See what our customers are making
I have always sewn for my girls but have always been afraid to sew for myself as fitting is a big challenge. Enter Cashmerette. With only a few adjustments I made the Upton dress. Twice! And love both of them. I love wearing something that actually fits! Thanks you!
This dress came out so lovely, the fit around the bust was so good I could not believe it was possible. Before I was always going up a size to fit my bust and it made everything else too big. This was perfect.
I recently purchased the Upton Dress pattern And the sleeve expansion pack in a return to sewing after a long hiatus. What a revelation! I am a size 18-20 and normally am at the very top end of my most pattern sizing, having to make adjustments and often ending up with a garment that didn’t fit well. The Upton dress was a perfect fit at 18, and looked amazing! Even my muslin in $2 poplin is gorgeous, wearable and has prompted so many compliments at work. I’ve since made three more (linen, cotton and a rayon). I’m a teacher to having pockets is fantastic, and the modest neckline really suits my needs. I have used the cap sleeves the most (not really a flutter sleeve kind of girl). In all of these different fabrics and sleeves, everyone at work has been impressed with my sudden wardrobe expansion. Best of all, I feel comfortable, put-together and proud of how I look. This is a new and welcome experience. I can’t wait to explore more Cashmerette patterns.
The instructions are great but expect to spend LOTS and LOTS of time sewing before getting a dress that fits well. I plan to try again, but probably not anytime soon. And never for a special event again.
I made FIVE test fit dresses, four from old sheets and one from apparel fabric. The fifth one was a good fit, although still not perfect. Then I cut my expensive fabric for the dress to wear to my oldest child's wedding. The result was a completely unwearable dress. I don't know what happened between test 5 and the real dress, but it was tight in some places it shouldn't be tight and loose in some places it shouldn't be loose. This happened well over a month ago, but I could only now review this pattern because I was so upset. I have never worked this hard on fitting before and to spend that much time and effort and still have it turn out as something to be thrown away was beyond disappointing.
The photo is test fit #5.
I've been away from serious sewing for a long time. You would think I'd restart with a simpler pattern, but no - give me a lined bodice and an invisible zipper lol. I never had mastered that years ago. For me there was a learning curve - but I was willing to do anything to get a well-fitting dress and to not have to do an FBA if possible. Jenny's instructions are excellent. I just needed to slow down and really read them. I also thought - hey who needs a muslin!? That was lesson #2. #3 was don't assume you 'just know' your measurments. These are all rookie mistakes - and as a former professional costume designer and sewist - I should know way better. But I really wanted to get to the 'twirl in your new dress' part lol.
So two muslins later I now have two more Upton dresses I love - with pockets! Yes! Thank you! And plans for a lot more. Each dress gets better and better and I fine tune each new attempt. And NO FBA!
I'm still learning new sewing methods - which I love - and I think the lined bodice technique is genius! I'm so a fan - I've bought all the patterns.