Jul 31, 2014

Revisiting the 70's Disco Shirt + Painting Update!



Look, everybody, my garbage-find artwork is now hanging on the wall -- I was even inspired to declutter the surface of my credenza!

Jul 30, 2014

Challis Winters? + Garbage Find of the Month!



Friends, just look what I found in my building trash yesterday evening.

Jul 29, 2014

Linen Pinstripe Drawstring Pants for Michael



Occasionally I buy fabric with a certain project in mind but end up using it for something else entirely.

Jul 27, 2014

Hello, VLOGGY!



Friends, once again I am delighted to present my latest VLOG extravaganza.

Jul 25, 2014

FINAL Williwear Post: Michael Rocks It!



OK, so Michael insisted he get to model McCalls 8536, the vintage Eighties Willwear top.  Or somebody insisted...

Jul 24, 2014

Meet Mary Porter!



Friends, I am delighted to introduce my new colleague here at MPB, veteran sewing instructress Mary Porter!

Jul 23, 2014

In Praise of the One-Day Sewing Project -- McCall's 8536



Remember this vintage McCall's Williwear pattern from 1983?  Well today I made the top.  (You know this is basically a unisex pattern when a men's shirt is referred to in the instructions as a top.)

Jul 22, 2014

READER QUESTION: "How practical are white pants?"



On occasion an MPB reader will ask me for fashion or sewing advice.   It's flattering!

Jul 21, 2014

Kenmore Feed Dog FAIL -- What am I doing wrong? (With UPDATES)



Friends, if you watched yesterday's vlog, you know I've been doing some long-delayed maintenance on my beloved Kenmore 158.141, my go-to vintage zigzagger.

Jul 20, 2014

Sunday VLOG -- Sultry Summer Edition!



Readers, it's VLOG time again.  Mitzi's ready for her big number and so am I!

Jul 19, 2014

Coffee Table Fashion Books (in the age of Pinterest) -- YEA or NAY?



I used to own this exact same coffee table.  I ended up selling it when I got tired of telling people not to put their drinks down on it without a coaster -- a real drag.

Jul 18, 2014

Gearing Up for The Next Big Thing



Friends, I played hookey yesterday: I went to the beach at Fire Island with my friend Nora.

Jul 16, 2014

So You Want to Sew a Men's Suit -- Some Helpful Resources



I'll admit it: I find a men's suit to be one of the most challenging sewing projects to take on.

Jul 15, 2014

Modeling My Navy Blue Suit at Mood!



Friends, as promised, my suit -- the first I've completed that wasn't made out of a vintage bedsheet, btw -- is live and ready for your inspection on the Mood Sewing Network.  Just click here.

Jul 13, 2014

Invasion of the Killer VLOG!


It's out there in the night.  It's coming closer and closer...

Jul 11, 2014

NAME THAT PATTERN: Matchy-matchy Semi-Finals!



Readers, the last season of MPB's exclusive pattern-naming game, NAME THAT PATTERN, proved that there exist among you some very talented players who are ready to step it up a level.

Jul 10, 2014

Jul 9, 2014

Jul 6, 2014

Sunday Sewing VLOG TIME!



Has a week gone by already? Where does the time go?

Jul 5, 2014

Herringbone Twill Jacket Update



The jacket continues to come together, albeit slower than I'd originally hoped.

Jul 4, 2014

July 4th Jumpsuit Miracle: a TRUE STORY!



Readers, you're not going to believe what happened to me today.

Jul 3, 2014

A (Slight) Change of Plan



Remember this cotton/linen outfit from last month?

Jul 2, 2014

From Red to White and Blue: New Fabric!



Maybe it's the approach of July 4th, but lately I'm all about the reds and the blues -- with some white in there too of course.

Jul 1, 2014

Juicy July Jottings!



Readers, with the excitement of the last few days, I completely forgot that we have a brand new month before us.