Back in August I wrote a blog showing how the cut of sleeves has changed over the last 400 years. They didn't always have such high caps.
When my mother taught me to sew, she ALWAYS simply reduced the height of the cap by folding out about 1/2" of it like this photo shows.
I now know that the reason the fabric amounts are so generous is that the pattern companies would rather we are mad for buying too much fabric, not too little. And it's always good to have a tiny bit extra if you need to re-cut a facing for example.
But back to sleeves. I have NOT taken any fullness out of these sleeves. I want to show you how to successfully fit the full sized sleeve into it's armhole.
I wish I had taken a few more photos. But at this point everything is ready to set these sleeves in. The sleeves are prepared with the ease/gathering stitching around the cap. And the side and shoulder seams of the pajama top are all sewn and finished.
The sleeve now needs to be UN-PINNED from the armhole. Make sure the easing thread stays at the exact same tightness. See how the pulled up thread is wrapped around those pins at either end?
This is the way I sew a sleeve on a garment I when I want it to turn out really good. Although I still do fold out a little fullness in the pattern at times depending on the fabric I am using. I do this if the fabric is thick or stiff and I don't think it will gather in smoothly.
The best compliment.