Pattern and Instructions: The Lisa Bodice
Inspired by the striking dress Grace Kelly wore to wake Jimmy Stewart in Rear Window, the Lisa Bodice is a fully lined and very fitted raglan sleeve bodice, with an elegant deep V-neckline, front and back.
Pair this bodice with any bottom pattern in the Lamour series to create your own Hollywood-worthy dress, jumpsuit, or romper.
For details on constructing an appliquéd tulle skirt (just like in the movie), be sure to check out the Spring 2025 issue of Vintage by Gertie magazine, available on March 15 to Glamour+ members.
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 #lisabodice and #charmpatterns!
xoxo,
Gertie
P.S. I actually got the chance to get behind the sewing machine for this month's video! If you want to sew along with me, check out this companion video post.
Comments (56)
Hello! I’m brand new here so sorry if this is a silly question, I’m finding it very hard to navigate pattern. I love the Lisa bodice and the circle skirt and I’m wondering where I find the instructions for sewing them together? Again apologies if this is a silly question. I’m just keen to buy materials and I’m not even sure which length of zipper to purchase.
Hi Hazel, there aren't specific instructions for sewing them together, but you can look at another dress pattern for guidance on the basic steps (the Sabrina Dress and Artist Apron may be good ones to look at). Essentially, you'll want to prepare your bodice, prepare your skirt, and then match up points like side seams, center front, etc... and then pin between those points. If you'd like to hide that seam, you can press up your lining by 5/8" and then hand-stitch it in place at that seam. I typically buy the longest zip I can (usually 24") and then I can adjust the length to be perfect for the garment I'm sewing by zig-zag stitching back and forth over the bottom of the zip to form a new stop. You can then trim the excess zip below that point. Hope that helps!
I'd love to have this as a stand alone top. Any suggestions to lengthen the pattern and finish the bottom edge? Current plan is to use the curved waistband from the Lucille trousers. Absolutely love the neckline!
There are a couple of ways you could hack this pattern to make it a top. If you are wanting something more fitted, you could take a fitted skirt patter and lay them together and cut off where you want the top to end, like high hip or hip measurement. Depending on the pieces used, you could take out the seam allowance at the waist of both to make longer pieces. The back could be modified in a couple of ways or you could insert a separating zipper like the Las Vegas bodice. If you wanted this to be a peplum top, the Las Vegas peplum is another route to go to make this a top, it is in the Lamour series as well.
Ok I'm taking the plunge... I need to make the grace Kelly dress... Is the skirt the circle skirt? And based on the fabric notes did you just use several rounds of tulle? Or did you use an organza?
Love it so much. What kind of fabric did you use for the black version? I thought it was velvet, but with the fabric notes, it couldn't be
It was a black cotton velveteen, and I believe the link was in the Resources section of the instructions.
I just ordered some black floral appliqués to put on the green dress
Again very clear to understand. Beautiful bodice. I have a question though, could this bodice be used with the Audrey skirt from February? Could it have longer sleeves as well?
According to the Mix-and-Match Spreadsheet (charmpatterns.com/mix-and-match) the Lisa Bodice is compatible with the Lamour series, while the Sabrina Dress from last month is part of the Stanwyck series. You could try the Boardwalk Slim Skirt with the Lisa Bodice, though.
Will you eventually expand the sizing for the Lamour series. I purchased it years ago but it only goes up to a 20.
Yes, we definitely will be expanding every pattern in the archive to the 18-34 range. We work in order of customer demand, so thanks for letting us know you want Lamour!
Just killing it this year with the great dresses! Reminds me of B6413 which was one of my fave dresses I’ve ever made-I just love this neckline/raglan sleeve 🖤
You absolutely nailed it!!! And thank you for the reminder to re-watch Rear Window! 🖤
I love this dress, and I'm always amazed at how only in Gertie bodices I don't need foundation undergarments.
This is GORGEOUS!! I think something similar was used for Maureen O'Hara in "Parent Trap" in a couple of her dresses, and I've been dying to replicate those!!
Absolutely needed this! Plus the Charm adorable pets in the Gertie director’s chair is simply fantastic!!
I absolutely love this silhouette. It’s fantastic!
Ok- Hollywood Icons is my favorite theme-year on this app. Hitting it outta the park, ladies! This is perfect!
You know how you have favorite dresses from all of the movies you've seen, this one is in my top three!!! Thank you! Thank you!! Thank you!!!
It's beautiful !! Am I the only one who wants to pair it with pants, tough? I'm sensing major Sandy from Grease vibes!
With some Audrey cigarette pants perhaps?
I have a wedding to go to next week. I have the fabric and am using the Maria bodice with a circle skirt, which I've used before and are already cut out. I think... I'm changing my mind and will use this instead!
Stunning!! This is going to be a fun make!!
All of the samples are beautiful... I can so see myself in the black & white version. But I must say that Suzie is absolutely STUNNING in the green dress! STUNNING!
eeeee i was right! i’ve needed some glam necklines. this year is the best yet so far!
Love it! All of the versions here are beautiful, but that green dress is my favorite!
Oh la la so gorgeous!!
Absolutely gorgeous! I can't wait to make it into a cotton summer top.
Love love love!
I love it already
Thank you so much for this!! This is my dream dress!!
I might have to cancel all my (sewing) plans to make this. This is exactly the kind of pattern I was wishing for with this fabulous theme! Thank you and your team for being so absolutely fabulous and spoiling us!!
I LOVE IT SO MUCH!!!! 😍
Fantastic: Was just contemplating what bodice to make for the sarong skirt from a tropical print with large leaves, and this is it! I have made a number of bodices from another pattern with those sleeves and I love the silhouette. Thank you. Julie
Like everyone else, I have dreamed of having this dress ever since I saw the movie. You spoil us, you really do!
It's so pretty🥹
Lovely!! I also can see it as a finished blouse as opposed to a dress bodice
Yep me too I'm currently trying out the Lucille trousers waistband inverted on the bottom. Taking suggestions on other ways to lengthen and finish the bottom ...
Oh, my, another stunner! Must print this out today as it will have to be toiled. Thank you!
Astounding!
What skirt do you think she has attached to it in the first picture?
Circle skirt, maybe?
I see a gorgeous summer dress in my future! 👗 💜
Bloody hell……first time ever I actually guessed correctly 🤣 love the pattern, well done ❤️
Ooh that green dress! 💚
Stunning as always!
Wow! Just wow 😍. There will be a lot of happy sewists here this month!!
well my plans for the day just changed 😍
A literal dream bodice. To the stash!
Yes!!!! Finally a top that will work on big busted girls!
I agree, I'm very excited about the lower v neckline!
One of my favorite dresses of all time! Thank you!
In my soul, I knew it would be this dress 😍
My favorite outfit ever!!!!
Rear Window is one of my favorite Hitchcock movies!