Albuquerque is aswarm with moths this year. I've been doing online research to find safe ways to repel them, and I came across this tidbit from pestexterminator.com: Spices like cloves, bay leav...
Oh, my lovelies, its fashion show time at The Blue Gardenia. Weve added a passel of patterns. Just for you. A few highlights to tempt you (and remember, youll find new additions at the beginning of e...
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 i...
Today, I needed to get notions: Zippers, thread, bias binding. I went to Hancock Fabrics, which is closer to our home. (And since my gasoline gauge was drifting toward the big E, this was an issue.) ...
This is the way to be girly. This is the way to exhibit spring colors. Colors straight from the garden: the pink of a Belindas Dream rose; the green of an August Moon hosta. Cinnamon, smart and...
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...
Incredible beauty: God-given. Majorica pearl earrings, $115 at Neiman Marcus: Elegant. Piercing and hurt look: Practiced. Butterick 2591, $75 at The Blue Gardenia: Basis.
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, des...
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...
My very first sew-along! I'm excited. I am. When I first read about this fabulous onine event sponsored by Karen of Did You Make That?, I thought, "Mmmmm, I can do that. I can. I can. I can...
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 busines...
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 ano...
I am one happy woman. Dee of Seams Sustainable nominated me for the Versatile Blogger Award. Isn't that peachy? I think so. Dee, I thank you. I do. Of course, there are rules that accompany this...
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. (S...
Did I mention joy Thursday morning over my completed dress? I did. (Pictures to come. Later.) And I feel it again. Now. Because sweet and fashionable Ellen of It's a Sewing Life nominated li...
My watercolor floral dress is finished! Need I say that I am so excited? Of course I needn't. Because you know that I am all aglow. I used Tasia's excellent tutorial to insert my waist stay...
At least, in my ever-so-humble opinion. This was done by my former dressmaker in Houston. Its a Vogue Special Design from 1947, complete with huge handmade shoulder pads. (I have lost about 20 pounds...
I love patterns. I love patterns. I love patterns! I do. I do. I do. And to illustrate that affection, weve added nearly 60 vintage patterns to The Blue Gardenia. A few of my favorites: McCall 3466: ...
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 ...
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 t...
Ahhhhhh, golf. You know nothing about it. Really. But. Nonetheless, you have a golf date this Sunday afternoon. You arent worried, though. Youll look smashing on the court. Or is it course? You...
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 t...
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'...
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 ...
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 so...
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. S...
Perhaps I shouldn't be, but I am proud of it. I am. Ever so. I did one hand-picked zipper about two decades ago. This is my second. I've done one on the machine. (Sort of. I got a lot of he...
Yeah. So. I'm besotted with Adele. Totally. Didn't she look amazing at the Grammys? Didn't she sound sublime? Loved the monastic lines of the Armani she wore.Of course, there were othe...
Today, such a lovely surprise came my way. It did. I found, while organizing my stash, Vogue 3385. This jaw-dropper could only have been better if this lovely sheath pattern had been in my size. Alas...
Mesmerizing beauty: Undeniable. Creamy double-breasted coat: Timeless. Pour La Victoire Bre Black flat, $190 at Endless.com: Elegant. Vogue Paris Original 1675 Designed by Yves Saint Laurent, $57 at ...
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