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Want to make your own cute Pinterest-inspired look but don’t want to draft the whole pattern yourself? Today I am going to show you how I created this fun top using a commercial pattern and a couple easy modifications. Read on to see this simple DIY Bell Sleeve Top Tutorial.
My Inspired Top 
The Inspiration Top via this Pin
DIY Bell Sleeve Top Tutorial Supplies
- Sewing Pattern: McCalls 7630
- Cotton Woven Fabric – this top was made from $4.00 thrifted fabric. It was a 4 yard happy find…keep those eyes open everywhere for fabric opportunities!
- Scissors, Sewing Machine, Needle and Thread
These cute and simple DIY Tassel Earrings were made following Sweet Red Poppy’s Tutorial Here. I also have these headed my way from Amazon that I think would be super cute with this top.
Bell Sleeve Top Tutorial Steps:
Begin by cutting out all needed pieces from McCalls 7630 to create the sleeves for View C and the body for View E. (I chose View E for the slightly longer hemline in the back. In hindsight I would also add length to the front piece because it is a bit short for me and I don’t like my stomach showing in this style of top.)
Begin constructing the top according to the pattern directions, sewing together the shoulders and sides of the bodice. You can also go ahead and attach the facing at this time. Before you attach the sleeves we need to modify them to look like the inspiration top.
- Step 1: In addition to sleeve pattern pieces 12 and 13, cut 4 tie pieces and 2 ruffle pieces. If you are using a stripe, you may want to alternate the direction of the stripes like I did for some contrast. These ruffle and tie pieces may differ in size based on the size of the pattern you are cutting. For my top I cut the tie pieces = 30 inches x 4 inches (I found this 30 inches a tad too long and shortened them after these pictures were taken. The top shown here is with the 30 inch long tie) Ruffle = 15 inches x 5 inches. (You will need to make sure your ruffle is long enough to be gathered and pinned to your sleeve.)
- Step 2: Fold your ruffle pieces in half lengthwise with WRONG sides together and press. Use a gathering stitch to gather the raw edge of the ruffle to the same width of your sleeve piece. Pin the ruffle to the sleeve with the ruffle facing up like picture 2. Baste the ruffle to the sleeve.
- Take piece 13 (bell sleeve piece which you will also need to gather) and lay it on top of the ruffle/sleeve piece, RIGHT sides together. Your ruffle will be sandwiched in between the two pieces. Sew them together using a 5/8 inch seam allowance making sure your basting stitches from step 2 are hidden within the seam allowance.
- Step 4: After finishing the seam allowance, turn your sleeve right sides out and press the seam allowance down toward the bell portion. Top stitch the seam allowance down right below the ruffle.
- Step 5: Take your tie piece and fold it in half lengthwise with the RIGHT sides together, press. Stitch across one short end, pivot and continue sewing all the way down the long edge. I used a 1/4 inch seam allowance. (I later decided to finish my tie end with a slanted edge like the inspiration top. To do this, simply sew from the corner towards the long edge in a diagonal line rather than straight across and then across the long edge). You should have one short end open. Turn your tie right side out and press.
- Step 6: Baste the opened/unfinished short end of the tie on each side of the sleeve piece. I chose to place mine with the center of the tie over the center of the ruffle/bell sleeve seam. Baste within the seam allowance making sure your tie ends are toward your sleeve piece. Gather the tie ends are pin/clip out of the way in the center of the sleeve. Fold your sleeve right sides together and stitch the underarm seam per the pattern instructions. Finish attaching your set in sleeve and hemming it per the pattern.
Finish your top per pattern instructions. I chose to use bias tape to finish my hem as I wanted the extra length. After wearing it, I would prefer another couple inches…hello bare belly in the chilly air! Need to buy some high waisted jeans pronto. I also don’t love the facing on this top as it is small and wants to flip out even with being tacked down. So…a couple things to keep in mind if you decide to give this top a try.
Overall I am so happy with how this top turned out. With just a couple extra steps I was able to take a commercial pattern and turn it into the Pinterest Inspiration Top easily. I hope you enjoyed this DIY Bell Sleeve Tutorial. For other tutorials please make sure to stop by Sewing Tutorials Section on the blog, found here.
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Until Next Time,
Happy Sewing
About 18 years ago I decided to teach myself how to sew. Long before blogs and resources available today which meant it was often disastrous. But I never gave up because I loved it so much. Today I love helping others get started on their own sewing journey. You can read more about my family and I