My Sew*Sew Life-Cashmerette’s Concord T-Shirt

In January, I published a post about my search for the perfect T-Shirt. The gist was that I was disappointed with my first attempt. The pattern I used was Alabama Chanin’s T-Shirt, and I wasn’t happy with the results. I mentioned this to the sewists on Pattern Review and asked for recommendations. Cashmerette’s Concord T-Shirt was a popular response.

That’s my Bea in the background.

I had already been thinking about using the Concord because of Cashmerette’s reputation for drafting patterns with women like me in mind. I decided that this was the one to try next. And to make sure I followed through, I added it to my #MakeNine2022. I finished it just this past week.

As you can see, this pattern has quite a few variations. For my first round, I picked the long sleeve V-Neck version. I did make a muslin using the sizes recommended to me on the pattern. These measurements were size 10 for the shoulders and neckline, size 14 for the bust, and size 8 for the hips. For my final, I decided to up the hip area to a size 10 . Next time, I will stay with the 8, just to compare.

Also, for me, the V-Neck was too low on the muslin and I raised it by 3″ on the fashion fabric.

My Fabric

Last summer I ordered this variegated rayon/polyester knit from Mollipia Fabric, a shop on ETSY. It is a pretty thin knit but I was wanting it to layer under things. After finishing The Craft of Clothes, The Smith Pinafore, I wanted a patterned T-Shirt to go with it because I only have solid color shirts. I saw this striped knit and thought it might work. Now made, I’m not sure the greens match but I like my T-Shirt non-the-less.

The Concord With The Smith Pinafore

Matching Stripes

It had been a while since I had worked with a striped knit. It was back in 2016 (here’s the LINK-there are some really cute photos of my Poodle Niki) and the stripes were vertical, not horizontal. Last year I matched some on a woven dress for Rachelle, HERE. My new knit has a 5″ stripe repeat and I thought I better review it a bit before I started cutting my knit fabric. TomKat Stitchery has a good one HERE. It’s not that matching stripes is hard, you just have to be careful with your markings and matching when you are cutting out.

It worked because these stripes travel across the sleeve to the bodice. Also, I hand-based all my seams to carefully match the stripes and then sewed the seams with my serger. I feel that too much slip and sliding can happen in the sewing process and did this as a safety precaution. Taking out a serged seam because I didn’t like the stripe match-up just doesn’t seem like too much fun to me.

One Place Where the Stripes Can’t Match

Given that my full bust is more than 2″ greater than my upper bust, adjustments have to be made to patterns. Deciding not to add a dart, I went with the method of adding extra length to the front bodice of my shirt. However, I was careful that my bottom stripes matched up and added the ease in just under the armscye where stripes not matching wouldn’t be as noticeable.

Finishing Details

On ETSY, I found some 3/8″ stay tape and decided to use it at the shoulders. Honestly, it is a tad wider than I prefer but it worked out perfectly here.

My daughter mentioned that she always added topstitching to the shoulder seam. I tried that and like how it looks. This will become a regular step when making my T-Shirts.

I like how the topstitching looked on the shoulder and decided to topstitch around the neckline of the Concord too.

The Mistake

When I made my muslin for the Concord, I was really concerned about the shoulder and bust fitting. I FAILED to notice that the sleeves were the correct length unhemmed. I needed to add about an inch to the sleeve length. So with this particular top, I had to add small sleeve bands. The pattern now says, “Add 1 1/2” more!”

Final Thoughts

I especially like the fit I get with The Concord at the neck and shoulders. This shirt will fit very neatly under a jacket but at the same time, it looks fine just by itself. As I mentioned earlier, I will probably make a smaller size in the hips for the next version. The instructions are very clear and there is a reason that this shirt is so popular. I guess I’m joining the throngs in the praise of this pattern. If you have a few curves and want a variety of Tee-Shirts that fit, this is one of the best patterns.

I think Jenny Rushmore is a good designer for curvy women and I might try her Harrison Shirt sometime in the future.

And finally, another piece of my Make Nine 2022 puzzle is finished! Slowly but surely and only two more pieces to make! I find this challenge to be one of the best things I decided to do with my sewing. It keeps me focused. My next make is going to be #2, Liz Haywood’s low-waste Claire skirt.

Well, that is it. Take care, stay creative and Sew On!