Recommended Fabrics>

We recommend light- to medium-weight wovens: cottons like poplin, sateen, broadcloth, and lawn; linen and linen blends; silks with body like dupioni and shantung; sheers like flocked tulle, lace, and eyelet. Knit fabrics are not recommended for this design.

For lining fabrics, we recommend: light to medium weight cottons and lining fabrics. You will be sewing boning channeling to the lining, so it should be sturdy enough to stand up to the weight of the steel boning.

For underlining the main fabric (for structure), we recommend: sturdy muslin (calico) for opaque dress fabrics. For sheers, pick an underlining that will be both sturdy and attractive (since it will be visible from the outside of your dress). Good choices include cotton broadcloth, sturdy silks like shantung or faille, and sturdy lining fabrics.

Notions & Supplies

• Fabric for the dress
• Muslin (or other fabric) for underlining the bodice
• Lining fabric
• Thread to match
• Lightweight fusible interfacing (woven or tricot types), for the Bodice Sash and Sarong Skirt options
• 1¼-inch-wide (3.2 cm) fusible stay tape to stabilize the zipper opening (alternatively, cut a strip from a scrap of fusible interfacing yardage)
• 18-inch regular nylon zipper
• 3 yards (2.7 m) of 1/4-inch-wide (6 mm) spiral steel boning
• Metal cutters and pliers
• Boning tips or Teflon tape
• 3 yards (2.7 m) of 1/2-inch-wide (1.3 cm) boning channeling or bias tape
• Grosgrain or Petersham ribbon for the waist stay
• Hook-and-eye closures for the waist stay (optional)

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

Sizes 2-20

Sizes 18-34

SIZES 2-20

SIZES 18-34

The companion step-by-step sew-along series of videos are available on YouTube.

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.

So many projects! The Lamour Dress is the base pattern in our “Lamour Series” of patterns. Every single one of the Lamour Series patterns is designed to be mixed-and-matched with any other pattern in the series. You can see all of the Lamour Series patterns here.

In the Lamour Series, there are nearly 20 bodices, more than a dozen skirts, and even a few pairs of pants and shorts (to make the cutest rompers and jumpsuits)! Once you start sewing in the Lamour Series, you’ll never want to stop.