Sapphire Summer Peasant Blouse (June 2022). Pattern by Daniela Paz Gutierrez-Diaz. Photography by Ashlee Cole for Ampry Publishing LLC.
Dust off your sewing encyclopedias because today, class is in session! If you’re new to sewing, knowing basic terminology for dresses, skirts, and sleeves will make searching for patterns so much easier. In this beginner-friendly article, we’ll be examining different types of sleeves that you’re most likely to encounter when sewing. While you probably know the difference between short sleeves and three-quarter length sleeves, styles of sleeves such as dolman or butterfly may be more difficult to discern. Let us help you learn the different types of sleeves in our handy quick guide. Want to keep this article on hand so that you can reference it when needed? Be sure to save it to your Favorites!
Different Types of Sleeves
- Set-In Sleeves – Set-in sleeves are the most common type of sleeve you’ll encounter in both ready-to-wear clothing and basic sewing patterns. The sleeve is sewn into the armhole of a shirt and sits at your shoulder, following the natural line of your body. You’ll find set-in sleeves in tops, dresses, and jackets.
- One-Piece Sleeves – One-piece sleeves are part of the bodice of a shirt or dress, in which the entire top is made from the same piece of fabric. You’ll see this type of sleeve on dresses or tops, as well as some t-shirts.
- Cap Sleeves – Seen on t-shirts, as well as other short sleeve shirts, cap sleeves are typically shorter than normal short sleeves and cover the shoulders, tapering down to the underside of the armhole. Cap sleeves are also more fitted than a traditional t-shirt sleeve.
- Petal Sleeves – Sometimes referred to as a tulip sleeve, this sleeve resembles flower petals. This sleeve type is created by two pieces of fabric overlapping to create a tulip-like effect. Petal sleeves are typically short and are often found on special occasion tops and dresses.
- Butterfly Sleeves – A butterfly sleeve is perfect for adding drama to a shirt or dress and can range from short to three-quarter length sleeves. Their name comes from the sleeve’s resemblance to a butterfly’s wing and flares out from the shoulder to sleeve hem. This sleeve type works best with floaty, light weight fabrics to give garments a romantic aesthetic. Shorter versions of this sleeve are often referred to as flutter sleeves and can look fuller than the butterfly sleeve.
Avery Butterfly Sleeve Dress Pattern (June 2025). Pattern by Aishat Sulaiman. Photography by Kelsey Wolfe Photography for Ampry Publishing LLC.
- Raglan Sleeves – Commonly found on baseball or athletic tees, raglan sleeves have a diagonal seam and are made from a single piece of fabric that runs from the neckline to underarm. Raglan sleeves are typically three-quarter length sleeves but can be short or long. This type of sleeve is found in athletic clothing due to its loose fit.
Addie Casual T-Shirt Dress Pattern (May 2024). Pattern by Lauren Merciris. Photography by Kelsey Wolfe Photography for Ampry Publishing LLC.
- Bell Sleeves – Bell sleeves provide garments with a romantic, boho look and are found in tops and dresses. Bell sleeves are fitted at the upper arm and flare out at the sleeve hem, giving them their bell-like appearance. Bell sleeves are found on longer sleeves and were popular with styles from the 1960s and 1970s.
Summer Breeze Boho Top Pattern (July 2021). Pattern by Daniela Paz Gutierrez-Diaz. Photography by Ashlee Cole for Ampry Publishing LLC.
- Puff Sleeves – Puff sleeves are named after their round, billowy shape and provide a sweet, youthful look to shirts and dresses. The fullness found with this sleeve type is created either with gathers or with elastic at the sleeve hem.
- Kimono Sleeves – Kimono sleeves take inspiration from the traditional Japanese kimono and are typically part of a top’s bodice, meaning the bodice and sleeve consist of a single piece of fabric. Kimono sleeves are long and have a dramatic and boxy appearance and look beautiful in different fabric weights.
Kendall Big Waffle Polo Pattern (October 2025). Pattern by Don Morin. Photography by Kelsey Wolfe Photography for Ampry Publishing LLC.
- Dolman Sleeves – Dolman sleeves are often confused with kimono sleeves but they’re actually quite different. Dolman sleeves have a wide armhole and are fitted at the wrist, with the sleeve tapering down. Dolman sleeves are interchanged with batwing sleeves, although batwing sleeves typically have a more dramatic shape.
- Slit Sleeves – Slit sleeves take their name from the open slits that run down the length of the sleeves or that are slit at the shoulder. These slits can be thin or dramatic and look playful while providing ventilation. Cold-shoulder sleeves, popular during the 2010s, are an off-shoot of the slit sleeve and focus on openings at the shoulder. Cold-shoulder tops often feature embellishments like beading around the sleeves’ shoulder opening.
- Leg-of-Mutton Sleeves – Often found in historical clothing, leg-of-mutton sleeves take their name from the shape of a sheep’s leg. This type of sleeve is very full at the top (shoulder), tapering down dramatically to a very fitted lower sleeve (elbow to wrist). This sleeve was popular during the early 1800s and has seen a recent revival due to trending aesthetics on social media sites like TikTok.
- Juliet Sleeves – Sometimes mistaken for leg-of-mutton sleeves, Juliet sleeves are found in both historical and modern sewing patterns. This type of sleeve is puffed at the shoulder and very fitted throughout the arm. Juliet sleeves are associated with Renaissance clothing and have been seen in modern bridalwear and special occasion garments.
- Peasant Sleeves – Very popular in modern sewing patterns, peasant sleeves are long sleeves that have a flowy, romantic fit in the arm length, with gathering at the shoulder and the wrist. Peasant sleeves are sometimes found on peasant blouses; however, peasant blouses can also feature puff sleeves, as seen with bohemian clothing of the 1960s.
Sapphire Summer Peasant Blouse (June 2022). Pattern by Daniela Paz Gutierrez-Diaz. Photography by Ashlee Cole for Ampry Publishing LLC.
- Balloon Sleeves – A great sleeve type to add major drama, balloon sleeves are three-quarter length or long sleeves that have a lot of volume. This type of sleeve is gathered at the shoulder and wrist (like the peasant sleeve) but is much more oversized. This sleeve type is perfect for dramatic evening wear and works well with heavier fabrics compared to lighter weight fabrics more often found with peasant sleeves.
We hope you’ve enjoyed our quick guide to different types of sleeves! While by no means definitive, this article covers the most common sleeves that beginner sewists will encounter during pattern shopping and sewing. What type of sleeve do you find yourself making most often? What’s your favorite type of sleeve to wear? Let us know below in the comments!