In this lively episode of Talk Gertie to Me, we dive into the personal stories behind Gertie's tattoos, body image reflections, and tips for setting up the perfect sewing space. 

Gertie and Andrea discuss the evolution of their body art, the challenges of body changes, and the importance of creating a functional and inspiring sewing room. With a mix of humor and vulnerability, they also share their vintage inspirations and practical sewing advice, making this a delightful and informative listen for fans of vintage fashion and creative sewing.

Links & Images

• Charm Patterns mentioned include:
  • Gertie Sews Jiffy Dresses
  • Elizabeth Caftan
• Reddit Tattoo Cover Up
• Grey Gardens
• William Morris Wallpaper
• Liberty of London - Lawn Strawberry Thief
• Brabantia ironing board

For more vintage-inspired sewing patterns in sizes 2-34 (with A-H bust cups), check out us out at Charm Patterns.

In this 2-part episode of 'Talk Gertie to Me,' hosts Gretchen (Gertie) and Andrea begin to wrap up Season 1 with a lively reflection on vintage glamor sewing, creative processes, and the joys and struggles of monetizing a beloved hobby. Engaging with listener questions, they dive into the realities of running a pattern-making business, from the financial and logistical challenges to the emotional rollercoaster of creative work. They also discuss the careful planning required for their themes and patterns on Patreon, tease upcoming projects, and share personal insights on maintaining inspiration and creative flow amidst deadlines and business demands.

Links & Images

• Charm Patterns mentioned include:
  • Lamour Dress
  • Lucille Trousers
  • Loretta Shorts
  • Betty Dress
• Miss Yvonne’s iconic dress on Gertie’s Blog!
• Sophia Loren in Christian Dior dress
• Designer Charles James’s Clover Gown and another!

For more vintage-inspired sewing patterns in sizes 2-34 (with A-H bust cups), check out us out at Charm Patterns.

Gretchen and Andrea LOVE Broadway! Learn about their separate backgrounds in theatre, the shows they're loving now, and how those shows have inspired patterns at Charm. Plus, they drop tips on how to see theatre in NYC on a budget!

Links & Images

• Charm Patterns mentioned include:
  • The Starlet Gown
• The /Broadway subreddit (with discount tix)
• RENT (the musical from the 1990s)
• The 2025 Tony Award nominees and winners
• Some Like It Hot musical
• Floyd Collins with Jeremy Jordan
• Death Becomes Her musical
• Oh, Mary! play
• Join the Theatre Development Fund (TDF) for discounted tickets
• Use the Theatr app for discounted last-minute tickets
• A View From My Seat isn't just for theatre! Use it for sports venues and concerts, too.

For more vintage-inspired sewing patterns in sizes 2-34 (with A-H bust cups), check out us out at Charm Patterns.

The episode where we diss on JOANN Fabrics (RIP) and share our favorite places and tips for shopping for fabric & notions online. The Charm Studio is in a very small city - we have to drive at least 90 minutes to touch fancy fabrics, too!

Links & Images

• Charm Patterns & books mentioned include:
  • The Betty Dress
  • Gertie's Charmed Sewing Studio book
• Andrea's crouton recipe comes from The Complete Vegetarian Cookbook by America's Test Kitchen
• Come visit the NY Garment District - do you have nearby turkey sandwich recommendations?
• Maybe Happy Ending musical on Broadway
• Our favorite thread is Mettler Metrosene 
• CorsetMaking.com is where we buy spiral steel boning & corsetry supplies and Wawak.com is where we buy lots of notions
• Salmon Gros de Londre fabric with rose dots
• The obscenely expensive black lace used on Gretchen's favorite Charm make to date (which will be revealed on the cover of the Fall issue of Vintage by Gertie magazine, coming out Sept 15)
• Fabric for Fashion swatch book with the pink cover
• Silkbaron.com's Lesbian Sunset and other Pride fabrics
• The inexpensive rayon challis we use for drapey muslins
• The inexpensive ITY jersey we use for jersey knit muslins (and knit linings)

For more vintage-inspired sewing patterns in sizes 2-34 (with A-H bust cups), check out us out at Charm Patterns.

Come join us for a laughter-filled chat with one of our favorite models and Charm team members, Susie Dahl. She's been with us for over seven years and she knows ALL of our secrets!

Links & Images

• Charm Patterns (great for burlesque!) mentioned include:
  • The Vargas Panties
  • The Hollywood Dress and Robe
  • The Wanda Pencil Skirt with secret thigh slit zipper
  • The Bryant Gown
• Susie Dahl's Instagram page (NSFW): https://www.instagram.com/brwnpaperdolli
• Nyx Cosmetics Epic Ink Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner: https://www.nyxcosmetics.com/eye/eyeliner/epic-ink-waterproof-liquid-eyeliner/NYX_409.html 
• Trixie Cosmetics Red Scare lipstick: https://trixiecosmetics.com/products/lipstick-red-scare-1 
• Pat McGrath Labs lipstick: https://www.patmcgrath.com/collections/lips 
• Fab Scrap shop for fabric by the pound: https://shopfabscrap.org

For more vintage-inspired sewing patterns in sizes 2-34 (with A-H bust cups), check out us out at Charm Patterns.

Why are caftans/kaftans so popular among Hollywood icons from the golden age as well as the queer community? In this solo episode, Gertie discusses the fashion (and cultural) history of this gender-free garment, spanning from ancient Egypt through to the modern day.

Links & Images

• Charm Patterns mentioned include:
  • The Elizabeth Caftan
  • The Pride Caftan
• Elizabeth Taylor swanning down the stairs in 1974's That's Entertainment
• Elizabeth Taylor's website archive
• See 17-year-old Elizabeth Taylor cinched in A Place in the Sun
• See her less cinched (and barely covered!) in Cleopatra
• The Elizabeth Taylor Collection auctioned by Christie's
• Vanity Fair article about Taylor's AIDS work
• Another article (in The Guardian) about her AIDS work
• Provincetown, MA (P-Town) fabulousness
• Palm Springs, CA Hollywood history and queer history
• Trina Turk's modern caftans
• Non-gendered designs by Rudi Gernreich (with more photos in this Vogue article)
• The caftan-like designs of Paul Poiret and the Balenciaga Sack Dress
• The Chiffon Trenches book by Andre Leon Talley

For more vintage-inspired sewing patterns in sizes 2-34 (with A-H bust cups), check out us out at Charm Patterns.

We've made two vintage-inspired swimsuits at Charm and they are WILDLY different. Learn why with Gertie and Andrea, who dive deep into the making of these two projects, as well as the aquamusical, submechanophobia, and the "famous" Jewels of the Sea ad that has lived rent-free in Gertie's mind for decades.

Links & Images

• Charm Patterns mentioned include:
  • The Esther Swimsuit (with Pride rainbow photoshoot)
  • The Jane Set (Jumpsuit)
  • The Liz Dress
  • The Lana Dress
  • The Foundations Petticoat (i.e. "the sea monster")
  • The Bathing Beauty Swimsuit
• Gertie's Charmed Sewing Studio book for more vintage swimsuit info
• Rose Marie Reid info (and swimsuit collection photos at the bottom of the page)
• The "famous" Jewels of the Sea ad that Gertie is obsessed with
• All about Lastex
• Hair flowers from La Casa de Flores
• Sabrina Carpenter's "Espresso"
• Esther Williams info and filmography
• A clip from Bathing Beauty with Esther Williams

For more vintage-inspired sewing patterns in sizes 2-34 (with A-H bust cups), check out us out at Charm Patterns.

Join me while I discuss recreating the white lace dress that Audrey Hepburn wore to the 1952 Oscars. It's a bit of fashion history mixed with some sewing fun!

Links & Images

• Charm Patterns mentioned include:
  • The Waterfall Dress
  • The Sabrina Dress
  • The Holly Bodice Backs Expansion pattern for the Sabrina Dress
  • The Lamour Dress
  • The free Charm Circle Skirt
• Christine Lingerie in Vancouver
• Iconic Atomic in Palm Springs
• Info about Audrey Hepburn's 1952 Oscars Dress and the Roman Holiday Coat Dress
• My version of the dress, on the cover of the Spring 2025 issue of Charm's Vintage by Gertie magazine
• Sabrina with Audrey Hepburn (1954)
• The Great British Sewing Bee
• The Fasturn fabric turner

For vintage-inspired sewing patterns in sizes 2-34 (with A-H bust cups), check out us out at Charm Patterns.

What is "Slutty Italian Summer" and how has it influenced Gertie and the patterns at Charm? Listen in as Gretchen and Andrea talk about the vintage and modern inspiration behind this catch phrase, and how it has impacted the Charm summer collections for the past few years.

Links & Images

• Charm Patterns mentioned include:
  • The Lisa Bodice
  • The Gina Bustier
  • The Sophia Dress
  • The Elsa Culottes
  • The Vargas Panties
• White Lotus (particularly Season Two)
• Dolce & Gabbana’s Spring 1992 collection
• Vanity Fair cover with k.d. lang and Cindy Crawford
• The Merry Widow film from 1952 with Lana Turner
• Camila Cabello 2017 Guess ads
• More Camila Cabello from 2018 in The Edit
• Charm's Vintage by Gertie magazine (Summer 2025 issue) heavily inspired by the Slutty Italian Summer aesthetic 

For more vintage-inspired sewing patterns in sizes 2-34 (with A-H bust cups), check out us out at Charm Patterns.

Welcome to the first real episode of Talk Gertie To Me! Come get to know Andrea and Gertie as they talk about who they are, how they've come together, and why they're excited to be doing this podcast.

Links & Images

• Maintenance Phase podcast - What's Our Deal? episode
• Gertie's 2020 daily livestreams on YouTube
• Gertie's Blog for Better Sewing (2009-2017)
• Vanity Fair magazine cover with k.d. lang and Cindy Crawford
• "Vintage style, not vintage values" - Dandy Wellington

For vintage-inspired sewing patterns in sizes 2-34 (with A-H bust cups), check out us out at Charm Patterns.