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Aug 12, 2011

MPB DAY -- the dress rehearsal


Readers, I can hardly believe it: MPB Day is tomorrow!  Like Christmas and the 4th of July, MPB Day is a time when we celebrate, not just a blog, no, but a set of shared values that include pressing as you sew, avoiding cheap interfacing, and always being on the lookout for treasures in the trash.

MPB Day isn't a legal holiday yet, so a lot of you may be working, but I do hope tomorrow you will find some time to celebrate with your friends and loved ones, even if it means only spending a few hours in the MPB archives, recalling favorite posts of yore.  It's guaranteed to bring distant families closer and close families may need to be literally pried off each other.

There is a possibility that MPB Day may not be covered by your local media but please don't despair.  The entire day's events will be recorded and condensed into an eight-hour DVD set, made available exclusively to MPB readers -- the next best thing to being there and arguably better.
 
You wouldn't expect Ethel Merman to go on stage without a rehearsal and just like Ethel, I believe in preparation.  How fortunate that yesterday I was able to rehearse MPB Day with lovely Lynnelle, whom many of you know from Pattern Review and her blog, You Sew, Girl!



Lynnelle is in town visiting from Michigan this week, and I immediately took advantage of the opportunity to test drive the entire MPB Day schedule of events with her.  Of course, the flea market isn't open on Thursdays, so we couldn't do that, and we didn't eat lunch in the place where we're going on Saturday, but we DID visit the current FIT show, Sporting Life, and it is terrific, chock full of vintage sporting clothes and sporting gear-influenced fashion.


If you don't get a chance to see it with us tomorrow, please try to catch it if you're in NYC this fall -- it's open through early November.  And please, don't lean in too close to the mannequins or you'll set off the alarms -- enthusiastic Lynnelle had a tough time with that one!


After a quick bite, I dragged Lynnelle -- who was dressed entirely in her own beautiful creations --to the Garment District, or was it the other way around, I forget.  Anyway, to watch Lynnelle take in the wonders of Spandex House was akin to seeing formerly blind Joan Crawford have the bandages removed from her eyes in that famous episode of Night Gallery, or wheelchair-bound little Clara run into her father's arms in Heidi: I could barely hold back the tears and does anyone even get my references?



Even more enthusiastic was Lynnelle in Pacific Trim, where she had a near meltdown over their wide selection of rayon grosgrain ribbon, which she apparently uses to finish the tops of her skirts.  If we go there on Saturday, please, no audible sobs of joy.

Finally, I introduced Lynnelle to Kashi at Metro Textiles, where she bought some beautiful gold wool.  Sadly, Metro is closed on the weekend but them's the breaks, kids.



Fortunately I was able to rehearse many of my prepared speeches for Saturday, and Lynnelle was an excellent critic, tough but fair.  She pointed out all the ums, ahs, you knows, and likes that punctuate everything I say, and also helped me practice an assortment of greetings, suggesting that "How do you do?" is a little fussy, while "Hiya, Toots" is perhaps not fussy enough and somewhat dated.

After four hours with Lynnelle (who has the stamina of a draft horse), my arches have collapsed but otherwise I feel ready for the big day.  Am I nervous?  Certainly.  I'm still not sure what I'll be wearing, so you'll just have to find me by my face. 

Anyone who RSVP'd should have my cell phone number in the footer of my response, should you need it.  You don't HAVE to RSVP of course, you can just show up, but it's helpful for me to have a general idea of who's coming.

In other news, I made the big purchase.  More about that next week.

Finally, as if I needed to spend more money, I bought the most beautiful dress pattern on Etsy yesterday.  File this under "The Lost Art of Pattern Envelope Illustration."  Love!


For those joining us tomorrow, I look forward to seeing you there.

Everybody else, tune in Sunday for all the official MPB DAY gossip and pics, pics, pics!

Have a great Friday, and -- however you may be celebrating it, or where -- I wish you and yours a very happy and healthy MPB DAY!

32 comments:

  1. oohhh..I so wish I was going to be there! Have a fabulous time tomorrow and put me down for the 8 hour DVD :)

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  2. *sigh* I visited NYC in September last year and am dying to go back. This would be a splendid occasion, but sadly like you say, Them's the breaks.

    Looking forward to read/see what you are up to tomorrow! Have fun!

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  3. My 3rd grade teacher told my mother, "When the rest of the class is in math, Francesca is in the Swiss Alps with Heidi." It was a favorite book of mine as a girl and I would hide whatever I was reading behind my schoolbook in class. I probably got a better education than the rest of 'em that way.

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  4. Oh, I'm so jealous. I wish I could be there. Debi - can we hop over on a plane? I can't wait to hear all about it.

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  5. WHAT! SO YOU are the one that bought that pattern out from under my nose! I was just about to get my paws on it, too.

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  6. I already RSVP'd but wanted to add 2 of my cousins will be joining! I'm hoping my sister too but she hurt her foot so she might just come to the flea market. I'm excited for the big day!

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  7. y'all have fun. I'll be cleaning the house in preparation for my sister imposing on us. We were informed that they're spending the night Saturday, taking her and her husband to the airport Monday morning, and keeping their kids for three days. Yikes!

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  8. I am so bumming right now. MPB day is going to be a blast. I so wish I could do a "I dream of Jeannie" blink and just transfer myself between going away party and tagging along with you and your loyal followers throughout the day! Have fun everyone.

    Coleen

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  9. I'm sorry I can't be there to join in - have fun, everyone! Maybe I'll cook hotdogs for lunch, put on the Yankees cap my father brought back in 1972 and, if I close my eyes and imagine very, very hard, I'll be able to hear the dulcet tones of your intrepid guide.

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  10. Lady Katza, so that was your nose dripping on my arm!

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  11. I hope it is tons of fun, so sad that I'm missing out :(

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  12. I wish "Hiya Toots" would be used more often.

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  13. Avoiding cheap interfacing, but not cheap fabric.

    See you tomorrow, Peter! I will meet the group at FIT.

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  14. It sounds like a dream day is being planned. I wish could be there.

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  15. Hiya Toots! Have a great day! We expect full disclosure....

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  16. Hi Peter:
    I'm de-lurking to say I wish I could be there. I'm a pretty dedicated reader and enjoy reading about all of your (and Cathy's) adventures. I'm looking forward to reading about all the fun next week. I'm sad that I'm missing out. Hope this becomes an annual event!

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  17. Soooooo wish I could join in the fun tomorrow!!! But alas, I must work!!!! Have a fun and sassy time!! What am I talking about....of course you will. xxoo

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  18. Have a great weekend! Wish I could come. Next time.

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  19. I'll have you know my nose does not drip, thankyouverymuch.

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  20. If I ever get back to NYC, I'm going to demand a personal MPB Day, dangit!!!

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  21. Have a wonderful MPB Day! I will don a Chihuahua in your honor...

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  22. I am SOOO looking forward to MPB Day. I STILL don't know what to wear, but comfy shoes are at the top of my list!

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  23. You and Lynnelle are a sit-com waiting to happen.

    Wishing everyone a Happy MPB Day!

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  24. Ooh, I wish I could! I'll have to enjoy your MPB adventures from the other side of the country.

    Personally, I would be delighted to be greeted with "Hiya, Toots!" Why not inject a little joie de vivre into everyone's life?

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  25. Enjoy the meet up! Wish I could be there - it would be wonderful to meet Peter and many another amazing sewing bloggers in person.

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  26. I'll be there tomorrow!

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  27. Oh, how I long to be there tomorrow! Alas, I must attend the college graduation party for my stepson...I will be dreaming of fabric and sewing related fun. Can't wait to see the pics on Sunday!

    Have fun at MPB day!

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  28. Have a wonderful time. Love to see what they have in New York, considering where I live is very limited. Maybe, if we are lucky, one of your creative videos. Enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Josette

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  29. Oh Peter, I wish I could be there for MPB Day, and you could greet me with a "hiya Toots!" I know you will all have so much fun.

    I hope Cathy is able to make an appearance, but after the triumphant photo shoot of the historic rose gown, she could be forgiven if she just wanted to rest on her laurels for a bit.

    Happy MPB Day to ALL!

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  30. I love Metro Textile. Kashi is super nice and helpful. I made a trip to NYC from Toronto last week to see the McQueen exhibit at the MET. Afterward I stop at Metro because I heard so many good things from other sewers about this store. I bought so a lot of fabric to take home and it was such a good deal for the quality that I got.

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  31. Thanks for the quick virtual tour- if I ever make it to NY from Downunder I'll certainly check out Metro Textiles. And if you ever get to Melbourne Australia, have a look at the Cloth Shop and Darn Cheap fabrics. Happy MPB day.

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  32. Draft horse checking in... (lol)
    You know, I went back to Pacific Trim after you left. I was in there almost until they closed and bought many, many things. On Friday, I went to several of the stores you showed me: Chic, Metro, S&S, and others.

    I had a wonderful time with you on Thursday, Peter! You kept me laughing and I enjoyed every minute. Thank you! =)

    Lynn

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