how to alter a pattern

[silverdragon19th]

Hi all, I sew off and on and when I use a pattern I go right by it. The is a shrug I want to make, I saw it on etsy I love it but I can't afford it so I am trying to make my own version of it. I am using this mccalls pattern the blue one
http://mccallpattern.mccall.com/m6461-products-15231.php?page_id=115&search_control=display&list=search
but I want to have the sleeves of this one
http://www.etsy.com/listing/82390039/plain-fleece-carache-top
I am wanting to know how to draw the alteration on the pattern.

Thank you so much
Michelle

[RuthieG101]

Hi there, I love both of the pics you have submitted.

If I was doing this I would copy the sleeve pattern, don't modify the top, to make it easy to attach to the body.

Make the sleeve a little longer, and mark the finished size of opening you want, then draw from that width to the elbow. I suggest making a toile (or mock-up) of the sleeve before you use your fashion fabric, to make sure you have the fit correct/or how you want it. You can use an old sheet to make the toile.

Good luck with it.

[kjlutz]

if you find it easier than drafting your own bottom to the sleeve look for a commercial pattern with sleeves like what you want and attach the bottom half of that sleeve to the top half or so of the sleeve from your main pattern.