Pattern and Instructions: The Boardwalk Sundress
Charm’s summer school is now in session, and I have the perfect pattern for you to celebrate the season!
The Boardwalk Sundress was inspired by the iconic blue polka dot milkmaid-style dress worn by Marilyn Monroe during a 1957 photoshoot with her husband Arthur Miller.
Charm’s version includes thin shoulder straps, a gathered bust over a fitted midriff panel, clever ties that form a bow at the front keyhole opening, and a three-tier gathered patio skirt.
To make this pattern even better, both the bodice and the skirt are compatible with other Lamour-series patterns, so you can mix and match to create dozens of other garments!
This dress is a dream in any light-weight cotton, but is also beautiful in rayon or silk with a bit of drape. Susie's dress is made from rayon challis (the same fabric we used for the Honor Roll Top), and I'm wearing a Marilyn-recreation in white polka dot flocked tulle underlined with blue cotton lawn.
You'll find the tiled file (for printing at home on A4 or letter size sheets and taping together) and the A0 file (for printing at a copy shop like ThePlottedPattern.com). Please note that we have two size blocks, so make sure to download the correct files for the size you're making. If you have any questions about which size to sew, don't forget to read our blog post with all the details!
Don't forget to share your makes with the hashtags #boardwalksundress, #boardwalkpatioskirt, and #charmpatterns. I can't wait to see what you make!
xoxo,
Gertie
Comments (95)
I've made two of these dresses and I'm planning for a third! I thought it was lovely paired with the Barbara bodice. I live in sundresses in the summer and I'm excited to make more!
It would be great to have a built in bra like the one in the Monroe dress since many strapless bras smoosh and give uniboob.
Is it possible to sew this with just the top two tiers? Obviously it would be shorter, but would I just cut 4 of the number 9 pieces and skip step 4 in the skirt directions and just help the middle (now last) tier?
Hi, can I still access the video for this project? I haven't finished it yet. Thank you
Yes, you can access the videos instructions anytime. The easiest way is to go to the Patreon page on the Charm Patterns website, click on the Boarwalk pattern, and there is a button link that takes you straight to the video. You hvae to be a current Patreon member and logged in to Patreon.
I had planned a roses fabric for a Maria but I think I am going to use it for this dress with the tiered skirt as I have enough fabric. This will be lovely for our hot weather in South East Spain 🥰
That sounds lovely, can't wait to see it!
Mmh. Idk I just made a dress like this from another indie pattern maker. It’s a nice dress! But I don’t think there’s much of a difference between this one and the pattern that has been out for years now. I guess your pattern comes with the known very well made instructions. So that’s definitely a bonus.
It comes in a large size range and cup sizes. I’m sure the pattern that out for years or other Indie patterns don’t offer what Gertie does in term of inclusivity. So any patterns that Gertie produces will always have their place and not just for the good instructions.
I'm wondering how difficult it might be to move the zipper to the side seam under the arm instead of being in the center back? Otherwise a beautiful pattern that I'm excited to try!
It should be fairly easy to do. Take out the seam allowance in the back and cut on the fold. Put your zipper in the side. I have done this in reverse because personally I dont like underarm zippers but I have also moved zippers in the back of skirts to the side instead as well using this technique.
Maybe I missed it but is there an estimate of how much piping to buy/make?
About 10 yards I think
I love this soooo much!!! So excited to sew this.
Yay!
Very cute xxx
Added to my very long to make list, better get sewing.
What a lovely breezy dress! The way the straps attach to the bodice in the back, with the swooping curves (instead of straight across), is one of those details I just love about Gertie designs.
I can't wait to make this dress.
Guessed it 😁 I'm so happy I've had this dress pinned on multiple boards it is so pretty thank you Gertie 😍
I love this dress!!!!
For those of us who have to wear over-the-shoulder-boulder-holders, is there going to be an expansion with more substantial straps, or possibly sleeves?
You could always add the wider Barbie or Lamour straps perhaps? And just do the tie strap on the front section and bias bind the back maybe?
Wow... 😍
Love it!
I am especially excited to see that the bodice is compatible with Lamour patterns. I'm not a huge tiered skirt person (though I'll try it once!) but that bodice is KILLER.
This pattern is the cutest !!! Finaly I'm going to be using that gathering foot on my machine!!!
I love this so much!! Thank you!!!!!!!!🤩
I am super excited about this dress… and the hella cute romper that bodice is going to top 🥳
Thats the best belated birthday present ever 🤩 Will there be an option/hack to attach wider shoulder straps?
Ahhh I love this so much!
I was wrong also but love the dress and will be making it this week..Great for the heat in CA.
Lovely, but i cant see the bow that covering the midrif. Am i missing something?
The bow gathers the tie at the keyhole opening at the bust, not at the midriff :)
Already sent to the printer! super excited for this one
I can not waiting to make this!!! I'm gonna make like 12 of them!
Finally!! I've been waiting SO LONG for this one!
Omg love love. I’m running to my sewing room lol. So excited to make this😍
YYYESSSSSS Queen Gertie! Thank you!!
Perfection!
Yasssss!!! I was just trying to another pattern to get this split in the front, thank you!
This is fabulous 😻 Great to see Marilyn put in an appearance on Patreon. Would love to have more of her iconic designs particularly her wide collar shirts. Team Gertie you never disappoint.
This is so pretty and will look great on so many people!
Hurrah! What a lovely dress - I’m inspired by the layering in the flocked tulle and blue! So excited to make this. I adore straps summer dresses and I have so many ideas! Thank you so much!! 🍾
Welp. I know what I'm sewing next!
Oh, so lovely! I need this.
Very nice! 👗 ❤️👗
i had been hoping it would be this dress after seeing the hint! i've been dreaming of a dress like this for ages i'm so excited to make it
I'm so happy I could weep tears of joy. This is one of my dream dresses, so to have a pattern in my measurements is EVERYTHING. <3 <3 <3
😍😍😍😍
This is super cute but I can't see me having the confidence to wear it without a bolero or cardigan. Love the skirt on it though.
You could pair it with the souvenir top
Oh my god!!!!! I always wanted such a dress …. I wondered if I can change a pattern but now I don’t have to do this! Thank you so much!!!!
sooo perfect for summer! I need to make this right away
Omgggg
yayyyyyyyy 🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵 i know what my birthday dress is going to be! thanks, gertie!
OMGGGGGG dead. Dying. Deceased. This is everything I hoped and dreamed for
Squealing
Oh my goodness. Love it. I have the perfect fabric in my stash for this
Did I scream out loud when I opened the email?! YES!!! So excited for this one!!!
OH MY GOD YESSSSSSSSSS! I'M SO EXCITED TO MAKE THIS! 😍😍😍
Love love LOVE! I keep being served ads to buy dresses similar to this, but I'd much rather make your version!
Already ordered lilac polka dot fabric just in case...can you tell I'm excited?
Yes!!! 🎉🎉🎉🎉
I have dreamed of owning this dress for YEARS!!!!!!!I I'm so excited!!!!!!!!😍😍😍❤️❤️❤️❤️
Im dead 😵😍💕
LOVE! Perhaps a "season" of more Marilyn?! A LOOOOONG season! It is fabulous!
Perfect for summer 😍❤️ Thanks ❤️❤️❤️
I spy a version in the instructions we can’t see full length!!!! Princesses and inner circle!!! You know what I’m wondering???!!! 15th…… eeeeeekkkkkkkk?!!!?!?? Xx
That might be the bodice combined with an L series bottom?
This is the month I transition from pattern collector to pattern sewer. I can feel it.
Girl, same!
Perfect summer dress🥰
Finally a reason to buy that extra poofy petticoat! Thank you!
😍😍😍😍
I could not love this more!!!! Whooo Hooo!!! Thank you!!!
🎉🎉🎉🎉
♥️♥️♥️♥️
It’s gorgeous
Whoohoo!!!! Thank you Gertie and team!❤️❤️❤️
I don't normally like tiered dresses but I'll make an exception 😏
Wow. It’s beautiful.
Wow!!! I love it!! 😍 😍🤩
very excited to sew this one up, thank you for all your hard work ☺️
OMG yassssss!!! ❤️❤️❤️
YES!!!!!!!!
Omgggggg
Yes!!!!!! Oh my goodness this makes me so happy! I was hoping this would be the pattern style you went for! Feels like my birthday!
Super cute!!!!!
Omgosh. Thank you! So excited!
YESSSSSS! I had all my fingers and toes crossed that this was gonna be it!!!
Gorgeous! Thanks 😊
Sweet 8lbs6oz baby Jesus I’ve never been more happy to be wrong!!!
Lol. I was wrong too
OMG YES I’ve been waiting for this for so long!! 😭🩷