May 30, 2013

Men's clothing vs women's clothing -- Which is more difficult to sew?



Apparently it's Questions Week here at MPB.  (I don't plan these things, they just happen.)

Last month I received an email from reader Lynn S., suggesting an interesting blog topic.  Here's what Lynn wrote:

May 29, 2013

May 28, 2013

Can You Have Too Many Sewing Books?



Readers, this is a big week for me: the completion of my 4th year of sewing --  it's like my college graduation!

Partly to celebrate, I treated myself to a new sewing book yesterday -- new to me, I mean -- Roberta Carr's "Couture: The Art of Fine Sewing" from 1993, which I cannot believe was twenty years ago but whatever.  Did I also treat myself to her somewhat-pricey-even-though-second-hand couture sewing DVD too?  You'll just have to wait and find out.

May 26, 2013

This and That...



Friends, this is a holiday weekend here in the USA, and since I just finished a big project, I'm more or less in rest and recovery mode.  But that doesn't mean all work has stopped!

May 25, 2013

Peter SPEAKS -- The Bernina 930 VIDEO!



Readers, it's here: the Bernina 930 video!

I hope you enjoy it and, naturally, if you have any questions, feel free to ask.

May 24, 2013

Cathy's Full 1940's Silk Dress Photoshoot!



Readers, I am delighted to share Cathy's silk dress photo shoot with you today -- in its entirety!

May 23, 2013

Hey, that's Cathy in her new silk dress!

 

Wait -- THAT'S not Cathy!
 
Readers, if you'd like to see the real Cathy Lane in her Forties silk charmeuse dress, hop on over to the Mood Sewing Network today. 

May 21, 2013

May 20, 2013

One Less Tooth



Friends, have you ever had a tooth pulled?  I did this morning and I don't have to tell you it wasn't a very pleasant experience, and I like my dentist.

May 19, 2013

NAME THAT PATTERN: National Devil's Food Cake Day Edition!



Readers, what better way to celebrate National Devil's Food Cake Day than with an exclusive edition of the sewing blogosphere's favorite pattern naming game, MPB's NAME THAT PATTERN!

May 18, 2013

Bodice Darts, Facings, and Back Stays, Oh My!



Friends, I'm almost done with my silk dress bodice; I've hardly left the house all day.

May 17, 2013

May 15, 2013

Bernina Update + Prepping My Silk



Exhale, readers, I have good news: the Bernina works great.

Did I mention that I had to purchase the power cord separately?  That's why I couldn't test it yesterday; I only received the cord today.  I was nervous when I plugged it in and turned it on.  Given the rotten packing job the seller had done. I didn't know what to expect.  But it seems mechanically superb.

May 14, 2013

Stitching Silk Swatches + Arrival of the Bernina



So I've been experimenting with silk samples.

I happen to have another large piece of slinky charmeuse in my stash, along with all the swatches I picked up yesterday morning.  I've tried various kinds of thread, stitch lengths and tension settings.  I've experimented cutting charmeuse sandwiched between tissue paper with silk pins in the seam allowances (which works well) to discourage shifting.

May 13, 2013

Fabric Love at First Sight + Sewing with Silk



Readers, I'm stoked.

I went fabric shopping this morning for Cathy's 1940's dress with the gathered bodice and skirt front, Simplicity 4856.  I needed something with a beautiful drape and some weight to it.  At first I looked solely at solids.  I saw some gorgeous silk failles and satins, but nothing really wowed me.

May 12, 2013

A New Sewing Machine!



It's big.  It's metal.  It sews!

May 11, 2013

A New Dress for Cathy!



Readers, I've changed my mind again.

I am not ready to jump immediately into the cotton-mohair suit jacket that goes with the pants I just made.  I'm tired and I want to have some fun.  Tailoring is rewarding, but fun it ain't.

May 9, 2013

Check out my finished suit pants!



So how DID I ultimately hem those gray pants?

Lose sleep no longer!

May 8, 2013

Why I Bought a Bernina



Friends, there is a fine line between decisive and impulsive.

May 7, 2013

Men's pants length: how short is too short?



The inevitable hem length post, readers!

Just as with contemporary women's fashion, it seems like when it comes to once well-established rules like men's pants length, tradition has been cast aside in favor of...just about anything

May 6, 2013

Belt Loops and (Professionally Made) Buttonholes



Here's a sneak peek at the pants; they're nearly finished.  I worked out the fit issues and now just have to hem them.

Yesterday I made belt loops.

May 5, 2013

Pants-free Sunday + "Whatever Happened to....?"



I'm sorry, readers, but I just can't bring myself to blog about my gray pants again today.  It's pants-free Sunday.  Hope that's OK!

Instead, I thought I might update you on some other topics, both new and old.  In no particular order...

May 4, 2013

Suit Pants Progress + Seen Today at the Met Opera!



Readers, Michael had an opera matinee today and during intermission, sent me some iPhone shots of a man's pants he wanted me to see.  Different, no?

May 2, 2013

Getting Started on the Gray Suit + Thoughts about Thread



Enough shopping, readers, let's get back to sewing!

Today I got started on my gray cotton-mohair suit; I'm making the pants first.

May 1, 2013

The Three Stages of Thrift Store Addiction or "How I made $100 in fifteen minutes"



Readers, I have just learned that cinema songbird of yore Deanna Durbin has died at the ripe old age of 91.