Altering a Pattern for Large Upper Arms

Altering the sleeve pattern is a simple process, still allowing the sleeve to slip perfectly into the armhole as the pattern intends. If possible, work on a surface such as a cardboard cutting board that is marked in squares. This board will enable you to keep the pattern square and to pin the pattern in place while working, before permanently securing the cut sleeve pattern to the paper. Tissue paper over the cutting board allows the square marking to be used to its greatest potential.

To decide how much to enlarge the sleeve, measure the upper arm at the armpit and further down the arm. Heavy upper arms are usually large somewhere above the elbow. If the sleeve is to be long, measure the