fitting clothes and more confidence with alterations. Links mentioned: @DowntownTailoring video on shortening jacket sleeves: https://youtu.be/CS11zigS7XU?si=HcDBNx1NJQ4-ISdu #SewingTutorial #CapsuleWardrobe #UpcyclingFashion #SustainableSewing 💖 Affiliate Links & Sewing Tools I Love 🖤 LDH Scissors – My absolute favourite Canadian scissors! Explore their collection here: https://ldhscissors.com/catherinesews 🧷 Thinking of buying a sewing machine or serger? I highly recommend Baby Lock machines. Use my affiliate link for Quality Sewing: https://www.qualitysewing.com/CatherineSews 🧵 My Sewing Machines: – My sewing machine: Baby Lock Sofia 2 https://www.qualitysewing.com/?sca_ref=6711197.FFgCiIYpxi2c – My serger is an old Kenmore but my dream serger is the Baby Lock Victory https://www.qualitysewing.com?sca_ref... ✂️ My Favourite Sewing Tools (As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.) Definitely try shopping local first to support your nearest sewing store! Marking & Measuring Erasable Frixion Markers – US: https://amzn.to/3AzigeK Canada: https://amzn.to/4dDXER2 C-Thru Ruler – US: https://amzn.to/3tfqdSS Canada: https://amzn.to/4qThy0u Olfa 6x24” Ruler – US: https://amzn.to/3GEwV8f Canada: https://amzn.to/486Mm4V Hip Curve – US: https://amzn.to/41BMkQp Canada: https://amzn.to/3WnXWV2 Tools & Accessories My big Wiss scissors - US: https://amzn.to/48fkFXl Canada: https://amzn.to/3NjriCV My little Zwilling scissors - US: https://amzn.to/3HpeS6d Canada: https://amzn.to/3O3P1Er – surgical seam ripper with replacement blades - US: https://amzn.to/412mvJS Canada: https://amzn.to/44Duz6i – Folding Magnifying Lamp – US: https://amzn.to/3AY10QA Canada: https://amzn.to/3MzOZDi – The Best Seam Ripper – US:https://amzn.to/3ULilUf Canada: https://amzn.to/3wkyk25 – Loop Turner – US: https://amzn.to/3RH6HIw Canada: https://amzn.to/483Z30q – Tailor’s Ham – US: https://amzn.to/3RGEXDG Canada: https://amzn.to/485SPNN Wooden Clapper - US: https://amzn.to/4mU4R3l Canada: https://amzn.to/4gZmpcW – Rowenta Iron – US: https://amzn.to/3KyDNsS Canada: https://amzn.to/3W9Hbx3 – Sewing Clips – US: https://amzn.to/48bEFdc Canada: https://amzn.to/4byeekv – Sharp Tracing Wheel – US: https://amzn.to/3tfPr3s Canada: https://amzn.to/41DLF0z Tape Dispenser - US: https://amzn.to/4lmh286 Canada: https://amzn.to/47nMDmx – Book: Pattern Drafting for Fashion Design – US: https://amzn.to/3VDACBT Canada: https://amzn.to/4eCdnBa DISCLAIMER: Some links above are affiliate links. This means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I truly love and use myself.🎶 📌 Support the Channel Like this video? Please give it a thumbs up, leave a comment, SUBSCRIBE, and share with your sewing friends! It really helps my channel grow. Thank you! 💕 Special thanks to Matthew Inwood for editing support! 💛 Minwood@torontomu.ca 🎬 Video Timeline: 0:00 Intro 1:28 Long-sleeve T-shirt- Beginner-friendly 3:58 Sweater Cuffs - Confident Beginner 7:43 Sweater Cuffs - 2nd option 10:05 Sweater Cuffs - 3rd option 12:36 Shirt Cuffs - Intermediate to Advanced 19:32 Sweater Sleeves from the Top - Intermediate 24:49 Denim Jacket - Confident Beginner 29:14 Shirt Sleeves - Intermediate to Advanced 32:35 Spiral Pleat - Advanced 37:13 Shirt Sleeve - Confident Beginner 43:29 Blazer - Intermediate to Advanced 52:10 Bonus Tip - Your fake pockets might be real! 52:54 Done everything! 📧 Email: contactcatherinesews@gmail.com For sponsorship offers, please note that I am only interested in sustainable and socially-conscious products that are sewing and/or fashion related! 📸 Instagram: @cathbhay Membership: https://www.skool.com/catherinessewingroom/about

About This Video

Nothing makes a garment feel “off” faster than sleeves that are too long, so in this video I walk you through 11 different ways to shorten sleeves—starting with quick, beginner-friendly fixes and building up to more advanced, professional-style alterations. I cover knits like long-sleeved t-shirts and sweaters, plus woven shirts, a denim jacket, and even a blazer, because the “right” method really depends on the fabric and the construction. The big takeaway is that you’re not stuck with one approach: you can shorten from the bottom, the top, or even the middle, and each option has a purpose. I also talk through how I decide which method to use so you don’t accidentally lose important details like cuffs, plackets, or sleeve shaping. If you’re thrifting, upcycling, or building a wardrobe that actually fits your body, sleeve length is one of the highest-impact adjustments you can make. By the end, you’ll have a menu of techniques you can choose from—whether you want a fast fix you can do in an evening, or you want to alter like a pro and keep the garment looking original.

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