How to Lengthen Sleeves of a Jacket
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Learn how to lengthen sleeves of a jacket using a sweater or socks. This is a great upcycle for gettings sleeves to be long enough!
With this simple refashion tutorial and a sweater, you can learn how to lengthen sleeves of a jacket or coat! This would be a great gift for someone with long arms!
I think I have monkey arms because ready-to-wear jacket sleeves are never long enough for me. I either have to make my own jackets, or I can use this sewing tutorial to simply lengthen the sleeves.
At first I thought this would bother me if I wasn’t wearing the same color sweater underneath the jacket. I’m usually wearing a bunch of layers underneath, and I don’t think anybody would be able to tell which sweater is peaking out.
It’s unfortunate that you can’t actually make the sleeves longer on a jacket, but this refashion can add length.
What is refashioning?
Refashioning is to fashion clothing again or differently. I usually use this to describe when I’m sewing clothing to fit different or to look different, but the majority of the item stays the same.
What is upcycling?
Upcycling is to reuse material to create something better than the original. I usually use this to describe when I’m sewing adult clothing into clothing for children or I’m sewing clothing into an accessory or house item.
Want ideas for altering and lengthening? Try some of these:
- How to make a dress longer
- Sweater upcycle ideas
- How to lengthen a sewing pattern
- How to add fringe to a dress
- How to lengthen jacket sleeves
- How to add cuffs to pajama pants
- How to lengthen dress pants
You can choose a matching sweater for a streamlined look where the sweater blends in, or you can choose a contrasting sweater for a nice pop at the wrists. It’s important that you choose something you’ll love!
This trick would also help with cuffs that are rough and might chafe your wrists. If your family member complains about their jacket cuffs irritating them, then you could add some sweater cuffs for a soft alternative.
My brother gave me this idea, and I did it to one of his jackets. Then I did the same thing to a jacket that I wore while I was pregnant. I had thrifted this jacket and just needed a little bit of length, and this trick was the perfect solution.
This is a version I did for my brother. The black on black looks really nice. He only needed a small amount to lengthen his jacket sleeves.
How to Lengthen Sleeves of a Jacket or a coat
Supplies
- Jacket with short sleeves
- Matching or contrasting sweater or socks you don’t mind cutting up
- Sewing tools
Measure the amount you need from your wrist to the top of the cuff.
If your jacket doesn’t have a cuff then measure from the top of the placket (where the buttons are). In my photo below I was adding the length of the placket to the length I needed past the hem of the sleeve.
Use that measurement where to cut the sleeves of a sweater.
Cut both sweater cuffs the same measurement. I like to cut them at the same time so that they’re equal.
Thread a hand needle with matching thread. Use two threads for extra strength.
Serge or zigzag the raw edges. The olive sweater fabric was a really open weave so I opted not to zigzag or serge. Instead I put my hand stitches really close together.
Turn the jacket sleeve right side in, and turn the sweater cuff right side in. Place the cuff around the jacket sleeve and the place where you measured before.
The sweater sleeve will probably have to be stretched out to fit around the coat sleeve. Line up the seam of the sweater cuff with the seam of the jacket.
Hand sew the sweater to the jacket sleeve. If there is lining then sew the sweater cuffs to the lining. If there is no lining then sew the sweater cuffs to the cuff.
Do your best to sew an invisible stitch by only catching a couple of threads on the jacket.
Tie the thread off in a square knot. I like to sew each half of the sleeve individually to help prevent the thread unraveling all the way.
How to Lengthen Sleeves of a Jacket
Learn how to lengthen sleeves of a jacket using a sweater or socks. This is a great upcycle for gettings sleeves to be long enough!
Materials
- Jacket with sleeves too short
- Matching or contrasting sweater sleeves or socks
Tools
- Sewing tools
- Sewing machine
Instructions
- Measure the amount you need from your wrist to the top of the cuff.
- If your jacket doesn't have a cuff then measure from the top of the placket (where the buttons are). In my photo below I was adding the length of the placket to the length I needed past the hem of the sleeve.
- Use that measurement where to cut the sleeves of a sweater.
- Cut both sweater cuffs the same measurement. I like to cut them at the same time so that they're equal.
- Thread a hand needle with matching thread. Use two threads for extra strength.
- Serge or zigzag the raw edges. The olive sweater fabric was a really open weave so I opted not to zigzag or serge. Instead I put my hand stitches really close together.
- Turn the jacket sleeve right side in, and turn the sweater cuff right side in. Place the cuff around the jacket sleeve and the place where you measured before.
- The sweater sleeve will probably have to be stretched out to fit around the coat sleeve. Line up the seam of the sweater cuff with the seam of the jacket.
- Hand sew the sweater to the jacket sleeve. If there is lining then sew the sweater cuffs to the lining. If there is no lining then sew the sweater cuffs to the cuff.
- Do your best to sew an invisible stitch by only catching a couple of threads on the jacket.
- Tie the thread off in a square knot. I like to sew each half of the sleeve individually to help prevent the thread unraveling all the way.
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If you lengthen a jacket using this DIY tutorial, I’d love to see! Please share it on social media with the hashtag #heatherhandmade and tag me!
I believe small sewing moments can create great joy. Find your own “right” way to sew. -Heather
My son must have monkey arms too. I used a pair of socks and added holes for his thumbs. Now his sleeves keep the snow out and say in place. Thanks for the amazing tip!
Do you know how to add cuffs that are more water-resistant and not as warm? I though about sweatshirt cuffs but I’m hoping for a solution that looks neater.
Do you still want them to be stretchy? What about the sleeves of a rash guard? It wouldn’t be warm and it could get wet but would dry quickly.
This was so helpful! Went to goodwill today and just finished up the project and it looks great! Thanks SO much!
I have a the same monkey arms and I used this idea years ago in a suit jacket. I bought a white cotton shirt at Goodwill and stitched the cuffs into the arms of my suit jacket. Then I could wear a short sleeve white blouse in the office then throw on the jacket with cuffs and look all proper when I needed to!
It’s the best trick! I’m glad it worked for you!
OMG I totally have monkey arms too that it’s impossible to find a coat or even long sleeve shirts that fit. Thank you for this!!
I am laughing as I comment — don’t get me wrong, It is a great tutorial and I will be using it to replace some worn cuffs — but (grin) as someone whose arms are nearly 3 inches shorter than normal I have never, ever experienced too short cuffs. On the contrary! As a matter a fact my extended jacket sleeves are great in cold weather – built in mittens or puppets for instant distraction…
Love seeing what you create.
Another alternative is dollar store stockings. I have used them to replace the shredded cuffs of windbreakers.
Awesome! I'm totally going to do this, thanks.
Wow, thanks so much
I bought a mint leather jacket from the 70s. Everything fits but the sleeves; I'm tall.
Thanks for so cleary showing a great way to do this. All the long armed sewing people of the world thank you!
Great I was looking for this tutorial . Thanks !
Thank you for the great fix! Now my wrists won't freeze.
I had this idea. You confirmed it was a good one. Thanks!
Just found this. Nice solution, and seems it would be helpful to make a coat warmer, too. Or fix cuffs that chafe, too.
WOW!! Way to think out side of the box! Love the color too!
Very cute, easy idea. I have fairly long arms, so this idea will be put to good use! 🙂
VERY cute! I love the mustard yellow. I think that's one of my new fashion favorite colors.