Raglan Sleeve – Draft Pattern to sew one in 2 types

Raglan sleeve is a type of sleeve which is joined to the bodice with a diagonal seam which starts from the neckline and extends to the underarm. This diagonal seam as opposed to a set in sleeve moulds the shoulders and makes for a very forgiving and appealing sleeve pattern.

There are many different types of raglan sleeves depending on the position of their joining to the bodice

raglan sleeves

Regular Raglan sleeve pattern

Take a regular bodice fitting your figure or a top you already have which you intend to add the raglan sleeves to. Checkout the DIY Bodice Pattern here.Keep it on fold. Measure the neckline and shoulder seam. 

bodice

Make a sleeve pattern as per the pattern below. 

raglan sleeve

To make a sleeve – Start by marking a straight horizontal line E-F. Armhole depth as per bust round can be marked as 7.5″  ; this is the measure of  E-F

Mark C up from E at a height of 3.5 inch 

Mark down from C to the sleeve height you need at M . M-N is marked as half of sleeve round + 1/2 inch seam allowance. 

Mark half of E-F at H . Join straight to the line C-D at G. Divide the line H-G inot two. Join F to C in a gentle curve going through this mid point. 

After the regular sleeve is made make a raglan sleeve

Extend the sleeve’s top edge as follows to make the raglan sleeve pattern

Mark up from C to A – shoulder seam of the bodice + 1/2 inch

A-B = 1/2 of the neckline of the top measured above + 1/2 inch

Join B to F in a soft curve or straight. Cut out and open.

ragalan sleeve pattern

Bodice for joining the raglan sleeve

ragalan sleeve bodice

How to add the raglan sleeves to your bodice

Cut out the sleeve pattern . If you want to, give a small curve at the top edge 

ragalan sleeve

Join the sleeves and the bodice in the following pattern

joining the ragalan sleeve pattern to the raglan bodice
raglan bodice after the sleeve is sewn

Finish the sleeve hems; Bind the neckline with bias tape ; join the side seams and do the hem. Done . It is the easiest dress ever. 

sew the top edge of the raglan sleeve and the  bodice
raglan bodice

Flared raglan sleeve

This is a fairly loose raglan sleeve and should be made with a drapey fabric. You can add this to any top which is cut to include a raglan sleeve.

This is a one size fits all ( for adults ) raglan sleeve . Checkout the raglan sleeve  top pattern and tutorial for more details on this sleeve. 

ragalan sleeve pattern
ragalan sleeve

Related posts : Sewing pattern for Flutter sleeves : All about Bell sleeves ; Start sewing clothes for free with sewing patterns

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Author: Sarina Tariq

Hi, I love sewing, fabric, fashion, embroidery, doing easy DIY projects and then writing about them. Hope you have fun learning from sewguide as much as I do. If you find any mistakes here, please point it out in the comments.

9 thoughts on “Raglan Sleeve – Draft Pattern to sew one in 2 types”

  1. deb

    How can i make puffy raglan sleeves? I want the puff to be around the neck section. thanks

    Reply
  2. Etoma jimmy

    Iam pround to be a tailor
    i therefor request you to keep me updated in every thing concerning garment construction

    Reply
  3. blaze

    Wow I’m so grateful to you for sharing your great knowledge with us pls can I get to chat you privately so that I can be your student as I find it hard to understand some things.

    Reply
  4. Juliet

    Thank so much

    Reply
  5. Joy

    thank you! God bless you richly for sharing.
    Very detailed and easy to understand.
    Illustrations are super! I could go on and on.
    Thanks again.

    Reply
    • Joanne Wicks

      I do a lot of quilting/sewing, but not garments that need to fit.
      THANKYOU!!!❤

  6. Janien

    I need to know how to draft a yoke sleeve from a basic bodice?

    Reply
    • Sarina

      Hi Janien
      I did not get the term yoke sleeve – can you find it in the post here – sleeve drafting

  7. Alan

    Wow am learning more that I didn’t know

    Reply
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