Peter Models the Issey Miyake Leopard Print Coat!

Friends, the day has finally arrived -- the big reveal of my Issey Miyake leopard print overcoat (Vogue 2038)!

Buy an industrial sewing machine? Are you NUTS?

I started my Menswear Sewing class homework today.

I spent about an hour and a half over at FIT practicing on a Juki industrial.   This is what a typical classroom looks like.  Nice and bright.

Menswear Sewing at FIT - First Class, First Impressions

And we're off!

Getting started on the Butterick 9690 muslin

Since my class doesn't start till 6:30 pm tonight, I decided to start work on my cocktail dress muslin.

Back to School Tomorrow!

I can't believe it.  Barring an act of Zeus, in less than 24 hours I'll be back in school!

What to Sew Next?

At the flea market this morning, a suitcase full of vintage sewing stuff.

Leopard Coat Update or "Meet Me in Miyake"

With all the celebrating this week, you might think I've neglected my Miyake coat project, Vogue 2038.  Well I haven't.

National Pie Day + MPB's FOURTH Birthday!

Readers, it doesn't seem possible.

Mystery of Vogue 4742 REVEALED, or "Do the Bustle!"

Good news, readers!  Despite today's blizzard, my vintage 40's Vogue evening gown pattern arrived in the mail.  It's S-4742, and I believe it dates back to 1946.

More Japanese Patterns: Shimazaki Ryuichiro's "Book of Men's Shirts"!

Having had success with Shimazaki Ryuichiro's men's coat pattern book, I figured I'd give his shirt book a try.  I know only one person who's sewn something from it -- Claudine, who made a very lovely sheer seersucker camp-style shirt last year.

And the winner is...Miyake!

A decision had to be made and I made it: my first big project of 2014 will be this coat, Vogue 2038, designed by Issey Miyake.

Flea Market Finds of the Week, or "Why I Will Never Be High Fashion"

I hate to open with an image that evokes the 1947 Black Dahlia murder case, but can you believe this dress form (one of a pair) I saw in the trash two weeks ago is still out on the street?  (I passed it on my way to the flea market this morning.)

Cultivating a High Fashion Look When You're Not Tall, Thin, Young (or Rich)

Friends, I've been thinking about the Audrey Hepburn post of the other day and trying to identify exactly what it was that set her apart from the rest of us -- in particular, what gave her the high fashion look she was famous for.

Peter in Mustard and Audrey in Rome

Damn those paparazzi, always on my tail!

Hey, do you remember these mustard jeans I made last October?

The Mystery of Vogue 4742

Readers, I have an unfortunate habit.  When I'm not deeply immersed in a sewing project, my attention wanders to sites like eBay.

Things I Don't Get, Vol. 13 -- The Mod-Sixties Pantdress

Readers, WHAT were they thinking?  (Emilio Pucci in particular)

Updates, Updates, Updates...

Do you remember these leopard pants I made two years ago?

Would you believe I never wore them out of the house? 

ULTIMATE Upcycle -- Leather Sofa into Leather Newsboy Cap!

Believe it or not, friends, I used to own the same identical sofa pictured above, picked up at a thrift store nearly 15 years ago for a song.

DAY 3: The Completed Cap + Newsboy Cap FAQs!

I know what you're thinking...

DAY 2: Newsboy Cap TRUE CONFESSIONS!

This was a very productive day, newsboy cap-wise, readers.

The Newsboy Cap Project -- Getting Started

Shall we start the new year by making newsboy caps?

First Fabric-from-the-Trash Haul of 2014!

Friends, I don't mean to play the victim, but why does this always happen to me?

FIRSTS for 2014 -- Book, Pattern, HAT!

I know we're only three days into the new year, but let the clutter begin!

Professional Sewing Classes -- YEA or NAY?

Readers, what downside could there possibly be to taking a professional sewing class?