The Annelaine Facebook Group has been keeping busy this week with their Firecracker Pattern Sew-A-Long.  July 4th is just around the corner which is the perfect excuse to sew up some fun Independence Day outfits for your little ones.  If you missed the Sew-A-Long join the Sew-A-Long Facebook Group to catch up.  Having all boys, I had to come up with something a little different which I think you guys will just love!

The Bubby & Bee Hoodie is one of Annelaine’s most versatile unisex pattern with both short and long sleeves and a ton of different options including ruffles, bands, and color blocking.  However, it does not have a sleeveless option.  This sewing hack tutorial will take you through step-by-step how to create your own sleeveless Bubby & Bee.

Step 1:  Sew Your Bubby & Bee Hoodie

 The first step is to sew your Bubby & Bee pattern by following the tutorial in the pattern.  The only difference will be that you will skip sewing the sleeves.

Step 2:  Do the Math

Measure your garment’s armscyle.  This is the length around your arm hole where your sleeve would have been.  Measure a couple times and make sure both arm holes come out to be the same length or close to each other in length.  My size 4T measured 12.125 inches around and my size 18m measured 10.125 inches around.  Now we are going to do some simple math to get the length of our sleeve bands.

Formula for Sleeveless Armbands = (Armscyle Length x 0.85) + Seam Allowance

Your seam allowance will be 1/4″ on both sides of your armbands so your total seam allowance will be 0.5 inches.

I will walk you through my two example sizes:  4T and 18m.

Example 4T Size:
12.125″ (4T armscyle length) x 0.85 = 10.30625″
10.30625″ + 0.5″ (seam allowance) = 10.80625 inches

I round my answer up to the nearest 1/8 of an inch so my 4T armband length rounds up to 10.875″.

Example 18m Size:
10.125″ (18m armscyle length) x 0.85 = 8.60625″
8.60625″ + 0.5″ (seam allowance) = 9.10625 inches 

Size 18m armband length rounds up to 9.125″.

Step 3:  Cut Your Armbands

From the previous step you now have your armband length.  When you cut your armbands you want the largest amount of stretch to be along the length of the armband.  Your width will be 1.5 inches.  You will cut two armbands.  Size 18m armband (Cut 2) = 9.125″ x 1.5″ and Size 4T armband (Cut 2) = 10.875″ x 1.5″.

Step 4:  Sew your Armbands

Align the armbands with right sides together along the short ends.  Sew using a 1/4″ seam allowance (Picture 4a).  You will want to use a stretchable stitch when sewing with knits.  Use a narrow zigzag, lightening bolt stitch, or a serger.  Fold your armbands up with wrong sides together.  Your raw edges will match up (Picture 4b).  Break up your armbands into equal quarters like shown in Picture 4b.

Step 5:  Sew Armbands onto Hoodie

After you quarter both armbands, mark off your arm holes into equal quarters as well.  Turn your hoodie inside out.  Match up quarter points and pin/clip armbands to the armscyle like shown below.  Your armbands will be smaller than your arm hole.

Next you will sew your armbands onto the bodice of your hoodie using a 1/4″ seam allowance.  Be sure to use a stretchable stitch like a zigzag, a lightening stitch, or a serger.  You will want to gently stretch your armbands as you sew trying not to stretch the fabric of your hoodie bodice.  You can see in the picture below that the armscale is bigger than your armbands (Picture 5a).

Stretch the armband only enough for the bodice top fabric to lay flat but not stretch.  See the next picture below (Picture 5b).  Sew all the way around your arm hole.  Repeat with the other side.

Step 6:  Admire Your Work

Your sleeveless Bubby & Bee is complete and perfect for all your summer fun!

Note:  This blog post does contain affiliate links.  It helps me be a work at home mom.