Featured Sponsor: Sew Curvy Corsetry (with Coupon!)

Readers, I'm thrilled to welcome Sew Curvy Corsetry! This very cool company, run by the warm and lovely Julia Bremble, is a treasure trove of special supplies for corset, corselet, and bustier construction. According to Julia:

Sew Curvy Corsetry is a UK based online shop selling complete corset kits for beginners and a full range of corsetry components for the more experienced including steel boning, busks, specialist fabrics, silks, ribbons, fastenings, patterns and haberdashery.   The range is constantly expanding and will soon include bra making supplies.   In addition to all the usual supplies, a Custom Corset Pattern Service is offered whereby customers send their measurements which are then translated into a personal corset pattern and supplied with instructions on how to use and fit the pattern.

 

I am the lucky owner of one of Sew Curvy's Underbust Corset kits, which has every single thing you need to make a "waspie" (very 50s!): a Laughing Moon pattern, pretty floral coutil fabric, metal boning, lacing cord, twill tape, metal eyelets, and a straight busk (closure) in the appropriate size. Added bonus: the kits are beautifully packaged.

Here's the exquisite bellflower coutil that Julia includes in her kits. 

 

But my favorite thing about this company is Julia's passion for her subject. She writes House of Marmalade, a wonderful blog with tons of tips. I will let her thoughts on the craft speak for themselves:

Why make a corset?  Simply - they are beautiful.  As well as the opportunity to get deeply creative while making a beautiful bespoke item, the practical uses of a corset are many and varied.  A well fitted corset is extremely comfortable and supportive - apart from giving super sexy uber curves by default, it's a bit like having an extra skeleton on the outside.

Now for the COUPON! Sew Curvy Corsetry is offering my readers 10% off all purchases until the end of June! Just use the code "sewGertie." 

It's a Marc Jacobs Giveaway!

Denise of The Blue Gardenia, aka The Woman Who Organizes the Best Giveaways Ever, has provided a little celebration in honor of Marc Jacobs's birthday. Side note: did you know he just turned 47? Looking good!

Here's what's up for giveaway. First, a rare Vogue Marc Jacobs skirt pattern. There are three variations, and it's a size 16-18. Clean, classic, lovely!

Second, a tube of MAC pro Longwear Lipcreme in Prolong, a classic red. (I had no idea there was a MAC red lipstick that I didn't own yet. This must be rectified.)

Third, a bottle of Zoya Dovima, a metallic smokey gray nail polish. I saw some similar shades in a magazine recently, and they looked amazing. Plus, it's named after the fabulous 50s model who was a favorite of Dior.

The overall combo? Fierce! I think Marc would approve.

To enter, just leave a comment here by midnight on Sunday EST. All countries eligible.

A big thanks to Denise of The Blue Gardenia!

Annual Sale at the Blue Gardenia!

 

Hey friends! I'm back and just updating briefly with a sale from fab vintage pattern seller The Blue Gardenia. Denise always has tons of glam patterns, like the one above. Here are the details—enjoy!

Annual

End-of-Year Sale!!!

Buy 3 or more items, get 33% off!

Sale prices good through Midnight PST Thursday, January 6, 2011

Payment via credit card or PayPal only

Shop Early for Best Selection!

Featured Sponsor: Seams Forever

 

A big welcome to one of my newer sponsors, Seams Forever. Amy is the proprietress of this charming Etsy boutique, and she sells lovely vintage sewing notions, patterns, clothing, and accessories. Amy was kind enough to answer a few questions so we could get to know her better!

 

Gertie: You have such cool notions in your shop! Where do you source them?

Amy: I find them at thrift stores and estates sales mostly. Also, once people know you're interested in something, I find that family and friends come out of the woodwork with old rusted tins full of stuff their grandmother had!

50s Needle Packet

Do you sew yourself?

I'm a novice. But I've just finished a series of private sewing lessons with a friend who is a master seamstress. We made an early 50s dress from a pattern my great-grandmother had sewn for my grandmother. It's gorgeous and I learned so much.

50s Creme Party Dress

How did you get into selling vintage stuff? 

 

I went to visit some friends in Paris earlier this year and all I seemed to want to do was go to fabric and button shops, vintage stores, textile museums, etc. Suddenly I realized there might be a way to create something out of my love for history, fashion, vintage, and my strong desire to begin clothing myself in re-used, recycled garments and materials. I have a real issue with all our clothes being "made in China" and with their poor quality, not to mention the disposable culture of fashion consumerism these days. It really just became a puzzle I finally saw as one piece! So I started Seams Forever to promote handcraft and recycling, and in honor of bygone fashions. I feel that vintage designs are full of self-respect and confidence in a way I don't find very often in present fashion. And sewing, embroidery, weaving, knitting . . . these things are such beautiful, meditative art forms that we need to keep alive! Along with starting this online boutique I have been taking sewing lessons and have learned to knit . . . and I love it!

Chevron print fabric
 

What's your favorite thing in your shop right now?

For sure I'm obsessed with the vintage Dior cloche hat in purple velour with velvety ribbons and bright feathers . . . what a dream. I think Sarah Jessica Parker should have this hat. I keep hoping she'll be on etsy one day and find it!

1960s Dior cloche

A big thanks to Amy! Please go have a look at Seams Forever; I just know you'll discover an unforgettable gem.

1950s Short Sleeve Caridgan

Sale at the Blue Gardenia!

Happy Sunday, peeps! Are you all ready for a little Mad Men? To get you in the retro mood, there's a sale for Gertie fans going on at The Blue Gardenia. Simply enter the code ILoveGertie (aw!) at checkout, from now until midnight on Tuesday. How about the very Peggy Olsen dress above? (It's Simplicity 1939, in a bust size 34").

Or a fabulous halter dress?

Spadea 3133, Bust 34"

I'm also loving the current selection of 40s blouse patterns.

McCall 5984, Bust 40"

Isn't the draping on this one gorgeous?

McCall 6716, Bust 38"

Happy shopping! And thanks to The Blue Gardenia.

Altering HeyDay Trousers (with Coupon!)

I know you all love the 40s-style swing trousers from HeyDay Vintage Style. But did you know that they're also super easy to alter to get a custom fit? Designer Shona Van Beers uses a classic men's tailoring technique: the back seam extends up through the waistband and has a wide seam allowance, allowing it to be taken in or let out easily. Shona was kind enough to send me a pair of her trousers in black. Like many women, my hips are a bigger ready-to-wear size than my waist. But it's easy to alter this style of trouser to fit perfectly. Just start with a size that fits you in your hips; for me, that's a UK size 14. Here's how to do the alteration! (And see the bottom of this post for a discount on HeyDay trousers.)

Giveaway Winner!

Congrats to GILLIAN! She's lucky number 18, the winner of the lipstick and pattern giveaway, sponsored by The Blue Gardenia. Gillian, e-mail me to arrange shipment of your prize. (And send us photos of you all Deneuved-up, too!)

Thanks to all who entered, and super big thanks to Denise of The Blue Gardenia. Now go visit and support your vintage pattern seller! I've got my eye on this Ceil Chapman pattern. Isn't it amazing?

Reminder: Enter the Blue Gardenia Giveaway!

Happy Friday night, lovelies! Just a friendly reminder that tomorrow is the last day to enter the Catherine Deneuve Lipstick and Pattern Giveaway, sponsored by the Blue Gardenia. Just go to this post to enter by leaving a comment.

Good luck!

A Blue Gardenia Giveaway: Lipstick and a Pattern!

Denise of The Blue Gardenia is sponsoring another fantastic and generous giveaway! This time, we're setting our sights on the 60s. Denise has a lovely blog where she's written a series of drool-worthy inspiration posts called "Channeling Catherine," an ode to the great Ms. Deneuve's style. Likewise, this giveaway is similarly inspired. Behold:

Now. Take one part Nars Belle de Jour lipstick:

And one part McCall's 8076, a pattern for a swingy slip of a dress, copyright 1967:

And voila! You've been Deneuved!

To be entered to win the lipstick and pattern (bust 34", but quite forgiving fit-wise), simply leave a comment on this post by midnight EST on Saturday, August 7th. I'll choose the winner by random drawing and announce it on Sunday.

Denise has been so generous with us. Now might we return the favor? Go support a fabulous vintage pattern seller by shopping at the Blue Gardenia.

Here are a few of Denise's other Deneuve-worthy patterns to start you out. Go forth and shop!

Bust 40"

Bust 36"

Bust 38"

Code Name: GardeniaGertie (Featured Pattern and Sale!)

Guess who has a three-day weekend? ME! Highlights will include a little fabric shopping this morning, a burger date tonight, a draping lesson on Saturday, and some yoga and relaxation on Sunday. Bliss!

So I'm just popping in briefly to share a faboo pattern and give you the inside scoop on a sale you might be interested in. Denise of The Blue Gardenia is oh-so-kindly offering my readers 20% off your purchases this weekend! Just use the code GardeniaGertie to get your 20% off; that's good until midnight Pacific Time this Sunday.

GardeniaGertie is definitely going to be my code name if I get involved in any glamorous international espionage. (It's especially apt since I love gardenias; I wore the most gorgeous one ever in my hair at my wedding. Their fragrance always takes me back to that day: sigh! I later tried to grow a potted gardenia plant and I killed it within a week. Boy, I'm chatty today!)

The pattern above caught my eye on my last visit to The Blue Gardenia (it's in a 34" bust on the first page of the 50s patterns). The shorts and top are cute enough, but the bikini top has that extra something special. I love the structured, lingerie-look of it, don't you?

I will henceforth quit my yammering so you can go peruse the Blue Gardenia site. Enjoy!

Featured Pattern: A Sweet as Pie Party Dress!

Isn't this summer dress pattern so sweet? I just love the gingham insets on that pink version - and look at the little bow in the back! Snatch it up at ZipZapKap - it's in a bust 34". This would be so fun to wear to a backyard barbeque or out to an al fresco lunch, don't you think?

I've got sweets on the brain this 4th of July. Jeff is baking up a celebratory apple pie for us! I'll be back with regular posting tomorrow; I've got a series of posts on draping planned that I'm very excited about. In the meantime, I hope you're enjoying a fabulous Sunday!

15% Off at She'll Make You Flip!

McCall 4921 in bust 36"

My lovely new sponsor, Deb of She'll Make You Flip!, is offering us a discount on her fantastic selection of patterns. Just enter the code GBBS15-2010 in the message to seller box and you'll get a 15% refund via PayPal. Good until September 30, 2010! It must be pointed out that Deb has a truly excellent collection of vintage patterns for sale, many of which I have been lusting after for quite some time. 

I already have a copy of this pattern, Simplicity 1944, so I suppose I can let one of you buy this one (also in a bust 36").

Isn't Simplicity 3506 so Peggy Olsen? (Once again, bust 36". Yay!) Seriously, if you can wear a bust 36", get yourself over to this store now. There are a ton of super cute patterns in this size.

 Love the buttons on Simplicity 4105 (bust 32" for a change).

Thanks so much to Deb of She'll Make You Flip! for this special discount. (Again, just enter the code GBBS15-2010 in the "message to seller box" and you'll get a 15% refund via PayPal.) Happy shopping!

 

Lipstick and a Pattern Giveaway Winner!

Thanks so much to all who entered the giveaway. The Random Number Generator has spoken! The winner is Natalie of Vegetablog. Yay, Natalie! She'll get the lovely lipstick and vintage pattern supplied by the generous Denise of The Blue Gardenia.

Do you have a hankering for more giveaways? Never fear, there will be a fantastic one on Tuesday of this week, so check back!

Hope you're all having a lovely weekend.

Lipstick and a Pattern: a Blue Gardenia Giveaway!

Oooh, you readers are lucky today! The fabulous and thoughtful Denise of The Blue Gardenia came to me with a giveaway idea that was so good, I wish I could win it myself. The prize is a double-whammy of vintage glamour: a Julie Hewett lipstick and this very Mad Men vintage pattern.

The pattern is Advance 3446, bust 34", still in factory folds. I love the classic-but-sexy lines of the simple sheath and cropped jacket.

And to complete your look! A Julie Hewett lipstick in Belle Noir, a summery coral red. Why have I never heard of this line until now?! Julie Hewett was the makeup artist on the film Pearl Harbor, and she was inspired by the 1940s looks to create the perfect line of highly-pigmented, long-lasting red lipsticks. These lipsticks get rave reviews, and this particular coral red is supposedly the "Grace Kelly of lipsticks." In other words, I know you want it.

So to win both of these fab goodies, just leave a comment on this post by midnight EST on this Saturday, June 19th. Readers from all locations are eligible. I'll announce the winner on Sunday.

A big, huge thanks to Denise of the The Blue Gardenia for sponsoring this fantastic giveaway! Everyone now: THANKS, DENISE!

Featured Sponsor: The Blue Gardenia

Yay, it's time for a sponsor feature! Denise of The Blue Gardenia has the dreamiest selection of vintage patterns. I could seriously spend hours on her site. (Oh wait, I have spent hours on her site!) Denise also has some really interesting insights into pattern history and preservation. Her patterns come lovingly packaged and you can just tell how much she treasures them. Read on for my interview with her!

Featured Sponsor: Heyday! Vintage Style

Yay, it's time for more sponsor love! I just adore writing these posts, because all of my sponsors are very cool women who run very cool businesses. Case in point: Shona Van Beers is the owner of Heyday Vintage Style, a company that makes reproduction vintage clothing, an occupation that was inspired by both her love for both sewing and competitive swing dance. Read on for my interview with Shona - and hear how she gets her 40s style trousers to fit perfectly every time!

Featured Pattern: a Divine 40s House Dress (Plus My House Dress Plans!)

I love so many things about this pattern from my sponsor ZipZapKap: the pinafore styling, the ruffles, the sweetheart neckline, the pockets, the fact that it's a generous bust 36". I'm giving you ample time to go buy it before I do. Ready? Your time starts . . . now!

I've been dreaming of house dresses ever since our lovely discussion on the subject last week. I even bought some perfect fabric! Want to see? Pics after the jump!


Isn't this cute? I first thought they were little blue apples, but I suppose they're really flowers. In any case - very retro, no?

I'm especially excited to play with the grain on this fabric. I'm going to use the rows of apples as stripes, creating a chevron look, like in the lefthand view below.

But before I dive in, I'm going to stitch up my next muslin for the background dress, which has me feeling very demoralized. Sigh . . . I'm definitely going to need some advice from you fitting geniuses! More to come.

Featured Sponsor: What-I-Found

Guys, I have the coolest blog sponsors in the world. Take Tina of What-I-Found, for instance. I think I'd like to steal her life. She's married to a safety inspector for amusement park rides, and she and her husband live in an RV, travel around the country, and Tina haunts estate sales and shops to bring us amazing vintage pattern finds. Jealous? I am! I did a little interview with Tina and yeah, she's just as cool as she seems.

Gertie: What's it like living on the road? Is it as awesome as it sounds?

Tina: Yes, it's pretty awesome. I love this life style, but it's not for everybody. I like the constant change and visiting all the new places, but we end up trying to sleep under roller coasters, parked next to dusty horse barns and having to avoid eating carnival food. But we also have a chance to see big State Fairs and little traveling shows that play in a corn field. I love seeing people all excited about coming to the fair, hovering over their 4-H exhibits, city kids interacting with farm animals, and of course riding rides.

The other part is the traveling between jobs. I get to see deserts, alligators, and oceans, sometimes all in one trip. But my favorite is small local events . . . don't you wish you could come to the Giant Omelette Celebration?

What's the coolest part about your job?

The big thrill is when we are in some tiny little town and there's that long neglected, dusty shop just off Main Street . . . and sure enough there will be a treasure trove. The owners is often just amazed that somebody wants those "old things". And they are even more amazed that I found them under the table and behind those boxes that were piled in front. I just love when my Pattern Radar goes off like that!

Have you ever found anything really cool/weird/funny inside a pattern envelope?

I found the best thing ever:

Aw! That's so sweet!

Are you a seamstress yourself? If so, how do you manage it in your RV?

I have sewn in the past and did a serious amount of quilting for years, so I know my way around a sewing machine, but I can't sew much in the RV. I do have a little Singer Featherweight that I travel with. And I have sewn projects here, but the big problem is not having a fabric stash . . . every inch of space we have is full of 5,000+ patterns - no place to stow fabric. I do some hand embroidery, and if we ever have to stop moving I'll set up a sewing room in a jiffy, because I miss sewing. But I don't plan to leave the road anytime soon.

Yes, you read that right: Tina lives in an RV with her over 5,000 vintage patterns for sale! We better take some of them off her hands so she can make room for a fabric stash.

Here are my picks! How about this classic Vogue shirtwaist in a 36" bust?

Or Vogue 7966, a fantastic double-breasted frock with a wide v-neck - also in a 36" bust.

This shapely wiggle dress (Advance 8066) is similar in theory to VoNBBS's Background Dress, with lots of variable collars - here in a 40" bust!

And Advance 4877 is a beautiful 40s number in a 34" bust - I love the bow-tied neck and shaped hip yoke!

Go see more of Tina's fantastic selection at What-I-Found. Also, she has a really awesome blog, where she shares other vintage sewing and fashion ephemera that she finds in her travels.