Meet the Lamour Dress, with expanded sizing and double the design options! This glamorous dress was named for Dorothy Lamour, who starred in many films with tropical flair. With all the new mix-and-match design options, this dress is equally at home at a casual country picnic or a sultry evening affair. As always, my “choose your own adventure” instructions will show you the best techniques for a beautifully fitted and constructed garment while letting you be the mistress of your own sewing destiny.

I’m thrilled to be publishing this new and updated Lamour Dress that reflects our journey at Charm Patterns. The original version is still very much intact here, with the Three-Way Halter Strap and Three-Quarter Circle Skirt. But I’ve added two bodice options—a simple Princess Seam Bodice and a Bodice Sash—plus a removable Shoulder Drape, Gathered Shoulder Straps, and a Sarong Skirt. Pair the Sarong Skirt with the Bodice Sash and removable Shoulder Drape for a dress that’s straight out of a 1950s Alfred Shaheen ad. The Gathered Shoulder Straps are wide enough to cover your everyday bra straps. You can use either skirt with any bodice option, and you now have the option to make the dress strapless. As you’ll see in the Design Options chapter, all these variables add up to nine different bodice looks with two skirts to choose from. I love how the Lamour now looks equally at home at a casual picnic or at a high glam vintage tiki party.

The dress is available in sizes 2-20 and 18-34, with cup sizes A–H. Glamour girls come in all shapes and sizes, and I’m so happy our size chart reflects that. Make sure to read the fitting chapter for more information on choosing a size, making a test version, and getting your dress to fit like a glove. I revised the instructions with my signature “Choose Your Own Adventure” approach. The steps are divided into units (almost like chapters). At the end of each unit, there is an instruction for where to go next depending on what kind of dress you’re making. And don’t forget to read the Taking Your Dress to the Next Level chapter for ideas to make your dress extra special with couture touches.

Fabric Notes

Main Fabric: light to medium weight wovens: cottons like poplin, sateen, and lawn; silks with body like dupioni and shantung; sheers like flocked tulle, lace, and eyelet.

Lining: 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.

Underlining: use a 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.

Supplies

• dress and lining fabric
• muslin (or other fabric) for bodice underlining
• thread to match fabric
• 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-inchwide (1.3 cm) boning channeling or bias tape
• 18-inch zipper
• Fusible interfacing for Bodice Sash and Sarong Skirt options
• 1/4 yard (0.2 m) fusible interfacing or roll of 1 1/4-inch-wide (3 cm) fusible stay tape to stabilize zipper opening
• optional: grosgrain or petersham ribbon for waist stay
• optional: hooks and eyes for waist stay