Cup Sleeve Pattern Making Tutorial

In this free pattern making tutorial we demonstrate how to draft Tanja’s (Ayuk 2020) cup sleeve which has been designed for our made-to-measure stretch dress. It’s a fab tutorial that features a whole range of pattern making techniques in Adobe Illustrator.  This is part two of our stretch dress tutorial designed by Tanja. Click here to view part one. We adore the volume added to the sleeve head and the fun pleat that adds some much needed kick to the sleeve body.

If you want to find out more about Tanja from Ayuk 2020, check out her PatternLab profile or see the manual version of the tutorial on her YouTube.

This is a pretty straight forward tutorial but people inexperienced in Adobe Illustrator might find it quite tricky. Either way, it’s a great tutorial/ pattern that touches on a large array of tools in Adobe Illustrator. 

You’ll need a digital basic torso block with waist shaping and sleeve to follow this tutorial. Check below the video to see your download options. Enjoy! 

Download the Basic Torso Block to Follow Along

You will need a stretch dress basic block to draft this basic sleeve style. We have two options for you to choose from:

Lantern Sleeve Pattern Making Tutorial

This week we’re demonstrating how to draft a lantern sleeve from your existing digital bodice block and sleeve pattern. Drafting this lantern sleeve style is a relatively simple process. We start by slashing the sleeve block into three pieces using the pathfinder tool, we then remove the lower sleeve panel. Next, we slash and spread the upper sleeve block into six panels and spread them equally to create volume. We then apply the same technique to the middle sleeve panel. This creates a dramatic flare in the middle of the sleeve block. The amount the lantern sleeve flares out is dependent on how much the upper and middle sleeve panels are spread. Next, we redraw the upper and middle sleeve panels using the pen tool and finally add seam allowance. It’s a very simple sleeve style to draft and uses a range of tools in Adobe Illustrator. Definitely worth a watch!

You can draft this sleeve using any digital basic block that features a sleeve. This includes the torso and bodice block. You’ll need one of these basic blocks to follow this tutorial. Check below the video to see your download options. Enjoy! 

Download the Basic Bodice Block to Follow Along

You will need a basic block that features a sleeve to follow this tutorial and draft this basic lantern sleeve. We have suggested two options for you to choose from.

Bodice Block Pattern Pack

Purchase and download the Bodice block pattern pack from our sister site, DesignLab.london. The pack contains Ai, SVG and PDF patterns in Sizes UK 4 -24 (sleeve included).

Bishop Sleeve Pattern Making Tutorial

Learn how to draft a Bishop sleeve with our FREE digital pattern making tutorial. In this tutorial, we demonstrate how to turn a basic bodice block with a set-in sleeve into a Bishop sleeve and button-up cuff. First we draft the cuff, then we slash the sleeve block into six panels and spread them to create a dramatically flaring lower sleeve. Finally, we redraw the new sleeve over the existing template and then add seam allowance.

Basic Block/ Sloper Elements

You will need a basic block that has a “Classic” front dart to follow this tutorial and draft this sleeve.

To save time, click the button below. We’ll create a basic block (in the Lab) that already has this dart preselected for you. All you’ll need to do is select a profile or one of our standard sizes. Don’t forget to purchase your block as an ePattern and not a PDF! PDF patterns can’t be edited, they can only be printed on paper. ePatterns ar fully editable digital basic blocks. 

Draft or Download a Digital Basic Block

Follow along with our tutorials and learn digital pattern making in Adobe Illustrator CC. Purchase and download one of our editable digital basic blocks. We have a few options for you to choose from...