MPB DAY 2018 -- Wet, Wild, and Wonderful!

Friends, I won't lie: when I saw that the forecast for yesterday's MPB Day festivities called for scattered thundershowers, I was worried.

Wisely, I had preemptively identified indoor backups for our outdoor activities in case of rain.  I learned yesterday, however, that it pays to have a backup to your backup, because while the Antiques Showplace building was a superb alternative to the outdoor flea market, the Bank of America atrium ("Open Daily from 8 am-8 pm"), a substitute for Bryant Park, was closed.  CLOSED!  What to do?

Luckily, I had a Plan C!

If it's ever raining on your weekend fabric shopping adventures with 50+ soggy adults, hightail it to Sunrise Mart, a spacious Japanese self-serve grocery/cafe at 12 East 41st Street.  You'll find plenty of seating and delicious Asian treats.

Here's my rundown of what proved to be the largest MPB Day gathering in history.

At 9:30 am, a group of us early birds met at the indoor Antiques Showplace building at 40 West 25th Street, directly opposite the increasingly rag-tag Chelsea Flea Market.  With three levels of antique booths selling everything from 1930's lingerie to Scandinavian art pottery plus a lovely downstairs cafe where you can grab a quick coffee, this place warrants a shopping day all its own and you don't have to worry about sunstroke or lightning bolts.

Carol, James, and Liz at the Antiques Showplace

At 11 am, the entire group met at the FIT Museum, where we caught the exhibit "Fashion Unraveled."  Fascinating!

Photo: Dario Gonzalez

After the museum, we grabbed lunch at Panera Bread (an MPB Day tradition), where we took over the entire upper level dining area (also an MPB Day tradition).  I must say that the food at Panera Bread has improved over the years.  The bathrooms, however, were out of order.

Kristen and Carol

Dawn, Anna, Tambira, and Roberta

Joanne, her father Keith, and mother Glennys

Ever see a comment written by Testosterone?  That's him on the left! (real name, David, with Wendell, right)

At Panera, we held our annual pattern swap.   Like a trip down fashion's memory lane riddled with potholes (What were we thinking in the Eighties?), the pattern swap is arguably the most stimulating part of the day.

Like every year, there were a great many patterns left unclaimed (and currently in my possession).  Why nobody wanted these gems is anybody's guess.

We have our worst-pattern-ever winner -- Congratulations, "Janet!"

I strongly suspect these were all donated by the same person who shall remain nameless.

As always, after lunch we went fabric shopping.  We hit such wonderful stores as AKN Fabrics (probably the largest selection of African Wax Prints outside of Africa), Metro Textiles (Kashi opened just for us!), Fabrics & Fabrics (the name says it all), and East Coast Trimming.

Me and Fernanda at Fabrics & Fabrics.  Photo: Dario Gonzalez

Anna Christina at AKN Fabrics

Hey, isn't that Sarah McFarland, Editor of "Threads" magazine?  Why yes, it is!

James, Kyle, Carol, and Kashi at Metro Textiles

Incredible grosgrain ribbon selection at East Coast Trimming!

We don't hold a formal "Best Me-made Outfit" contest, but maybe we should. Claudine sported a unique summer ensemble.  Her top is made from mattress ticking and boasts an amazing ruffled detail in back.

Julie was a citrus sensation in a vintage-inspired lemon-print dress accessorized with a lemon-slice handbag.  Loved it!

I wore my new mermaid-print shirt.

Pam's me-made top is made from DKNY fabric.

From the early morning till the late afternoon, the weather was entirely dry--a miracle.  The rain started up again just as we were to converge in Bryant Park.  Plan C to the rescue!

Sunrise Mart provided dry shelter and delicious treats.

At Sunrise Mart, we rested our weary pins, rehydrated ourselves with cool beverages, and shared our treasures till it was time to bid adieu.

I always have a great time on MPB Day, but this year I had a slightly greater time than ever before.  Maybe it was the cool weather, maybe the scores of familiar faces from previous outings, or maybe it was all the new faces who came from as far away as Canada, Ohio, and even Argentina!

I'd like to thank my 50+ new best friends, including Duane, Enrique, Kristen, Angie, Tambira, Rose, Frances, Ruth, Joanne, Glennys, Keith, Claudine, Roberta, Cynthia, Yvette, Sarah, Fernanda, Dario, Melanie, Andrea, Mary T., Tomasa, Kyle, Tracy, Anna, Julie, Michael, Dawn, Mimi, Jean, Flavia, Christina, Pam, Lily, Jackie, Marty, Aaron, Aimee, Ruth, Jane, Katherine, Ali, Liz, Carol, James, Sandra, Synthia, Sarah, Rhode, Azizi, Wendell, David, Mary C., and Alexandra.  If I forgot anybody, let me know!

I look forward to seeing you all again at next year's MPB Day on Saturday, August 10.  Mark your calendars!

Have a great day, everybody!

You can read Tracy's impressions on her blog here.

Photo: Dario Gonzalez