Years ago, when I began experimenting with pattern making I finally made this cute little girls' puffed sleeve shirt (or puff sleeve). This cute girls top design has elastic above the elbow and a little ruffle. I didn't ever make a DIY sleeve pattern for this particular girls top pattern but I've rounded up puffed sleeve, balloon sleeve and butterfly sleeve sewing tutorials for you from other designers.
My daughter loved it too. This one is made from a fine corduroy. If I were to do it again I'd definitely use a lightweight fabric. Though the DIY sleeves are absolutely adorable. I used a casing about 2 inches above the sleeve hem and inserted elastic to make that cute little ruffle detail.
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Buy A Puff Sleeve Style Shirt
Now that puffed sleeves are popular again you can buy the cutest puffed sleeve womens and girls top design as well. Some of them are similar to the sleeve I made on my little shirt.
The Different Types Of Puffy Sleeves
Compared to a regular sleeve, a puff (or puffed) sleeve is wider at the shoulder with gathers and even wider at the cuff hem. Puff sleeves can be hemmed or cuffed in different styles.
While the puffed sleeve has added fabric at the top, the butterfly sleeve flares out with extra fabric toward the hem. Butterfly sleeves may or may not have a puff sleeve. It does not taper off like a normal puffed sleeve.
A balloon sleeve is gathered and puffed out at the shoulder and continues to puff out until the hem where it's gathered and a band is fitted at the wrist or arm.
A leg of mutton sleeve starts out puffy at the top and tapers down to a fitted sleeve at the wrist. The puff is mostly at the shoulder.
Puffed Sleeve Shirt Sewing Tutorials
Choose the type of DIY sleeve that you prefer! From short butterfly sleeves to long balloon sleeves to subtle t-shirt puff sleeve designs there's a lot of variety in puff sleeve styles.
Simple Puffed Sleeve
Use this puff sleeve tutorial by The Girl Inspired to turn any sleeve pattern into a simple puffed sleeve shirt or dress. Use her dress pattern to make a cute little girl's dress. This subtle style looks great on a girls top pattern or a women's pattern.
Long Sleeve T-Shirt Puffed Sleeve
Add a little style to your long sleeve shirt. Hey June Handmade has a tutorial for this stylish subtle puffed sleeve shirt. This is really cute and trendy right now.
Banded Half Sleeve
Looking for a mid length DIY sleeve that's a little loose and is hemmed with a tighter band to give it a little bit of a balloon look? Try this banded half sleeve tutorial by Hey June Handmade. This would be cute on a girls top pattern as well.
Short Butterfly Sleeve
This butterfly sleeve tutorial is great for summer dresses or blouses. This one is very flowy. You can make them more subtle as well. Get the butterfly sleeve tutorial by So Sew Easy.
Balloon Sleeve
When your diy sleeve is gathered and puffed at or below the shoulder and billows out and is gathered and cuffed at the wrist or arm we consider it a balloon sleeve. Tilly and The Buttons has a great old tutorial for a balloon sleeve style puff sleeve. This would look cute as a girls top design on a girls top pattern.
10 Pocket Tutorials
DIY Peacock Tutu
The skirt is one of my own creations as well. You can see the pocket tutorials here.
Heather says
I love love love that outfit! It is going to be so fun to sew for M when she gets older. I could right now I guess, but she has enough clothes right now (thanks to you and family) so I figure she is going to grow out of them so fast anyways so not right now. So I will file away ideas I get from you 😉 Good job crafty lady.
Bethany says
You are amazing!! It's unbelievable! I want that skirt and shirt in my size.
Kim says
I love it! Are you going to offer a tute for it? Like Bethany, I want one in my size too!
april says
I love the outfit. The shirt looks great, and that owl fabric for the skirt is adorable.
Hannah Stevenson says
Seriously so cute! I hope you will be offering your pattern. I'd buy it if you did!
Erin says
Super cute. I wish I had been sewing when Buttercup was little...
LifeAtTheCircus says
OH MY!!! What an adorable outfit! I am in awe that you made it!! Way to go!!!
Lynn says
This is the cutest outfit ever!!! I love, love, love the fabrics...all of them.
Casual Friday Every Day says
What a talent you are! She is sporting that look quite well, too. :--)
Nell
Sarah says
i love the whole thing!!! that skirt is just too much-i love the pockets and buttons and the cut of the whole thing! yes, please put the pattern in your etsy shop 🙂
maryanne @ mama smiles says
The top and the skirt are adorable, and they go together perfectly!
Anya says
You are incredible lady...I mean really!
amylouwho says
oh boy! That is one cute top!! I must have the pattern if you ever make one! adorable!
Thankfully Thrifty says
Super cute! Is there a pattern for this or did I miss it?