Pattern and Instructions: The Carmen Bodice
Inspired by one of Dorothy Dandridge’s many unforgettable dresses in the 1954 film Carmen Jones, the Carmen Bodice brings star power to your handmade wardrobe.
Designed for drama, this fully lined bodice features graceful 1940s-style cap sleeves, a subtle sweetheart neckline, and the option to add a sweeping drape that can cascade over one shoulder or wrap around your head like a scarf.
This bodice is part of the versatile Lamour Series, giving you so many options for skirts to mix and match to create your own perfect dress.
If you want to recreate Dorothy’s complete look from Carmen Jones with the fabulous asymmetrical skirt overlay, just wait for the pattern we’re releasing on the 15th—you’ll love it!
IMPORTANT: 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 #carmenbodice and #charmpatterns!
xoxo,
Gertie
Comments (80)
Anyone knows what's the skirt in the lacy lilac dress and the illustration? Thanks :)
Team… I am working on my digital pattern adjustments and am having an issue putting the drape piece onto the bodice. It is not lining up as it did in the video. I am getting strange overlap. Please advise.
If I am making the drape version with non-contrast lining, just lined with the same as the outside, i can just cut it out on folded fabric right?
ooh pretty
Cap sleeves and a sweetheart neckline are my favorite!! Can’t wait to attach this to a circle or gathered skirt….or Megan’s suggestion of a jumpsuit!
This would look amazing as a jumpsuit! I'm thinking black with a red contrasting fabric for the drape. I can't wait to sew this!
YES YES YES
Love!!
Love! Susie looks amazing and oh so cool in that color, but the final look with it wrapped around at the waist… ♥️✨
Beautiful xxx
So every month I say to myself, "Where has this been all my life" and "I need to quit my job just to sew my wardrobe!" This month is no exception. Love this piece!
I may have just found my mother of the bride dress!
I absolutely love that idea
this is good.
Oh my goodness! In love! This Charm year has given me the best bodices — just beautiful stuff!
Word!
These dresses are divine! Va va voom! You ladies look incredible!
So pretty and so versatile! And the special bonus pattern mid month being the skirt overlay - chef's kiss!
I think this actually looks better than the original. Absolutely gorgeous!!!!
Omg what a compliment, thank you!
Oh yessssss! I think I’ll use this bodice for my wedding dress!
PLEASE DO I need to see that very badly
Love everything about this!!!!!! Nicely done with the 2 colours as well.
I’m so happy. It’s fabulous!
This was my grandmother's favorite movie. She loved dramatic and elegant fashion, including this dress. Making it to honor her memory!
Pure Charm! LOVE it!
I think this is another one I’m going to need to see more versions of. Right now I’m having trouble seeing it as something I would make. But I’ve had my mind changed before!
This is stunning! Home run! No notes!
In the line drawing what skirt is that with the fantastic pockets? I would like to make that one with the new bodice
It’s the Camille from the book Gertie’s Charmed Sewing Studio
I adore this bodice! Thankyou team Gertie! Xx 😘
I love this look! 😍
My mother's name is Carmen, I should make one on her honour in a colour she would like. (She's not with us anymore)
This is gorgeous 😍🥰 can't wait for the 15th to get the skirt as well !!!
Oh maaaahhhh GAAAWD
OH. MY. GAWWWWWWWWWD! This absolutely amazing. I have been here from the very beginning, and THAT BLACK AND PURPLE IS STUNNING ON YOU! ❤️ and Suzy, the girl needs to be on all the NY buses, and all buildings! You girls are something! I cannot wait to make this! Nailed it!
This bodice plus the monroe dress skirt extended to floor length? Umm hello??? Hi. Fabulous just called.
Is this another bodice that I can’t add sleeves to for upper arm coverage?
I hope so, it reminds me of the red dress Midge Maisel wears in an early episode and I'd love to make it.
This pattern is very pretty, but it would be nice to have some practical pattern for work clothing.
The purple version without the drape looks exactly like the work dresses in Ann Taylor right now except they don't have lace. I think this is very work appropriate.
So fabulous! Bunner it's sleeveless. Can't do no sleeves. Could one add a sleeve? Looks like a cap sleeve..
Sure, anything is possible with a little fiddling! I would either trace the armhole from a bodice with set-in sleeves (maybe Anni?) or extend the bodice into cut-on sleeves.
Im so in love with us and I think it will be so darling with puff sleeves. Do you guys think it will be possible to cut the bodice front on the fold and just have the back in two pieces? I love that look even more.
If you're doing the drape, the front needs to have a center front seam. But if not, go crazy!
Gertie & I have very different conceptions of what are 'everyday' clothes, but I absolutely love this one. Will try it as a top to wear with pants.
Ha! I mean, maybe I'm delusional but I could 100 percent see the non-drape version made in wool crepe and paired with a cardigan and worn to the office.
This is stunning! Was wondering if you could use the bottom half of the mariner top to make this into a top?
Unofficial response, but given they are both Lamour series, I would think so!
Shut up. I am screaming right now. This pattern is like a dream come true.
omg omg omg omggggggggg my manifestation magic worked! this is all i’m going to wear for the rest of time. thank you and good night.
Wow, your lavender lace dress has an ombre underlining? Wow!
How much yardage will I need for the skirt?? I don’t want to wait til the 15th to order my fabric lololol
This is gorgeous, particularly the contrast-lined version at the end!! Thanks 😊
OMG ! This is the absolute BEST OF THE YEAR! 😻🤩😍💯 I totally didn't expect this !
Love it. Thanks
I absolutely adore this! 💗
Can't wait to pair this with the Dandridge!
The integrated scarf ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME!?! 😍😍 I was just on threadloop looking for a design like this!
In love!!!!😍😍😍
This is stunning and I can't wait to make it!
Welll then!! Wow!
Perfection! I was hoping for this one!!
Gorgeous, thank you!
Absolutely love this!!
I love the neckline shape of the "everyday" version so much!
Me too! My fave neckline…
😍 I have visions of having an embroidered peacock tail down that wraparound drape. THE DRAMA!
Love this! Is there a sleeve that would fit? Winter is coming and I like to be warm
I hear you! We really tried to keep it faithful to the original because it's such a historically significant design, so it has cut-on cap sleeves, which are not compatible with any of our other patterns. However! Anything is possible with a little fiddling! I would either trace the armhole from a bodice with set-in sleeves (maybe Anni?) or extend the bodice into cut-on sleeves.
Ah ha! I guessed right!
You have outdone yourself! Absolutely stunning
Stunning!
SCREAMING CRYING THROWINF UP 🤩🤩🤩🤩
Beautifully elegant and versatile. Thank you so much!
The drama!!! Oh my!
Oh. My. God. 😍
This is stunning, possibly my favourite release from you ever.
Beautiful, I love the wrap piece.
Heck yeah!! Thank you!