The fabric organization continues . . . June 8, 2014 17:36

I continue to organize my fabric. His Bertness and I moved box after box in the storage unit until we found – I think! – all of it. I'm not only listing swatches and yardage in an old sketch pad I found in my office, I am zigzagging the edges and washing each piece that will not be dry-cleaned before I put it away. Yes, dear readers, it is a bit of a hassle and somewhat time-consuming (all right, extremely time-consuming) but it's also very inspiring. I want to make garments out of these lovely pieces. I must formulate a plan . . .

Gorgeous bra top, sleek slacks and a lovely shirt for the modest among you. June 5, 2014 23:34 2 Comments

Racy bra top. Beautifully cut pants. And a shirt to wear when the wind blows cool or you feel modest. A sophisticated '70s ensemble for summer pool or garden parties. The men will swoon. The women may glare. Can you resist?

And you can get Vogue 7534 at The Blue Gardenia, where you'll find patterns for the snootiest fashionista!

An update, and, oh, the lovely looks it offers! June 3, 2014 22:56

Think of His Bertness, scanning patterns, adding them to the site, working so hard this weekend for two reasons: to make you happy, and therefore, make our pups happy, because the more patterns you simply can't resist at The Blue Gardenia, the more treats the little hair ranchers get! Do let me tempt you, my pretties, with one pattern from each decade:    

I adore Simplicity 1721. A pattern from the NRA period (and that would be the National Recovery Act, not the, ahem, group that claims those initials today). The patio pajamas are luscious, just the garb for lounging in the chaise while your significant other totes and fetches and does everything possible to make you happy. Second, the pattern includes a smart pair of gaucho pants and a cunningly designed blouse. I love the two, two, two looks in one pattern envelope. I do.

 

 

And from the 1940s, both collar variations on Advance 5136 have panache galore. So comfy, so cool whipped up in a pretty cotton sateen.

Simplicity 8380 is the picture of summer chic. Sophisticated enough for the office, fetching enough for sipping sidecars at your favorite bar. And that stole is so 1950s.    

My personal fave: Vogue 8371. I have quite a thing for dolman sleeves, and I long for this pattern in my own size. (That would be Bust 34, in case you have one lazing about your pattern cabinet.)

 

You'll also find lots of other beauties this update, from 1930s evening gowns that would turn Myrna Loy green and 1960s swimsuits that will cause temps to rise at any beach party.

 

So. Pop on over to The Blue Gardenia. You won't be disappointed. Promise.

   

Pucci, Ricci, Montana – Those are only a few '60s-on we just added! May 13, 2014 00:05

  Isn't this the most elegant shirtdress you've ever set those gorgeous orbs upon? It's my favorite. Absolutely. And it is one of the many 1960s patterns The Blue Gardenia added to the site tonight. I also adore this Betty Jackson. Huge pants, so reminiscent of the Thirties. Perfect for an evening party on the patio, sidecar in hand. This criss-cross back and the silhouette of this Montana design isn't something you'll see on every street corner. Sassy. Sexy. Feminine. The jackpot, pals. And of course this is just the tip of the update iceberg. So many more wonderful patterns in the Sixties-On section. Do drop by!  

My closet: An elegant '70s Oscar de la Renta. So lovely. April 30, 2014 23:39

Isn't this dress yummy? My mother made one for me years ago, and I wanted another. My sewing teacher said it was beyond my skills, so she made it for me. (Bless you, Leslie!) I wore it to a writer's conference this weekend and to dinner at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs in the shadow of lovely Pike's Peak. The dress drew a shipload of compliments.

We used a tightly woven slate blue silk crepe de chine. I wore it with a 3-inch-wide covered belt made by lovely Pat in California. I was a very happy traveler. Indeed. I cant wait to wear it again.

Will you have eggs with that? April 15, 2014 00:25

She is feeling in a glamorous mood. Sweatpants just won't do for lounging around the house. She feels she's gotten sloppy. Heck, she knows she's gotten sloppy. Wearing yoga pants when she's not on her mat? No more. McCall 8111, copyright 1935. Now, that is the look she seeks. Elegance with a touch of spice. And even though she's new to sewing, she knows she can make this pattern — and make it in a slinky three-ply silk charmeuse. After all, she lined a wool coat in charmeuse. It wasn't hard to work with at all. Not a bit, despite the stories she'd heard. Yes, this is the one. She'll look like a movie star when she butters her whole wheat toast. She'll be sexy brushing her hair and powdering her nose at her vanity. Yes indeed. Yes, patternistas, you know this is available at The Blue Gardenia. And our shopping cart works now. That makes us so happy. So. Drop by and put a few goodies in your shopping bag, It'll make your day — and ours!

The shopping cart is working! April 2, 2014 00:11

And I am one happy seller. So shop, shop, shop.

Screen sirens heed the call of 1950s glamour at the Oscars. March 3, 2014 01:12

I wouldn't trade my fabulous Pantone Bone China cup in Emerald for many of the Oscar gowns this year. They were that dull. Stars, buy a vintage pattern and find a good dressmaker. OK? Really. Get with the style program. I do love  – indeed lust  – for Amy Adams' Gucci. It's a good thing I don't have offspring, because I would so be up for trading. I also have a strong attraction for J-Law's Dior. But then, she is my girl crush and she can do no wrong. She and Meryl are my fantasy BFFs. Unless, of course, they suddenly shoot someone for texting in the theater or playing loud music at the gas station. Then, babes, the romance is over. Kaput. The train leaves the station without you. What did you think of Whoopi's rehash of Julia Robert's Dolce & Gabbana look at the Golden Globes? I think Whoopi really kicked up the style quotient. I know that's the unpopular choice. But. There ya go. I think I may have to put my own spin on this look. I am on the fence about Viola Davis's Escada. The color is my favorite. The bodice is delicious. But there's something about the skirt that seems just plain wrong. Love her hair, though. I would have liked to see a more colorful lip. I really want to read your thoughts on this, but we are having a slight malfunction on the blog comments. Hope to have it fixed ASAP. Bear with us, please, dear readers.  

An evening gown. A summer dress. It's chic, mod, so Dior. February 21, 2014 00:59

[caption id="attachment_2749" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Vogue Paris Original 2230 Day or Evening Dress Designed by Christian Dior Bust 32½ Dress complete; stole missing; Vogue sew-in label included[/caption]   We've just added a bushel of smashing patterns at The Blue Gardenia. I adore this one. I do. It's in my collection. Shouldn't it be in yours, too? And, yes, we do ship abroad. With pleasure.  

Learning to sew? I'm making Butterick B5559, a knit with details. January 14, 2014 11:42

I started a new project yesterday, with the aid of my sewing diva Leslie. Butterick B5559 by Maggy London.

I'm learning new details with this gorgeous dress: Outside stitched tucks. Leslie has made three of these for herself. All are beautiful. Absolutely. Above is the bottom back and front.

You can see the details more closely in the pic to the left. I'm doing the version with sleeves. I cropped the pic, the better to highlight the details. I hope the drawn woman is feeling no pain.

Don't forget to stop by and see our new Blue Gardenia website. Let us know what you think. And shop, shop, shop.

 

 

Here's to a prosperous 2014 for us all! (And a present for you.) December 31, 2013 18:52

I'll keep this short. Promise. I want to wish you and yours, me and mine, the best year ever. May we not just live, but thrive. Positively. Absolutely. Yes indeedy. And all that.

You'll find a surprise waiting for you at The Blue Gardenia! Enjoy. More news tomorrow . . .

Doesn't Jane Mansfield stun with her allure? I want that dress for next year.

 

July 16, 2013 July 26, 2013 17:33

Replenishing the soul: Aspen wildflowers. Lovely.

You saw Pink Martini. You saw my dress. Now, see the natural beauty of the Aspen wildflowers. These poppies are huge. That's the hand of His Bertness to give you an idea of their size. My soul was definitely nourished by this minivacation. Yes, indeed. (And these pics were taken with my iPhone by the side of the road.)

July 15, 2013 July 26, 2013 17:33

My closet: Pink Martini, Aspen and a 1950s Vogue pattern.

July 02, 2013 July 26, 2013 17:32

And the winner is . . . you'll have to click to find out.

June 30, 2013 July 26, 2013 17:32

A lazy Sunday afternoon at a favorite coffee spot in my new skirt.

The perfect dress for feeling irresistible, strong and independent. July 26, 2013 17:30

The perfect dress for feeling irresistible, strong and independent.

You've been dumped. Unceremoniously, as the ubiquitous they say. He didn't deserve you. That's what you say. Call it justification, if you must. You're not going to stay home and empty a box of Puffs. Not you. Not this time. You're not even going to call a girlfriend and go out for sidecars and a minute rehashing of the relationship. No teary "what did I do wrong" questions from you. You are going to do something different. You're going to put on your favorite dress, Vogue 8930, copyright 1957. You've made it three times. It really is a tried and true. You're going to slip on the cherry red shantung and go to The Artichoke Cafe and have steak frites and deconstructed lemon meringue pie and then you're going to come home, curl up in your favorite chair and read The Art Forger. To paraphrase Ms. Gaynor, you will survive. Happily and in style. The details, because of course you want to know: Vogue 8930 Dresses Bust 32 Complete Copyright 1957 $33. And yes, my lovelies, this chic pattern 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 happily ship abroad for a fee — just what the post office charges, in fact.) So rush on over. Do. Snap this one up. Don't delay.

Replenishing the soul: Aspen wildflowers. Lovely. July 16, 2013 07:33

You saw Pink Martini. You saw my dress. Now, see the natural beauty of the Aspen wildflowers.

These poppies are huge.

That's the hand of His Bertness to give you an idea of their size.

My soul was definitely nourished by this minivacation. Yes, indeed. (And these pics were taken with my iPhone by the side of the road.)

 

And the winner is . . . you'll have to click to find out. July 2, 2013 11:05 1 Comment

Erin! And Erin, please contact me, because I don't have your email or snail mail address. You have won a $35 Blue Gardenia gift certificate, Claire Shaeffer's excellent book Couture Sewing, MAC RiRi Woo lipstick, and 2.5 yards of gorgeous rayon crepe fabric From Albuquerque's own Nob Hill Fabrics.

So. Contact me. Do. And I thank everyone who left a comment and everyone who follows this blog.

I'm back. As Elvis and Chris Isaak say "It's Now or Never." February 21, 2013 13:33 3 Comments

 

I've rediscovered a truth about blogging for me. If I take a break, it's easy to procrastinate about starting again. So easy. Very.

I find there are so many things to do: painting my nails, rearranging magazines, making nearly every red velvet brownie recipe on Pinterest and not being pleased with any of them, watching crappy made for TV movies like Liz & Dick. That was the name of that Lifetime movie in which Lindsay Lohan was so miscast? Only Teresa Russell saved it for me.

Anyway, I plan to get back to the daily grind soon. Very, very soon. I have some fascinating interviews for you. And some clothes I've made. With my very own hands. Surprised?

I am. For now, enjoy this Chris Isaak version of It's Now or Never. It reminds me of Marticia, who used to play the Elvis version on Friday nights at the Prescott ballroom dances. I swear she did it just to watch us trip all over each other as we attempted to speed rhumba. She probably still chuckles at the thought!

Don't miss The Blue Gardenia's end-of-year sale! December 25, 2012 15:29

 

The Blue Gardenia's

annual attitude-of-gratitude, our-customers-are-the-best, end-of-year sale is here!

Here's the scoop:

Spend $50 - $99, get 15% off.

Spend $100 - $249, get 35% off.

Spend $250 - $399, get 40% off.

Spend $400 or more, get 45% off.

How's that?  The limits are all before the discount, which means if you spend, for instance, $250, then your tally will only be be $150. Isn't that the cat's meow? We think so. So, shop, shop, shop.

 

Sale ends at midnight PST January 3, 2013. All credit card and Paypal payments appreciated within 48 hours of order placement and all check payments by January 7, 2013.

 

And I hope everyone had a fabulous holiday!

 

Welcome To The Blue Gardenia! November 14, 2012 13:41

Where the patterns are counted, the jewelry is sparkling, and domestic shipping is free!

We also happily ship abroad and often; however, we do charge postal fees. 

Have you read The Blue Gardenia blog?

Sometimes, it's about sewing. Sometimes, it's not. The Blue Gardenia learns to sow her blossoms

What to do with your day? Plan your wardrobe. Of course. July 5, 2012 07:33 1 Comment

You're sitting at your desk. Bored. You've completed all the tasks you had scheduled for today. And you just aren't in the mood to start something new. You are not. So. Why not check out the fabulous, smashing, your-favorite-superlative here update at The Blue Gardenia? A few lovelies to tempt you:

It's summer. Oh, is it ever. The temperature is climbing moment by moment. You don't want to go to the office. You don't even want to leave the house. It is that hot outside. So. What will entice you to leave your bed, and the hard-working ceiling fan whirring deliciously above it? Is there anything? 

Why, yes. There is. That delectable lemon apron you made a few weekends ago from 1950s Butterick 6745. You'll tie it on over your jammies. You'll protect them. No need to wash them today. You can wear them again. Save the environment one garment at a time. How green is that?

You need something prim. Proper. But. It's got to have attitude, too. And more than a soupcon. That darn charity luncheon for your sister, who has socialite dreams. You completely disdain her ambition. You do. But you love her. Sigh. So you'll be supportive. You'll make up Advance 5461. The short-sleeve version. Maybe in creamy linen to show off your tan? Yes, that is exactly the look. The one. And you  can stitch up the three-quarter length view in burgundy wool crepe for fall. You adore a pattern she will use more than once. Yes indeed.

This year, a new coat. She's decided her sewing skills are up to the task. At last. And she has chosen McCall 4374, copyright 1941. It is the most beautiful coat she has ever seen. Without doubt. She'll make View A. She loves the collar. She loves the sleeves. She loves the coat. Period.

She hates the term wiggle dress. She does. Absolutely. She prefers the term comely hug. After all, wiggle reminds her of the word wriggle. Which reminds her of worms. Which reminds her of a platter of earthworms. And she loves earthworms. But in their place. Her garden. Not encircling her hips. Her thighs. Her waist. No way. She cannot think about that term. Wiggle dress. Eeeeeewwwweee. Worms crawling all over her.

That's why she thinks of Vogue Attitudes 1029, designed by Tom and Linda Platt, as a comely hug. The dress is perfect. Sophisticated. Current, yet retro. A sensational way to wear the colorblock trend. And she plans to emulate the model's makeup as well. Early '60s but updated.

And, you can buy each and every one of these lovelies — and more — at The Blue Gardenia. But you knew that, didn't you? Smarties. And to make it easier for our loyals, we place new additions at the beginning of each category. Anything to make spending money faster and easier for you! We take Amex, Discover, Mastercard, Paypal and Visa. We gladly ship abroad. Do not — I repeat — do not let these gorgeous patterns get away. Make me happy. Make my little canine pals happy. (They love their chicken jerky. And lots of it. They do.) And make yourself happy, too. Do.

 

The problem is fixed, so shop 'til ya drop. (And take 10% off!) June 16, 2012 09:43 1 Comment

We're really sorry The Blue Gardenia wasn't loading properly yesterday. Do you forgive us? Please do. To atone, take 10% off your order through midnight PDT Sunday. And may I suggest you put that discount toward this lovely 1960s Nina Ricci?

 

 

You'll take home the trophy in this 1930s frock. Absolutely. March 7, 2012 00:40

Ahhhhhh, golf. You know nothing about it. Really. But. Nonetheless, you have a golf date this Sunday afternoon.  You aren't worried, though. You'll look smashing on the court. Or is it course? Your idea of exercise is the treadmill, accompanied by a good book. However, you do know there are some sort of little club thingies.

You have the perfect dress. You whipped it up a couple of weeks ago, when you were oh-so-tired of winter.  New York/Ladies Home Journal 1280. In butternut linen with a chocolate brown cape and covered buttons. You love this dress. Great for golf. For picnics. For church on Sunday mornings. The 1930s style is soooo elegant.

The details, if you please: New York/Ladies Home Journal 1280 Bust 29 or 35 Sleeveless Dress with Separate Cape Circa 1932-1935 Still in factory folds $53

And, yes, this lovely patterns is available at The Blue Gardenia, along with thousands of others. Thousands! The Blue Gardenia, where the patterns are counted, the jewelry is sparkling, and domestic shipping is free. We also ship abroad — happily — but there is a fee, although we charge less than the postal service charges us.