There are some alterations that look intimidating at first glance, and shortening the sleeve of a button-down shirt is definitely one of them.
Between the cuff, the placket, the pleats, and all those little construction details, it’s easy to assume the only option is to leave the sleeves too long or pay someone else to fix them. But once you understand how the pieces go back together, it’s actually a very manageable alteration.
In today’s video, I’m walking you through how I shorten a button-down shirt sleeve while preserving the original placket and cuff. This method works whether your shirt has snaps or buttons, and it’s especially useful when you need to remove a significant amount of length from the sleeve.
We’ll cover:
- Removing and saving the original cuff and placket
- Marking and shortening the sleeve
- Reattaching the placket opening
- Adjusting sleeve width when necessary
- Reinstalling the cuff and pleats
This is one of those alterations that can make a huge difference in the fit of a garment, and once you’ve done it once, you’ll feel much more confident tackling future shirt alterations.
Watch the full tutorial below, and if you give it a try, I’d love to hear how it goes in the comments!
How to hem a shirt sleeve
Happy sewing,
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