I fell in love with this style and kept refining the design, resulting in the Anni Bodice (named after Joan’s character in the movie).

This fully-lined, double-darted bodice showcases a square neckline and features two sleeve lengths (but it can be made sleeveless as well!). Paired with any of the Stanwyck-series skirts, it’s perfect as a day dress for all seasons. I can’t wait to see what you make!

— xoxo, Gertie

This pattern was originally published on Patreon on May 28, 2025.

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Direct link to this pattern ]]> https://charmpatterns.com/ingrid-skirt-pattern/ Tue, 01 Apr 2025 14:15:26 +0000 https://charmpatterns.com/?p=167334 You’ve been asking for a simple, vintage-style A-line skirt for ages, and here it is!

We’ve elevated this 1940s classic with a full lining, a shaped waistband, and optional patch pockets with decorative button flaps. It can be made as a skirt separate or paired with any bodice in the Stanwyck series to create an elegant dress.

— xoxo, Gertie

This pattern was originally published on Patreon on April 1, 2025.

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Direct link to the accompanying video ]]> https://charmpatterns.com/holly-bodice-backs-pattern/ Sat, 15 Feb 2025 16:40:16 +0000 https://charmpatterns.com/?p=164691 Directly inspired by Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s, this pattern expands the Sabrina Dress with two different bodice back options.

The Holly Bodice Back pattern includes a dramatic structural U-shaped upper back (similar to the one in the movie), as well as a simple strap design.

Like the Sabrina Dress, these backs are compatible with any bottom in the Stanwyck series so you can create a dress or jumpsuit to suit any occasion!

— xoxo, Gertie

This pattern was originally published on Patreon on February 15, 2025.

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Direct link to this pattern ]]> https://charmpatterns.com/alice-in-wonderland-childrens-costume/ Mon, 28 Oct 2024 18:48:19 +0000 https://charmpatterns.com/?p=113523 When planning a grouping of Alice in Wonderland themed costumes for my family, I had visions of dressing my 11-year-old niece, Claudia, as Alice. We’ve gotten lots of requests for sizing down Charm patterns for little kids, so this was the perfect time to experiment!  For more images, measurements, and details, be sure to see pages 20-22 of Issue 7 of Vintage by Gertie Magazine. 

Claudia lives far away, so we really had to wing it for this one. Here are a few tips we learned while creating her Alice costume:

Choose a Simple Pattern With Fewer Pattern Pieces Children aren’t shaped like small adults. They have different proportions, which means a fitted garment that uses an adult-sized pattern block won’t fit. Avoid patterns with significant shaping at the bust, or with details that emphasize a woman’s curves. For our Alice costume, we started with the Cinch-It Dress, a trapeze dress with a very loose fit, in the smallest size available (size 2, with an A-cup).

Get Out Your Calculator Sizing a pattern up or down requires a bit of math, and you’ll need a few extra measurements. Compare the body measurements to the size chart and the finished measurements listed in the instructions. The Cinch-It Dress has significant ease built into it, so we were most concerned with the fit at the shoulders. Compare the bust measurements between your model and the size chart. In our case, the pattern is 4 inches larger. To find the percentage difference, the math is as follows: (Model’s measurement x100)/ Desired measurement= percent difference. When we plugged in the Cinch-It Dress measurements and Claudia’s measurements, we got a percentage of about 87%, so we found we had to reduce the size 2A pattern pieces by 87%.

Print the Pattern Smaller and Correct the Seam Allowance Print out the pattern pieces using a printer with a custom scale setting set to 87% (or your desired percent difference). Check the test square: it should be .87 of an inch, or just a smidge smaller than 7/8 inch.

Measure your pattern pieces to make sure they will fit your model. The shoulder fit is especially important (for kids as well as adults!).

Before cutting out the pattern pieces, you’ll want to adjust the seam allowances. Our scaled down seam allowance measured just over 1/2 inch, so we added 1/8 inch to the cut line to get our usual 5/8 inch seam allowance. Of course, you could also just sew the garment using smaller seam allowances.

Test the Fit With a Muslin Don’t skip this step! Make a full muslin of the garment, including the collar, sleeves, cuffs, pockets, belt, or whatever other details are included in your pattern. Not only will this help you test the fit of the garment and determine the correct length, it’s also a great tool to make sure the placement and scale of the details are correct.

Complete the Costume The final Cinch-It Dress was sewn in blue cotton, with a white pinafore created by combining the Stanwyck ruffled bib (scaled down to Claudia’s size) with a simple gathered apron that tied at the back. White socks or tights, a pair of black patent shoes, and a black headband will complete the look— but I’ll let her mom worry about that!

This fashion staple can be paired with any of our Stanwyck-series bottoms like the Stanwyck Skirt or Lucille Trousers, and with the peplum it makes the perfect separate top, too.

— xoxo, Gertie

This pattern was originally published on Patreon on March 1, 2023.

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