Here's to one of our favourite sewing patterns - the ever versatile Heron Shirt and Heron Dress. Favoured because it's a deceivingly easy sew with great results. The shirt and dress are super versatile - depending on your fabric (and shoe choices), you can take it from the beach to the board room.
The raglan sleeves ensures a perfect shoulder fit and the open neck (there is a closed neck option too).
This blog guides you through a PATTERN HACK to add a new frilled short sleeve.
But first - let's take a look at what's included in each pattern after purchase:
The Heron Shirt comes with a standard gathered sleeve and double gathered sleeve style options.
The Heron Dress comes with a 7/8 fold under frill sleeve and 7/8 small balloon gathered sleeve (added in March 2021).
Both the sleeve and shirt patterns have a line marking on the sleeve to cut for a two piece sleeve option. The instructions below show you how to add a short sleeve frill style, with or without added lace.
This is our Boho look short sleeve frilled Heron Dress (with open neck): 
And shirt version:
With a closer look at the sleeve you can see we have added some lace to the base of the top sleeve section before attaching the gathered lower section:
To acheive this, lets call the top section of the sleeve, Sleeve piece A and the bottom gathered section Sleeve piece B. Now simply cut the length of section A as you would per the 2 piece sleeve (refer instructions).
Then cut section B as follows:
Width: Measure a rectangle 1.5 to 2 times wider than the bottom edge of section A (depending on how full you want this section - I'd recommend 1.5 to start but it's your call)
Length: The length you wish from your bicep to the hem (say, your elbow), plus 4cm (1cm for the top seam allowance and 3cm for the hem - turned at 1cm and then again at 2cm).
Gather the top edge of section B and sew it to the bottom edge of section A. Refer instructions of constructing the 2 piece sleeve (the only difference is that your bottom section is shorter and ot gathered at the wrist).
1. RST sew the sides of section B together. Press seam.
2. Using a large stitch, gather the top edge until it fits the bottom edge of section A.
3. RST sew together.
4. Hem as desired.
If you wish to add lace, attach to the bottom of section A before gathering and attaching section B.
