MPB Day - Holy Moly, what fun!

Friends, the truth: Since I launched MPB Day in 2011, the only thing I've changed is my clothes.

I'm from the If it ain't broke school: a little fashion museum, a little lunch, a little pattern swapping, a LOT of fabric shopping, a little schmoozing in the park -- just add water.  Like your mom's rice pudding recipe, it always comes out perfect.  It's a day I look forward to all summer long and I'm always sorry when it's over.

Before I forget: next year's MPB Day is scheduled for Saturday, August 13th (it's always the second Saturday of the month) so mark your calendars now.

But on to our day!  At 9:30 am a few early birds and I met for a fun-filled hour at the Chelsea Flea Market.  No sewing machines in sight this year (sob) but lots of other fun stuff!

I didn't buy this vintage straw boater but I do have the pic.

James scores with Elvis Presley's old Foster Grants.

Tracy bought a fabulous coat that includes an attached hat.  Instant outfit!

Kyle, Anne, and Lynn soak up some rays in their me-mades.

At 11 am, we met the larger group at the FIT (Fashion Institute of Technology) Museum for the Global Fashion Capitals exhibit.  We all enjoyed the clothes on display and the clean bathrooms were a blessing.  At this point in the day we were all so chatty and excited it's a wonder they let us hang there for an hour!

Claudine in another show-stopping outfit.

Lunch at noon at Panera's up the street couldn't have worked out better.  As in years past, we had the upstairs entirely to ourselves and were able to use one of the long center tables for our pattern swap which, if my math is correct, was 35% larger than last year's.  I currently have a bag of EIGHTY-FIVE unclaimed patterns sitting in my living room.  Perhaps it's more of a pattern dump.

So many patterns, so little time...

We had eight (EIGHT!) men in attendance this year: here's Michael and me, Marty (in back) and Howard (to my left)

Aysha, Paula, Joanne, and Glennys

Next up, three hours of fabric shopping in the Garment District, just a stone's throw (if you have a strong arm) from our lunch spot.  I led a group up to 39th Street and some of the smaller stores, including Chic Fabrics, Paron's, and Daytona Trim, and then on to Metro Textiles (on 37th).  Another group went to Mood, Pacific Trim, and....you'll have to ask them!

Jackie! (with Amanda behind her)

Anna!

Gloria!

At day's end we all converged in nearby Bryant Park.  We always manage to collect enough chairs and tables to create our own little oasis of fabric bags.  And the weather couldn't have been more beautiful.

Resting our tired feet at day's end.

In the park we shared our treasures -- up to a point of course. 

I expect to see Jackie wearing this fabric next year!

Elegant Enrique displays a classic plaid flannel.

Duane (Mainely Dad) in his awe-inspiring double-layered shirt.

For the first time on an MPB Day I purchased fabric myself.  I bought three yards of beautiful creamy white cotton batiste and two yards of this amazing black and white wool knit (below) both at Metro Textiles.  What I'll make with it is anybody's guess!

Mine, mine, MINE!!

One of the highlights of MPB Day for me is seeing so many familiar faces year after year.  Of course, it's always a treat to meet new people too!

I'm 95% sure that Pam and I ruled a small sovereign principality in another life.

In closing, I'd like to thank Teri, Carol, Stirling, Enrique, Marlene, Ayesha, Mimi, Aimee, Marty, Duane, Paula, Lynn, Howard, Amanda, Joanne, Glennys, Kyle, Anne, Trudi, Gloria, Lisa, Kate, Cindy, Jackie, Tomasa, Pam, Lily, Roberta, Nancy, Susanna (from Holland), James, Claire (from the UK), Claudine, Anna, Johanna, Tracy & Tom, and Claire & Mike.  You all helped to make this day unforgettable.

Before I forget, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention that Claudine, Joanne, Cindy, Johanna, and Roberta still have a perfect MPB Day attendance record (and never cease to remind us).  Will it last?  Tune in next year!

Hope to see you all back in 2016!

More pics of our outing here!

Read Kyle's recap here and James' here.

Get Tomasa's take here and Tracy's here.

Enrique shares his perspective (and excellent pics) here.

But do they SEW???  Avid knitters Johanna and Cindy.