Step into the wildly creative, deeply personal world of Charm Patterns with founder Gretchen “Gertie” Hirsch as she stitches together vintage glamour, pop culture obsessions, body positivity, and unapologetic queerness. From behind-the-scenes design inspo like “Slutty Italian Summer” to candid conversations on beauty, Broadway, and the messiness of creative life, this podcast is part sewing salon, part slumber party, and always ridiculously fun.
Gertie and Maddie (of Madalynne Intimates) Chat About Lingerie
Host Gertie and Madalynne Intimates founder Madalynne "Maddie" Rosato discuss their shared history and the creation of the Charm Panty pattern in this interview.
In this Season One bonus episode, Gertie and Andrea chat all about Charm's annual Halloween Extravaganza. It's our first video episode, so check out the video here! Links & Images Charm Patterns mentioned include:The I Married a Witch Veronica Lake dressThe Lorelei GownThe Dolly Bell BottomsThe Vampira GownThe Morticia Gown (using scuba knit)The Spiderweb Apron that went viralThe Leather Bat CollarThe epic Marilyn Monroe showgirl lookSee more of Charm's past Halloween content hereI M...
26 Sept 2025
Your Questions Answered - part 2
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 informativ...
19 Sept 2025
Your Questions Answered - part 1
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 ...
26 Aug 2025
Why We’ll Always Love Broadway (and Costumes!)
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 GownThe /Broadway subreddit (with discount tix)RENT (the musical from the 1990s)The 2025 Tony Award nominees and winnersSome Like It Hot musicalFloyd Collins with Jeremy JordanDeath Becomes Her musical...
15 Aug 2025
RIP Joann. Where do we buy fabrics now???
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 DressGertie's Charmed Sewing Studio bookAndrea's crouton recipe comes from The Complete Vegetarian Cookbook by America's Test KitchenCome visit the NY Garment District - do yo...
8 Aug 2025
Sage Advice with the Hilarious Susie Dahl
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 PantiesThe Hollywood Dress and RobeThe Wanda Pencil Skirt with secret thigh slit zipperThe Bryant GownSusie Dahl's Instagram page (NSFW): https://www.instagram.com/brwnpaperdolliNyx Cosmetics Epic Ink Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner: ...
31 Jul 2025
Caftans = Freedom (with Elizabeth Taylor)
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 CaftanThe Pride CaftanElizabeth Taylor swanning down the stairs in 1974's That's EntertainmentElizabeth Taylor's website archiveSee 17-year-old Elizabeth Taylor cin...
25 Jul 2025
Vintage Swimsuits (and their modern interpretations)
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 DressThe Lana DressThe Foundations Petticoat (i.e. "the...
17 Jul 2025
Recreating Audrey Hepburn's lace dress from the 1952 Oscars
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 DressThe Sabrina DressThe Holly Bodice Backs Expansion pattern for the Sabrina DressThe Lamour DressThe free Charm Circle SkirtChristine Lingerie in VancouverIconic Atomic in Palm SpringsInfo about Audrey Hepburn's 1952 Oscars Dress and the Roman Holiday Coat DressMy vers...
11 Jul 2025
Slutty Italian Summer
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 BodiceThe Gina BustierThe Sophia DressThe Elsa CulottesThe Vargas PantiesWhite Lotus (particularly Season Two)Dolce & Gabbana’s Spring 1992 collectionVanity F...
11 Jul 2025
Who We Are
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? episodeGertie's 2020 daily livestreams on YouTubeGertie's Blog for Better Sewing (2009-2017)Vanity Fair magazine cover with k.d. lang and Cindy Crawford"Vintage style, not vintage values" - Dandy WellingtonFor vintage-inspired ...
1 Jul 2025
Get ready for Talk Gertie to Me!
Gertie dives into the creative world of Charm Patterns, blending vintage glamour, pop culture, body positivity, and queerness.
Inside a recent episode
Gertie and Maddie (of Madalynne Intimates) Chat About Lingerie
Published 17 Jun 2026 · Transcript excerpt
[…] Well, mine was at Butterick first, and then they moved it to Simplicity. So tell us a little bit about how that started for you. So I started sewing lingerie when I was working at Urban Outfitters Corporate. And as part of my category, I was in tech design. I was responsible for handling lingerie for one of their brands, Anthropologie. And when I was looking, I was like, you know, if i'm really going to understand this and tell the manufacturer how to make this i should make a bra by myself um and so i did and i was like wow this is this is challenging i made like dresses and jackets at the point like this is its own like challenge um and i really just kind of threw myself head in as a technical challenge so just learn more and more about the fabrics and underwires and elastics and And I was working with a company that was hiring teachers to put on workshops, painters and crafters and crocheting. […]
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