I’m thrilled to announce a big new project we’ve been working on behind the scenes for a long time now: we will be expanding Cashmerette Patterns to a size range of 0 – 32, in our C – H cup sizes! We hope to start launching patterns in the new size ranges by the end of the year.
Cashmerette Patterns was born out of my total frustration with finding ready-to-wear clothes that fit my curvy, busty body – and then my disappointment in finding out that very few sewing patterns worked for it, either. There were two parts to it: patterns that didn’t go beyond a size 16 or 18, and also patterns that were only designed for a B or C cup bust – I’m an H! When you’re busty, having to constantly adjust sewing patterns to fit your body can just take the joy out of sewing – it’s so much time, effort, and trial and error. Plus, it made me feel frustrated and bad about my body. That’s why, in 2015, I launched Cashmerette in sizes 12 – 28 (now 32!) and cup sizes C – H, to finally meet the needs of women like me.
Since 2015, there has been a FANTASTIC explosion of brands expanding into sizes 28+, which has just been a joy to behold. Plus size sewists deserve to have lots and lots of options! However, there hasn’t been anywhere near as much movement at serving the needs of sewists with big boobs.
Ever since we launched, we’ve had a continual stream (I kid you not, literally every week) of sewists who also have a large, D+ bust, but wear sizes below a size 12, asking us to expand our size range. For the first 5 years of Cashmerette, I wanted to focus on the doubly-underserved size 12+, C+ cup community, but as we’ve grown, I realized that there was this huge opportunity to help even more women say goodbye to FBAs and discover the joy of sewing, by expanding our size range down to a 0. Because here’s the truth: sewists of all sizes can have big boobs!
We’re the right people to do it, because we’re totally dedicated to sewing for curves, with our cup sizing and also the fact we design all our patterns to look amazing on people with a full bust. So, right now we’re deep in development!
The plan is to eventually launch all our patterns in sizes 0 – 32 – we’ll start launching our most popular existing patterns in the new range, and then moving forward all new patterns will come in both size ranges. The patterns will come in two overlapping ranges of 0 – 16 and 12 – 32 (we’ll have more info at launch about how to pick your size if you’re in the 12 – 16 range – as well as a sizing guarantee to make sure you’re definitely happy with the result).
As we want everyone to have options, we’ll also have our new size ranges is BOTH printed and PDF formats.
Here’s our new size chart (along with our existing one):
0-16 CHART:
12-32 CHART:
To be totally transparent, it took us a long, long time to decide to do this, because I really didn’t want to make you, our existing, AMAZING, community of sewists size 12 – 32, feel like you’re losing anything at all. The good news is I feel really positive that not only will our existing community not lose out, but in fact, the growth of the company means there’s going to be even more products for you to enjoy. There are two elements we’re focusing on: products, and representation.
On the first front, Cashmerette Patterns, old and new, will always be available in a size 12 – 32. We’ll always start our development with our larger block, make sure the styles we pick look super awesome on this size range (I mean, I’m in it, I want to look good!), and we will always expand a historic pattern up to a 32 before we expand it down to a 0. Nothing will change in terms of what you can sew from Cashmerette.
On the second front, plus size women will continue to be the face of Cashmerette, and be consistently and joyfully represented everywhere that we are. This is so important to me personally, and to Cashmerette as a brand, and I am dedicated to ensuring that we do not lose our representation of size 12+ women looking awesome and confident in clothes that fit them well. While it’s hard for someone who’s a size 2 G/H to find clothes that fit through the bust, it remains the case that they suffer far less systemic societal bias than someone who’s a 26 G/H, and are far more likely to see themselves represented positively in the media. That’s why we’re dedicated to keeping Cashmerette a cheerleader for plus size fashion, and a safe space for people with larger bodies, and we have a bunch of ideas about that we’ll be sharing with you over the next few months. This matters deeply to me, so if you have any thoughts or recommendations I’d love to hear them!
We are currently working on developing the first batch of historic patterns in the 0 – 16 size range, and one of our upcoming patterns will launch in the full 0 – 32 range – we’re hoping by the end of the year.
Also, if you’re in this size range and want to hear more from us moving forward about this expansion, please sign up for our newsletter here – you’ll be tagged as being interested in the size expansion, so we’ll send you additional, special emails! (If you’re already subscribed to our newsletter, email us at hello@cashmerette.com and let us know you’d like to be added to the special 0 – 16 list).
I’m happy for you, for your business… being able to grow is great. And truely I think you’ll be very successful. I love your patterns and your patterns is what I base my wardrobe on. However as a plus size female still struggling to accept that I can look good and feel good in clothes it’s a disappointment for me … slim big boobed women already get a lot of attention by society, it is the revered and preferred female form. So now having to see them validated in clothes that I’m just trying to feel good in is …. to be honest painful. But for sure that’s my issue to have to work through. There are more pattern makers for plus sizes but frankly I feel that many of them just over size their small blocks and there’s often times just use boxy look, no set in sleeves, and just way to much fabric to make one look even bigger … and while flattering Is a bad word now a days … I do want clothes that look flattering on the body I have…. not try to convince myself that I can look good in a tent. For all you in the smaller group … you’ll love the patterns and fit. Really with sincerity … much success on this new venture!!!
Hi. I’m delighted about the news. I’ve long admired the designs but was too small. While I agree that ‘slim big-boobed women already got a lot of attention in society’ we don’t necessarily get a lot of attention from clothes shops and end up with ill-fitting clothes, much as you may have felt before Cashmerette came along to cater to your needs. In the UK, there is only Pepperberry that caters to smaller women with larger boobs in terms of clothing and that’s online, yet plenty of town centre shops offer plus-size clothing. I’d say we’re more neglected! Luckily though, it’s not a competition beween the two body types as to which is more neglected as it looks like Cashmerette can serve two markets well and not have to offer just one or the other. Yay! Let’s all enjoy sewing with better patterns x
I understand what your saying. Let me clarify what a lot of people out there believe … while there are more ready to wear larger sizes than ever, they are also ill fitting, one of the main mistakes with RTW and in indie sewing patterns is that they just increase proportions so you end up having to be 6’ tall and still needing to adjust in a lot of areas because they don’t create new blocks for larger bodies. Cashmerette is one of the very few who do this well.
Totally feeling you on this, Willy! On the one hand, it’s great that there is demand (there should be, the product is excellent!) and this is a good business decision. On the other – I think I am feeling something like possessiveness or jealousy? I really liked having this great thing that was only in plus sizes and maybe that’s petty of me? But yeah, I’m having some pretty strong feelings that I’m not sure what to do with.
Hi Willy: I’m one of the women with a smaller body size and a proportionately large bust and for a while, I altered Cashmerette patterns to suit my proportions till I decided it was just too onerous. I completely hear what you’re saying about slim large-breasted women, but when it comes to purchasing clothing that fits – it’s a total misery for this particular cohort (why I started sewing in the first place). And doing major alterations or sewing knits for EVERYTHING becomes demoralizing. Please don’t feel like you’re alone when it comes to having a body that’s challenging to fit! I have never felt validated by my shape in clothing – though I’m in no way suggesting that your perspective is unwarranted. I’m just glad that I will have opportunity to try patterns I’ve been intrigued by for a long while. I wanna share the fun and I’m so pleased that this brand will continue to model in the original size range! Seeing gorgeous women who look fantastic in well fitting clothes (esp while they don’t fit the “matrix” standard) reminds us of how narrow we have been in our perspective on what’s lovely, sexy, appropriate and, frankly, all around us. I don’t think that this brand can be coopted by the new size range because it is so firmly positive about all bodies – the plus sized ones, first and foremost. But I hear you! xo
Looking forward to the new sizing to see how it works for me. According to the high bust I’m one size but the waist throws me to the next size, should I stay with the high bust size?
I have to say I made the Concord Tee to a size 20 but it was to big on the neck line and shoulders but fit well through the hips I did have to enlarge the waist area a bit because I’m larger there. Its the closet I’ve come to a first try on a pattern that I didn’t have to trash it. I made a 2 inch pleat at the back of the neck which corrected the problem.
I’ll give it a go again maybe going down a size on the neck and shoulders.
Jenny thank you for your passion for pattern designing and solving the issue of fit. Looking forward to arrival of the new tank pattern that I ordered. I really don’t have the time to do a pdf so I prefer the printed one.
Happy Sewing!
Hi Mary, if your measurements fall in different sizes, you can grade between sizes. We have tutorials on how to grade between sizes on our various patterns here: https://cashmerette.com/grading
Or you can send your measurements to us at hello@cashmerette.com and we’ll be happy to help you choose your best combination of sizes.
-Ayelet at Cashmerette
Great, thank you!!
Wonderful news. I’m so glad you are reaching out to the rest of the sewing community who is baffled by FBA’s.
Fabulous news for me personally- weight loss means my body has fallen out of your current range, but my boobs are still in need of cashmerette! I love your approach though and I’m so glad your focus will continue to be designing for the original block.
I’m so pleased you’ve chosen a large cross over of sizes for your two ranges. I’m often in the middle of two size ranges and as i have to grade between multiple sizes (14-18) this can be unworkable for me.
Outstanding! I love your patterns, and now my teen can have clothes that fit without having to do a zillion adjustments too! I mean, y’all put the inclusive in inclusive.
Thank you very much from a curvy but (barely) not plus sized person. I have been hacking patterns for 30 years! I am hopeful that your range will allow for big thighs and butts too!
My daughter is a busty smaller size and loves your range so glad I will now be able to sew a lot easier for her now.
It’s nice that you are expanding sizes but I hope you continue to offer your original sizes as one unit (12-32) in .pdf format. I have been on a weight loss journey and currently a size 18 (a perfect size 18 with a H cup per your size chart). To be honest, if the sizes are divided at size 16 it would be expensive and unfair to re-purchase patterns when I lose additional weight. I understand it may not be feasible to offer all sizes in paper patterns but it should be for .pdf’s.
I love this! People of all sizes can be curvy and I agree with y’all that this is an underserved market. I also hope (along with some of those who have already stated this) that I will not have to choose either a 0-16 or a 12-32 pattern. Due to weight fluctuations and the need to grade between sizes, I would probably end up having to buy the same pattern twice.
I’m so excited! I’m in the 8-10 size range typically but wear a 32 G – 34 H. I’ve wanted to get back into sewing my own clothes because buying them to fit me means having to buy larger and alter them (doesn’t help that I’m 5′ 2″). This is awesome! Big boobs unite!
I’ve seen my daughter struggle to find ready-to-wear clothes for her figure as a person with a smaller waist/hip but larger than average bust. She will appreciate your expansion. Thank you!
I am in your future range, size 12 with big boobs and I am very happy about that !
I think you took a sensitive and inclusive approach to this subject. I would like to point out that it is not that easy to find suitable clothes (RTW or sewing patterns) when you actually have big boobs. Maybe some instagram influencers give a false feeling that “big busted women” are in the center of fashion but trust me we are not ! When you are a cup D it is SO HARD to find shirts, dresses or worse swimsuits that fit you.
I am glad you took that into account, I am sure you will keep your comittment to beautiful plus size ladies, and I hope they will not take this the wrong way
Thank you!! Cashmerette patterns were my go to TNT’s until my weight loss journey took me below your size range. This summer I’ve had to find new patterns, made multiple muslins, and had a lot of fails all because of my new crazy size and the endless need for a FBA (DDD/E bust). I can’t wait to continue to be a customer.
This is great!! I have wanted to make your Harrison shirt since it came out so I’ll be looking for that one for sure! I agree with Nicole above: Big boobs unite!
I’m very happy that the size range is opening up. I am currently in the current range of your patterns but have fluctuated so much in my adult life that I think the 0-32 sized patterns will definitely be a go to for me. Can’t wait till all the patterns span the full range. Will there be a fit difference between the 12 &14 sizes in the different size ranges?
Hi Paulette, yes, our 0-16 range uses a different block than our 12-32 block, so the overlap sizes (12-16) will be slightly different for the two size ranges. We’ll be sharing lots of info closer to launch about those differences and how to choose which size range is best for you
-Ayelet at Cashmerette
Yes, this is great! I used to be in that 0-16 size range and it was absolutely maddening to find RTW and sewing patterns for big boobs.
Now as someone in the 12-32 range, I am most happy to hear this will keep being a plus-first brand. It means a lot to still have that safe space and positive representation for plus folks which is hard to find elsewhere.
Cashmerette is what launched my love affair with sewing and creating a me-made wardrobe for my body. I want your company to stay strong and keep making amazing patterns FOREVER so I can understand how expanding the size range to busty sewists in sizes 0-12 makes sense (also, our sisters in that size range need options, too)!! At the same time I am INCREDIBLY grateful that your commitment to representation of 12+ women will remain strong. The systemic bias we need to overcome in this area is daunting and you have no idea the comfort and power it provides to see the beautiful women who model Cashmerette patterns. Thanks and good luck, Cashmerette team. Looking forward to what lies ahead.
I’ll confess that my initial reaction upon seeing the email in my box was NOOOOOOO!!!! But once I took a deep breath and my logical brain cells kicked in, I realized that if anyone is going to do this well, it is Cashmerette. May you continue to grow and be strong advocates for women of all sizes!
I am so glad you’ll continue to keep plus size woman as the face of Cashmerette patterns. It needs to be. Every time I see someone post cashmerette patterns on their instagram or blog, the first thing I notice is the pride and content visible clearly on their face… to wear a well fitting outfit that makes them feel good… that which have been denied / ignored / overlooked / sidelined by the commercial stores.
I’ve longed for that content and happiness too..
But now with your new sizes I can. 🙂 And I’m thrilled to hear this news. THANK YOU!!! It’s hard when a grown up woman cant find clothes that fit anywhere and come home crying because her boobs don’t confirm to the standards of commercial pattern makers.. It’s the same struggle I faced like all the plus sized women did… The only exception was that I had a much narrow frame… and much shorter..
I’m really pleased about this. I’m a longtime follower of this blog, but I’ve never purchased a pattern because – although I loathe doing FBAs – my high bust measurement is one size below the existing size range. It’s lovely to feel included.
I’m really happy about this, but maybe not in the way you expect. You are the ONLY company that has a jeans pattern designed for an apple shaped body, but I’m just a few sizes smaller than your original range. PLEASE consider keeping the apple block and putting these in the new size range! (And any other patterns that use that block). I’m desperate to make jeans that fit me, but I haven’t bothered because all the patterns out there are for flat stomachs and I know it will just be a dumpster fire.
Great news from Cashmerette, I think the most important thing is that this company survives so they can keep providing gorgeous patterns for us, the home sewers of all shapes and sizes (and all of them beautiful). It is hard to survive for smaller companies so I say do what it takes and the best of luck to you.
As a woman who grew up in American society which idolizes thin women with large busts, and who developed that stature early in my teens, I’d like to point out that it is demoralizing and objectifying to be on the receiving end of the kind of attention this figure type brings. RTW clothing is generally designed to emphasize these attributes, placing women under more sexual discrimination as well. When Jenny began Cashmerette, I was hopeful for us all. Clothing which fits properly is slimming and comfortable, thereby empowering the creator to be seen for who she really is, not as society says she is. I’m so grateful for the original curvy patterns – RTW and pattern companies have ignored our beautiful friends for far too long. But I am also grateful that I will now be included in patterns which will easily allow me to be comfortable in my own skin. Thank you, Jenny & crew.
What is the pattern for the dress shown in this post? I’m brand new to sewing and have the Turner dress on my list, but this one is cute. Thanks!
It’s the Turner Dress!
Thank you. I am not in your size range now but will so be soon. I love the patterns and style you offer and can’t wait to make the Fuller Cardigan!!!