Disclaimer: I have been gifted a one year all-access membership to the Cashmerette Club but my opinions of the patterns that I will share on my blog and socials will be my true opinion.
When it comes to size inclusivity and patterns that cater first and foremost to curvy bodies, I personally think Cashmerette is the leader in the field. I have never made a Cashmerette pattern that I did not like and I am excited to try out the Cashmerette Club exclusive patterns.
For context, in case any of you have yet to find out about the Cashmerette Club, it offers the following monthly:
- A PDF sewing pattern: An exclusive downloadable Cashmerette pattern in sizes 0 – 32 and cup sizes C – H.
- A fitting masterclass taught by expert Jenny Rushmore: a monthly online video masterclass (Plus & All Access members only)
- A live members-only event: you can join to learn more about sewing and connect with members all around the world (Plus & All Access members only)
- Access to the Cashmerette Clubhouse, a members-only community forum where you can chat all things sewing and Cashmerette
- Up to 90% off MyBodyModel, a croquis that’s custom-made to your measurements to help you plan and sketch your dream wardrobe
- An exclusive ongoing discount for Cashmerette patterns (Plus & All Access members only) – given that many of the patterns work seamlessly together, this is a great bonus.
There are three tiers of membership and I’m very lucky to have ‘All Access’ for the incoming year:
I’ve been keen to join since the Club was initiated but, being pregnant, I had neither the time or energy to sew and I also found the desire to sew reduced as I didn’t want to make clothes for temporary body changes. Six months postpartum, with my body getting back to its pre-pregnancy measurements, I am more in tune with the notion of investing time and money in garment making again. With around a year of patterns to sift through, I have picked out a few that will be great in my wardrobe, starting with the Brattle top.
Now, for anyone who knows me, this might seem like an unconventional choice of garment – I am almost solely about the dresses, it’s true. However, with three dogs and a little (what’s sure to be rough and tumble) toddler in the making, I’ve been planning a few casual basics. I recently bought a copy of the Belmont leggings and think the Brattle would be the perfect accompanying garment for those.
For someone who doesn’t really do separates, that I am full of compliments for this pattern is praise indeed.
The Brattle Top is a simple tee with a twist (pun intended)! It is basically a t-shirt with a faced neckline (under stitched and topstitched so sits perfectly) but with an inventive twist added to the design detail it’s elevated to interesting. the pattern is drafted with short sleeves but it is interchangeable with the pattern pieces from the Concord or Carlyle patterns so there are so many possibilities. While this is perfectly designed for casual wear, there is no reason why this top cannot be glammed up depending on the choice of fabric you make; something with sequins or lurex would be perfect for more of a night out look. I know I’ll definitely be making a couple more for dog walks in 4 way stretch that’s in my stash but I absolutely adore this in-between look attained by sewing with cotton jersey, an adorable heart print (with little glitter purple hearts) which I picked up from Jenny Stitches.
The fit of the top is true to size; it’s perfect – but, saying that, I sized down from the size recommended for me because I wanted the top to be well fitted on the bust – what’s the point in stretch and recovery if you don’t use it, right? – but also because I do have some more ‘baby weight’ to see off in the incoming months. One of the things to note about this pattern is that it fits all Cashmerette cup sizes so should still look as good if my measurements go back to their pre-breastfeeding size, too.
As if all that wasn’t good enough, this is a speedy sew (not that I am one for fast sewing because I get too much out of the process to rush sewing). It is so easily constructed (with perfectly accessible instructions as we all know to expect from Cashmerette) that from cutting to wearing this took no more than an hour. You’ll see more of these from me soon.
