Gothic Arm Warmers Tutorial

All you'll need is standard sewing equipment. The only thing you need to focus on is the fabric. Or more specific the type of fabric. This tutorial assumes that the fabric you are working with is stretch fabric! If it isn't stretch, your arm wont fit the arm warmer!

So, choose you fabric wisely, make sure it has got s t r e t c h in it and, of course, be certain that you find the fabric to your liking :) Something with stripes is classic :)

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Now you have to determine the size of the thing. As it is called an arm warmer, may I suggest that it covers most of your lower arm.

Make three marks (arm, wrist, hand). The arm mark determines approximately where the warmer starts and the hand determines approximately where it ends. The wrist mark should be placed where your wrist is slimmest.

Then you measure the whole thing, writing down the numbers at the marks. Mine are: wrist 16cm, hand 27cm.

Note: It is a lot easier to measure your own arm if you tape the measuring tape on to your arm ;)

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When you've jolted down the numbers, it is time to measure the size of your wrist.

Again, tape the measuring tape to your arm, and jolt down the number.

My wrist size is 18,5cm - but for the purpose of this tutorial I'm gonna use 18cm straight.

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Now we are going to construct a pattern that we can use. Don't worry, it is easy enough, and the math is bearable :)

First you are going to draw a straight line the length of your arm (the arm warmer, of course) (hand 27cm). Then take your wrist number and add 2 to it (16+2 = 18cm), and make a mark that many cm in on the line.

From that mark you need to make a dot the half your wrist size from the mark (18/2 = 9cm).

Okay, a bit difficult to explain, but look at the picture, will you :)

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Now that the preparations are over, we can get on with the pattern. On each end of the line you are going to draw another line that is perpendicular to the long line. The new line closest to your hand should be half your wrist size plus 1 (18/2+1 = 10cm) and the other one should be half your wrist size plus 2 (18/2+2 = 11cm).

From these new ends, draw a line to the dot that you made earlier.

Okay... The pattern is done... Except that you need to cut it out of course :)

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For the folding, the placing and the cutting, there is a few things that you need to be aware of. The pattern that you have just created is only one half of piece of fabric that you are going need. This means that you'll have to fold the fabric in two and place the pattern along that fold.

Another thing that you should keep in mind, if you are using a patterned/striped fabric, is that you need to align the patterns/stripes with each other. Otherwise, your arm warmer's seam isn't going to be neat. Of course, if you don't care about that, don't align the fabric :)

Oh, one last thing... Pin it to the fabric and cut it out. Do NOT worry about seam allowance - it has been taken care of :)

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If you have been a good student and not been too confused by my writing, then you should have two pieces cut out and they should be hourglass-shaped-ish :)

Good goth - here, have a treat ^"^

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To make these arm warmers simple, we are going to fold up the ends before sewing the arm warmers into a tube.

There are two ways of folding: 1) using pins (placed perpendicular to the end) or 2) ironing.

I choose ironing, because it is a LOT easier and a lot faster :) Just fold up the ends approximately 1 cm and use plenty of steam. Just be careful if you do iron, because it might be a bit tricky to get the folding right :)

If you do use pins, then be sure to use a lot of them (at least 5).

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To make sure that the ends don't upend themselves, we are going to sew them in place. This is straight and simple.

There is just one small thing that you need to keep in mind. You are going in stretch fabric - this means that you'll have to use a ZIG-ZAG stitch. Otherwise, your seams are going to burst. But don't worry, just use a small zig-zag, 1,5 - 2 mm wide with normal stitch length. Got it?

Small recap:
STRETCH FABRIC = ZIG-ZAG STITCH
:)

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