Looking for a simple project to update the clothing hanging in your closet? This women’s hand embroidered sweatshirt sleeve cuff is a great way to spruce up a favorite sweatshirt and add a personal touch!
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Last week, I shared 5 Cozy Embroidery Projects with Free Patterns, and had several people ask about these adorable sweatshirt cuffs!
I randomly decided to embroider my sweatshirt sleeve cuffs one snowy day, and it easily turned into one of my favorite projects (and now favorite sweatshirt!)
After several members of the Home Sweet Harps community inquired for some more details, I knew this would be an embroidery project to share!
This project is a great way to update some wardrobe pieces, or gift to a friend.
The pattern can be used for a variety of projects, such as: tea towels, linen napkins, or other clothing items!
Not only am I sharing my step-by-step instructions on how to complete this embroidery project, but also I have a free pattern for these adorable sleeve cuffs!
I like to share beginner-friendly embroidery projects, so let me start with this:
The stitches for this project are 100% beginner-friendly, however, embroidering around the sleeve proved to be a bit tricky.
It isn’t a hoop-friendly project, so you are using your fingers to tighten the sweatshirt as you sew. It is literally an “all hands on deck” kind of project.
I say all this NOT to scare you, just to warn you that it is different than a typical hoop project!
Now that all of that is out of the way, let’s make these charming hand embroidered sweatshirt sleeve cuffs!
Firstly, let’s chat materials!
Materials:
- Sweatshirt – I used a sweatshirt I already had at home, but I’m linking these Comfort Colors sweatshirts because they have so many color options!
- Embroidery floss
- Sewing needles
- Stabilizer or
- Embroidery Pens
- Scissors
How To Make Women’s Hand Embroidered Sweatshirt Sleeve Cuffs
- Draw pattern onto sweatshirt or print pattern onto stabilizer. You can come up with your own design, or borrow this one I made for you!
- Time to sew! Let’s dig into the stitches:
- Start with the band around the cuff
- I used the back stitch.*
- It helps to start at the seam of your sweatshirt, stitch all the way around your cuff, and meet back at the seam.
- Leaves
- I used the lazy daisy stich for the leaves
- “Polka-dot”
- I used the french knot stitch to make small “buds” or “polka-dots” along the band.
- Start with the band around the cuff
- Tie a small knot to complete your project.*
And now you have an updated, new favorite, closet staple!
Women's Hand Embroidered Sweatshirt Sleeve Cuff
Looking for a simple project to update the clothing hanging in your closet? This women's hand embroidered sweatshirt sleeve cuff is a great way to spruce up a favorite sweatshirt and add a personal touch!
Materials
- Sweatshirt – any sweatshirt will do!
- Embroidery floss
- Sewing needles
- Stabilizer or
- Embroidery Pens
- Scissors
Instructions
- Draw pattern onto sweatshirt or print pattern onto stabilizer. You can come up with your own design, or borrow this one I made for you!
- Time to sew! Let’s dig into the stitches:
- Start with the band around the cuff - I used the back stitch.
- Leaves - I used the lazy daisy stich for the leaves
- “Polka-dot” - I used the french knot stitch to make small “buds” or “polka-dots” along the band.
- Tie a small knot to complete your project.
Notes
What is the best stitch to use when embroidering sleeve cuffs?
-I started to use a stem stitch with the band, but this was not a great choice. The stitches did not lay flat where the sweatshirt cuff curved, making it a bit of a mess!
Can I use an embroidery hoop to make a hand embroidered sweatshirt cuff?
-Like I mentioned above, this project isn't hoop-friendly. What's easiest is to hold the material with your non-dominant hand, and stretch it taut, while stitching with your dominant hand.
-Take it small sections at a time, so you are able to stretch the material as you work.
Do I need to use fusible interfacing behind the stitching for hand embroidered sweatshirt sleeve cuff?
Personal opinion? No. If you keep your stitches tight, there is no need to use any sort of fusible interfacing.
If you tried out this women’s hand embroidered sweatshirt sleeve cuff, I would love to see your work on Instagram! @homesweetharps
Notes:
What is the best stitch to use when embroidering sleeve cuffs?
-I started to use a stem stitch with the band, but this was not a great choice. The stitches did not lay flat where the sweatshirt cuff curved, making it a bit of a mess!
Can I use an embroidery hoop to make a hand embroidered sweatshirt cuff?
-Like I mentioned above, this project isn’t hoop-friendly. What’s easiest is to hold the material with your non-dominant hand, and stretch it taut, while stitching with your dominant hand.
-Take it small sections at a time, so you are able to stretch the material as you work.
Do I need to use fusible interfacing behind the stitching for hand embroidered sweatshirt sleeve cuff?
Personal opinion? No. If you keep your stitches tight, there is no need to use any sort of fusible interfacing.
This is adorable! Aren’t impromptu crafts sometimes the best?!
Thank you Madelyn! And yes, just a simple afternoon project turned into my new favorite!
I love this project! It’s so pretty and makes an ordinary sweatshirt extra special! I am saving this post, because I think it will make an awesome gift sometime. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Heidi- by far one of my favorited projects!
This is such a simple way to spruce up my boring sweatshirt. So simple, thankyou
Yes, it was such a simple project with a big impact!