*UPDATE! Having first released this back in January as a free pattern with Simple Sewing, we are soon going to be releasing it (with an additional skirt variation) as a PDF pattern for sale on byhandlondon.com - keep an eye on our instagram for updates!

You guys, we've got a brand spanking new pattern out - and she's totally FREE! The Charlie Dress (pictured above) is available exclusively with issue 12 of Simply Sewing Magazine and we couldn't be more excited, not least because our official sample made it to the front cover! 

*Want to make one just like this?? We used 2.5m of Liberty Hanako needlecord from The Village Haberdashery for our sample ;)*

Named after Simply Sewing editor Charlie Moorby (be sure to check out her Instagram for some very juicy pics of her in her very own #CharlieDress), the Charlie Dress has a super flattering and quick to sew princess seamed, bandeau style bodice with shoulder straps and optional neckband. Issue 12 of Simply Sewing Magazine comes with the multi-sized bodice pattern, plus a sewalong to take you through the construction process. The fun continues in issue 13 with instructions on how to draft and cut the quarter circle skirt and join it to the bodice; how to install an invisible zipper and hem your dress.

Very exciting! So how do I get my grubby little paws on a Charlie Dress pattern? What if I live outside the UK??

For UK residents, getting your copy of Simply Sewing magazine is pretty easy - most big newsagents and supermarkets will have it in stock. Try places like WHSmith and Sainsbury's. Remember to look out for issue 12, cover pictured above.

For international sewists, there are a number of options... Firstly, anyone in the world can subscribe to Simply Sewing, although it's not guaranteed that you'd get issue 12 if you were to subscribe now; it may begin with next month's issue 13. 

Individual copies of Simply Sewing are available at various retailers worldwide. Click here to see their international stockists list.

Alternatively, you could download a digital copy of Simply Sewing...

And finally, if all else fails, once issue 12 is no longer on sale, you can try their back issues department. You'll want to be quick though, once they're gone that's it!

Will the Charlie Dress be available through byhandlondon.com?

Eventually, yes. Once our exclusivity agreement with Simply Sewing expires, we will release the Charlie Dress (with a slight tweak to beef up the design of the skirt) to be available for PDF download, priced and formatted just like the rest of our patterns in our shop.

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Needless to say, we've been stitching up a storm of our very own Charlie Dresses in the build up to her release... Let's start with Charlotte:

Charlotte opted for bold colour and clean lines, teaming the Charlie bodice - sans neckband - with the maxi panelled skirt from our Anna Dress pattern. Not a motto we usually advocate, but in this instance, less is waaay more.

Made from a beautifully bright cherry red cotton silk from Classic Textiles on Goldhawk Road, and luxuriously fully lined in blush silk for some serious dancefloor swishability...

Looking particularly great with a tan... Wait, Charlotte, why are you so tanned?!

And my version, which, I'm kind of proud to boast was cut and stitched in a record breaking - for me - two hours start to finish! Literally making this my go-to dress to whip up when I find myself in a pre-party, "I have nothing to wear!!" frenzy. Which is always.

Made from a soft brushed shirting cotton I had in my stash, I included the given neckband and joined a half circle skirt for a bit of extra fullness (plus I do like the option of being able to whack a petticoat underneath if I'm going out dancing).

I love how the simple lines of this dress not only make it obviously perfect for balmy Summer days, but allow it also to work really well layered over a cosy long sleeved top. Should've worn tights though...

So. Cold.

As ever, we can't wait to see your Charlie Dresses! Tag your makes on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook et al with #CharlieDress #byhandlondon @byhandlondon @simplysewingmag so we can all see, share and admire your beauteous creations. Woo hoo!