Your Yearly Free Charm PDF: The Esther Swimsuit! (Check Your DMs)
Exciting news! As you know, patrons in the $7 tier and above receive one free Charm Patterns PDF at some point during the year (which we count as February 1st to January 31st here on Patreon). This year's free PDF pattern is the Esther Swimsuit, which releases today on the Charm Patterns site.
Now, a little about Esther! We know you'll feel like a bathing beauty in our customizable, structured swimsuit. Esther has flattering corset-inspired side seams, power mesh for figure control, and full bust support with an interior boned bra. Add your own flair with a variety of interchangeable bottoms, from classic full coverage panty to a vintage-inspired bloomer to an adorable skirt for a little extra coverage. (And don't forget to check out the Patreon exclusive ruched bottom, plus a full-length video tutorial on sewing Esther from start to finish!)
I wanted to be sure to let you know that you will be receiving a complimentary PDF version of this pattern! So you only need to preorder it if you want the printed version. (If you do want to preorder the printed pattern, now is the time to do it! We are donating 20% of our proceeds to LGBTQ+ organizations Lambda Legal and The Trevor Project during the month of June so you will get to support a good cause during Pride Month!)
I am delivering the PDF pattern to you TODAY via Patreon DM. Be sure to check your messages!
The fine print: this applies to everyone who is in this tier as of the moment I hit send on this post. If you have joined at a later date and are seeing this post in the future, I'm afraid this doesn't apply to you. But! There are more rewards to be had in the future.
I hope you love the new design!
xoxo,
Gertie
Comments (130)
Hi! Is this still available!?
I'm looking for this pattern as well.
I’m about to embark on my very first Esther!!! Am gathering all my supplies and am very very excited!! Thank you for gifting us this pattern. Gertie and Team Charm ♥️♥️♥️
I haven´t found the pdf in my mailbox, please check, Gertie...
Please help! Where do I find the test box that helps me check if my printer is set to actual size? It says in the instruction booklet that the box is "on the first page of the bodice pattern pieces," but I can't seem to find it...
Hello, I joined during the month of June so I was not already a member on the 1st of June when this post was made. Will I receive a different pattern later on in the year? or will I have to wait until next year to get a free pattern? I just want to double check. Thank you!
You’ll get a free pattern, but the timing is random throughout each year!
I cant find my DMs ,I have tried everything where are they located
I cannot find it either!!!
I can't for the life of me find this pattern! Checked dms, emails and spam
I still cannot find this pattern. I am on an iPhone- is that the problem?
i keep searching trough my emails but i can’t find this pattern. i’ve got the expansion email but not the main one. lil help?
Have you checked you PMs on Patreon? That's where the link to the Dropbox files were for me. It's the little "chat" looking icon at the top right of the page. This was my first Patreon month so it took me a while to find it too (and weirdly it only opened correctly on my phone, not my computer).
This is so gorgeous! I didn’t really know anything about vintage swimsuits, I love the bloomers! In fact I’m wondering if they could be ‘hacked’ into everyday bloomers.
So many cute options!!! I need a new swimsuit and have been dreading looking for one that fits well and that I like the style of! Thanks Gertie and Team Charm!
Some of y'all don't know the difference between patronage and commission, and it shows. You did a great job, Gertie. We love you and we love supporting your art. 💕
💕 the vintage look of the suits and not sure which I want to try first. Thank you for such a fantastic pattern with so many options as our free Charm PDF. We are so spoilt. Even though it's winter here I'll be gathering up my supplies to make one.
Thank you so much 💖
Love the silhouettes on these suits! I always appreciate your vintage reproduction aesthetic! Keep up the WONDERFUL work Charm Patterns team! <3
I freaking love the bloomers! I have actually bought a couple of pj patterns recently for bloomers. As someone with a self- proclaimed "un-bun" I know this style is gonna be super flattering on me and it looks great and super cute on many different body styles. Side note: I have said this many times before, but, Gertie, you are a GIFT-a literal gift to the sewing and vintage/retro (sewing) community. Thank you so much for the research, dedication, hard work, skill, talent, and artistry it takes to put out each and every one of these patterns.
I remember watching Esther Williams in Million Dollar Mermaid as a little girl. My Grammy recorded it on her VCR for me. I watched that tape over and over and over until it started dragging. Now I can make my own mermaid suit- long enough for my tall torso! And I plan to rewatch Million Dollar Mermaid in the process and remember my sweet Grammy. Thank you Gertie and the Charm team for your hard work every month and for your obvious love and care that you give to your community! Happy pride everyone! <3
Oh nuts! I just sewed a swimsuit so I will have to pack this pattern away for next summer. I looked over the pattern and I am really impressed with the structure and layers in this swimsuit pattern. The multiple layers and boning are sure to create a flattering swimsuit for almost everyone. I have viewed quite a few patterns for swimwear and this one is the creme of the crop. A++++++Bravo!
Thank you thank you thank you for this pattern! I live on a tropical island paradise where it is always beach weather, but I have the hardest time finding cute, flattering and conservative swimsuits. I might have to make ten of these, with all the options, maybe mash some with the Skipper bodysuit... 🥰
The Esther is a beautiful pattern! I love the design and the varying options. It does evoke memories of seeing movies with Esther Williams on tv. Now, I don't go swimming that often, but I'm thinking I *need* to make this anyway!
I know you join to try and make all the things, but it is impossible to please everyone. And if you don't like it, well, don't, but there's no need to be so hostile about it, or to say anything at all really...just don't...make it?
So excited to use this to make my first swimsuit! When I saw the giant inflatable flamingo I just knew what was coming and I’m so glad I was right! The skirt version is my favorite one but I’d also like to try out the bloomers - such a classic vintage vibe. Well done team Charm Patterns!!
A one piece bathing suit might be in my future (torso is too long for retail ones) and thank you So Much for including a non halter strap option
I'm so excited for this. I can't wait to make it and just got a newsletter from Blackbird fabric advertising their swimwear. The universe says make 😍😍😍
I joined the patreon as I love all of Gertie's patterns, I have made several, a few times too, I always seem to get a perfect fit with them every time and I think her instructions are fantastic and easy to follow so it only seemed natural to me to join patreon, I am a bit disappointed that I don't seem to be applicable for the free pattern this time and I would've dearly loved the swimsuit one, keep up the good work Gertie x
Thank you, Gertie.
I love the bloomers! I have a very big booty but I think that shape is really beautiful, very era appropriate too.
Just so you know, I have a 27 inch waist with a 42 inch hitch booty area, and I own a 1950s bloomer swimsuit. It looks amazing on women with booties. Instead of smooshing and squishing our hips and our round Butts, it just showcases a full bottom in this really fantastic way. So if you really want to try it out, I encourage you. I mean, when you don’t see someone with your shape wearing a garment, it’s hard to feature how it would look on you. Just know, you’re probably gonna look amazing in a bloom or bottom
Thank you :) :)
I think this is great, despite what others say. And I find the poofy bottoms delightfully quirky. I wanna sew it but I’m not good with knits. I’m scared, help me Gertie 😱😂
Thank you for your positivity! Bloomers were a classic ‘50s swim silhouette. I know they’re not for everyone, which is why I included 3 other bottoms to choose from. As for sewing with knits, you can do it! You can always start with Barbie or Skipper to get comfortable:)
could the purple/fuchsia one on the left be sewn in a different fabric for a "bedroom outfit" ;) ?
Sure! Whatever you do, just follow the stretch percentage guidelines in the instructions:)
Tanya, I would’ve loved to see how she sew the underwear part of the swimming suit was made. The video starts with the underwear pieces sewn already. I would’ve love to see how she sewed the power mesh with the Lycra fabric.
Hi Sharon! I review how to underline pieces with power mesh at the start of the other video, which should be posted later today.
Lol not everyone can afford to just up their level. Especially when the conversion rate takes it up... I pay for the one I can afford
Thank you, Gertie for the pattern. I’m not sure if this pattern is newbie friendly.
I'm sure that it will build on the skills we've been learning for knits and stretch in the past few months. I'm pretty excited to actually try this!
I'm disappointed that these new patterns do not come in a size 22. Your last pattern - the Cinch-It dress -- went up to a 22 and we assumed that the following patterns would as well.
Hi Tanya! Cinch-It was a very different silhouette which allowed us to create an entirely new size chart just for that pattern. (You can see on the size chart how we were able to combine size groupings like 20/22 because of the flexible fit of the oversized dress.) The two new Charm patterns need a very specific grade for each size in the chart so we needed to separate every size and cup size as we normally do for Charm patterns. I was super excited we were able to create that additional size for Cinch-It, but we could not continue to grade Esther and Bryant up in the current block and still have maintained a good fit.
Feel the FANTASY! I am going to have some fun with this, a fitted swimsuit to support my girls! no swimsuit I have ever seen does that. I think there may be a BUNNY SUIT in our future! Zelda Wynn Valdes is the one that made Joyce Bryant's gown... and also the bunny suits for Hugh's Bunnies.
Can't wait to make one
You can't please everyone, and that's ok, but to say I'm bummed is an understatement. Moreso that this is the yearly charm pattern we're getting! It's fine to not like everything, but it's a real bummer this is the "big one" I feel like I'm the only one that doesn't love this though so I'm in the minority Still great work gertie
Nope, you're not the only one.
Love the skirted option!
Excite. So adorabubble.
Well, it looks like I'm the only one who's not that overjoyed with this pattern. I wish there was a bikini version too...
It’s not my favorite but not everything can be my favorite. I’ll download the pattern but I probably won’t jump on making it.
Love this swimsuit! Thank you team Gertie!
thank you, gertie and the scout leaders!
Awesome level of thought in these designs I have desperately searched for this kind of princess seamed structured design. I applaud all of you over at Team Gertie.
Sooooo good!!!
😍😍😍😍😍 just perfect 💞💞💞💞
Hello everyone. How do I access my Patreon DM
You get an email from gertie and you can click the link. Otherwise go to your account in Patreon!
Oh my God, Gertie, it is JUST. TOO. GOOD. The purple one you are wearing is going to be my summer anthem! Thank you so much for my free PDF, too!
My payment wouldn't go through and had to manually take it to Paypal to charge for my month so I didn't get DM 😪, I've been a member since the beginning.
I had the same problem, but I received the email about receiving the free pattern, so I should be getting it, I think?
OMG my daughter's name is Esther which makes me love this more!
Oh my goodness, love love love 😍! Thank you so much for this gorgeous pattern.
Omg I love this so much! Thank you!
Does anyone else have issues with the PDF instructions page 2 causing the PDF to crash in iPhone’s Books app? This happens to all of my Charm and Patreon PDFs.
Anyone else having problems with viewing through Dropbox on their phones?
It worked for me. Maybe try saving it to your phone first?
Sokovian fortune teller vibes 🥰
Cuuuuuuuteeeee!!
Amazing! Thank you!!
Thank you! I can't wait to make this :)
💃🏽🕺
Fun! Can’t wait to try it!
Yes love love them both thank you ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Guys, I just sent the DM to like 4000 people so give it a minute to arrive 😂
Nope, we are all to excited 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Not in my DMs yet..
Support for both full busts and LGBTQ+ - thank you!! ❤️❤️❤️
Anyone else refreshing their DMs every 20 seconds?!
Yes, I got the voucher but not the free pdf for this month! I'm confused am I supposed to use my voucher for the swim suit?
I am a little confused, do I have to use my voucher to get the swimsuit pattern, because I didn't get it in my dms....I'm excited but so confused 😵
No just wait a few minutes
Thank you!😍
LOVE THIS 💜💜💜💜
Exciting! I keep compulsively checking my Patreon DMs now... nothing yet.
Got it!
O.M.G this is amazing 😍😍😍
Wow. I joined like a week ago, I just started sewing undergarments and swimwear and well, my name is Esther. These are a lot of coincidences.... Thank you!
Oh wow!!!! But where is patreon dm?
This is so adorable! I'm in the $10 tier didn't see a DM about it. Was this supposed to be just for the princess tier?
I just received my DM. Give it a few hours.
Yeah 😍😍 right on time as i noticed that my elder ones i sewed are broken
LOOoVvvEee!!!! I've never worked with this type of fabric but I'm excited to try it now 😍
So cute
YYYASSSS
I'm willing to start going to the pool just to have the occasion to wear these! 😀
I nearly died when seeing the Scout version of this. Brilliant!
Omg!! So cute!!!
oooo! How fun!
Oohhhh
I was hoping there'd be a skirted option with the swim pattern! So excited to try this out!
Same!
yay! how do i access my DMs?
Omg!!! How cute!!!! 😍😍😁
I am in love!!!! I may wear a bathing suit for the first time in years!!!!!!!
Love it <3
I *knew* there was a reason I was looking at swim fabric this morning! (I mean, besides that the tab has been open for weeks . . .) :D
Wow I can’t believe it, how lucky are we!! ❤️
I’m in love!!
Oh my goodness, this is adorable! Thank you, Gertie and the Charm team!
WOW!!! Loving the skirted version. Thank you 🎉❤️🎉❤️
AHHHH!!! so excited to make this!!!
I am so excited!
Yessss...I ordered some lycra last week, just in case...delivery tomorrow!
Thank You!!!!!! I adore the Charm Scout one and the style that Susie is wearing and the new models are gorgeous!!!
Esther Williams is my idol and I’m obsessed with vintage swimwear 👏👏💋💋💋
LOVE!! Gotta find the perfect fabric now!!
Omg i am dying! I literally bought 2 swimsuits in this style from Red Dolly this year and now i can MAKE MY OWN!
Oh my goodness!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am already seeing myself lounging by the pool!!!!
Woohoo!❤️❤️❤️
Oh my god! I love everything about this!
Yay 😍😍😍😍😍💋
Its so cute!! Thank you Gertie!
This is such a unique swimsuit! It's like nothing I ever dreamed of and I love it! Thank you for always surprising us!
I can’t wait to see all the variations!
Yaaaaaaaaaaas!!!!!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
I’m giddy over this one! 💕💕
I’M SCREAMING! THIS IS SO CUTE! 😍😍😍😍
jaaahhh soooooo nice.