Hard, fast and fashionable: Ida displays her best bedside manner in satin PJs. June 16, 2014 23:56

The glamorous Ms. Lupino shows us how to wear pajamas.

Now, these are lounging pajamas. Just the garb for eating Belgium bon bons and reading trashy French novels. Doncha think? I wouldn't shake a stick at those Turkish influenced mules, either. I have a thing for upturned toes. I do.

You can replicate this look with Butterick 5410. Of course, it's from the 1930s. Take the View C bodice, use the View A sleeves. Voila. You're a silver screen goddess.

And you know where you can find this gorgeous pattern, of course. At The Blue Gardenia. Slink over.

Choose the non-Russian view, but keep the Russian sleeves. And you've got it!

Hard, fast and fashionable: Bare midriff, PJs, petals in her hair. November 17, 2012 09:47 2 Comments

This is one of my favorite Ida Lupino images. I came across it years ago at an estate sale in Houston, Texas. Naturally, I was looking for patterns or sparkly rhinestone beauties, but what I found were several images torn from magazines and pleated crepe scarfs in every color imaginable.

I left the scarfs and bought the pictures and a 1970s harvest gold ottoman, which I had reupholstered in a lovely green and black Maharam print. A fabric worthy of gardenias and glam jams. Very Odalisque in clothes, you might say.

The house was beautiful — one of those lovely and large and vaguely Craftsman style homes in Montrose, not far from our home. The woman who owned these things had obviously had quite an eye for fashion and all things beautiful. There were, alas, no pictures of her, nor any sign of a man or companion. She had one sewing pattern — a Butterick from the 1950s. I was so curious about her story. Did she lead a glamorous and love-filled life? Did she party at the legendary Shamrock Hilton and dance the nights away in carefree abandon? I hope so.

If you'd like to emulate this Lupino look, I suggest Simplicity 1230, View 2, in rayon crepe. I've had this pattern made up twice, once in a lime linen, once in teal linen. Very sexy, very comfy. And this crepe from Gorgeous Fabrics has 1940s flair

If you'd like to recline in these pajamas with a flower in your hair, you can find this pattern at The Blue Gardenia, where the patterns are counted, the jewelry is sparkling, and domestic shipping is free. (We happily ship abroad, of course, although there is a fee, less than the postal service charges us. You may choose Global Priority or Global Express. We love them both. We do.) And we take American Express, Discover, Mastercard, Paypal and Visa. Isn't that fabulous? Ever so.

Hard, fast and fashionable: Bare the shoulders. Puff the sleeves. September 19, 2012 00:46

Another fashion winner from Ida Lupino. I love bare shoulders. I love puffy sleeves (except on Jerry Seinfeld).

She looks a bit peeved, doesn't she? I love a passionate woman. Is she in a snit? Is a tantrum just around the corner?

If you want to emulate this look, Vogue 8356 is a mirror image. Love it. Want it in my size. I do.

If you can't say no — and I hope you can't — this lovely style can be yours. Just drop by The Blue Gardenia, where the patterns are counted, the jewelry is sparkling, and domestic shipping is free. (And, yes, we do ship abroad. Absolutely. With enthusiasm. Shipping fees do apply.)

Hard, fast and fashionable: Ms. Lupino shows a candied side. August 3, 2012 07:46 1 Comment

Mmmmm . . . I suppose Ida's momma didn't tell her it's not nice to point. Or perhaps she did, and Ida simply ignored that advice. And that's OK. Because none of us does everything our mothers want. Do we? I think not. Much to their chagrin.

Here, Ida shows a very good girl side offscreen: the Victorian inspired-sleeves, the flats that would look right at home on a toddler wearing lace socks. She's even wearing a heart around her neck. I'm glad I took my coffee black this morning. Otherwise, I'd be the victim of a sugar overload.

If you'd like to emulate this look, may I suggest Vogue 7606, View A? Sure, it lacks a bow, but, really, do you need one? How sweet do you want to be?

For your jewelry, I suggest the Stitched Heart necklace from Chelsea Stone, an artist who resides in Prescott, AZ. Very talented woman, Chelsea. And you can get this in large or small, in copper or silver. Choices, doncha love 'em? I do. Absolutely.

And, yes indeedy. This pattern can be yours at The Blue Gardenia, where the patterns are counted, the jewelry is sparkling, and domestic shipping is free. (We ship abroad as well, happily. And we charge less for shipping than the postal service charges us. Isn't that delightful? We think so.)

Hard, fast and fashionable: Ida Lupino sizzles in leather. June 8, 2012 10:57 2 Comments

Now, this is a 1940s Hollywood jacket. Look at those shoulders. Any linebacker would be proud of them. Look at the metallic leather. Suitable to shine on any starlet.

Take McCall 6374, copyright 1946, widen the pocket flaps, eliminate the side slits, lengthen a few inches, add a belt and you have an exact duplicate. You do. Don't forget to turn up the collar when you wear it.

This pattern can be yours at The Blue Gardenia, where the patterns are counted, the jewelry is sparkling, and domestic shipping is free. (We ship abroad as well, happily. And we charge less for shipping than the postal service charges us. Isn't that dreamy? We think so.) And, of course, we take all the popular cards, as well as Paypal. We want to make it easy on you. We do.

Hard, fast and fashionable: A factoid or two about Ida Lupino. June 4, 2012 01:15

I love Ida Lupino. I admire Ida Lupino. She was smart. She was fearless. She broke the mold. And she looked good doing it. She was not only a talented actress, she was a model of feminist filmmaking. In fact, the Village Voice said "Not only did Lupino take control of production, direction and screenplay, but each of her movies addresses the brutal repercussions of sexuality, independence, and dependence." How's that for impressive?

A factoid or two or three about Ms. Lupino:

1. She directed her first film, Not Wanted, in 1949, when the male director suffered a heart attack. Afterward, she directed many of her own projects, making her the only female film director of that period.

2. She was the first female to direct a film noir movie. The Hitchiker, in case you want to see it.

3. She was featured on some Hollywood patterns in the 1930s, including Hollywood 1240, a Sew-Simple design. (Beginners, take note!)

The details about this pattern (and don't you love those luscious sleeves on the black dress? I do. Most certainly.): Hollywood 1240 Dresses Featuring Ida Lupino Bust 32 Complete Circa 1936 $68

Now. Go rent some Lupino movies. That's an order. Albeit a gentle one.

And, yes. Yes. This pattern can be yours at The Blue Gardenia, where the patterns are counted, the jewelry is sparkling, and domestic shipping is free. (We ship abroad as well, happily. And we charge less for shipping than the postal service charges us. Isn't that delightful? We think so.)

If you want to learn more about Ms. Lupino, check Wikipedia or Ida Lupino: Beyond the Camera by Ida Lupino with Mary Ann Anderson.

The Blue Gardenia