Hello everyone! Andie from Sew Pretty in Pink here. Today I am reviewing the Cashmerette Patterns Concord T-Shirt. I am a pattern tester for Cashmerette, but I can assure you all my opinions are my own.
I’ve been on the hunt for a good t-shirt pattern for a while. For the fuller figure, there is actually not a lot of options for t-shirts. I found a few that were kind of underwhelming in terms of fit and other that I had to grade up. I can be somewhat picky when it comes to t-shirts, but the truth is that there just are not a lot of options for large busted plus sized women for nicely fitted t-shirts. I certainly haven’t found one that has cup sizing.
When Jenny sent off the information for the Concord t-shirt, I was pretty excited. The great thing about the Concord is all the options: hem length can be cropped, mid, or long curved, sleeve length can be short, 3/4 length, or long (plus the short or 3/4 length can have sleeve tabs and all lengths can either be hemmed or have sleeve bands), and, finally, the neckline can be high, scoop, or v-neck. You get one pattern with a ton of options in it and that is my dream t-shirt.
The Concord t-shirt includes cup sizes C/D, E/F, G/H and can fit women from 40 inch bust / 32 inch waist / 42 inch hip to 58 inch bust / 48 inch waist / 58 inch hip. It’s meant to have negative ease across the bust and skim the hips with a bit of positive ease.
My measurements are 51 inch bust / 46 inch waist / 56 inch hips. I chose to make a size 22 C/D graded to a size 26 at the hips for my tester version and then for my others I used the G/H cup size due to some wrinkles at the arm above the bust. I could have just graded to a 24 or left it at a 22, but I like it pretty loose around the hips.
For my two tester versions, I used the scoop neck and 3/4 length sleeves. One version was mid-length and the other the long curved hem.
I love my test versions. I even made my mom a Concord t-shirt for her birthday in March using the tester pattern:
I made her a straight size 16 C/D with a scopped neck and a longer short sleeve since she likes to have her upper arms covered. I made it in her favourite colour. Like mother, like daughter! 😉 I wish I had saved some of this gorgeous pink material for myself, but I’m sure I will be able to get some more.
Once Jenny sent me the final version, I knew I was going to make up several different ones. I chose to make the larger G/H cup size to get an even better fit and still grade up at the hips.
I made two with the long curved hem and a v-neck. On the left, is the 3/4 length sleeve with tabs. On the right is a long sleeve with a band. Of note, the printed fabric is a mid-weight rayon jersey and is quite weighed down. It was difficult to sew with and resulted in some waviness in the hem as well as a lower hem than the shirt on the right. My sewing machine seems to hate mid-weight rayon jersey for some reason. The rest of the fabric I used is a lightweight poly rayon spandex jersey and is my preferred material for tops. It’s a dream to sew with.
For these two versions, I made short sleeves with bands. On the left, the sleeves have tabs and the neckline is high and, on the right, there is no sleeve tabs and the neckline is scooped. The right side shirt has a long curved hem. You probably guessed by now that is my favourite hem style in this shirt. It’s long enough to fit over the bum and never have to worry about it riding up. For reference, I am 5’4″ and short-waisted. On the left, the shirt is a cropped length but hits me just above my full hip. I can certainly shorten it to make it cropped.
Construction was easy. The curved hem is done before the sleeves and side seams. The neckline is actually the second thing you do after the shoulder seams. It makes it a lot easier doing it that order without all the rest of the bulk of the sleeves in the way. The sleeve tabs are sewn on to the sleeves before the sleeve is attached in the flat. Final steps are to sew a button through all the layers to permanently attach the tab. You could add a buttonhole to the sleeve tab, if you want.
Instructions are very easy to follow. The pattern is labeled as beginner and I think that fits. I mostly used my serger for constructing all the shirts, except for top stitching the curved hem or sewing the hems for sleeves or the bottom. The tabs are sewn on with a regular sewing machine and the v-neck is started with a regular sewing machine. I also topstitch all my neckbands down with a zig zag stitch. You can construct it entirely on a sewing machine if you don’t have a serger.
I love the fit of the shirt. I could maybe use a narrow shoulder adjustment like with any pattern, but I don’t mind where the shoulders sit on this top.
The pattern is already a TNT for me with six versions for myself..
Size Range (1-5): 5
Instructions (1-5): 5
Construction Process (1-5): 5
Final Fit (1-5): 5
Overall Rating (1-5): 5
I absolutely adore this pattern and have been waiting for a basic t-shirt with all of these options for a while. The size range is great and the cup sizing is a dream. You can see how the change in the cup sizes made the fit a lot better for me removing the wrinkling at the sleeve above the bust. A lot of people don’t want to bother with an FBA in a knit garment and, with the cup sizes, you are less likely to have to do one. I really love all the options in this t-shirt and think it offers a lot in a small package.
Girl, I gotta say this t-shirt on you is (please say the following all in one long breath)
Suck the air outta the room gorgeous !! Classy doesn’t do it justice. Really,really don’t know why it’s taken so long for someone to figure out that cup sizing can make or break a top,but PTL they did!! P.s. I get the sewing machine coping an attitude over some fabrics. Go figure ….mine does it too ?
Thanks so much! ? ? The cup sizing is great.
What a great review. Excellent!!! You look gorgeous in the short sleeve navy (or is it purple?). I think we must have very similar or maybe an identical body type. I am going to copy you but make the narrow shoulder adjustment.
Thanks so much! It’s navy. I love it. Narrow shoulder adjustment is a good idea. I might be doing that in spite of saying I wasn’t going to. Lol
You hit it out of the park! It’s wonderful to have a TnT pattern with so many options. Enjoy a new wardrobe of beautiful t shirts.
I’m in the same boat as Robin on my personal likes. I’d be looking for a narrow v neck and a less wide scoop. When t shirts get that wide on me, the shoulders tend to move on me during the day. It is also a an age issue regarding skin condition.
You look great in the cuts and the choices you made on color truly compliment your personal coloring.
The neckline only seems to be an issue for me on the v neck. The scoop neck and high neck are great. I will be going a couple of sizes down in the neckline for that version I think. Thanks so much for all your kind words. ?
It is my humble opinion that the shirt necklines are too large for you, barely staying on your shoulders. Actually, I think I can see your bra straps peeking out ever so slightly on the animal print and the red shirt. I think that you should try going down a size in the neck area and staying with all of your other measurement choices. Again, just my opinion. Otherwise a very pretty and flattering top.
I discovered Strap Doctor after going for a bra fitting. Fabulous invention – silicone strip that adheres under the strap and the strap behaves. Check out http://www.StrapDoctor.com.
Anyway, I just now ordered the tshirt having seen it on the Stitches andSeams blog. Can’t wait to try it.
It’s only an issue with the two v neck tops. Definitely will be going for a narrower v neck next time. ☺ Thanks for your comment!
The red v-neck version is absolutey gorgeous on you, Andie! I like that you made multiple versions using the various features and size tweaking, as well as used different fabrics. You really show how the various options can come out on the finished products.
Thanks so much! ? ?
I have a lot of trouble with top stitching necklines on knits — they always seem to end up stretched and huge. Do the pattern instructions address this issue? Or does anyone else have any tips for solving that?
I’m not able to check the instructions at this time. But you can do a couple of things for that issue. Try using knit stay tape or wash away stabilizer before you sew.
Thanks for the great review! It’s helpful to see so many versions. I just got the pattern last week and am looking forward to using it.
Thanks so much! I hope you like it too!
Your color choices are beautiful on you. I especially like the black and white animal print.
For myself, I would have to make the neckline higher as I am very uncomfortable showing my décolletage. However, you look beautiful in the shirt. Thank you for posting so many variations.
Thanks so much! I like the neckline for my own preferences but you could definitely easily modify it to be higher for your own preferences. ?
Thank you for posting this review! My Concord arrived yesterday and I’m excited to make a few 🙂 you’ve inspired me to get to that right after I finish this tunic I’m making by Papercuts. I too have been waiting (and searching and trying!) for the perfect Tee pattern and when Cashmerette released her Tee I was on it right away. I wear a DD bra so I’m thinking because of what you mentioned in your experience (going up to an E/F from a C/D) that I should go to an E/F right away? Do you agree?
Check out the measurements chart but you may want to try the larger cup size. There’s negative ease in the bust so you will likely end up with a good fit. But if it is too big, it will be easier to modify the top. Hope you enjoy the pattern!
Thank you for sharing your experience and all your different variations of this pattern. I just bought it and am anxious to try to make some t-shirts for myself – alas, I have a line up of other projects that MUST come first. But it is great to see how many different ways to make this pattern so when I do start, I will be sure to have several different knits on hand !! These all look great on you!
Thanks so much!! I hope your other projects get done quickly so you can get to t shirts. ?
My problem is that I have 40″ bust, 36″ waist and 45″ hips. I can’t figure out how to have it fit in the bust and waist and hips. I like the way the pattern fits you. It looks great.
Hi Margaret, You would likely need to blend between sizes. It’s not unusual to do that and easier than it may sound. Here’s a Grainline tute that covers the basics: http://grainlinestudio.com/2013/03/25/archer-sew-along-day-1-assembling-the-pattern/
Definitely blend sizes like Debbie suggests. It’s what I did because I like more ease in the hips. Hope it works for you! And thanks for the compliments. ?