Today I have a very easy hack to share with you for the Rio Ringer T-shirt and Dress pattern. I know that not everyone loves the ringer style with that nod to the 70s and 80s. This hack shows you how to use the Rio pattern and adapt the sleeves slightly for a bandless, regular t-shirt sleeve. I also show you how I used another fitted long sleeve pattern to create a long sleeved Rio as well.
To create a short sleeved Rio with no band we will need to adjust the sleeve pattern slightly. Everything else is the same. Take your sleeve pattern piece and add 1 inch to the length. This will accommodate the length that you lose when not using the band and also adds a bit of length to turn under for the sleeve hem.
Now sew up your Rio according to the directions, omitting the sleeve band instructions. Once you have sewed up the side seam and underarm of the sleeve, fold the sleeve hem under by 5/8". Press and pin in place.
Using a zigzag stitch or other stretch stitch of your choice, sew hem at 1/2".
If you want to sew a long sleeved version, you will need a long sleeved pattern piece with a fitted sleeve. I used the Nikko pattern since it is a similarly fitted sleeve style. Put the Rio sleeve on top of the long sleeve pattern and line up the underarms.
As you can see the Nikko is slightly slimmer than the Rio. So I will just gradually blend from the Rio at the top to the Nikko at the wrist as shown below.
Now you just sew up as you did the short sleeved version, hemming at the wrist at 5/8".
That is it. Simple right? Probably so simple that it didn't need a whole blog post, but I love how this really easy change gets you a great crew neck pattern that is super versatile.