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Original poster

Can these blouse sleeves be altered?

30 replies

hotn · 05/05/2025 12:15

Looking for mumsnetters who know something about altering clothes. I do know of someone locally, but want to know this is a reasonable ask before I contact her.

I bought this blouse and love it apart from the puffy sleeves, which make me look like the Michelin man. Could a good seamstress unpick where the sleeves meet the blouse and make "normal" short sleeves instead?

https://www.fatface.com/style/su399080/e80995

Multi Kat 100% Cotton Embroidered Shirt | FatFace

Shop FatFace Multi Kat 100% Cotton Embroidered Shirt online at fatface.com. Free next day delivery to over 500 stores.

https://www.fatface.com/style/su399080/e80995

OP posts:
Aixellency · 05/05/2025 12:26

Yes, but it will cost you more than you paid for the blouse!

Original poster
hotn · 05/05/2025 12:29

Aixellency · 05/05/2025 12:26

Yes, but it will cost you more than you paid for the blouse!

That's ok - I got it in the sale. 🙂

OP posts:
olympicsrock · 05/05/2025 12:30

Yes should be easy. Just take out the elastic / gathering stitches , turn up the sleeves and put a wonder web ironed on hem on instead

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Clothing
LavenderFields7 · 05/05/2025 12:32

Yeah it’s pretty simple, I’d charge around £20 to do something like that. However, making the sleeves normal turn up sleeves may end up making it look more like a men’s shirt.

Original poster
hotn · 05/05/2025 12:35

olympicsrock · 05/05/2025 12:30

Yes should be easy. Just take out the elastic / gathering stitches , turn up the sleeves and put a wonder web ironed on hem on instead

I think the top of the sleeve, at the shoulder, will need altering too because it is very "gathered" to create volume. It's not so obvious on the model photos so she must either have skinny arms, narrow shoulders, or some airbrushing.

I have wide shoulders, so it doesn't suit me.

OP posts:
B0D · 05/05/2025 12:51

The cuff part of the sleeve yes. The shoulder would be more difficult.

TheOliveFinch · 05/05/2025 12:59

There are videos on YouTube showing how to alter puff sleeves , I have done it with a dress that had sleeves you could camp in and my sewing skills are fairly basic.

fgswhywouldIdothat · 05/05/2025 20:33

The puffy shoulder is harder than the gathered cuff. It's possible to take the sleeve out completely, cut and resew a completely different style sleeve, as long as there is enough fabric (eg you can't make this into a long sleeve with a button cuff)

But this is going to cost £££. I think you should just buy a different shirt.

CoCoJones26 · 05/05/2025 21:23

It's possible, but won't be easy or cheap! Also the shirt will look completely different.....I know because I've done similar in the past, it really wasn't worth it!

Mumwithbaggage · 05/05/2025 21:48

It can be done but it'll be a very dull shirt - like a man's check short sleeve shirt, particularly in the check. Is it worth it?

TheBossOfMe · 05/05/2025 22:12

Mumwithbaggage · 05/05/2025 21:48

It can be done but it'll be a very dull shirt - like a man's check short sleeve shirt, particularly in the check. Is it worth it?

This. It’ll turn it into a really boring and unstylish shirt.

MillicentMaybe · 05/05/2025 22:40

It’s a kinda boring shirt anyway, why bother?

But it can be done, I’d charge around £40 for that job.

sashh · 06/05/2025 03:50

olympicsrock · 05/05/2025 12:30

Yes should be easy. Just take out the elastic / gathering stitches , turn up the sleeves and put a wonder web ironed on hem on instead

Not quite that easy, there is pleating at the shoulder that needs to be unpicked and un pleated.

OP

It is a fairly simple change but quite fiddly.

BippityBippityBoo · 06/05/2025 03:57

I too would charge about £40.00 to remove and recut the sleeves, but its a big alteration that I don’t think is worth doing if I’m honest. Its a big change and I think it would look very masculine without the puff sleeves.

I’d advise you to return it if possible and just buy a shirt you like without having to mess about altering it.

chattychatchatty · 06/05/2025 10:29

Your question, is it a reasonable ask: yes, she alters clothes and you want something altered so I think it’s entirely reasonable. It is a tricky alteration so be prepared to pay more than for eg. Hemming a pair of jeans. If she says, it’ll take me a couple of hours and it’ll cost you £50, you can decide whether to go ahead.

greenbadger79 · 06/05/2025 11:05

An alternative could be to get someone (or DIY) removing the sleeves altogether and adjusting the armholes to make it sleeveless. I agree that making plain short sleeves would change the feminine vibe of the shirt as it is now. I suppose making cap sleeves might also work.

wrinklyoldarms · 06/05/2025 15:12

I don't see why you need to unpick the sleeves.
You can simply cut off the part of the sleeve where it's gathered, turn up a small hem and sew it - even by hand.

The sleeve would be slightly shorter, but honestly, if you can manage simple hemming it's a 30 minute job.

If you want to get rid of the gathered shoulders, that's totally different and would take much longer and simply not worth the effort for the cost.

Someone2025 · 06/05/2025 18:54

hotn · 05/05/2025 12:35

I think the top of the sleeve, at the shoulder, will need altering too because it is very "gathered" to create volume. It's not so obvious on the model photos so she must either have skinny arms, narrow shoulders, or some airbrushing.

I have wide shoulders, so it doesn't suit me.

Edited
Show quote history

With the shoulders you could just add some more stitching along the line of the gathers to make them sit down more if the stick out too much

Someone2025 · 06/05/2025 18:55

BippityBippityBoo · 06/05/2025 03:57

I too would charge about £40.00 to remove and recut the sleeves, but its a big alteration that I don’t think is worth doing if I’m honest. Its a big change and I think it would look very masculine without the puff sleeves.

I’d advise you to return it if possible and just buy a shirt you like without having to mess about altering it.

Its a big change and I think it would look very masculine without the puff sleeves.

Agree

ItsFridayIminLoveJS · 06/05/2025 18:58

Yes .. I'd take out the whole sleeve.. cut it down without all the fabric in top for the puff sleeve. Re size as a straight sleeve and either undo or cut off the shearing and hem it.
My friend has a sewing alteration shop.. she'd charge £12.
I'd do it for a tenner lol.
I love buying clothes from Vinted and altering / adapting them.

ItsFridayIminLoveJS · 06/05/2025 19:02

Where do you all live to charge such prices as £40 or £50 🤷‍♀️.
Blimey my friends local sewing shop.. said would be £12 and she's a professional and used to be a tailor.

Aizen · 06/05/2025 19:02

I'd be very lazy about it and just unpick the elastic in the cuff part, and iron it. 😊

BippityBippityBoo · 06/05/2025 21:09

ItsFridayIminLoveJS · 06/05/2025 19:02

Where do you all live to charge such prices as £40 or £50 🤷‍♀️.
Blimey my friends local sewing shop.. said would be £12 and she's a professional and used to be a tailor.

Northern Scotland. Its work, it would not be a quick fix. My time and skill is not cheaper because of where I do or don’t live.

Profhilodisaster · 06/05/2025 21:35

Would you wear it with no sleeves at all ?