Update: the Cedar Workout Tank is now the Spruce Tank.
Welcome to our activewear sewalong! Today, we’ll be choosing our size and preparing our patterns and fabric for the Cedar Tops and Belmont Leggings & Yoga Pants. Over the next few weeks, we’ll go through the Spruce Tank, the Cedar Dolman Top, and the Belmont Leggings and Yoga Pants in order, but today’s post applies to all three.
The first decision to make today is which size to choose for your Spruce Tank, Cedar Dolman Top or Belmont Leggings & Yoga Pants. Thanks to the three cup sizes it’s more likely that you’ll fit in a “straight” Cashmerette Pattern than many other companies, but of course we all vary and chances are you may not be perfectly in one size. The good news is that sewing gives you tons of flexibility, and it’s easy to grade between sizes.
How to choose your size
There are two measurement charts: one is the Body Measurement chart, and the other is the Finished Garment chart. The Body Measurement chart helps you choose your size based on what numbers you get when you measure your body with a tape measure – it has numbers for your bust (around the fullest part), waist and hip. The Finished Garment chart shows you the size of the actual sewn garment – the difference between that and the Body Measurement chart is called “ease”, and it’s the amount of extra room in the garment that the designer recommends for the clothes to fit well and allow movement.
Generally, you want to start by comparing your measurement with the body measurement chart. However, if your measurements are between sizes you can take a look at the Finished Garment chart to see if you can fit in just one. The Spruce Tank is designed with negative ease to keep it in place while you’re working out. The Cedar Dolman Top on the other hand is drafted with positive ease for an easy, flowy fit. The Belmont Leggings and Yoga Pants are both drafted with negative ease for comfort and support.
Spruce Tank Measurement Chart
Cedar Dolman Top Measurement Chart
Belmont Measurement Chart
As with all Cashmerette Patterns, the best bet is to start with your bust measurement for the tops – you should use your full bust measurement, which is around the fullest part of your bust. Because of the cup sizing, you may find you could fit in two different bust sizes – in which case, you want to pick the overall size that’s closest to your waist size. So for instance, if your bust is 44″, you could theoretically be a 14 G/H or a 16 C/D. Which one should you pick? Take a look at the waist measurement – if yours is closer to 34″ (size 14), then go with the 14 G/H. If yours is closer to 36″ (size 16), then go with the 16 C/D.
Don’t fret if the cup size doesn’t match up with your bra size – there is so much variation in bra sizing that it’s not possible to perfectly line them up. Use your actual full bust measurement and you’ll be fine.
For the bottoms, look at your waist measurement first and then your hips.
Grading Between Sizes
If your bust, waist, and hip measurements end up in many different sizes, you may want to grade between sizes. For the Spruce Tank and the Belmont Leggings, this will be more critical than for the yoga pants or dolman top. For a run-down of how to grade between sizes on a knit, check out this tutorial here.
Preparing Pattern and Fabric
Now that we’ve chosen our size and graded if necessary, it’s time to prepare our pattern and fabric so that we’ll be all ready to sew next time!
Here’s your checklist:
- Wash and dry your fabric, to make sure it’s pre-shrunk and you’re not going to get any nasty surprises later! This is especially important with knits. They can shrink an incredible amount!
- Press your fabric so it’s nice and flat. Check to see if you get any iron shine when you press the right side. If so, you’ll want to use a press cloth when pressing between steps.
- If you’re printing your PDF pattern at home, you’ll need to print and assemble it. Here are some pointers to help you. If you want to get it printed, here are some suggestions.
- Either cut or trace off your pattern pieces – if you’re making adjustments or are going to make any other sizes in the future, I definitely recommend tracing.
- Transfer all the markings to the fabric. For the notches, make a little snip into the fabric, within the seam allowance (so no more than 1/4″/6mm).
- Cut all pieces, following the layout diagrams in the pattern.
Next time, we’ll get right into sewing our Spruce Tanks!
