Out With the Old or "A Ditcher's Dilemma"

Some decisions are hard to make.

How to Choose a Sewing Machine, PART 1

Friends, after buying a car, is there any purchase more fraught than that of a sewing machine?

MPB -- the VLOG!

I'm finally ready for my close-up, readers!

What Turns a Man On....To Sewing?

Friends, in your opinion, what turns a man on to sewing?

The Daily Ditch Returns!

I can't explain it but for some reason I am very magnetic to stuff.

Flea Market Finds + New Fabric, New Friends, New Pattern!

Do you use a chalk wheel, readers?  I never have but I've always been curious about them.  I found this red one at the flea market today in a pile of old sewing notions and now it's mine.  I'm very excited to try it.

NAME THAT PATTERN - Spring 2014 Edition!

Friends throughout the world, it's time once again to play the sewing blogosphere's favorite pattern-naming game, NAME THAT PATTERN!

Peter Models the Shawl-Collar Cardigan!

Exciting news, friends -- You will not have to wait another moment to see me model my just-completed cotton cardigan!

A Trip to Jonathan Embroidery

What's a men's cardigan sweater without buttons?

Working on My Shawl-Collared Cardigan -- McCalls 5267

A few updates, readers:

With my mother's robe out of the way, my menswear sewing class completed, and the double-breasted toile de jouy blazer put aside, it's time for me to return my attention to my shawl-collared cardigan.

Sonia (Mom) Models the Completed Pique Robe!

I FINALLY finished my mother's cotton pique robe!

"Son of Jumpsuit" + My Wicked RTW Confession

Look what arrived in the mail today, readers!

Men's Jumpsuits -- YEA or NAY?

There are some looks that only work when you're cute, work on cars for a living, or both.

Menswear Sewing Class: The Dramatic Conclusion

Friends, I am well aware that after my spring break last month, I stopped providing weekly updates of my menswear sewing class at FIT.

What is a Fashion Designer and Do You Consider Yourself One?

If you sew -- and I'm assuming you do -- you've probably experienced the following:

You're out in public wearing something you made and somebody asks you where you got it.  You explain that you made it.  This person immediately asks "Are you a fashion (or clothing) designer?"

Which Fabric Should I Use For My Double-Breasted Suit?

It's official: vintage pattern Butterick 5384, with a few minor alterations (mainly length; I shortened it an inch), fits nicely.  The double-breasted suit project is a "go."

What I Sewed, What I Bought, What I Wore

You'd have to be living under a rock not to know that this month is Me-Made-May.

PETER PRAYS! "Please make my double-breasted suit muslin WEARABLE!"

Friends, a quick update: I have set aside my shawl-collared knit cardigan project and plunged head-first into my double-breasted suit jacket project.

Peter's Paisley Shirt REVEAL!

Friends, something special today!

Thinking Cotton Cardigans + Pocket-palooza!

McCalls 5267 (above) which dates from 1976 and isn't hard to find online, looks like a fun, relatively quick project -- perhaps my next one.

Are You a Pucci Person?

I am not a Pucci person, readers.

Like Peter Max or Lily Pulitzer, Florentine designer Emilio Pucci was endlessly knocked-off in the 60's and 70's.  My hunch is that most people my age have seen too many cheap imitations over the decades to appreciate the originals.

Double-Breasted Suits -- YEA or NAY?

Friends, what do you think of double-breasted suits?   

Spring at Last + Flea Market Finds!

Is May the prettiest month of all?

Peter's Edwardian Underwear + New Pattern!

I won this authentic "Edwardian" -- could also be 1920's -- union suit on eBay, new old stock (i.e, unworn).

Paisley Shirt: Cuffs and Collar

These were my beautiful-but-upside-down paisley cuffs from yesterday.