Pattern hacking thumbhole cuffs to the Sloane Sweater
What could make the newly re-designed Sloane Sweater even better? The Sloane is already packed with options like a hood, pocket and elbow patches… what’s missing? The answer to that is thumbhole cuffs!
When I first started researching the best way to add thumbholes I found a lot of tutorials already out there. Most of them are a little fiddly. This method involves topstitching but is still an EASY and clean-cut process.
And, to make this tutorial even more of a breeze, I’m giving you a free pattern piece made especially for this hack. No need to get out the tape measure, the math is done for you. Click here to download the ladies Sloane Thumbhole Cuff pattern piece. And click here to download the Girls Sloane Thumbhole Cuff pattern piece. Note that for the girls version, you will need to select your desired size in the layers menu to see the correct pattern markings.
First things first
Cut two cuffs using the pattern piece linked above. Use pins or a fabric marker to transfer the markings.
Fold the cuff right sides together. Straight stitch along the markings at the top, bottom and middle. Be sure to backstitch at the beginning and ending of the line of stitching. The empty spaces will become the thumbholes.
Open up the seam allowances and press flat.
Fold the cuff over onto itself, with the wrong sides together. Adjust it so the thumbholes are aligned.
Use a couple of straight pins to secure the opening.
Carefully topstitch along each seam side, about 1/4″ away from the edge. Consider using a contrasting thread to add even more detail. Alternatively, use matching thread so the topstitching blends in.
Finally, to add extra support at the stress points, work a bar-tack at each end of the thumbhole.
Now, sew your cuff to the sleeve hem, matching up the sleeve seam to the cuff seam.
That’s all there is to it. You can use this method to pretty much any cuff! Try it with the Whistler, Vanguard or Samson.
We’re running all kind of contests and giveaways all week long. Today through Friday you can enter the rafflecopter below to win a Juki serger! See Courtney’s LDT Raglan hack to enter.
And don’t forget that the entire pattern shop is 50% off through Friday! No coupon needed. This is our biggest and last site-wide sale of the year.
Love thumb holes!
I can’t wait to try this on some of hubby’s shirts!
Pretty straightforward!
I love thumbholes, but agree that many of the tutorials out there are a lot of fiddling. I can’t wait to try this out!!
I love the thumbhole hack… I have hacked patterns to add thumbhole many times since I love them! This way of doing thumbholes is a little different than I have done before.
Cannot wait to try this!
This is perfect. Just what I have been looking for
I love thumbhole cuffs. They are some of my favorite things.
I’ve been wanting to try knits for so, so long! This prize would be an amazing blessing!!
Awesome, I live thumbholes! I will definitely use this hack. I am always hacking little things here and there for different looks and fits. Love it!
This is handy to add to ANY long-sleeved tee! Thanks for the tutorial!
I love this, I have never tired a hack like this and am looking forward to how it comes out.
I have hacked patterns together to get the features I want and added pockets where there were no pockets — I’ve never added a thumbhole cuff though.
I can’t wait to try this!!
I change up patterns all the time. I haven’t done any modifications to a Love Notions pattern. Yet.
I love the thumb holes
I love a good pattern hack! My favourite hack at the moment is to add fancy sleeves.
love this
my daughter will love this and I`m going to put it on a Whistler that I want to make for her!
This seems a lot easier than I had originally thought! Super quick hack. 🙂
I love this sweatshirt… I am curious I am looking for a nursing sweatshirt. I am fairly new to sewing. Is there a way to hack this maybe add a front panel to make this work. thanks. Or do you have a nursing sweatshirt pattern. thank you
Congratulations Connie. The Juki 654D Serger is great. My serger is a Juki 654 DE and it is wonderful.
Was the topstitch done with a machine? How was that done? (I’m new to sewing and)
yep, just straight stitch with a sewing machine.
This was the easiest tutorial! Thank you! It turned put perfectly!
Awesome! ???? ~K
Trying to use the girls thumb holes pattern but when I open in Adobe the layers feature doesn’t come up . I never had this issue with other pdf sewing patterns . Is there a way to get this pattern to work without the layer option. I’d pay for . This seems like the easiest method so I’d really like to use it if anyone can help ! Thanks
Tami just fixed this issue and you can redownload for the correction <3
Thanks so much !
This pattern is a god send!
This was honestly the easiest way to do thumb holes that I could find scouring the internet and it worked beautifully!
Thanks so so so so much !!