Puff Sleeve Sewing Patterns

We were about to round up our favourite puff sleeve dress patterns and decided we better include the best puff sleeve top patterns too!

Puff sleeves, also known as balloon sleeves, have roots in historical fashion, dating back to the Renaissance and Baroque periods. During these times, women’s sleeves were often voluminous and exaggerated, reflecting the opulence and grandeur of the era.

Puff sleeves in the 1980s were an iconic fashion trend that epitomised the bold and extravagant style of the decade. This era was known for its exaggerated silhouettes, vibrant colours, and dramatic embellishments, and puff sleeves were no exception.

Puff sleeves are achieved by gathering or pleating fabric at the shoulder or upper arm, creating a rounded, balloon-like shape. You either need to use a stiff fabric to hold the shape, or use an insert / sleeve head / support to keep the dramatic shape.

Another way to maximise the puff shape is to use elastic. This can be along the sleeve head in a channel to gather up the fabric evenly around the shoulder. And can be sewn at the hem of the sleeve to sharply gather in the fabric; this could be as rows of shirring or an elastic casing.

Know Me 2016 has been a smash hit pattern since it’s release because of the dramatic sleeves on the design. A rugby ball shaped sleeve head is positioned into the sleeve during construction! Watch the sewalong at 43 minutes in to see more.

M8386 / M8387 has a dramatic renaissance inspired sleeve with a puff sleeve cap and narrow sleeve below. Available in a wide size range across two pattern packs, it is worth a try.

Vogue 1704 by Rachel Comey features cleverly constructed two part sleeves to create a true balloon style. It looks so dramatic in stiffer fabrics like cotton and linen.