Sonia (Mom) Models the Floral Blouse!

It's Mom's first official photo shoot! (click on pics to supersize)

Enough Muslins -- Let's Get Started!

I could certainly have made a few more muslins before cutting into my fashion fabric for my mother's blouse, but since I paid $5 for this cotton print (at Metro Textiles), the stakes aren't very high.

Mom's Muslin #2 -- Simplicity 2339

Yesterday a few of you suggested that I work from a smaller pattern to create a well-fitting blouse for my mother.

Mom's Blouse -- Muslin 1

For a first stab, this blouse muslin is not terrible.  Frankly, it fits no worse than most of the ready-to-wear tops my mother generally wears.

Sewing for Mom + My New Hat

I have the fabric, I have the mother, now I just have to get started.

Fabric Shopping With My Friend Lenore!

Meet Lenore -- a super person, talented handbag designer, and FABULOUS friend to go fabric shopping with!

Holy Hibiscus! -- Michael Models the Tropical Print Blazer!

Would you believe that a few short years ago I couldn't have identified a hibiscus if my life depended on it?  Not anymore!

Michael's oversized hibiscus print blazer is finished and you can see him model it this very minute it by simply clicking here.

Finishing Touches on the Blazer + New Fabric!

Friends, I am happy to report that the blazer is finished -- well, almost finished: I still need to insert the sleeve lining.

MPB -- Now 33% BIGGER!

Readers, it was time.

Today MPB got its first-ever upgrade.

Sunglasses for Mom et al.

As most of you know, last Sunday was Mother's Day.

Sport Jacket Progress + Job Opening at Mood

After agonizing for a day or two about my fabric, I jumped into my sport jacket project and I'm not looking back.

What I'm Making With My Hibiscus Print + New Dress Patterns

Readers, I've made a decision about my wild hibiscus print fabric: I'm going to make an informal summer blazer, using Vogue 9445 (up top) from 1958.

NAME THAT PATTERN -- MARY ASTOR B-DAY EDITION!

Friends, if you're an old movie buff like I am, you're probably a fan of Mary Astor.

Mary was best known as more of a supporting player than a lead, but if you've ever seen The Maltese Falcon, Midnight, The Great Lie (for which she won an Oscar) or The Palm Beach Story, you've seen Mary Astor at her best.  What better way to celebrate Mary's hundred-and-ninth birthday than with a very special round of the Internet's favorite pattern-naming game, NAME THAT PATTERN!