Oct 31, 2013

Muslining the Japanese Jacket, Today's Trash Find, and Laura Mae!



Let's start with today's trash find.

I know, I know, I'm supposed to be ditching.  But all ditch and no dumpster makes MPB a dull blog.  Look what I found on my afternoon dog walk!

Oct 30, 2013

A Reader Asks: "Could My Sewing Idea Work?"



Friends, I received a very interesting email from MPB reader Chris today, and I thought I might run it by you (with Chris's permission of course) and find out what you think.

Oct 29, 2013

Taking the Japanese Pattern Challenge, More Ditching + My New Boots!



Let's start with the boots, shall we?

As an American, I am very vulnerable to the phrase "40% off."  And the word "Nordstroms."  Add "Free Shipping" and I am helpless.

Oct 24, 2013

"Patternmaking For Menswear" by Gareth Kershaw -- My Dream Book!



Readers, after publishing the sumptuous, "Draping: The Complete Course" by Karolyn Kiisel last month, what could Laurence King Publishing possibly do for an encore?

Oct 23, 2013

Mustard lovers REJOICE: My new fall togs are LIVE!



Friends, to be honest, I've always preferred ketchup to mustard.  But not anymore!

My latest outfit -- mustard pants, black and white gingham shirt, and gray sweater vest -- is live today at Mood, in all its glory.  See it by simply clicking here.

Oct 22, 2013

NAME THAT PATTERN - Halloween 2013 Edition!



Can it actually be Halloween season?  Wasn't it just Memorial Day?

Oct 21, 2013

Pants, Shirts, Sweaters, Wow!



A very busy day here at MPB Industries, readers!

Oct 18, 2013

Getting Started on the Mustard Jeans + Oiling My Buttonholer



Readers, it is so very important to maintain our sewing tools if they are to perform for us at their best.

Oct 17, 2013

NO YOU DIDN'T! -- Tan Shirt Version 4.0



Remember the two long fish-eye darts I added to my tan shirt when I first made it?

Oct 16, 2013

Feeling low? Buy a new hat!



Is there anything more uplifting than buying a new hat?

Oct 15, 2013

One More Tweak, or "Tan Shirt Version 3.0"



You probably thought I was finished with this shirt.

But last night I realized there was something else missing: pocket flaps!

Oct 14, 2013

Tan Shirt Version 2.0 + Staying Sharp!



Readers, I know the changes are subtle -- a muted purple inside collar stand attached to a regular collar -- but I like this version of my tan shirt much more than the earlier one.  I've decided I'm not really into shirts with just collar bands; my neck's too long for them, or my face is too narrow.  Or something.

Oct 11, 2013

Getting My Gingham On



Today I revisited my Singer 66 treadle.

I haven't treadled in a while and I thought I might use it to make my gingham shirt.  It's such fun to use and stitches so beautifully.  My 66 dates from 1920 and uses back-clamping feet.  I own quite a few, fortunately (more than I actually use).

Oct 10, 2013

Oct 9, 2013

FACT or FICTION: gingham on the bias is headache-inducing



Is it just me, or is gingham on the bias hard on the eyes?

Oct 8, 2013

Good-bye, Blue Lady



Readers, if I'm a little emotional right now, you'll understand.

Oct 7, 2013

Flea Market Temptations or "Get thee behind me, Satan"



Yes, this is a vintage sewing machine purchased yesterday at the Chelsea Flea Market.

Oct 4, 2013

The Declutterer's Dilemma: When to Donate? When to Sell?



The more I ditch, the more I realize this is not just about a book here, an old scarf there.  I would honestly like to be rid of more than half the things I own!

Oct 3, 2013

Thursday Ditch and B*tch



Thursday and still ditching.  Not the most productive day of my life, but not the least either.  Plus, who says you always have to be productive?

Oct 2, 2013

Oct 1, 2013

Out With the Old, In With the New???



Tuesday -- Day 2 -- and the ditching continues.

This oversized black hat makes me look like a guy who might sell you camera equipment at B&H Photo, let's leave it at that.  Off to the Salvation Army it goes!