Pattern and Instructions: The Barbara Bodice
Squeee! I’m so excited to share this dreamy Barbara Bodice with you!
Inspired by Barbara Millicent Roberts, (known to us all as Barbie), this is an updated-and-expanded version of a classic favorite from my design archive.
Fully lined with princess seams and a scoop neckline, this bodice can be combined with any of the Lamour-series bottoms or a simple gathered skirt to create the perfect summer sundress. And of course, it comes in our full size range (2-20 and 18-34) with A-H bust cups.
We’ve included two different shoulder strap options: a thin tie shoulder strap inspired by the upcoming Barbie movie, and a wider gathered strap (to hide those bra straps!).
I paired my pink gingham Barbara Bodice with the upcoming Millicent Skirt (releasing July 15 to all Glamour Circle+ patrons) to create the ultimate dream girl dress. Susie is looking adorable in a matching Barbara-Elsa romper and Mary Sun Hat.
And then I couldn't resist to take this in another direction, using Barbara with the Wanda Skirt in a simple black linen. This dress is such a versatile classic!
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 or 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 which size to sew, don't forget to read our blog post with all the details!
Don’t forget to watch the companion tutorial video and then share your makes with the hashtags #charmpatterns and #barbarabodice or #barbaradress!
xoxo,
Gertie
P.S. We love creating this content exclusively for you, so please do not share it elsewhere (including Pinterest or other sites). Thank you so much for being a patron!!!
Comments (105)
I've just finished this bodice and attached it to a self-drafted handkerchief skirt with pockets. On finishing I realised I want to change the side bodice front panel a bit to manage some gaping at the front arm, but I'm so happy with this dress as is already. I will be making at least 2 more of this specific dress combo because it is oh-so-flattering! Thank you for a WONDERFUL pattern and clear instructions.
Is it possible to bone this bodice? If so, what would be the best way to do that?
I may be blind but on the 18-34 the location guide does not have a listing for the side fronts what am I missing
I love it!! Can't wait to make it.
Hello is it possible to use this pattern to create a top only?
I was thinking about adding some length or doing a peplum on it to make it a top
You know if y'all wanted to drop that Millicent pattern on the 14th instead and give us the full weekend to sew it before the movie that would be a TRUE Charm miracle 😭🙏🙏🙏
Oh I wish she would!
Anyone else feel like the Charm team had been absolutely BLESSING us with really lovely, versatile patterns this year? So many great patterns 😍
Not sure if this has been mentioned, but on page 5 the link to the "mix and match takes you to the "Vargas Panties" pattern
I'm curious if anyone has done it with an invisible zip? I'm guessing there's no reason you couldn't?
I do all my dresses with invisible zippers. It works great
I love the black version with the Wanda skirt for more of an evening look! Could you use a crepe fabric for this?
Is it just me who can’t find the test-squares on this? 🩷
it's on page 13, took me a while to find
The Barbara bodice is a perfect sundress bodice. I have B6453 and have made it a couple of times. I like it alot but I feel that I am going to like the Barbra better. Also B6453 has a gathered skirt and I don't like all that bulk at my waist. So I will use either the Milicent skirt or the Lamour skirt for this dress.
Roughly how much yardage for the dress? I know the most PERFECT fabric that's on clearance. 😍😍
Super happy with that pattern as this is exactly what I need for my summer dress dreams!
I had been working on your older commercial pattern version of this bodice and had been struggling getting the bust to fit. Thank you so much for this release! Now I feel a little more confident I will have a proper fitting bodice without making a million mock-ups.
I'm hoping for the same thing, I haven't been able to get the bust adjustments to fit well on the old pattern, either.
I have the perfect fabric ready for when the Millicent pattern comes out!
Yay! I'm so happy for the "re-release" of this pattern in the Charm size system! I never summed up the courage to do the original one due to the FBA adjustment I had to do (the pattern has been sitting in my stash since it's release)! Thank you thank you thank you!!
Gertie!!!! I am absolutely THRILLED with this pattern—in a size that 💕fits💕my body!!! I am feeling all kinds of excitement being a plus-sized vintage babe now *with* THE pattern to make THE Barbie Dress of the Year! Thank you so much!!!
I just bought B6453 last week to make this very dress agggghhh! But this pattern will be much nicer and easier to work with
Yea, this is definitely an upgrade: Firstly, there is a new, larger straps option. Secondly, B6453 does not have the exact same skirt options, neither for the gathered skirt, nor for the straight one, so with the Millicent skirt option coming later in July and the previously released Wanda skirt, those of us who already own B6453 will be able to make eight different versions of that dress!
I love EVERYTHING about this! And like others, I’m DYING for the yardage on the Millicent skirt so I can get that bodice done stat and make the skirt in time for the movie!! 😂💕💕💕
Please do more dresses or tops that do not require a strapless bra!!! As big as I am in cup size, strapless bras are very uncomfortable.
Take a closer look at this top pattern: There is indeed a larger strap option, that is supposed to cover your bra straps. I don't have a very large bust and I use strapless bras sometimes, but I still prefer to use bras with straps, so this pattern is great and I'm certainly going to use both strap options here, for two different dresses.
I feel we are getting not much for our money anymore,like we use to
It seems to me the individuals in larger bodies who have supported this Patreon for years on the promise of patterns in larger sizes might disagree with you…
Would this work with the Stanwyke skirt?
On the 15th the expansion skirt is being released.
Obsessed already!
Will Glampur Circle Legacy tier receive the box pleat circle skirt pattern?
My kiddo and I already started making one for her using your old simplicity version!!!
BEAUTIFUL!!!!
So excited!! Are the sizes charm sizes or the same as the old pattern?
It's updated Charm sizing.
So excited for this… but still impatiently waiting a size update on the original Lamour pieces! Pretty, pretty, please!
You mean I can now basically have b6453 without having to do a FBA?! This is the best ever!!
Absolutely loving this!
This is magic! Thank you Gertie, Andrea and Charm studio!
So versatile. Love a princess bodice
Looks amazing 😍😍😍 thanks!
So excited for this! I’ve done the Butterick version several times and this summer was going to revamp my adjusted pattern, due to body shifting with age, but I’m totally starting with this because the Charm sizing is so much better! Plus yay for the expanded sizes! Looking forward to the skirt pattern. 💕💕💕
Gertie can you tell us how much material we will need for the matching skirt? We need to know that so we can buy new or find it in our stashes.
Yaaaay!!!! I'm so freaking excited about the bodice!! And I love the romper version too!! Thank you 🩷
I knew you would deliver Barbie greatness!! I've been looking all over for patterns to make the pink gingham Barbie dress and here it is! Oh, I can't wait to make this for Halloween!
My faith is totally restored this month. I absolutely love it
I love this! Really wanted a summer dress like this! So happy with the different strap options too :D
Hooray!
What a great dress to wear to the Barbie movie.
Very mice, but where did I get the Elsa short pattern?
“Elsa Culottes” from April on Patreon
Thank you!!!
I love this!!! Thank you, Gertie!
Oh noes! I was *just* about to start a dress with the Mariner top and now I have to choose! I already made my sloper and everything ;)
Hahaha, I feel you! Maybe my planned Loretta shorts seersucker romper is getting a new top part now. XD
This is going to look fabulous in Broderie Anglaise.
So excited! Went to print pages 1 and 2 of the instructions….. no images in boxes.
Hi Brenda! I'm not seeing that issue from my end, weird! Make sure to download and open in Acrobat. Can you please email us at support@charmpatterns.com if you continue to have problems?
I’m in LOVE!!! So many ideas spinning in my head!!!! Thank you, Gertie and team.
I love this shape! I’m actually looking forward to the process of getting this fit perfect as I can see this being my go to bodice. And I’m already thinking of what fabric I can use to pair this with the Ginger pattern!
Of COURSE Susie and Gertie look like dolls in this shoot! I’m so excited to make this pattern!!!!!
yay! that bodice is what introduced me to you! i love that it works with lamour because it’s my go-to now! i’m going to need another closet! ps love the barbie hands!
I AM ☠️!!! How much yardage for the Millicent Skirt? Planning to order all my fabric in one go for this!
I also asked for the same reason.
This is beautiful!!
Oh my gosh, I love this just as it is, but am I the only one that saw this and thought “with just a couple modifications (raise the neck to do a boat cut and alter the back to be a v cut) you could make the black Audrey Hepburn dress from Sabrina.
The boatneck dress from Gertie Sews Jiffy dresses would be a good fit maybe?
This is great! I love how you offer fully lined patterns! I'm looking forward to another bolero pattern sometime to put with this. I'm all ready for July 15th for the Millicent skirt! Bring it on!
So cute!! I love the wide strap option
I was just getting ready to make a 4th of July dress and I think I’m going to dump my original idea and just do this! It’s so cute and summery - AND - thank you thank you thank you for thinking of those of us who are more comfortable while wearing a bra with straps!!!!!!!’
Yassss
I'm OBSESSED 😍😍😍 I've wanted a bodice like this in my size for so long! 🩷🩷🩷
Adorable! U had me at pink gingham! Love the Barbie hand poses! I was expecting a Barbie pattern expansion so this is an unexpected and pleasant surprise!
I was frantically flipping through my pattern stash this morning looking for a bodice exactly like this. This is the third time this year. Are y’all inside my head? 😜
Yeah! Fantastic choice for a revamp! Love the coming skirt too as I like the look of a clean plain circle skirt! Now I just need to know how much fabric I need for the skirt for planning!
Love! 🥰 I wonder how the Millicent skirt differs from the regular circle skirt....🤔
From the pictures it looks like the Millicent skirt has a little bit of pleating going on along with the fullness of the circle.
Love it!! I had challenges fitting this previously. Excited to start with a fresh slate!
I adore this shape! It's lovely to know that as a plus sized sewist finally I can make this one for myself too. <3
So excited about this! It’s beautiful and just what I was hoping for!
Literally heading to Joann’s now to grab pink gingham to make my very own!!!!
Love the bodice. Unlikely i can make the whole dress because i am from the early beginning a patreon but in a lower tier. Unfortunatly a cannot spare more money to upgread to higher tears. Witch is a must by now if you want al the patterns. In the early days every tiers was getting the patterns onle higher tiers got more merchandise and special videos.
Hi Marja! We have been offering the bonus patterns in the higher tiers for a while now (guest artist, etc) and it's a way for us to make sure we are delivering the promised value to those tiers. The good news if you don't want to upgrade is that there are so SO many options available to you for making this into a full garment--gathered skirt, free Charm Circle Skirt, Elsa Culottes, Wanda Skirt, and more.
So cute! 👛👗🕶
So cute and I love the wide strap option!
Perfection 💖 I love it!
Where are the Elsa shorts and Millicent skirt patterns from? Would this top work well with other Charm patterns?
Elsa shorts is the short culottes from here but it says in the instructions that everyone in charm circle and up will get the milli cent skirt on July 15
Thank you for this!!
Love it 🥰
Excited about this! It saves me a lot of measuring and adjustments from the Big 4 dress pattern!
O M G!! So fabulous!! Thank you!
Omg this is beautiful! 😍
Love it So fabulous.
The heat index is over 110 here today and I was just thinking I needed a top in this style; perfect timing! 😍
Love it!
Stunning - I love this!!
Yaaaayyyyyy I'm sooo happy right now!
Woohoo. I love it so much.
💖💝💖
Yes yes yes !! Love this 😍
Amazing! ❤️