Peter's best (and worst) of 2010!

Friends, as 2010 draws to a close, let's take a few minutes to recall some of the high -- and low -- points of this, our very first year together.

Resisting Sewing Obsession

Readers, as you can see, I now have my Pfaff 30 here at home in its original table.  I am so into this machine.  We have an incredible physical connection.

Oh Joy! Oh Rapture! The Pfaff 30

Friends, let's face it: when it comes to sewing machines, I'm a playa.  In just eighteen months I've been with more sewing machines than some of you will sew on in your entire lives.  Is it me or are men just that way?

Snowed-in Sewing

Twenty inches is a lot of snow, my friends.  I am at an age where snow is a nuisance, sadly.   My Flexible Flyer days are far, far behind me.

Leopard Print Pants and the Holiday Hangover

We're in post-holiday recovery mode here today, folks.  I feel so grateful this time of year -- mainly that I'm not stranded in a Chicago airport waiting for my flight to be rescheduled.  Life is good.

Mens Leopard Print Pants for Christmas!

THANK YOU, SANTA!

OK, how cool are these pants?  I can't wait to wear them to Paris Fashion Week!  A Hollywood Premier!  Drinks in London with Madonna!  Fabric shopping.

Purrrrfect holiday sewing: Men's Leopard Pants!

What is it about Christmas and leopard?  They just go together.

Peter's Holiday Hodgepodge

Readers, it can no longer be ignored: it's almost you-know-what-mas again.  I hope you've been good little girls and boys; I know I have been!

BREAKING -- Singer treadle switcheroo!

Friends, I know I lose a great many of you when I talk about vintage sewing machines.  Eyes glaze over, minds wander, thumbs twiddle.  We live in the time of Twitter and attention spans are short.

Welcome, Singer 15-90! or "Out with the Old, In with the Older"

Friends, Monday was a very exciting day here at MPB headquarters.  As if guided by the spirit of I.M. Singer himself, I was able both to sell my Singer Spartan (my seventh sewing machine sale since I started decluttering earlier this month) and hours later to receive my Singer 15-90, courtesy of UPS.

Conflicted Sewing

Wise readers, do you subscribe to the belief that our outer worlds are a reflection of our inner worlds?

Leopard print for men -- yea or nay?

PLEASE NOTE: No actual leopards were harmed in the writing of this blog entry. 

End-of-year projects et al.

Wow!

An MPB reader created this fabulous Andy Warhol-esque portrait of Cathy a few months back and -- don't hate me --  I forgot who.  Anyway, I wanted to share it with all of you.  You rock, whoever you are.

The Last Toggle Post

Dear readers, a million thanks for yesterday's comments.  I think we're all going to enjoy wearing this coat and don't think I'm not serious -- I share.

FINISHED! Peter models the Vogue toggle coat

Friends, the toggle coat is in the can!  Wait -- that sounds wrong.  It's done.

MPB SHOCKER: Peter buys another -- !

Friends, it's barely past dawn here and I have already eaten breakfast, voided my colon, and bought another --

Return to Toggle Land

Friends, we're getting close to finished on this toggle coat but we're not there yet.

Pet Peeves: sewing for dogs

Friends, I'm not one of those people who are into dressing up dogs "cute" and I hope you're not either.

Toggle-free Sunday

Friends, I made absolutely no progress on my toggle coat yesterday due to a wedding-related party my mother threw up in the Bronx (or rather ...my mother threw, up in the Bronx) for all the neighbors she has known for decades but who didn't make the wedding cut.  Plus a few who had been invited but were too old and frail too attend.  At one point we had actual walker traffic, with a line of four waiting to get through my mother's foyer.

Toggle Coat vs. Duffle Coat + ARRIVAL OF THE TOGGLES!

Refined readers, you'll be happy to know that for what I could have spent on dinner for two in a moderately priced Japanese restaurant, I bought four leather toggle sets yesterday, complete with genuine horn toggles and four matching buttons (for sleeves and detachable neck strap).

Men's toggle coat + Boyz N the Hood

You saw that coming, I hope.

Men's toggle coat - cutting fabric, purchasing notions, etc.

And off we go!

To err is human + Toggle coat update!

Friends, do you remember this lovely vintage Samsonite vanity case?   Well this morning I walked into the living room and --

Toggle Coat Turmoil et al.

First things first:  I sold my Necchi Lydia!  Yesterday evening the interested party -- let's call her Darlene Gillespie  -- swung by to check her out.  It was love at first sight (between Darlene Gillespie and Lydia of course), what could I do?

Good News, Bad News!

Good news!

I preshrank all my wool for my toggle coat project using the damp-towel-in-the-dryer method I first read about here.  (I've done it before with successful results.)

Bad news...

Best Basic or Beginner Sewing Machines: Your recommendations please!

 

I had a funny experience this weekend.  Someone contacted me through Craigslist wanting to buy my Necchi Lydia!

I was delighted -- at first.

Toggle Coat Take-off!

Good morning, hoarders, pack rats, and clutterbugs!

Feeling fresh and alive after my week of decluttering (which continues, albeit offstage), I trotted over to the garment district yesterday in search of wool fabric for my toggle coat project, otherwise known as Vogue 8452, an OOP mens pattern from 1992.

Positively the LAST decluttering post

Brace yourself, friends, my notable Necchi is no more.  She won't be picked up till next week but I have a deposit.  How exciting is that?  Five sewing machines sold in four days.  Let's all take a deep breath.

Decluttering downsides

I know this is getting a little wearisome for some of you, but rest assured, the decluttering is winding down.

Yesterday I bid good-bye to my Brother LS2125, now owned by former Floridian Melissa.  So touched was I by her excitement, I threw in a vintage McCall's hardcover sewing book for free.  Melissa seemed delighted.

More DECLUTTERING delight!

Meet Marcia (name changed to protect her from envious MPB stalkers), the proud new owner of my beloved Singer Genie.  Please don't hate her.  The machine was actually a gift to Marcia from a friend (an MPB reader, no less) and Marcia came to pick it up not even knowing what it would be.  I could have given her my old razor with no questions asked.

One down, four to go!

Good morning, neatniks, slobs, and vicarious downsizers.

So I did it -- I sold a sewing machine yesterday!  I am loathe to tell you which one for fear it might be your favorite and I don't want to cause a ruckus.  OK, it was my Singer Genie.  I know many of you love the Genie and I loved mine too.  But I never used it.  I have three other Singers, albeit without the irresistible flower-power details. 

Mastering the Sewing Mess

Friends, I am on a bit of a decluttering roll -- some might say obsession -- here at MPB headquarters.  I am committed to downsizing however I can.  I have Too. Much. Stuff.

Can I interest you in a slightly used chihuahua?  Two?

Decluttering: Part 2

Readers, I must provide some backstory to yesterday's post.  I used to have a lot of clutter -- no, not clutter exactly.  Stuff.  And I've gotten rid of tons of it, primarily on eBay and Craigslist, but also through donations to thrift stores and just throwing stuff out.

Here's an eensy weensy taste; thank goodness I took pictures!

One small step in the struggle against entropy!

Friends, one of the leitmotifs of my life is the continuing battle against chaos.  It's challenging, living in a Manhattan apartment, no matter how spacious relatively speaking, to find room for two chihuahuas, twelve sewing machines (fourteen if you count the sergers), two adult men and a glamorous cousin who likes to crash at a moment's notice and rarely picks up after herself.

Straight Skirt for Mom: a Holiday Drama

Mothers.  What can you say?

Happy Thanksgiving from MPB!

Ever make one of these?  (Be honest.)

Peter speaks! The first-ever MPB TOPSTITCHING VIDEO!

Friends, it was time.  I have received so many comments and questions about topstitching, specifically with regard to my Kwik Sew men's jeans and Western jacket, that I decided it was time to do something about it.  The result is this movie.

Trend Watching: the Future of Home Sewing

Readers, when you sew all day and write a sewing blog, it's easy to lose perspective. 

Before I learned how to sew, I didn't know anybody who even owned a sewing machine.  Today, I shun anyone who can't use the word presser foot in a sentence, and if they don't know what a feed dog is, I'm not interested.  I think it's totally normal to sew bras, girdles, and crinolines, moreover, and snicker at the men who don't.  I just assume everyone sews.

THIS I will not sew!

Friends, I must be honest.  There are certain things I will not sew for myself and for very good reasons.  I bet you're the same.

Kwik Sew Men's Jeans - Done!

Friends, I hope you agree that with these Kwik Sew men's jeans I have successfully achieved the "snug and shapely mono-bun" that MBP readers favor by a wide margin according to Friday's "denimed derriere" poll. 

Kwik Sew Men's Jeans: Nearly done!

 

Friends, I am happy to report that my Kwik Sew 2123 Men's Jeans are coming together nicely.  I'll be revealing them tomorrow but in the meantime I thought I'd talk about how I'm making them.

Men's Jeans and the Denimed Derriere + POLL!

Adult readers and supervised teens, let's face it: there's not a whole lot of controversy about the fit of the front of men's jeans.  It's two pockets and a fly.  Sometimes the waistband covers the bellybutton, usually it's an inch or two below.  Unless you're a hustler (or a rustler), it's all pretty standard stuff.

The fit in the rear, however...

Kwik Sew Men's Jeans + Contest Winner!

Friends, we have a winner of the Audrey-Hepburnesque 1962 vintage Vogue pattern.  She is...

Designer Fashion for Kids - yea or nay?

Dear readers, you know I do not have any children.  In fact, I avoid children whenever possible and when it isn't possible, interact minimally and hope the elevator door opens ASAP.

Vintage Vogue Pattern GIVEAWAY -- Audrey Hepburn style!

Friends, the joy of living is in the giving.   I haven't given away any patterns lately and, frankly, having spent yesterday at a funeral (the husband of an old and dear friend), I could use the joy.

Yé-yé Girl Style

The Yé-yé girls were a breed of popular singers in the Sixties, primarily in France, but later in other parts of Europe, Canada, and even Japan.   They all shared a few common traits: they were young, they were pretty, they had long straight hair, and they couldn't sing very well. 

Cathy models the One Pattern Wardrobe!

Friends, the stars were aligned yesterday.  The weather was perfect, Cathy awoke with less eye puffiness than usual, and knee socks were in abundance at my local Duane-Reade drugstore!  (Worn over tights, they cleverly combine chic and warmth.)

Whenever you're ready, Cathy...

Look who's now reading the sports page. (click on pic to supersize)

See you on the morrow!

Attack of the Killer Houndstooth

WARNING: this post includes images of extreme pattern boldness that may cause nausea, blurred vision, or vertigo.  MPB assumes no responsibility for any injuries incurred by readers.  If symptoms persist consult your doctor.

Uniforms

Readers, do you ever find yourself having to wear a uniform, for school, for work, or even for play?  How do you feel about it?