Friends, I am delighted to introduce my new colleague here at MPB, veteran sewing instructress Mary Porter!
A native of Newburgh, New York, Mary just ended a ten-year run at downtown Newburgh's recently shuttered So Sew! fabric store. Mary loved to demonstrate the Janome sergers and really knew how to move the poly fleece out the door.
Mary is going to help me improve my sewing skills and I'm hoping she'll share some of her extensive knowledge with you too.
When she's not sewing, Mary runs the library cart at the St. Francis Hospital and Health Center on North Hamilton Street, Poughkeepsie. A retired elementary school nurse, Mary lives alone with her mischievous chihuahua, Miss Millie.
Today Mary models McCall's 8536, a beautiful summer smock top, done up in slimming pastel stripes!
Mary and I have a short history, but if you've met Mary at So Sew! and can share more of her biography, please do. Mary won't mind, or know: she doesn't own a computer.
Expect to see more of Mary in the weeks ahead!
Have a great day, everybody!
Welcome Mary! I hope she does an instructional video or two with you Peter; I can only imagine the wealth of information she is.
ReplyDeleteWe'll be running screen tests shortly to see how she comes across on camera. Cross your fingers!
DeleteMary might need a close shave prior to her screen test - damn that post menopausal facial growth! But Peter, please be a little gentle when delivering the message; we wouldn't want to squash her confidence!
DeleteLove Mary's necklaces. Is that a rosary she's wearing?
ReplyDeleteThis is going to be hilarious and very popular. Be careful -- we may soon be watching Mary Porter Boldness!
ReplyDeleteAs long as it is not baldness, it looks a little bit like she might be wearing a wig... But she looks smashing in the smock top! Looking forward to seeing more of her!
DeleteWell, it should certainly liven up the joint. And in the spirit of everyone helping everyone, maybe Cathy can give Mary some tips - if she isn't too jealous of a potential following that Mary might engender. Some people can get so catty when they feel like you are encroaching on their territory. I would hate to see the start of anonymous comments designed to damage Mary's confidence. . . like Mz Suziwong's comment about 5 o'clock shadows - thinly disguised as trying to be helpful. After a certain age, we shouldn't have to be a slave to fashion (or grooming) norms.
ReplyDeleteI should say, Mary has a doppelganger, Lois at the Bernina shop in New Jersey. You are not allowed to buy a serger until you have a 2 hr class with Lois...
ReplyDeleteI don't want to tell tales out of school, but I heard that Ms Porter had a very racy stint in NYC in the 50s. She went there to be a seamstress and got mixed up with a certain renowned designer. It was a scandal.
ReplyDeleteScared me! For a minute I thought it was my mother!
ReplyDeleteMary didn't happen to do a short stint as a Home Ec teacher during the 1970's out on Long Island, did she?
ReplyDeleteWhat a great find. She even has a top like yours, styled very well I might add. Looks like she even sews on a Kenmore like yours. Bet hers never froze up.Be nice to her and she might whip up a zippy tuna casserole with some fruit in jello for dessert. Welcome Mary.
ReplyDeleteHey . . Mary pinched your new shirt ! How cheeky of her !
ReplyDeleteI think she wears it better.
DeleteI needed this today! I just snorted in my office and now run the risk of someone running in to see what's going on!
ReplyDeleteMary looks like a nice lady, but I don't like to see anyone pick their teeth with a seam ripper!
ReplyDeleteNervous unconscious habit suggesting a dark inner life?
DeleteThat would be nice.
DeleteI don't know why, but this whole thing just made me laugh until I cried. In a good way, I mean. Like, the best way :)
ReplyDeleteDidn't she used to run the interfacing section at Britex? I think she was "let go" for pushing non-woven pellon and wearing pastel seersucker.
ReplyDeleteMary DOES make a mean tuna casserole! And she's a hoot! Watch out for Miss Millie though, I got an ankle nip that really smarted.
ReplyDeleteThere's more than one something about this Mary... one of my little pet peeves is that she always calls pants "slacks," but other than that, she's a TREASURE!
And her purse is a pocketbook....
DeleteAnd she goes to a "picture show", that Brad Pitt is hot.
Deleteshut. the. front.door. this is the best sewing blog EVER! j'adore
ReplyDeleteOMG this was a total surprise! Gave me the first big laugh of the day. Welcome, Mary, I look forward to learning from you!
ReplyDeleteMary. Warmest of welcomes to you. I do hope Miss Millie can make an appearance! But I can imagine it may not be the easiest to carry your pup on the Metro North if you're doing all your blog work with Mr MPB in the city :)
ReplyDeleteYou are a total delight - I cannot wait to see what Mary can contribute. I do think that top suits her very well. Thank you for the laugh!
ReplyDeleteOh my, Mary looks an awful lot like my Home Ec teacher who gave me a C on my Elvis boxers. She also taught sex ed- if you can imagine!
ReplyDeleteYou just put a big smile on my face :)
ReplyDeleteYou are a genius!! :))
ReplyDeleteYou crack me up!
ReplyDeleteMary IS a stitch! Can't wait to see more of her.
ReplyDeleteI think it was Miss Mary that visited my Janome dealer here in Texas back in the early 90's to do a "Christmas in July" presentation. She had so many good ideas and I still have some of those patterns she shared! It's so good to see her again! She did say as she left that July in Texas is hotter than blazes.
ReplyDeleteWhat a find! Can't wait to see what Mary has in store for us.
ReplyDeleteThe pastel top suits Mary perfectly - you should let her keep it. But is she also wearing your white pants? Careful, could become 'a thing'.
Given recent changes I predict that MPB will soon be "the world's most popular sewing blog - bar none".
Spud.
Holey Moley! Looking forward to a whole new line of sewing that will appeal to this sewgranny.
ReplyDeleteWelcome Mary! You look darling and cheerful, and I cannot wait to know you better by reading your posts!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, that last photo had me in guffaws on the bus. I love a lady that doesn't take herself too seriously. It's my pleasure to meet you Mary! Rachel ☺
ReplyDeleteWelcome, Mary! I think we met at So, Sew! I was looking for fuschia fleece to make a coat for my chihuahua, but you talked me into leopard print instead (you were out of fuschia.) Scoopie loved his leopard coat BTW.
ReplyDeleteThat shirt suits Mary much better than Peter! I look forward to seeing more of her. Am smiling from ear to ear. Anne-Marie
ReplyDeletePeter, the blogosphere became small for you. You need a TV Serie!
ReplyDeleteAhh... The warm and whimsical world of Male Pattern Boldness continues to expand. We love it!
ReplyDeleteI love the new member of the MPB team!
ReplyDeleteOh hey! Wasn't Mary the one that got into some sort of fisticuffs with Nancy Zieman over ... what was it again?
ReplyDeleteI hope Mary Porter has some funny anecdotes to share.
ReplyDeleteDid you ever sew for anyone famous?
Mary Porter! you just set off a bomb!! caaaaaabooom!! this is something completely new (total excitement, eeeeeee!) although.., Peter's sewing is still my main thrill.....
ReplyDeleteThat's just crazy. The shirt looks just perfect on Michael. I'd like to know how that's possible?
ReplyDeleteWhy is my mother back from the dead (complete with five o'clock shadow) and on YOUR blog, not mine? (runs off screaming)
ReplyDeleteYou've lost it.
ReplyDeleteValerie, I think she taught at my school too during that stint down under.
ReplyDeleteNice to meet you, Mary!
ReplyDeleteDoes Mary have family in the United Kingdom?
ReplyDelete