Altering a Puffed Sleeve

[SpikyHatePotato]

Does anyone know how to alter an existing sleeve head which is slightly puffed/gathered to make it flat? I've found a lot of stuff online about altering a paper pattern but not to alter an actual sleeve.

I'm reluctant to take the sleeve out entirely, would like to just unpick the top of the shoulder seam, but I'm not sure whether I will need to trim the fabric back, or just alter the gathers to be larger pleats.

Many thanks for any help/suggestions

Someone else might have a better idea, but maybe take care of the extra fabric with a dart? You might need to make two darts though to maintain the shape of the sleeve hole?

The only way you could get rid of the gathers withour taking the sleeve out completely is to pleat it as you sugest for a less "puffy" effect. If you want no fullness at all, you would have to remove the sleeve completely. You woulld need to measure the armhole carefully along the seamline, and make sure your newly cut sleevehead measures the same PLUS abut 1.5 cms, again along the seamline. One of those bendy rulers is very useful here. Good luck..