Pattern and Instructions: Carousel Dress
Meet the Carousel Dress! This short, mermaid-style dress, was inspired by a true-vintage dress I spotted during one of my Dapper Day adventu
Meet the Carousel Dress! This fanciful frock was inspired by a true-vintage dress I spotted during one of my Dapper Day adventures. The gathered flounce provides just the right amount of sass, while piping, layers of tulle, and bows can give you all the drama you seek. Or, if you're looking for a less-is-more ensemble, sew it without the flounce for a classic A-line dress.
Fabric choices also have a big influence on the vibe of this particular dress. Stripes give off a jaunty Main Street USA vibe, or try some black polka dots to channel your inner bad gal. Add a Dorothy Bolero or break out that sweet vintage leather jacket for added coverage to get you through those transitional August evenings.
Wondering about fabrics and supplies? Check out the video and written instructions at the bottom of this post for links and recommendations. You'll also 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 pdfplotting.com). Please note that we now have two size blocks, so make sure to download the correct files for the size you're making. If you have any questions about the new range, don't forget to read our blog post with all the details!
I hope you love this new design. Check out our video for the #CarouselDress in the next post.
xoxo,
Gertie
P.S. ERRATA! We've updated the 2-20 pattern pieces (on July 7, 2026) to correct an issue with the side seam. Please re-download the pattern pieces if you'd like the corrected ones.
Comments (65)
oops though it was a search box 😁
Size chart
Great design. I can't wait to make it.
This may be my favorite release so far!!
Mine also!!!!
Love this dress!
Ooooh I think I have perfect plans for this!!!!!
Beautiful and quick dress to make
Oh yessssss! I absolutely love this!!!
I love this—also love your heart earrings on the carousel shots Gertie — any chance you’d share where you got them?
The polkadot version gives me definite Rizzo (grease) vibes.
I love this so much!
Beautiful love the polka dots xxx
😍what a gorgeous shoot!!! 😍
Curious as to how this fits the Artist Collective theme?
I’d say the A line shift dress is a perfect fit for the 60s.
Gorgeous
Cuuuuuute!
It's so pretty! And you are both unreasonably gorgeous in these dresses.
I love dropped waists! Also please please give a fluffy girl some insight on what support garments Susie wears! I love her silhouette!
Susie is just the best isn't she?
Stripes! Love it!
Oh my goodness, I love this dress! I love that it mixes adorableness and comfort! I love the little bow accents too!!
I love how snatched the waist is, the fact that you can wear a regular bra, and how many different fabrics you could do this in!
Those green polka dots are 🔥.
Fabulous!!! the photo if the green with black polkadot reminds me of Rizzo's national bandstand dress in Grease
I'm a newbie, and am thrilled with my first pattern.
And don't forget, that as a member, you also have access to all the previous patterns 😉
So much fun!!!!
Is the a-line version like a 60s mini shift dress?
It is knee length but I've been thinking of making a shortened mini dress version--you could shorten it from the hem!
Total win, Gertie! I love this 😀
I'm thinking of doing some fabric stamping with this one, love it!
The polka dot one reminds me of the dress Rizzo wore to the dance off in Grease!
I've been looking for that dress pattern for ages you're inspired me to get some red polka dot fabric x
I am loving this! And I happen to have that polkadot fab in both green and red!
Love it!
I love this! I’ll be picking out a good seersucker today at the fabric store for this.
I'm thinking embroidered taffeta!
So fun! 😁
The perfect scoop neck, princess seams and a ruffle, what's not to love? :-)
I Love it!!!!
Love it
I had a purple polka dot like this in the 80s! One of my favorites! I also had a red & white striped sailor dress the other style reminded me of. How cool!
Yay! This is so much fun!!
Oh wow! Without the flounce, it's the perfect work dress!
Even with, it's the perfect work dress... then again, my students have come to expect me to dress kinda weird (read: cool! :) )
Great bodice pattern if the straight skirt isn't for you. Can't wait to pair this top with a fuller skirt!
Oh I love it with and without the flounce. You could make this super casual or evening wear
omg the green polka dot 😍😍
I love it!!!!!! Charmed all of the way!
So fantastic! The Polka Dot dress reminds me of what Rizzo wore in Grease at the prom! Love it!!
I love this! I want to make one in red with black accents and live my Greece/west side story fantasy
Very Anita from WSS. I saw it and America came to my mind. In Spanish, that is how I watched that movie. 😋
This was my thought exactly! I like to be in America
So cute!!!
So cute!!
I love the little bows! 🎀🎀🎀
This is fantastic! What a cute dress and I'm loving the wide straps for regular bra wearing!
Love it! Especially the polkadot version- it reminds me of Rizzo's dress in Grease, but is regular-bra-strap-friendly!
I am soooo here for this!!!
That teal and black polka dot!!!!!
Adorbs!
Love this! In the right fabric it's very much like a salsa dress too.
Lo ve it