The Blue Gardenia learns to sow her blossoms

Learning to sew: How a hand-picked side zipper should look!

At least, in my ever-so-humble opinion. This was done by my former dressmaker in Houston. It's a Vogue Special Design from 1947, complete
with huge handmade shoulder pads. (I have lost about 20 pounds since this dress was made back in the '90s. Hence, the less than perfect fit.) This is also an excellent illustration of pattern pieces and the pattern illustration not quite matching. The drawing showed a pencil skirt; the pattern pieces were A-line. My dressmaker pointed this  out to me before she cut the fabric, and I told her to go with the line drawing. I'm not sure that was the correct decision. But. I love the dress anyway.

Back to my original subject, the one I touted in the headline: Didn't she do a terrific job on the zipper? You can barely see her stitches. Look closely. One day . . . Of course, this is a side-lapped zipper. Mine is a centered one.

(And, yup, that's Atchison's rear end.)

Shameless plug: Free your inner Grace Kelly in a '57 McCall gown.

I love patterns. I love patterns. I love patterns! I do. I do. I do. And to illustrate that affection, we've added nearly 60 vintage patterns to The Blue Gardenia. A few of my favorites:

McCall 3466: The spring gala. It's coming up and soon. She must have something new to wear. Something sassy. Something sexy. But something that is elegant. Something with Grace Kelly classicism and flair. She'll choose this one. Its removable panels make it quite special. And those same panels make it versatile. She'll make it up  in peony. Satin. It will wow her. And even better, it will wow him. Perfection.

The details: Cocktail or Evening Gown with Removable Panels and Cummerbund Bust 36 Complete Copyright 1955  $125

Vogue 8924: She's looking for something easy to make. A project that will boost her confidence in her sewing skills.And Vogue promises that this simple yet sophisicated number isn't just easy, it's very easy. Isn't that wonderful? It absolutely is. She'll use that teal linen she bought last month when she was longing for sunny weather. Oh, she is looking forward to making this one. She is!

The details: Dresses "Very Easy-to-Make" Bust 38 Complete Copyright 1957 $45

Vogue Couturier Design 2497: Winter. Winter. Winter. Will it never skedaddle? The calendar says this one is history. The 20-degree temp says something else entirely. And what it says is "brrrr!" And how. To make these last frigid days bearable, she's stitching up this magnificent Galitzine-designed cape. She is taken with its asymmetry. Charmed by its sleek silhouette. In three words: She adores it. Indeed.

The details: Cape, Skirt and Blouse Designed by Galitzine Bust 36 Complete Circa 1970s $55

And, yup, you can buy each and every one of these lovelies — and more — at The Blue Gardenia. 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 smoother for you! We take Amex, Discover, Mastercard, Paypal and Visa. We gladly ship abroad. Do not — I repeat — do not let these beauties get away. Make me happy. Make my little canine pals happy. (They love their treats! And lots of them! Really.) And make yourself happy, too. Do.

Learning to sew: My hand-picked centered side zipper.

And here it is, in all its puckered, flawed glory. I'm not really sure why it does that. Perhaps I stretched the fabric? Perhaps I pulled the thread too vigorously as I sewed?

Also, you'll notice the zipper gaps a bit in some places. And then there's the top of the zipper. Pass those Puffs, please. I worked hard on this zipper. Hours and hours. I won't cry. It is, after all, my first side zipper. At least it opens and shuts with no problems.

Should I rip it out? Or try to improve next time? Do, please, share any tips to make this — and my next side zipper — look more professional. I beg you.

Why let sleeping dogs lie? Because they are so cute. Absolutely.

Oh. Oh. Oh. He's so full of cutitude! I adore my little Atchison. Yes, he does shed. A lot. Look closely: You'll see dog hair on His Bertness's slacks. You will. Won't even have to use your magnifying glass. Still. Atchison is worth it. So very. Yes indeed.

And, yes, I have been sewing. I have. Pics to come. Later.

You'll take home the trophy in this 1930s frock. Absolutely.

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.

Learning to sew: Last night, I cut my hair with pinking shears . . .

Well, to be more specific, my bangs. They grow so fast.
Today I sewed. I finished my sleeves, in fact. Perfect? Oh my. No way. But. They are done. Perhaps I am being too easy on myself, too willing to wear rose-colored specs. But. I think they look OK. In fact, I think they look rather pretty. Better than many off-the-rack sleeves. Much. (I am such a fan of myself!) I somehow stretched some of the bias tape, so, alas, the joinings do not match exactly. Pass those Puffs, please.

You know, dear readers, I really like hand-sewing. The feel. The look. Any recommendations for good explanatory books about the types of stitches? Because I know so little about it. And I'd really like to learn.

Also, be peaches and share advice about my sleeves. What should I do to make my next sleeves look better?

Mission possible: Cinnamon stuns in an extraordinary LBS.

Ahhhh. . . Cinnamon Carter. We should all be as cool. As capable. As smart. As beautiful. As fashionable.

Let your inner Cinnamon out. Now. Be bold. Because. No missions are impossible when you're wearing this sexy yet elegant sheath. And McCall's 6571 is a mirror image. It is. Exact.

The details: McCall's 6571 Evening or Cocktail Gowns Bust 34 Complete Copyright 1962 $75.

And, of course, this red-carpet ready gown is available at The Blue Gardenia, where the patterns are counted, the jewelry is sparkling, and domestic shipping is free. But you knew all that, didn't you? Of course you did. (And, yes, we do ship abroad. Absolutely. Enthusiastically. Shipping fees do apply.)

Learning to sew: Doh!

There are moments in which I feel my mission in learning to sew is to make other fledglings feel better. This is one of those moments. My sewing teacher and I have both commented on the weird, curvy cut of the lower sleeves on this 1957 Simplicity pattern. We decided that perhaps it was a vintage element. Mmmmmm . . . you know I'm a skeptic. I am. And this issue niggled at my mind. Kept me from sleeping. (Not that this insomniac needs any help there.) I looked at the instruction sheet again, as had my instructor. Still. I could not rest. I pulled out the pattern pieces. There it was. Plain as helvetica. I should have trimmed the sleeve for my view. I'm not going to call myself a dolt. I'll let you do that. Just don't throw tomatoes. If you must throw something, make it lemon chess pie. Homemade, please.

So. I put the pattern pieces back on the sewn bodice as best I could. Then I trimmed. And measured. And trimmed again. It is close.

The question for you, dear and ever-so-knowledgeable sewists: May I sew the bias tape on the sleeves with the underarm seam closed? Originally, I sewed it on with the seam open and flat, as the instructiion sheet ordered. It might be a little more difficult this way. But. I think it will work. Am I deluding myself? Again? Do tell.

Sexy Pucci culottes. Stylish Lanvin cocktail dress and coat. Yes . . .

this is a shameless plug. It is. But I know you want to know that The Blue Gardenia has just added a potpourri of patterns. (Annoying alliteration, indeed. But sometimes, I just cannot resist. And sometimes I simply refuse to resist.)

A few favorites, among the many:

Oh my. These are outstanding. So chic. So timeless. So comfy! How can you say no? Dont even think of it!

Want to practice the welt pocket techniques you learned in Gertie's latest Craftsy class? Vogue Special Design S-4689 offers that opportunity. And the collar is so dramatic. And bee-yoo-tee-ful.

Want to channel Bette Davis in a fabulous 1940s blouse? then look no further than McCall 3605. Love love love this one!

Of course, if Jean Shrimpton is your style icon, may I suggest this magnificent Lanvin-Castillo coat and cocktail frock? I see it with a French twist.

Doncha just love patterns? Doncha just love vintage style? I do. Aboslutely.

And, yes, these patterns are 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.

 

 

This Simonetta design is simply irresistible.

She wants a new dress for Emma's wedding next weekend. Something simple. Elegant. Versatile. Something she can wear again. And again.

It will be a simple affair. At the courthouse in Santa Fe. She'll witness the occasion. She saw the perfect pattern at The Blue Gardenia. Vogue Couturier Design 1697, circa 1960s, by Simonetta. It will be easy to make this weekend. It will be smart in cornflower blue wool crepe.

Can you resist it? Say no. And scurry over to The Blue Gardenia and make it your own.