Well, I have made medieval dresses that sound like they have the type of sleeves you are looking for. I like the idea of a 2 inch band, with grommets/button holes and thin elastic lacing. I have already made just bands like that (pictures later if you want).
The sleeves I based on a pattern like this
http://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/0/0/4...0453088_tp.jpg
the pattern piece:
I want to make some for myself, but not silk for my first attempt =).
Is that what you are thinking of?