Ohmygosh! I’m wearing something other than a dress or a skirt!!
Yes, friends. I do occasionally wear pants, although this was my first try at sewing jeans. Proper jeans. Well…. almost. I suppose I should begin with the newly released Cashmerette Concord T-Shirt and work my way down my outfit to my jeans, so more on those later in this post.
For a while I’ve been wanting a boatneck breton stripe top. Everyone wears these and lots of folks have sewed them, so I guess I’m just jumping on the bandwagon with this. However, I really love this style and I love navy stripes, so in turn, I adore this style and will definitely sew another. There’s just something so classically Parisian about it. When Jenny asked if I’d like to test this pattern, I definitely jumped at the chance. After all, it was EXACTLY the pattern I was looking for! Who couldn’t love a tee with so many options?!
Source: Cashmerette Patterns
For this one, I sewed up Version A. This is the “cropped” view with the bateau neckline, although mine is a bit more cropped than it should be. I bought this fabric (Saint-James Striped Interlock Knit) from Harts Fabric before I had a pattern in mind, and I didn’t have quite enough yardage. I purchased enough to make a close-fitting tee like the BGD Bonnie, but not for a loose-fitting Concord tee. This tee is loose around your mid-section and helps to disguise any lumps and bumps you might not want to showcase. In other words, perfect to wear with jeans.
I made my sleeves long. Maybe I’m accommodating for the shortness of my top? I don’t mind this tee length, but yes, I would prefer it to be a tad bit longer as it was designed. I’m also not too jazzed on the neckband. I love neckbands on knit shirts, but the stripes are difficult. I cut two versions out — one with the stripes vertically and one horizontally. I decided this view looked the best. When I make another striped Concord (yep, there will be more!), I’m going to omit the neckband or use a solid color fabric for the neckband. I sewed this mostly on my serger, using my sewing machine for the hems and little details. I just LOVE this fabric. I really need to get some more! It’s so comfortable to wear and just the right thickness. Tops in my book. Plus, stripe-matching FTW.
All in all, I really do love this pattern. It goes together super quick. I love the fit. It’s shapely and curves with your body instead being boxy. The instructions, as always, are carefully thought out and easy to follow. Cutting it out takes a bit more time for me as I’m accustomed to cutting patterns out on the fold. It conserves fabric to cut in this manner, so that’s surely a plus. If you’ve sewn with other Cashmerette Patterns, you’re definitely used to that. I might go down a size or two in the waist/hips if I was making this top specifically to go with skirts as I prefer a closer fit. Jenny has included mix and match pattern options, so this is truly a versatile wardrobe staple and not your average tee pattern. A definite hit.
Cue the crotch/butt shots. Sorry for the errant thread hanging off my top.
Now for the jeans. Well, jeans in the loosest sense of the word. But jeans to me. 🙂
Source: Style Arc Patterns
These are the much loved Style Arc Misty Pull-On Jeans. I initially began sewing these jeans for Alicia’s Misty Sew-Along. Unfortunately, I didn’t finish these in time to be a part of the fun. I was moving at the time and sewing went on the backburner. Then of course I had to take these photos with the Concord and had to wait to share them with you.
I purchased the Misty jean pattern from Style Arc’s Etsy shop. This is my first Style Arc pattern. This pattern is available in a wide range of sizes and as it’s a PDF, you can print it out and use it right away. I purchased the size 22 as my base, grading down a little on the waist and grading up a little on the hips. The patterns are in one size, but you get a few sizes with your purchase, so you could mix them if you need to get the correct size and trace it out for your exact size.
Ma belly.
These are stretch jeans, so I made mine with Robert Kaufman indigo stretch denim from Harts Fabric. It’s a really nice fabric, although a little lighter in weight than my RTW jeans. It worked great to sew up this pattern. Alicia also has some advice on sewing this pattern with a knit fabric in her Misty sewalong.
Ma bum.
Yeah, these have an elastic waist. They are, after all, pull-on jeans. They remind me of my grandma’s jeans…. I don’t like the elastic waist, so if I make these again, I will cover the elastic. Then, of course, they truly are like my grandma’s Blair jeans…. Oh well, no one sees the waistband anyway!
I didn’t follow the pocket pattern or pocket placement on the pattern. Instead, I traced the pocket from a pair of RTW jeans that I love and mimicked the pocket placement on those. I think it looks okay on my behind. Although I’m not really a fan of my behind, I’m sharing it so you can see what I did.
I wanted my Misty’s to resemble real jeans, so I went crazy on the top-stitching. I used yellow/gold jeans top-stitching thread. I tried using it with a double needle in my Pfaff, but she wasn’t having it. The thread is thick and wouldn’t work with the twin needle. Granted that I have never used this kind of thread nor have I ever top-stitched jeans. So I went single needle on my Singer and top-stitched this manually. I used a combo of top-stitch thread and regular poly thread in the bobbin. I obviously don’t know what I’m doing as I have never made a pair of proper jeans, so I just top-stitched away with faux details as I made faux jeans.
I’m happy with how these turned out. I like the length, but if I made them again, I’d make a higher rise. I made these to wear around the house in cold weather, so they’re slightly dressier than the leggings I generally wear. I suppose they’re akin to jeggings, although I don’t think this denim fabric is jegging enough. I imagine that the wrinkling at the knees is due to my muscular/wide calves. If these were proper jeans I’d probably care about that. As they aren’t, I don’t.
My final thoughts after trying out the Misty jeans is that pull-on jeans really aren’t my fave. I prefer having a proper waistband and a zip fly. I like more of a beefier denim to hold me in. I’ve had the CCF Ginger jeans pattern for some time, so I suppose I should just jump right in and finally sew those up. Or perhaps Simplicity 8056, which has a dressier look. Either way, someday I might sew more jeans. I rarely wear pants, so it’s honestly not something I care much about. But in the fall I might revisit jeans-making and sew up a new pair. These were quick, easy and fun to make. After all the jeans I see in the sewing blogosphere, my guess is that it’s fun and makes you feel good to make your own jeans. So, why not?
If you’d like to get your hands on the Concord t-shirt pattern, I have an extra one to share!
I received a copy of the Concord tee as a pattern tester, but I also bought a Concord tee kit using a gift certificate I won from the Washington contest. What better way to share the Concord love than to give it away?!
HOW TO ENTER: Leave a comment on this blog post telling me how you envision making your first Concord tee (color/fabric/neckline/etc) and how you plan to wear it. Make sure to include your email address so that I have a way to contact you if you win.
The last day to enter this giveaway is Friday, April 15, 2016 at 11:59 PM PST.
The winner will be announced on the following Sunday. This giveaway is open internationally.
The winner will receive a paper pattern mailed to them.
Note: I was a pattern tester for the Concord tee and received the pattern in return for testing the pattern. These are my honest thoughts and opinions of the initial test version.
Happy Sewing!
- Top: Cashmerette Concord in striped interlock knit, made by me
- Jeans: Style Arc Misty Pull-On jeans in stretch denim, made by me
- Shoes: Aerosoles
- Earrings: BaubleBar
These jeans might not be your favorite but I think they look great on you! And I love the T also…Jenny is great!
The T is delightful. I can almost imagine a croissant and latte on the Champs Elysse.
I love your tee! Your outfit is very cute. I would also make one like it, or maybe navy with white stripes.
I love your tee and would like to make one exactly like it, except with 3/4 length sleeves. It’s just what I’ve been needing!
Oooh…I’d love to do a short-sleeved, boat neck in a soft pink with white polka dots or stripes. I love your blog and all your beautiful makes! I’ve tried several new patterns from your reviews– thank you!
Ooh thanks for the fun giveaway 🙂 I’d love to make a cropped length, bateau neck, 3/4 sleeved with tabs Concord in a solid color – maybe blue or green? I’d have to shop the stash to decide. But why make just the one color, right? lol
OOh, I’d make my first with a black and white polka dot knit, scoop neck, tabbed sleeves View C top and wear it with my denim cuffed shorts and my red saltwater sandals. Perfect late spring/early summer outfit!
I like view C with mid-length sleeves, a scoop neck, and the rounded hem so I’d start there. I have some pretty knit in my stash that’s white with blue flowers, which I think would be lovely for a Spring/Summer Concord. Thanks for your generosity and, as always, for your inspiring makes.
I would start with a drapey rayon, wine colored to go under a jacket I bought. Low scoop neck.
I think I would make it with a bright tangerine orange/white thin striped knit fabric, to replace a very similar shaped top that I wore until there were too many tiny holes to repair :*(
Longtime lurker, first time commenting, I think–thank you for hosting this giveaway!
I would do a short sleeve modified V-neck or the scoop neckline. I have some blue and white striped knit that would be great with this pattern. I think it would great with pants and skirts. The top looks great on you. Thanks!
Short-sleeve scoop-neck! I have a pile of lovely knits just waiting for a pattern like this.
Mmm. I’d make a longer length top with curved bottom hem, 3/4 length sleeves with tabs and a crew neckline. Maybe solid, maybe navy and cream stripes.
I’d probably go for a purple version. Because I like purple 🙂 or maybe green, I don’t have a lot of green tops in my wardrobe, but lots of green dresses. I’d make the scoop neckline with 3/4 sleeves and long curved hem.
I have the perfect aqua jersey for this top! I think for my first, I would use a scoop neck and the medium sleeves. I think I will look for a polka dot or stripe in the same aqua blue for neckline band and maybe sleeve trim , just for fun!
Chaotickestrel@gmail.com
Oh and the curved bottom hem!
I want them in all the sunny solids for summer and then for fall in the Alison Glass solids I’ve been dreaming about! I prefer a higher neckline so I’d be starting with the regular one and short sleeves for summer! And for what it’s worth I love the neckline with the perpendicular stripes on you top!
I want this in every basic colour under the sun! Probably need to bring the neckline up especially on the v neck but otherwise it’s a perfect pattern in my books
I would definitely start out with a solid color…probably a bright aqua for summer! After I’m comfortable with the idea of sewing clothes (oh my!) I would probably try a fabric just like yours. I look best in v-necks so I would probably do that in any version of the tee I made. Thank you so much for the chance to win this fabulous pattern. I REALLY need to dip my toe into clothes-making!
I do love the Breton shirt look- but my first version would probably be in a solid colour, with the longer, curved hem, V-neck and the cuffed sleeve – as this is something clearly lacking in my wardrobe at the moment.
Good job on the jeans also, but I really urge you to try your hand at the Ginger, it is surprisingly easy, with the instructions both in the pattern and on the website. I am on my 4th pair already!
My first one is going to be a scoop neck with cuffed sleeves. I have a black and blue stripe that I’ve been saving for the perfect pattern
The Breton Tee is a very classic look 🙂 I would like to make it in a stretch velvet with a stretch leather look v neck binding. I think I would add the same binding to 3/4 length sleeves and wear it in Winter here with some leggings or under a suit for work. It would be nice to make this all the way over here in Australia where we are about to go into winter! angela820 at hotmail dot com
Hmm. I’d make a long sleeved version but in a sheer jersey slub for spring layering. Love your whole outfit- I’ve never made jeans because I’m afraid my sewing machine will fall over and die.
I already bought the pattern, so please choose someone else. Your top stitching on your faux jeans is fantastic! I am so impressed. That’s hard for me. I love the shirt and can’t wait to make some. I’m so happy it comes with all these styles and that it may actually fit well! The stripes are super cute on you.
I’d love to make the button sleeve version just like the photo (black/white striped) or in a lovely eggplant knit that I have in my stash!! What a lovely pattern, I hope I win! 🙂
VFRshorty at g mail dot com
Yes! I would love to make it the high neck, long sleeves and longer length for work. I have a fun brown knit fabric with pretty mandela fabrics all over it.
Oh my gosh, caught me off guard to see you in something other than a dress. 🙂 I haven’t used a Cashmerette pattern, so would love a chance at winning the Concord tee! I have no shame in my game and would likely copy your gorgeous Breton tee, maybe down to buying identical fabric, though I live clean across the country from you! You always look so stylish in whatever you make, Tanya! I might try a navy ribbing for the neckline, however. yBennett@centurytel.net is my email and I’m crossing my fingers and eyeballs! Oh, and I’d likely wear it with white shirts, jeans or a navy maxi skirt.
I think I’d like to do this in one of those Art Gallery knits with a crazy print. Maybe I’d do a slash and spread to make a swing top so it would work longer for me.
I love the stripey versions. Yours looks great, Tanya. If I made one it would be emerald green. I had a favourite RTW t shirt that colour which I had to retire (bin. It was worn to death and ended up with more holes than shirt) and I can’t find another in the shade of green I want. I’m thinking I’ll have to make one myself but I’ve not made anything from stretch fabrics yet.
Can’t wait to see your next versions!
( kashtastic42 at gmail dot com)
Wonderful job on your outfit! You have inspired me to work through my own pants fitting struggles. I don’t think the Misty jeans look grandma-ish, especially how you styled them here.
I would make my first Concord out of a nice black knit I have in my stash. I think some simple buttons on the sleeve cuffs would be interesting. I would take your recommendation and add a little bit of length to the hem and leave the neckline alone. I feel like it would be a nice casual top that could be dressed up when needed. That would fit my current wardrobe needs best. ( mhkatbeach@gmail.com )
I love following you and your beautiful dresses. Especially the white eyelet one! Your version of the Concord turned out great of course,as you have an eye for the right fabric for your garment. I too am planning on sewing some arch pants,not jeans but I thought they were the closest pants to the ones I love from Land End in their Starfish collection. Pick me for the Concord shirt as it is definitely the best shirt out there bar none. I’d make it out of some brown interlock I have that is waiting to fill my brown top place.Then the sky’s the limit. I’d probably use it for several more. Here’s to relaxing in slacks and tees ! bcwestrom@shaw.ca
The t-shirt looks great on you. I’d make a solid colour…… party time orange (one I like it, and two just to sear retinas of my fellow work colleagues), scoop neck and medium sleeves.
This is a lovely outfit and I think the way you placed the stripes in the neckband is better than placing them horizontally, I would make it the same or maybe in a solid colour and weari with a skirt.well done on the jeans too, ok they’re not proper jeans but to me even that seems difficult!
I love a good tee, and the more I see around the blogosphere the more I like the Concord pattern! I’d probably do a short sleeved scoop neck to replicate my favorite Target tee, but I also love a good V-neck, and I haven’t had success in RTW boat necks but deeply envy them! So basically I’d do them all. Also, I like the vertical stripes on your neckline! Though I’m not sure if I would use a neckline and just do a turn and stitch, like a Coco. At least for the boat neck version. sylvie.suzanne@gmail.com
Your t-shirt and jeans look fantastic. The projects you choose and the quality of your work, inspire and intimidate me. I usually just sew for my kids, but I want to make some things for myself. I’m thinking the short sleeved, boat neck version in a light color would be good as the weather continues warming up here.
Love this outfit (and all of your other ensembles too)! I’ve had a yellow stripe knit in my sewing cabinet for years and I think I’d use it on this pattern. As for wearing it, I think your outfit looks great so maybe I’d try out the jeggins I bought on clearance at Kohl’s for $7 but still haven’t worn!
I love your outfit! I’ve not attempted pull on jeans (or any for that fact even though I have the Ginger Jeans printed out at home!) but I think I might just have to give them a whirl! I spent all day yesterday going through my wishlist of T-shirt patterns coming up with ways to tweak this pattern to replicate multitudes of different styles……… much more fun than cleaning my office that’s for sure!! My first top would probably be made out of a beautiful fine dark teal merino (if there is enough) that I found in a remnants bin at a fancy fabric shop in the ‘big city’ on Sunday seeing as winter has struck us. I’d make a vee neck with the scooped hem and 3/4 sleeves so I can wear a cardi over top. Otherwise I’ll use an apple green fabric with a shimmery slub running through it. I don’t need to be included in the giveaway as I’ll have this puppy bought and printed out within the hour! 😀
I would make one just like yours but in red stripes (not much of a blue wearer) but I think I would do a solid contrast red neckline..maybe a pair of red cigarette pants ala Audrey Hepburn to go with…I have always wanted a pair of those.
germangal4 at yahoo dot com…
I have this crazy pair of LuLaRoe leggings that I bought on a whim that I haven’t been able to find a top for and I think this would be perfect. All of the RTW tops that I’ve found that go with the color scheme of the leggings are too short and those poor leggings have been stuck in my drawer ever since. But I think I may be able to color block this top a bit to go with the yellow-ish gold and navy blue that’s in the leggings, plus make it long enough to cover everything it needs to cover. jeni.lui@gmail.com
Morning – (it is here ) – we are about to go into winter so i would sew some of the merino i have in my cupboard….mmm cosy.
The whole outfit looks good – i have been eying that jeans pattern for a while but can’t get past the elastic waist – no-one would see it so i need to get over it!
Caroline
For my first Concord Tee I would use it to talk my BFF into learning to sew. This would be perfect! And for my second I would make one for myself. Thanks for the giveaway Tanya. ginger c at gmail dot com
I have a horde of knits I am trying to address, so I would use one of those – I have a great panel piece I would love to use – perhaps in a V neck – the Concord’s one is nice and wide – and maybe with a ruched sleeve….. I’d wear it to my desk job in my den.
Note: Longtime reader, first time commenter here 😉
I love this look on you! Of course, you look fabulous in all your skirts and dresses, but it’s nice seeing you in jeans + tee!
We share a similar figure, so I’m often stalking your blog to see how a pattern or solhuette would look on me 🙂
I already have a red&white striped tee in my closet, but I would love to make the concord in a dark red knit with good drape, probably boatneck and 3/4 sleeves, that is a favourite of mine.
So yes, I would like to be entered in the draw, but I also honestly love your blog and this look!
Lots of love from Germany,
Sophie
I would love to give the concord pattern a try with some floral/strip fabric that I have in my stash! Thanks for the chance!
I went a little crazy at this hole in the wall fabric store that has you digging for fabric on tables and they have bolts as well. I bought like 5 different striped knits to sew my son and I some basic t-shirts. I would totally use those knits and make all the different views to figure out which I like best. Thank you for the chance!
I love your T-Shirt choice, and, my current navy stripe T is almost worn out!!!! I was wondering where I could find a replacement for it – it goes with everything. If I was chosen for the pattern, it would be a navy stripe of some kind!!! Thank you for sharing yours! ps, love the jeans, I need to get that pattern and make some burmuda shorts! lavolily@gmail.com 🌈
I have the perfect jersey in my stash for this, a black and white stripe. Also, those jeans look great on you.
I don’t need to be part of the pattern draw as mine arrived today😀. You might try cutting the neckband on the diagonal. I really prefer the angled stripes on a striped Tshirt. Love yours in stripe. I have the perfect stripe in my stash for the next one.
Just wanted to say I love seeing you in this type of outfit (just for a change)…looks so fresh. The concord pattern sounds interesting the way you’ve described with the ease around the midriff and the length. I normally steer away from knit t shirts but I might consider this so put me in for the giveaway please! I would do a version like yours but maybe in a soft pastel colour.
I’ve been waiting to find the perfect pattern for the Girl Charlee Daschund fabric, which this looks like it will be. I’d make scoop neck to balance out my shape and the long curved with a hemmed sleeve. This way I can full stylish crazy dog lady when I walk my hound.
I have a nice knit fabric with a small aqua and gray stripe that I think would look fabulous in the boatneck, 3/4 length sleeve t-shirt. I would wear this with jeans or capris.
My misty experience was almost exactly the same as yours, including how they fit! I neglected to size down as Alicia recommended, so all my fit issues were exacerbated. I like them, tentatively, but i am also realizing that i like something beefier to hold me in, so now i just stick with wearing them with tunic length shirts. They work great for that! I am definitely verging on sewing some real jeans, but I doubt I’ll take the plunge until the fall at the earliest. I had some fit issues with my tester concord, but i need to revisit it. Yours and the ones Jenny posted today both look great! It would be great to have a TNT t-shirt pattern. (so yeah, don’t enter me in the giveaway 😉
I would love this pattern so I can make several tops for jeans, skirts, you name it! I’ve been eyeing the Misty jeans and they look wonderful with that top. Great job!
I already bought the Concord pattern, so no need to include me in the giveaway, but I just wanted to comment on your jeans. I haven’t blogged them yet, but I recently made up the Jalie Eleonore, which is a similar pull-on jean pattern. They turned out fine for what they are, but like you, I just don’t really like wearing pull-on jeans. It was fun to practice top-stitching and everything, but mostly the experience of making my Eleonore jeans convinced me that if I wanted to make jeans, I should just invest my time in an actual jeans pattern with a functional fly and real waistband. I’m going to give the Ginger pattern a go once I finish up the semester and have my sewing time back.
Oh! Oh! Me, please! (jumping up and down, hand waving madly!) 🙂 I want to make it exactly the way you’ve made yours! And wear with rtw pants because I’m still a beginner & sewing pants is still several turns up my skill level’s spiral staircase. 🙂 you are so inspiring!
I wore it with RTW jeans the other day. I honestly want to make at least two more striped versions! Addictive!