The Blue Gardenia learns to sow her blossoms

This is one fabulous vintage fashion show. Absolutely.

Oh, my lovelies, it's fashion show time at The Blue Gardenia. We've added a passel of patterns. Just for you. A few highlights to tempt you (and remember, you'll find new additions at the beginning of each category):

All right. She admits it. She doesn't need an evening coat right now. The nights are cool in the desert. But not that cool. And she'll also admit this: She doesn't need an evening coat at all. Not now. Perhaps not ever. But she's going to buy Butterick 8133. And she's going to make it. She loves the sleeves. So powerful. She loves the inset at the waist. So flattering. She'll make it in navy velvet. Silk, of course. And line it in mauve silk organdy. And one more thing: She's going to make a life, too. One that fits this amazing coat. After all, she has until fall.

She's in the mood for a new blouse. Something elegant. Unusual. Very noir bitch vixen. Something that would look right at home in the closet of a Chandler woman. Vogue 5984. That's the one. It will fit a plush padded satin hanger perfectly, and then slide easily onto her rose petal skin. Perhaps in coral 4-ply silk. And it's easy to make. Or so Vogue says. And that venerable company wouldn't pull her leg, would they?

She's in a mood. She is. And not a good one. Not good at all. In fact, it's downright nasty. She has to go to a baby sit and see — or is it sip and see — next month with her sister. Can't get out of it. Can't. Can't. Can't. It's Kelly's first baby, and alas, she won't be out of town as she so often is for work. Drat. She imagines a grueling afternoon of women sitting around staring at a little red lump of wriggling flesh. But if it's a sip and see . . . mmm . . . doesn't that mean liquor? She can get quietly tanked on some she-nectar like bellinis. That might not be so bad. At least, a buzz would make the time pass faster.

Oh well. She deserves a treat for being so darn nice and self-sacrificing. She does. Absolutely. And that little gift to herself is going to be that fabulously sexy dress that Luis Estevez designed for Quaker Oats in 1959. She always chuckles when she thinks of wholesome oatmeal and this wicked dress. Quaker Oats B-4, what a hoot!

She's getting married in June. A simple affair. The courthouse. A brunch with only their nearest and dearest afterward. She doesn't want a dress she'll never wear again. She  wants a dress she can wear again and again. Something that will always remind her of that lovely summer day. Vogue 6761 is exactly the dress she wants to wear when she says those hefty two words. In platinum linen. And it has pockets. She can tuck his wedding band inside. She can barely wait.

And yes, all these gorgeous vintage patterns — and more —  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. You'll be delighted you did. Yes indeedy.

 

 

Colorblock, with 1950 flair.

You've been wanting to make a colorblock dress. But not for you the ordinary. No. You want something special. Different. Something distinctly vintage. And you've found the perfect example in Vogue 7111. It's got the esses you require: Smart. Sophisticated. Perhaps you'll make it in  brown and aqua linen. Or perhaps lime and blueberry crepe. Mmmmm. Choices. And such delightful ones.

The details: Vogue 7111 Dresses Bust 32 Still in factory folds Copyright 1950 $33.

And yes, sweetness, this wonderful 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. Now.

Mission possible: Cinnamon is the blooming garden party. She is.

This is the way to be girly. This is the way to exhibit spring colors. Colors straight from  the garden: the pink of a Belinda's Dream rose; the green of an August Moon hosta. Cinnamon, smart and chilly agent  provocateur on Mission Impossible (that would be the TV show — so much more watchable than the special-effects-infected movies) proves there's no need to be frilly to be feminine.

And Simplicity 5985, copyright 1965, duplicates the look. Perfectly. Well, almost. And it's a Jiffy pattern. Now that is one very alluring benefit to the beginning sewer. Absolutely.

The details — and you're panting for them, I know: Bust 41. Complete. 25 smackeroos. Available at The Blue Gardenia, where the patterns are counted, the jewelry is sparkling, and domestic shipping is free. (And, yes, we happily ship abroad — either Global Priority or Express — for less than USPS charges us. Because I am just that kind of fabulous babe. Yes indeedy.)

You've made the Meringue. Now, how about a scalloped top?

You've learned how to cut and sew scallops with Colette's lovely Meringue. So. Why not try a Mad Men take? Simplicity 4929 is bee-yoo-tee-ful. And serves double duty: Remove the jacket, and there's a sexy dress underneath. How fabulous is that? From the office to dinner, in a flash. Easy peasy. Absolutely.

The details: Simplicity 4929 Dress, Cummerbund and Bolero Bust 36 Complete $22.

And this sophisticated style is available at The Blue Gardenia. Of course.

Shameless plug: Be a lady. Be a vixen. Or be both.

Oh, choices. There are so many this update.  In fact, you can be whatever you want to be. Sixtysomething patterns. All are smashing. Do let me share a few personal favorites:

Vogue Americana 2557, design courtesy of Donald Brooks, is the perfect jumpsuit to don for those bitchvixen moments. Slit to there. And there. And there. Love it.

 
Vogue 6464 is elegant and oozes sex appeal. Whip it up in red silk crepe and take it to the dance floor. When you shimmy, no one will remember Sister Kate.

Planning a beach party? Vogue 6955 is not only cute as lace socks, it's easy to make. Or so Vogue promises. And that sterling style provider would not lie. I know it.

Like huge and graceful sleeves? You could hide a picnic basket inside a sleeve of Vogue 6808.

And if unusual, gorgeous details are your thing, look no further than Spadea Designer NA-2006. Irene Gilbert outdid herself on this impeccable design.

And, yes, all these marvelous patterns 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 — either Global Priority or Express — for less than USPS charges us. Isn't that the cat's? I think so.)

Harlow's jammies deliver Christmas in December or July . . .

or even earlier. In fact, I ask, why not April? Who wants to wait until the last month of the year for these satiny beauties? I don't. It's probably a

little late to stitch these up for the Did You Make That? Pyjama Party. But you can recline on your sofa, dripping class and oozing sex appeal, long after the party's over. Absolutely.

The details: McCall 9563 Pajamas Bust 38 Complete Copyright 1937 $75.

And, yes — you were wondering, weren't you? — this magnificent pattern is available at The Blue Gardenia, where the patterns are counted, the jewelry is sparkling, and domestic shipping is free. And we merrily ship abroad for less than the USPS postal fees.

The book closet: Chandler's stylish, colorful descriptions

As you doubtless recall, dear readers, I am besotted with the writing of Raymond Chandler. He knew how to turn a phrase. Asolutely. He described women — and their clothes — like nobody's business. His descriptions were nonpareil, IMHO.

Here's one I came across yesterday while rereading — yet again — The High Window, published in 1946:

A long-limbed languorous type of showgirl blond lay at her ease in one of the chairs, with her feet raised on a padded rest and a tall misted glass at her elbow, near a silver ice bucket and a Scotch bottle. She looked at us lazily as we came over the grass. From thirty feet away, she looked like a lot of class. From ten feet away, she looked like something made up to be seen from thirty feet away. Her mouth was too wide, her eyes were too blue, her makeup was too vivid, the thin arch of her eyebrows was almost too fantastic in its curve and spread, and the mascara was so thick on her eyelashes that they looked like miniature iron railings.

She wore white duck slacks, blue and white open-toed sandals over bare feet and crimson lake toenails, a white silk blouse and a necklace of green stones that that were not square cut emeralds. Her hair was as artificial as a night club lobby. 

So. You get the picture. You do. So loud. So clear. What do you think?

Wanna know what I think? Of course you do. You do, right? Otherwise, I might have to reach for the Puffs. You don't want that. Do you?

I think this showgirl blond might have been wearing McCall 5319 — such marvelous slacks — copyright 1943. She might have topped them with McCall 5910, copyright 1944, View B. And for the shoes, may I suggest this terrific pair of shoes from Remix? (Santa, baby, remember these at Christmas. Please. I'll be a very good girl. I promise.)

And, of course,  these ever-so-stylish vintage patterns can be yours. They can. Just click over to The Blue Gardenia, where the patterns are counted, the jewelry is sparkling, and domestic shipping is free. (And we happily ship abroad  — Global Priority or Global Express, your choice  — for a fee, generally even less than the USPO charges us. Are we special? Well, yes. Yes, we are.)

 

Don't miss a chance to make your own VoNBBS satin sheath.

The sheath dress is my favorite pattern from Vogue's New Book for Better Sewing. It merits my most beloved clothing adjectives: Sexy. Sleek. Sophisticated. And I am happy to say that we have another Vogue 7101 at The Blue Gardenia.

If you're a fan of Gertie's New Blog for Better Sewing (and is there a living, breathing sewista who isn't?)  you doubtless admired her version of this dress. Isn't she lovely? Isn't the sheath beautiful? Yes. And yes. Absolutely.

If you want to make your own, here's your chance. The details: Vogue 7101 Bust 32 Complete Copyright 1952 $39. 

So. Don't tarry. Don't delay. Let those well-manicured fingers rush over to 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.Anything to make you happy, dears. Anything. Almost.

 

Will you channel Jean? Lauren? Ava? A waitress in a donut shop?

Exquisite patterns this week, my lovelies. So fabulous that His Bertness said he's tempted to  cross-dress! So fabulous, in fact, that I am going to let them speak for themselves. Absolutely. (Some I've not come across before — and considering how long I've been a pattern fan, that says much.) A few of my favorites among the more than sixty patterns just added: 

McCall 8025 Tunic Blouses Bust 36 Complete Copyright 1934 $135

Butterick 7175 Negligees Bust 36 Complete Circa 1930s $130

Simplicity Designer's 8034 Swing Coat Bust 36 Complete Copyright 1949 $100

Advance American Designer 8292 Dresses Designed by Lotte Bust 36 Complete; skirt trimmed, extensions present $45

Vogue American Designer 1742 Dresses Designed by DKNY Bust 36-38 Complete, but bodice has been enlarged and taped Copyright 1996 $33

And, yes, you can buy these beauties — and so many more — at The Blue Gardenia. To make it easier for our regulars, 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! They love lots of them! Really.) And make yourself happy, too. Do.

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.