Disclaimer: I received the pattern for free but my opinion is my own. Check out the CSC post for more versions.
Muna and Broad is one of the newer indie pattern companies run by Leila (@Leilasews) and Jess (Broad in the Seams). They are a plus-sized pattern company and really put a lot of work into making sure their patterns have a lot of plus-sized alterations built in. I have the Glebe pants and will be trying them out soon (my muslin is already cut out); I also tested their Undies/Period Undies pattern and it’s life changing! You’ll see those on the blog soonish (although just the undies not the period undies since I don’t have the materials for those yet). The Torrens Box top is a boxy silhouette top with sleeve bands and a sleeve extension pack.
My first version of the Torrens top is made without any alterations in a pink swiss dot cotton. I made a size A. There is a slight bit of gaping in the neckline but the fit is good otherwise. Gaping in the neckline is a usual issue for me due to my large bust.
It’s a really cute top. I’ve been wearing a more boxy silhouette these days since developing issues with compression urticaria (hives from wearing tight clothing). Let me tell you how horrible compression urticaria is when you have EDS. My skin is fragile so scratching actually breaks the skin or causes blood vessels to burst in my skin and also develops hives from scratching (dermatographia). Think of being itchy and then just getting itchier from itching and then being so itchy you want to cry. Fun times. It’s changed a lot of my sewing. I need to sew bras that I can actually wear without having this issue but I am not sure what those would look like. Some of the dresses I have made in the past aren’t comfortable for me anymore and even the waistband on skirts is getting to me. Honestly, it’s probably the most frustrating part of having a chronic illness: having things you love taken away from you… So my style is changing to adapt. Thankfully my Belmont leggings are still okay and my Misty jeans (new plaid pair here in double knit fabric… couldn’t pattern match due to fabric constraints) and a lot of my tops are okay, but most woven fabrics are too constrictive for me to wear. So I am really thankful for patterns like this that are loose fitting and comfortable to wear. I have plans for other types of flowy tops and some already cut out. You’ll likely see more pants here, too, but only elastic waistbands as anything else would hurt.
After this version, I made a few changes. I lowered the neckline as well as taking out a 1/2 wedge to deal with the neckline gaping. For version 2, instead of the deep hem, I chose to just do a 1/2 inch hem for a bit more length.
I used the sleeve expansion since I was given early access to it. It’s definitely my favourite version. The sleeves, the colour, so goooood. Since I lowered the neckline, I do have more gaping at the neckline in this version. It’s also made with red rayon fabric which does have a tendency to grow. We’ll see how it washes up but I will do some more neckline alterations for the next version.
There will definitely be more of these in the future. It’s such a comfortable shirt to wear.
I totally chose the red after seeing Leila’s red Torrens on Instagram:
How amazing does she look? I had to follow her footsteps.
Let’s talk about those sleeves for a moment. They are so roomy. I used the wide sleeve and really love it. One of few patterns where I haven’t needed to make a large bicep adjustment.
Real talk, just before taking these pictures, I washed my hands and got water all over the bottom front of the top right before taking pictures. I don’t photoshop my pictures so feel free to play Where’s Waldo with those water stains. LOL.
TL:DR Review
- Pattern: Muna and Broad Torrens Box Top
- Pros: Great size range for plus and honestly that’s all I really care about. Love the sleeves. Love the sleeve bands. Love the shape. Great instructions. So many pros.
- Cons: No cons that I can think of. Even the neckline gaping issues aren’t really cons.
- Make again?: Oh yes. It’s so goood.
- Rating:
5/5 stars
Andie Wells Studio 
Too cute and glad it’s a 5-star sew!
Thanks so much! ❤❤
Love both of these versions! Question for you about fixing the gaping neckline. You mention taking out a wedge–how do you do that? I’m only aware of ways to fix a gaping neckline that involve adding to an existing dart and I can see how I could do it if I created a new dart, but I’d really rather not deal with a dart at all so I’m curious about your method! Thank you!
Hi Lauren. Thanks so much for this comment. I’m so sorry it’s been a while for my reply here. This post from Designer Stitch covers how to remove the excess from the neckline: https://designerstitch.com/pattern-alteration-for-a-gaping-neckline/ Basically, you will fold it out and then “true” the pattern so the lines meet up and it looks correct. There is also a way of doing it with a darted bodice that moves the excess into the bust dart: https://blog.cashmerette.com/2016/09/fix-a-gaping-neckline.html Those are a couple of ways to do it and then, as you said, you can create a dart or even a pleat – although this is more for when you’ve already sewn it and then have that issue. I hope that helps!