Balloon sleeve shirt – NUAGE

Level: intermediate

The sleeves are gathered at the head and bicep in order to get this balloon shape. This pattern is made to be sewn with an overlocker but it can also be sewn with only a usual sewing machine. Knowing how to use a double needle is a plus. 

A glossary is available on the website at www.camimade.com/glossary. 

Measurements table (cm inches)

Height: 1.65m / 5’5”
Cup size: B

Finished garment measurements (cm inches)

*Length at the centre front between the neckline and the hem

My measurements

Bust 84cm (33″) – Waist 68cm (26 ¾”) – hips 91cm (35 ⅞“) – 1.58m tall (5’2”). I made all the samples in size B.

Suggested fabrics (m yards)

Light to medium weight stretch knit fabrics like cotton jersey, with 40-50% elasticity (10cm of fabric goes up to 14-15cm when stretched). Prefer a fabric with a good recovery rate (that recovers its initial shape after being stretched).

• Short sleeve version:
  • – for a 150cm/60″ wide fabric: 0.90m / 1yd (sizes A-D) or 1.00m / 1yd (sizes E-F) or 1.10m / 1 ¼ yd (sizes G-H)
  • – for a 115cm/45″ wide fabric: 1.10m / 1 ¼ yd (sizes A-D) or 1.70m / 1 ¾ yd (sizes E-H)

• Long sleeve version:
  • – for a 150cm/60″ wide fabric: 0.90m / 1yd (sizes A-C) or 1.20m / 1 ¼ yd (sizes D-G) or 1.50m / 1 ¾ yd (size H)
  • – for a 115cm/45″ wide fabric: 1.50m / 1 ¾ yd (sizes A-D) or 1.80m / 2 yds (sizes E-H)

Samples shown in the pictures

I made the kakhi green version in a cotton jersey, and the pink version is a poly jersey, both fabrics were from Rainbow Fabric Kilburn. I have sewn the camel brown version and the long cream version in a cotton jersey, both from Raystitch.

Notions

• – A twin needle for jersey and a jersey needle for your sewing machine;
• – Iron on tape / stay tape to reinforce the shoulders;
• – Woven bias tape of approx. 20-30cm x 2.5cm / 8-10″ x 1″ for the inner neckline finish;
• – For the long sleeve version only: a transparent elastic tape, 6mm / 1/4″ wide, for the bicep area.