Sewing-related (and non-sewing related) UPDATES

Friends, it's hard to believe our MPB Winter Frolic was only nine days ago--New York City already feels like a very different place.

Depending on where you live, you may be experiencing some of what we are here.  Restaurants are closed except for those providing take-out meals, along with many stores.  Gyms are closed (though we're still able to go running outside, which I understand is no longer permitted in much of France and Italy).  There have been sporadic shortages of hand sanitizer, face masks, and toilet paper.  (At least with regard to the last item, our local Whole Foods had 24-roll packs available again so that's some good news I guess).  Schools have also closed and many workplaces have asked their employees to work from home.  That said, I still know many people are going to work, at least right now.  That all might change within days.

Michael is fortunate that a great deal of his voice teaching is already done online (via Zoom) in private and group classes.  He also teaches in a program called Total Vocal Freedom that is offering a series of free classes, primarily for singers and singing teachers. If you're interested take a look.

My Mom, who you may recall lives with us, is taking the situation in stride.  At 90 (in May) she has lived through the Great Depression, WWII, the McCarthy era, and more.  Naturally we want to keep her safe and frankly, she's happy to have an excuse to stay indoors when the weather isn't warm.  She recently had a skin graft on her forehead which is why she's wearing a gauze pad.  It's healing nicely.

The dogs, Freddy (brown) and Willy (white, up top with the toilet paper), both have their health issues but, like my mom, they're rolling with it as dogs are wont to do.

My brother, who's an attending in the ER at New York-Presbyterian Hospital, was actually asked to self-quarantine last week but he seems to be fine so far.  Naturally healthcare workers are in the front lines.  Little kids seem to be immune (thankfully, since he has 3 1/2 yo twins), but apparently they can pass it on to others.  They might not see grandma for a while.

Last week, when life still seemed relatively normal, I managed to do a little fabric shopping since I wasn't able to concentrate on buying anything for myself on MPB Day.  I've also picked up a few vintage patterns online, all ladies suit patterns.

I've been curious about Modes Royale patterns for a while.  They were a small American company that was active primarily in the 1940's and 50's, issuing designs similar to those of Vogue Paris Originals and Spadea Patterns, based on French fashion designs.  I think this slouchy suit is kind of fun and easier to wear than the popular wasp-waist styles of the period.

Last week, I hightailed it to B&J to get a look at their remainder bin.  I found some lovely well-priced striped cotton shirting I'll probably make something with this month.

I was thinking of whipping up something like this tunic by the Swiss fashion house Akris.  This poly-rayon blend sells for about $800 at Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf's -- ouch!

Of course B&J also has a splendid selection of Liberty of London fabrics, particularly the Tana Lawns (below).  You can purchase from B&J online, by the way, something I learned only recently.  I really need to shop there more often as they have exquisite things.

At Metro Textiles I found a lovely floral poly jacquard with a heavy drape for just $8/yd. I thought I might use it to make that Vogue Repro 1940's suit above.  I love the somewhat muted colors which to me have a very vintage feel.

A fabric I considered but didn't purchase was this green and black poly brocade at It's a Material World.  I wasn't sure how easy it would be to deal with those oversized motifs.

They also had wool Melton in colors very reminiscent of the wonderful coat Lilian wore to the Winter Frolic.

In short, I have a lot to keep me busy and I'm grateful to be healthy. A few sewing-related projects that involve travel look like they're likely to be postponed.  As for MPB Day in August, we'll just have to wait and see.

I do hope that everyone is now, and continues to be okay.  A global pandemic is not something most of us have ever experienced before but we sewers are a resilient bunch.  If you care to share what's going on in your corner of the States (or points beyond), I'd love to hear from you and I know others would as well.

Hang in there, everybody!