Disclaimer: I am a pattern tester for Cashmerette and received this pattern for free. All my opinions are my own. I’m also under no obligation as a tester to post a review to my blog.
If you’ve been following along for a while, you know I’ve been on the hunt for tops patterns that work well for me. I’m kind of picky about tops, it’s true. I want something loose-fitting at the hips, long enough to go over my booty so I don’t have to worry about pulling the shirt down at any point in the day, nicely fitted with negative ease over my bust, and not wonky at the armsyce.
Of course, I didn’t tell anyone that my hunt was over when I tested the Concord t-shirt a few months ago. I did keep to my plan of making the StyleArc tops and I do really love the Cate’s cousin top. My Eva top is growing on me… I wanted to say last time that for my next Cate’s Cousin top I will be using the curved hem from the Concord t-shirt, because I adore it. And for the Eva top, I wanted to say I had a much better v-neck top to make with the Concord. But I am a good pattern tester, because I was quiet and kept it a secret. *pats self on back* After I get back from the trip, I will probably sew a few more of the Concord t-shirts. It’s a great pattern for a quick project.
For the fuller figure, there is actually not a lot of options for t-shirts, especially when you enter my size range. 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.
Another amazing thing about the Concord t-shirt is that it 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 (an inch or less).
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 at the armsyce. 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 booty.
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 fabric for myself, but I’m sure I will be able to get some more from Fabricland. I did make my Eva top with it. I just wish I had made a Concord t-shirt with it. 😉
Once Jenny sent me the final version, I knew I was going to make up several more tops. I had a bunch of fabric set aside for them. 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. I might resew the hem using stay tape at a future date, but for now I am leaving it. My sewing machine seems to hate mid-weight rayon jersey for some reason. To be honest, I think I am probably going to be needing a new sewing machine in the next year, because the problems keep multiplying with it… 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 and presses so nicely.
For these two versions, I made short sleeves with bands. The blue one has sleeve tabs and the neckline is high. On the back, I made a scoop neck for fun and like it, but it does pull the shoulder forward a bit unfortunately. The blue shirt is a cropped length but hits me just above my full hip. I am 5’4″ and short-waisted. I can certainly shorten it to make it cropped but am okay with this length. The black has a long curved hem, no sleeve tabs, and the neckline is scooped. You probably guessed by now that is my favourite hem style in this shirt considering 4 out of 6 of mine have the curved hem. It’s long enough to fit over the bum and never have to worry about it riding up.
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 in 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, because I truly hate twin needles and so does my ornery machine. 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. I absolutely adore it and have been waiting for a basic t-shirt with all of these options for a while in my size range. 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 armsyce 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.
Concord t-shirts have been popping up a few places so far. Check out Tanya’s, Meg’s, and gMarie’s versions! Now I need a striped one, an orange one, and a fun patterned one. All the Concords!
TL:DR Review
- Pattern: Cashmerette Concord T-Shirt
- Pros: Cup sizing, many options, goes up to a 58 inch hip. So much to love.
- Cons: Um…. smaller sized people miss out? In other words, I can’t think of a con…
- Make again?: Absolutely. It’s the t-shirt pattern I’ve always wanted.
- Rating:
5/5 stars
I’m eagerly awaiting my copy of the Concord T–I have such high hopes for this pattern, I decided it was worth investing in a paper pattern. I’ve found it such a struggle to find a t-shirt pattern that 1) is in my size, 2) fits the way I want, and 3) has plenty of sleeve and neckline options to make it a pattern I can truly use again and again. The other patterns I’ve tried have only hit one or two of these points. I’m hopeful that the Concord is finally going to hit all three for me. I’m even more excited now that I’ve read your review and seen all the versions you’ve made so far!
When I got asked to test it, my hopes were sky high and completely met in all the ways you listed. I hope this is also the top for you. I can’t wait to see your versions! 😀 😀
They look fantastic! I really like all the options on you. That v-neck is especially pretty. 🙂
Thanks, Nicole! I adore that v-neck. It’s so flattering. 😀
Yours look great, Andie! And you have been even busier sewing than we thought! I need to knock out a few more concords, i haven’t made any since my tester version and I REALLY need t-shirts for all my geologist duties now that the field season is upon us 😉
Thanks, Megan! I’ve actually been even busier than that. I also tested two other patterns since the New Year. 😉 Heheh. You definitely need a ton more Concord t-shirts for your field season! 😀
I had been hoping you were a tester for this pattern; I’d been looking for someone who used the G/H front before committing to buying it for myself.
It looks fabulous on you! I guess I’m getting the pdf tonight. 🙂
Thanks so much! It’s a great top. I hope it works well for you! 😀
Andie/Megan can either of you say how you’ve found this Concord for sitting down working or stretching/bending?
I’m asking because I’m 90% of my waking day in my wheelchair and I find it hard to get a top that doesn’t ride up if
I lean forward or try to stretch up to reach something.
Also tops seem to pool when I’m sitting but are fine when I stand to transfer.
Thanks in anticipation ladies.
Andie these look great on you. If they work out I envisage these in a heap of colours with the culottes in every length and weight I have on the go 🙂
Lucy – England
Hi Lucy! Thanks so much for your comment. If you use the long curved hem, you shouldn’t have an issue with it riding up at all. I find it stays put really well. It’s why it’s my favourite hem of the bunch. The mid-length hem is okay, but I definitely recommend the long curved hem. I hope you try it. It seems like a good top for you. 🙂
Lovely. Looks like a great pattern. Can’t wait for mine to arrive. 🙂
Thanks, Donna. I can’t wait to see your versions!
And Andie is the winner of the.most productive sewist award! 🙂 I love all of your versions! I made two tester ones and love them both, but just sewed up a new one and it sadly doesn’t fit. It must be my heavier double knit that’s causing the issue. ):
Thanks so much, Tanya! I’d like to thank my husband and kids who gets to do the piles of dishes while I sew and for tolerating pizza for dinner again. 😉 LOL.
I’m sad your new one doesn’t fit. 😦 /hugs
They all look great on you my darling! ❤
Thanks so much, Mon! 😃
They look great and I love the different fabrics you used. I may need to check this pattern out. 🙂
Thanks, Danielle! It’s a really great pattern! 🙂
This sounds like a fabulous pattern! Must get my hands on it, all your versions are great, the v-neck looks lovely! 🙂
Thanks so much. The pattern really rocks! I hope you make it. 🙂