Jun 30, 2012

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.

Jun 29, 2012

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.

Jun 28, 2012

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.

Jun 27, 2012

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.

Jun 26, 2012

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:

Jun 25, 2012

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.)

Jun 24, 2012

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.

Jun 22, 2012

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.

Jun 21, 2012

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.

Jun 20, 2012

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.

Jun 19, 2012

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.

Jun 17, 2012

Whatever Happened to the "Natural Woman"?



Balsam.  Lemon.  Unscented.  Natural.

Friends, welcome to the world of early Seventies advertising!

Jun 16, 2012

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



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

Jun 14, 2012

Toile de Jouy - YEA or NAY?



You've seen it in decorating magazines...

Jun 13, 2012

Mens Corduroy Shorts REVEAL!



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

Jun 12, 2012

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.

Jun 11, 2012

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.

Jun 10, 2012

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.

Jun 8, 2012

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!

Jun 7, 2012

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. 

Jun 6, 2012

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.

Jun 5, 2012

Glove Story



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

Jun 2, 2012

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!

Jun 1, 2012

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.