Fabulous, Feathery, Flea Market Finds!

OK, so I made an impulse purchase.  Like you've never done that?

Maybe it's the heat (blistering), maybe the humidity (wilting), or maybe I just like sky blue feathers (fun!).  This feathered stretch cap -- vintage 60's I believe and made in the former Yugoslavia -- is perfect for those mornings when you need to run to the Piggly Wiggly in your curlers.  Or if you're just having a bad hair day.

Quote of the Week + other random musings...

Friends, do you ever read sewing blogs and get the distinct impression that other people lead much more exciting and glamorous lives than you do?  Don't think I'm referring to my life -- surely you've noticed by now that I'm usually dressed in a stained t-shirt or boxers and standing in front of a sofa we found on Craigslist.

It's a Bird...It's a Plane...It's an OUTFIT!

OK, I wouldn't wear this to a job interview, but then again, I'm not going to a job interview; in fact, I hope never to have to go to a job interview again.  But that's beside the point.

In the Pink

Friends, I don't assign gender to colors. Do you?

I know I'm not wearing pink in the photo up top but rather lavender, but let's face it, many people consider these colors less than fully masculine, even today.  Be that as it may, I love them.  Plus I'm a summer.

Curse You, Miuccia Prada! + Pre-treating Fabric Confusion

Argh!  Have you seen what Prada showed last Sunday in Milan for Spring/Summer 2013?  You haven't?  Well get aload of THIS:

More Linen Love!

Friends, excuse the somewhat breathless tone of today's post but I'm just back from fabric shopping and you'll never guess what I came home with: more linen from Fabric For Less!  (239 West 39th St.)

The Bucket Hat

Readers, do you like bucket hats?  For summer, they're my preferred headwear, though I'm very picky about them and rarely find ones I like.  I've yet to make one myself.

Waistband Wonderland -- Installing Hook & Eye Closures

Readers, is there anything more challenging than making a nice clean waistband on a pair of mens pants -- or womens pants, for that matter?  Yes, collars can be hard and so can cuffs, but waistbands -- especially the ones with those fancy hook and eyes -- can be troublesome.   Here's how I make mine.

Linen Pants For Michael

Readers, remember this abstract linen I found on Tuesday's outing with decisive Ann?  Well, what I didn't share with you was that I had actually brought Michael's Color Me Beautiful color chart samples with me.

Sewing and the Decisive Shopper

Friends, meet MPB reader, Minnesotan Ann V.   Ann is in New York for a few days on business (top secret) and asked if I would take her to a few fabric stores in the Garment District during her one morning off yesterday.  Never one to resist the opportunity to be treated like a celebrity (well, a celebrity tour guide), I said yes.

Peter's "Surprise" Linen Shorts!

Readers, is there anything better than being able to squeeze a second project out of the same two yards of fabric?  You don't have to answer right away; think about it.

Whatever Happened to the "Natural Woman"?

Balsam.  Lemon.  Unscented.  Natural.

Friends, welcome to the world of early Seventies advertising!

Peter's Pants REVEAL or "Hello Toile-y!"

Readers, the extraordinary thing about sewing is that in just one day, this can become...

Toile de Jouy - YEA or NAY?

You've seen it in decorating magazines...

Mens Corduroy Shorts REVEAL!

Readers, I finished my shorts!  It took most of the day, but I finished them.

How My Op Shorts Pattern Became Men's Boxers

So I was thinking last night: maybe I should do a muslin of my Op shorts pattern before cutting my corduroy.  Then it occurred to me, if I'm going to go to the trouble of making a muslin, why not make something I can actually wear?  You can probably figure out the rest from the title of today's post.

Mens Shorts Dilemma: How Short Is Too Short?

Readers, some of you may think I'm a flamboyant person, but when it comes to day-to-day dressing, I'm actually rather conservative.  I'm perfectly comfortable on the beach in a short bathing suit but you'll never see me walking down the street with my shirt unbuttoned or rocking a pair of Daisy Dukes.  It's just not the vibe I want to give off.

70's Teen Idol Style

Readers, I am a product of the Seventies, by which I mean that, having been born in 1962, I spent my formative years in that decade.  Some people think of the Seventies as a disturbing time with tacky clothes, but take it from someone who was there: it was a great time with tacky clothes.

Linen Border Print Shirt REVEAL!

Ding, Dong, the Shirt is Done!

I am happy to say the linen border print shirt I made for Michael is finished.  And he likes it!

Border print linen shirt - Day 1

Readers, I tried to come up with a zippier title, I really did, but the best I could do was "South of the Border (Print)" which not only makes no sense, it isn't even very funny. 

Color Me Beautiful -- Friend or Foe?

If you've hung out here a while, you know I'm not really about rules.  That's in stark contrast to Michael, who grew up in a strict military family.  Which is not to say that Michael doesn't break rules -- he certainly does -- just that it's always more of a struggle for him.

Glove Story

Occasionally a blog post forces me to confront uncomfortable truths.  Today I realized I own nearly twenty pairs of women's gloves.

Flea Market Strategies for the Sane and Solvent!

Friends, today has been a very challenging day.  Not only did I visit my local flea market, as I often do on weekend mornings, but my apartment building complex (ten high rises) held its annual flea market today as well.  As you know, despite my decluttering victories, I remain at very high risk of recluttering setbacks!

Reflections on My Third Year of Sewing

Readers, my annual reflection posts are my way of looking back at the previous year, seeing what I've accomplished, and trying to make sense of it all.