Recommended Fabrics

We recommend light- to medium-weight wovens with some body: cotton flannel, sateen, poplin, oxford, seersucker, chambray, madras, lawn, voile, eyelet, and shirtings; linen and linen blends; silk taffeta, dupioni, and shantung; and wool and silk/wool blend suitings.

For a soft pussybow collar, we recommend light- to mediumweight wovens with some drape: rayon challis, silk crepe de chine and charmeuse, and cottons like lawn, batiste, or voile. It is also possible to use a fabric with more body, like those recommended above, but the pussybow collar will be more structural.

For the dress and sleeve cuff interfacing, we recommend: lightweight fusible woven or tricot interfacing.

For the pussybow collar interfacing, we recommend: lightweight fusible tricot interfacing only, as this will help the bow to drape softly.

Knit fabrics are not suitable for this design.

Notions & Supplies

• Fabric for the dress
• Optional contrast fabric for the pussybow collar and sleeve cuff
• Thread to match
• Lightweight fusible interfacing (woven or tricot types) for the neckline facing and optional sleeve cuff
• Lightweight fusible interfacing (tricot types) for the optional pussybow collar
• Five 5/8-in (1.5 cm) buttons for the bodice (plus those needed for the skirt)

Coming soon!

The companion sew-along video is exclusive to Sewing Circle members and it is available on Patreon.

Not sure which size range to choose? Learn more about our two size ranges here.

Sizes 2-20

Sizes 18-34

The Wash and Wear Bodice is an unlined, semi-fitted princess seamed shirtwaist bodice with a set-in sleeve and optional pussybow collar. The Wash and Wear Sleeve is a straight sleeve in two lengths.

The pattern is designed to fit with between 2 and 3 inches (5.1 to 7.6 cm) of ease in the bust and 1-1/2 to 3 inches (3.8 to 7.6 cm) of ease at the waist.

The Wash and Wear Bodice, Sleeve and Skirt patterns will mix-and-match with the bodice, sleeves, and skirt of the Scout Dress.

The Scout Dress sewing pattern is available here, and the Scout Three-Quarter Sleeve is available here.

If you’re curious about who is wearing what in the photos…

• Susie is wearing a plaid flannel Wash and Wear bodice with the pussybow, Wash and Wear three-quarter length sleeve, and the pleated Scout Dress skirt.
• Gertie (in the floral) is wearing the Wash and Wear bodice with the pussybow, Scout Dress short puff sleeve, and Wash and Wear skirt.
• Gertie (in the pink) is in the Wash and Wear bodice, Wash and Wear short sleeve, and Wash and Wear skirt. So many different combinations!

And if you want to know the difference between the Wash and Wear vs. Scout three-quarter length sleeve options:

• Scout Three-Quarter Sleeve has a split, straight cuff and is puffed at the elbow/hem.
• Wash and Wear Three-Quarter Sleeve has a continuous cuff with a scallop and is slim and straight to the hem.

Measure yourself around your upper bust (under your armpits and above your breasts, without a bra on), the fullest part of your bust (while wearing your preferred bra), the smallest part of your waist, and the fullest part of your hips (this is likely around the fullest part of your butt). Make sure to hold the measuring tape snugly and parallel to the ground. Compare your body measurements to the size chart.

Find your upper bust measurement on the size chart to find your garment size, and then scan down the cup sizes in that garment size column to find your cup size. For instance, a 37-inch upper bust will make you a size 10, and a 39-inch full bust means you need a B cup. Don’t worry if your waist doesn’t match the size 10 column’s measurement of 32 inches; you can grade the waist in or out as needed. It is most important to choose a size to fit your upper bust and cup size, as the waist is easier to adjust up or down.

Sewing pattern sizes are very different from ready-to-wear garments and bra sizes, so be sure to work with your measurements when choosing a size.

Charm’s 2-20 size range is designed for a body with an hourglass shape. Our 18-34 size range is designed for a body with less waist definition.

Still not sure which size range to choose? Learn more about our two size ranges here.

If you have never used a PDF pattern before, this short video is full of tips: How to Use A PDF Pattern.

It will show you how to choose which PDF format to use, how to print just your size(s), and how to easily assemble and cut out your pattern pieces.

We offer digital patterns in two formats: letter-sized PDFs to print at home and A0 sized PDFs to print at a copy shop. In the US, we highly recommend printing A0 files with The Plotted Pattern. Outside of the US, these printers have been recommended.

When you join us as a Sewing Circle member, you will receive one vintage-inspired sewing pattern a month (with a companion sew-along video) and join the most creative and fun sewing community around!

Specific benefits at the Sewing Circle tier include:

• A vintage-inspired sewing pattern on the first day of every month
• A companion sew-along tutorial video for the pattern
• Access to the entire archive of Sewing Circle patterns and videos!
• A monthly live Crowdcast with Gertie where she shares the history and inspiration behind that month’s pattern
• Access to our community hub on Discord to post your projects, ask for advice, and chat with other members
• One Charm Pattern for free randomly every calendar year (Gertie’s choice)

To view all of the patterns in the Sewing Circle archive, click here and filter for “Pattern Availability = All Sewing Circle Patterns.”

Yes, absolutely! Unlike other monthly sewing memberships, when you are a Charm patron, you get access to the entire archive of sewing patterns available to your tier.

To view all of the membership patterns available at each tier, click here and filter for “Pattern Availability.”

Click here to join the membership on Patreon. There is no long term commitment required, and you can cancel at any time.