Inspired by the dress worn by Marilyn Monroe in The Seven Year Itch, this fully-lined cross-front bodice comes with two different skirts and an optional interior bra that would make Marilyn proud!
Charts
Not sure which size range to choose? Learn more about our two size ranges here.
Sizes 2-20
Size | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 20 |
High Bust | 29 in | 31 in | 33 in | 35 in | 37 in | 39 in | 41 in | 43 in | 45 in | 47 in |
73.7 cm | 78.4 cm | 83.8 cm | 88.9 cm | 93.9 cm | 99 cm | 104.1 cm | 109.2 cm | 114.3 cm | 119.4 cm | |
Bust A cup | 30.5 in | 32.5 in | 34.5 in | 36.5 in | 38.5 in | 40.5 in | 42.5 in | 44.5 in | 46.5 in | 48.5 in |
77.5 cm | 82.5 cm | 87.6 cm | 92.7 cm | 97.8 cm | 102.9 cm | 107.9 cm | 113 cm | 118.1 cm | 123.1 cm | |
Bust B/C cup | 31 in | 33 in | 35 in | 37 in | 39 in | 41 in | 43 in | 45 in | 47 in | 49 in |
78.7 cm | 83.8 cm | 88.9 cm | 94 cm | 99 cm | 104.2 cm | 109.2 cm | 114.3 cm | 119.4 cm | 124.4 cm | |
Bust D/DD cup | 32 in | 34 in | 36 in | 38 in | 40 in | 42 in | 44 in | 46 in | 48 in | 50 in |
81.3 cm | 86.4 cm | 91.4 cm | 96.5 cm | 101.6 cm | 106.7 cm | 111.8 cm | 116.8 cm | 121.9 cm | 127 cm | |
Bust F/G cup | 33 in | 35 in | 37 in | 39 in | 41 in | 43 in | 45 in | 47 in | 49 in | 51 in |
83.8 cm | 88.9 cm | 94 cm | 99 cm | 104.2 cm | 109.2 cm | 114.3 cm | 119.4 cm | 124.4 cm | 129.5 cm | |
Bust H cup | 34 in | 36 in | 38 in | 40 in | 42 in | 44 in | 46 in | 48 in | 50 in | 52 in |
86.4 cm | 91.4 cm | 96.5 cm | 101.6 cm | 106.7 cm | 111.8 cm | 116.8 cm | 121.9 cm | 127 cm | 132 cm | |
Waist | 24 in | 26 in | 28 in | 30 in | 32 in | 34 in | 36 in | 38 in | 40 in | 42 in |
61 cm | 66 cm | 71.1 cm | 76.2 cm | 81.3 cm | 86.4 cm | 91.4 cm | 96.5 cm | 101.6 cm | 109.2 cm | |
Hips | 36 in | 38 in | 40 in | 42 in | 44 in | 46 in | 48 in | 50 in | 52 in | 54 in |
91.4 cm | 96.5 cm | 101.6 cm | 106.7 cm | 111.8 cm | 116.8 cm | 121.9 cm | 127 cm | 132 cm | 137.1 cm |
Sizes 18-34
Size | 18 | 20 | 22 | 24 | 26 | 28 | 30 | 32 | 34 |
High Bust | 39.5 in | 41.5 in | 43.5 in | 45.5 in | 47.5 in | 49.5 in | 51.5 in | 53.5 in | 55.5 in |
100.3 cm | 105.4 cm | 110.5 cm | 115.6 cm | 120.7 cm | 125.7 cm | 130.8 cm | 135.9 cm | 141 cm | |
Bust A/B cup | 42.5 in | 44.5 in | 46.5 in | 48.5 in | 50.5 in | 52.5 in | 54.5 in | 56.5 in | 58.5 in |
108 cm | 113 cm | 118.1 cm | 123.2 cm | 128.3 cm | 133.4 cm | 138.4 cm | 143.5 cm | 148.6 cm | |
Bust C cup | 43 in | 45 in | 47 in | 49 in | 51 in | 53 in | 55 in | 57 in | 59 in |
109.2 cm | 114.3 cm | 119.4 cm | 124.5 cm | 129.5 cm | 134.6 cm | 139.7 cm | 144.8 cm | 149.9 cm | |
Bust D/DD cup | 44 in | 46 in | 48 in | 50 in | 52 in | 54 in | 56 in | 58 in | 60 in |
111.8 cm | 116.8 cm | 121.9 cm | 127 cm | 132.1 cm | 137.2 cm | 142.2 cm | 147.3 cm | 152.4 cm | |
Bust F/G cup | 45 in | 47 in | 49 in | 51 in | 53 in | 55 in | 57 in | 59 in | 61 in |
114.3 cm | 119.4 cm | 124.5 cm | 129.5 cm | 134.6 cm | 139.7 cm | 144.8 cm | 149.9 cm | 154.9 cm | |
Bust H cup | 46 in | 48 in | 50 in | 52 in | 54 in | 56 in | 58 in | 60 in | 62 in |
116.8 cm | 121.9 cm | 127 cm | 132.1 cm | 137.2 cm | 142.2 cm | 147.3 cm | 152.4 cm | 157.5 cm | |
Waist | 40 in | 42 in | 44 in | 46 in | 48 in | 50 in | 52 in | 54 in | 56 in |
101.6 cm | 106.7 cm | 111.8 cm | 116.8 cm | 121.9 cm | 127 cm | 132.1 cm | 137.2 cm | 142.2 cm | |
Hips | 48 in | 50 in | 52 in | 54 in | 56 in | 58 in | 60 in | 62 in | 64 in |
121.9 cm | 127 cm | 132.1 cm | 137.2 cm | 142.2 cm | 147.3 cm | 152.4 cm | 157.5 cm | 162.6 cm |
Sizes 2-20
Size | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 20 |
Bust A cup | 30.5 in | 32.5 in | 34.5 in | 36.5 in | 38.5 in | 40.5 in | 42.5 in | 44.5 in | 46.5 in | 48.5 in |
77.5 cm | 82.5 cm | 87.6 cm | 92.7 cm | 97.8 cm | 102.9 cm | 107.9 cm | 113 cm | 118.1 cm | 123.1 cm | |
Bust B/C cup | 31 in | 33 in | 35 in | 37 in | 39 in | 41 in | 43 in | 45 in | 47 in | 49 in |
78.7 cm | 83.8 cm | 88.9 cm | 94 cm | 99 cm | 104.2 cm | 109.2 cm | 114.3 cm | 119.4 cm | 124.4 cm | |
Bust D/DD cup | 32 in | 34 in | 36 in | 38 in | 40 in | 42 in | 44 in | 46 in | 48 in | 50 in |
81.3 cm | 86.4 cm | 91.4 cm | 96.5 cm | 101.6 cm | 106.7 cm | 111.8 cm | 116.8 cm | 121.9 cm | 127 cm | |
Bust F/G cup | 33 in | 35 in | 37 in | 39 in | 41 in | 43 in | 45 in | 47 in | 49 in | 51 in |
83.8 cm | 88.9 cm | 94 cm | 99 cm | 104.2 cm | 109.2 cm | 114.3 cm | 119.4 cm | 124.4 cm | 129.5 cm | |
Bust H cup | 34 in | 36 in | 38 in | 40 in | 42 in | 44 in | 46 in | 48 in | 50 in | 52 in |
86.4 cm | 91.4 cm | 96.5 cm | 101.6 cm | 106.7 cm | 111.8 cm | 116.8 cm | 121.9 cm | 127 cm | 132 cm | |
Waist | 24.5 in | 26.5 in | 28.5 in | 30.5 in | 32.5 in | 34.5 in | 36.5 in | 38.5 in | 40.5 in | 42.5 in |
62.2 cm | 67.3 cm | 72.4 cm | 77.5 cm | 82.6 cm | 87.6 cm | 92.7 cm | 97.8 cm | 102.9 cm | 108 cm | |
Hips | 38 in | 40 in | 42 in | 44 in | 46 in | 48 in | 50 in | 52 in | 54 in | 56 in |
96.5 cm | 101.6 cm | 106.7 cm | 111.8 cm | 116.8 cm | 121.9 cm | 127 cm | 132.1 cm | 137.2 cm | 142.2 cm |
Sizes 18-34
Size | 18 | 20 | 22 | 24 | 26 | 28 | 30 | 32 | 34 |
Bust A/B cup | 43 in | 45 in | 47 in | 49 in | 51 in | 53 in | 55 in | 57 in | 59 in |
109.2 cm | 114.3 cm | 119.4 cm | 124.5 cm | 129.5 cm | 134.6 cm | 139.7 cm | 144.8 cm | 149.9 cm | |
Bust C cup | 43.5 in | 45.5 in | 47.5 in | 49.5 in | 51.5 in | 53.5 in | 55.5 in | 57.5 in | 59.5 in |
110.5 cm | 115.6 cm | 120.7 cm | 125.7 cm | 130.8 cm | 135.9 cm | 141 cm | 146.1 cm | 151.1 cm | |
Bust D/DD cup | 44.5 in | 46.5 in | 48.5 in | 50.5 in | 52.5 in | 54.5 in | 56.5 in | 58.5 in | 60.5 in |
113 cm | 118.1 cm | 123.2 cm | 128.3 cm | 133.4 cm | 138.4 cm | 143.5 cm | 148.6 cm | 153.7 cm | |
Bust F/G cup | 45.5 in | 47.5 in | 49.5 in | 51.5 in | 53.5 in | 55.5 in | 57.5 in | 59.5 in | 61.5 in |
115.6 cm | 120.7 cm | 125.7 cm | 130.8 cm | 135.9 cm | 141 cm | 146.1 cm | 151.1 cm | 156.2 cm | |
Bust H cup | 46.5 in | 48.5 in | 50.5 in | 52.5 in | 54.5 in | 56.5 in | 58.5 in | 60.5 in | 62.5 in |
118.1 cm | 123.2 cm | 128.3 cm | 133.4 cm | 138.4 cm | 143.5 cm | 148.6 cm | 153.7 cm | 158.8 cm | |
Waist | 41 in | 43 in | 44 in | 47 in | 49 in | 51 in | 53 in | 55 in | 57 in |
104.1 cm | 109.2 cm | 114.3 cm | 119.4 cm | 124.5 cm | 129.5 cm | 134.6 cm | 139.7 cm | 144.8 cm | |
Hips | 50 in | 52 in | 54 in | 56 in | 58 in | 60 in | 62 in | 64 in | 66 in |
127 cm | 132.1 cm | 137.2 cm | 142.2 cm | 147.3 cm | 152.4 cm | 157.5 cm | 162.6 cm | 167.6 cm |
Piece Name | Sizes 2-10 | Sizes 12-20 | Sizes 18-24 | Sizes 26-34 |
Dress with Pleated Skirt, Fabric (1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11) | ||||
45 in | 3-1/8 yds | 3-1/2 yds | 3-1/2 yds | 4 yds |
2.9 m | 3.2 m | 3.2 m | 3.7 m | |
60 in | 2-1/4 yds | 2-3/8 yds | 2-1/2 yds | 2-7/8 yds |
2.1 m | 2.2 m | 2.3 m | 2.6 m | |
Dress with Pleated Skirt, Lining (1, 2, 3, 12, 13) | ||||
45 in | 2-1/8 yds | 2-1/4 yds | 2-1/4 yds | 2-1/2 yds |
1.9 m | 2.1 m | 2.1 m | 2.3 m | |
60 in | 1-3/8 yds | 1-3/4 yds | 1-7/8 yds | 2-1/4 yds |
1.3 m | 1.6 m | 1.7 m | 2.1 m | |
Dress with Slim Skirt, Fabric (1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 12, 13) | ||||
45 in | 2-7/8 yds | 3 yds | 3 yds | 3-1/4 yds |
2.6 m | 2.7 m | 2.7 m | 3 m | |
60 in | 1-3/4 yds | 2-1/8 yds | 3-1/8 yds | 2-1/2 yds |
1.6 m | 1.9 m | 2.9 m | 2.3 m | |
Bodice, Fabric (1, 2, 3, 6, 7) | ||||
45 in | 1-1/4 yds | 1-3/8 yds | 1-3/8 yds | 1-1/2 yds |
1.1 m | 1.3 m | 1.3 m | 1.4 m | |
60 in | 7/8 yd | 1 yd | 1 yd | 1-3/8 yds |
0.8 m | 0.9 m | 0.9 m | 1.3 m | |
Bodice, Lining (1, 2, 3) | ||||
45 in | 1/2 yd | 5/8 yd | 5/8 yd | 3/4 yd |
0.5 m | 0.6 m | 0.6 m | 0.7 m | |
60 in | 1/2 yd | 1/2 yd | 5/8 yd | 5/8 yd |
0.5 m | 0.5 m | 0.6 m | 0.6 m | |
Optional Inner Bra, Power Net (4, 5) | ||||
45 in | 3/8 yd | 5/8 yd | 3/8 yd | 1/2 yd |
0.4 m | 0.6 m | 0.4 m | 0.5 m | |
60 in | 3/8 yd | 3/8 yd | 3/8 yd | 3/8 yd |
0.4 m | 0.4 m | 0.4 m | 0.4 m | |
Dress or Bodice, Interfacing (6, 7) | ||||
60 in | 3/8 yd | 1/2 yd | 1/2 yd | 5/8 yd |
0.4 m | 0.5 m | 0.5 m | 0.6 m | |
Pleated Skirt Separate, Fabric (8, 9, 10, 11, 14) | ||||
45 in | 2 yds | 2-3/4 yds | 2-7/8 yds | 2-7/8 yds |
1.8 m | 2.5 m | 2.6 m | 2.6 m | |
60 in | 1-7/8 yds | 2 yds | 2-1/8 yds | 2-1/4 yds |
1.7 m | 1.8 m | 1.9 m | 2.1 m | |
Pleated Skirt Separate, Lining (12, 13) | ||||
45 in | 1-3/4 yds | 1-3/4 yds | 1-3/4 yds | 1-3/4 yds |
1.6 m | 1.6 m | 1.6 m | 1.6 m | |
60 in | 7/8 yd | 1-3/8 yds | 1-3/8 yds | 1-3/4 yds |
0.8 m | 1.3 m | 1.3 m | 1.6 m | |
Slim Skirt Separate, Fabric (12, 13, 14) | ||||
45 in | 1-3/4 yds | 1-3/4 yds | 1-7/8 yds | 2-5/8 yds |
1.6 m | 1.6 m | 1.7 m | 2.4 m | |
60 in | 1-1/8 yds | 1-1/2 yds | 1-5/8 yds | 2 yds |
1 m | 1.4 m | 1.5 m | 1.8 m | |
Skirt Separate, Interfacing (14) | ||||
60 in | 1/8 yd | 1/8 yd | 1/8 yd | 1/8 yd |
0.1 m | 0.1 m | 0.1 m | 0.1 m |
Fabric Notes
For the Monroe Dress or Pleated Skirt, we recommend light- to medium-weight wovens with plenty of drape: cotton lawn, batiste, and twill; silk twill and crepe; wool crepe and gabardine; linen and linen blends; silk or polyester lamé; and rayon/lyocell/tencel challis, twill, or gabardine. Light- to medium-weight wovens with less drape, like cotton poplin or broadcloth, are suitable for the bodice and slim skirt, but will result in a stiffer look on the pleated skirt. Stretch wovens are acceptable, but knits are not suitable for this design.
For the lining, 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 the optional interior bra, we recommend heavyweight nylon/spandex power net with 50% stretch. Power mesh is not a suitable substitute.
Supplies
- Fabric for the dress
- Lining fabric
- Thread to match
- Lightweight fusible interfacing (look for woven or tricot types)
- 1-1/4 inch wide (3.2 cm) fusible stay tape to stabilize the zipper (alternatively, cut a strip from a scrap of tricot fusible interfacing yardage)
- 14-inch regular nylon zipper
- 1 yard (0.9 m) of 1/4 inch wide (6 mm) spiral steel boning
- Metal cutters and pliers
- Boning tips or Teflon tape
- 1 yard (0.9 m) of 1/2 inch wide (1.3 cm) boning channeling or sturdy bias tape
SUPPLIES FOR THE OPTIONAL INNER BRA
- 1 to 2 yards (0.9 to 1.8 m) of 2 inch wide (5 cm) bra band elastic
- One pair of circular foam bra cups in your cup size
- Bra back hook-and-eye closure with four vertical hooks
SUPPLIES FOR A SKIRT SEPARATE
- Fabric, lining, interfacing, and thread as above
- 7-inch regular nylon zipper
- One hook-and-bar closure unit