Great fit starts with choosing the right size, but size charts can be a bit confusing sometimes. Introducing the Cashmerette Size Calculator, a quick and easy-to-use tool to help you find your ideal starting size in Cashmerette patterns!

Has it happened to you that you’ve delayed starting a sewing project because you just don’t know which size to make? Selecting a size can be confusing for sewists of all skill levels. In fact, it’s the #1 question we get from customers!

We wanted to make it as easy as possible to find your size in Cashmerette patterns, so we created the Cashmerette Size Calculator. This is a great tool to use if you haven’t sewn a Cashmerette pattern previously, or haven’t yet found your ideal size in Cashmerette. (If you already know your size, keep on using that!)

How does the size calculator work?

All you need are four measurements–your high bust, full bust, waist, and hip–plus your typical bra cup size. (Learn how to take your measurements here.) Using the calculator, you type in those measurements to the nearest half inch or whole centimeter, and voila! Your ideal starting size is calculated for you, along with helpful instructions if you need to grade between sizes or make bust adjustments.

How do I use it?

It’s easy! Start by going to the size calculator here.

You’ll see this screen where you can enter your measurements. Be sure to select your unit of measurement (inches or centimeters), and choose your typical bra cup size from the dropdown menu.

Type in your measurements to the nearest half inch or nearest whole centimeter, then click “Calculate My Size” to get your results.

The results screen shows you which size(s) you should make and gives you recommendations for bust adjustments if needed.

You can also email your size results to yourself so that you can refer to them in the future:

Am I guaranteed that this is definitely the right size for me?

Our bodies are all shaped differently, and it’s impossible to capture a complex 3D object with only four numbers, but this is a great starting point, and is exactly what we’d suggest for you if you emailed us directly for sizing help. But unlike our customer service team, this calculator is on and available to you 24/7!  That means you can find your size and start your project right away, without having to wait for business hours in Boston.

How do I know which cup size to use?

The size calculator will tell you! Cashmerette patterns include cup sizes C/D, E/F, and G/H, and your size results will include which cup size to use.

What if I don’t fit into a single size?

That’s actually very common—very few of us have measurements that fit neatly into a single size. If your measurements fall in different sizes, you’ll need to grade between sizes, and the sizing calculator will tell you exactly which sizes to grade between. (Learn how to grade between sizes here.)

I didn’t get the size result I expected…

It’s important to look at your size results with a critical eye. Depending on the height and fullness of your bust, for example, the size calculator may recommend a cup size that’s smaller or bigger than what you’d expect. (We get into this more here.)

The calculator also doesn’t account for ease, so depending on the ease of a given pattern, you may not need to grade quite as much. For example, the Montrose Top has a loose fit in the waist, so if the size calculator tells you to make a 26 E/F graded to a 28 waist and 26 hip, you can probably be fine with a straight 26 E/F.

If you’ve been using Cashmerette for a while and have already found your ideal size, but the size calculator tells you to use a different size, feel free to ignore the calculator and keep doing what you’ve been doing. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!

I’ve calculated my size. Now what?

Now comes the fun part: you can start sewing! We have a variety of patterns and pattern bundles for you to choose from, whether you prefer separates or can’t get enough of dresses. No matter which pattern you start with, we always recommend making a muslin first using a similar weight, drape, and stretch fabric to your final fabric in case you need to make further adjustments.

We can’t wait to see the beautiful, well-fitting garments you’ll make!