Charm Patterns: Night and Day Dress

With a total of 72 design combinations, this retro-style dress is a versatile addition to any wardrobe. There are two highly fitted bodices with bust and waist darts, and a round or square neckline. Each bodice has a collar option that fits into the neckline. The round neckline has a Peter Pan collar with a scarf-like tie at center front, and the square neckline has a square collar with mitered corners. Included are three skirt silhouettes: flared; below-the-knee trumpet; and a wide yoke with gathers beginning at the side-front hip and extending around the back. The flared and yoke skirts have optional side seam pockets with a 4-inch opening, which our tester found too narrow to comfortably fit a hand. Sleeve choices include sleeveless, short with or without a cuff, three-quarter with a shaped hem, elbow-length bishop finished with a band, or long bishop with a bound edge. The instructions are thorough and well illustrated and include many interesting embellishment ideas. Our staff seamstress recommends reading the instructions completely before beginning, to familiarize yourself with the process. Many types of woven fabrics are appropriate, but the dense gathering on the skirt yoke and bishop sleeves could be too bulky in heavier fabrics.

(Sized 2–16 [B-DD cups] for busts 31–48 in. and hips 36–50 in.)

CharmPatterns.ByGertie.com

—Tested by Gayle Moline, Manson, Iowa

Style Tip: Put a modern spin on this vintage design by sewing it in a digital print.

This review was originally published in Threads #203, June/July 2019. Have you made this pattern? If so, be sure to share pictures in our Readers Closet gallery.

Illustrations by Steven Fleck.

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