Dec 31, 2013

PETER SINGS -- New Year's Wishes from MPB!



Friends, I've decided to skip the usual end-of-year reviews and leave you instead with a simple holiday song, sung in a simple holiday house coat.

Dec 30, 2013

She Hated It.



I wish I had good news to share about my mother's reaction to the psychedelic robe I made her this weekend.

Dec 29, 2013

Plate Pocket-Palooza!



After hemming the psychedelic terrycloth robe, the only thing left to do was add pockets.

Dec 28, 2013

A (Psychedelic) Robe for Mom



A few weeks ago my mother came over for lunch and said she needed a bathrobe, so we looked online and ordered one from Macy's (their Charter Club label).  Yesterday she told me it had arrived and was dreadful, so I told her to bring it down with her the next time she came over, and I'd return it for her.

Dec 27, 2013

On the third day of Christmas....



Seasons greetings from the parking lot of the abandoned Pizzeria Uno in North Wales, Pennsylvania!

Dec 23, 2013

Tweed Coat Selfies + New Hat!



Readers, is it still called a selfie if you balance your camera on a flat surface and switch it to auto mode, or do you have to be holding it in your hand and standing in front of a bathroom mirror?

Dec 21, 2013

Goldilocks and the Three Linings



Friends, you may recall that a few days before Coatmas, I was in the process of putting the finishing touches on my donegal tweed peacoat. 

Dec 19, 2013

My Tweed Coat Revealed -- MERRY COATMAS!



Readers, it's hard to believe, but Coatmas is finally here!

You can see my completed tweed peacoat over at the Mood Sewing Network today!  (And I do hope you're not offended by some obvious urban lumberjack styling.)

Dec 17, 2013

The Urban Lumberjack Look -- YEA or NAY?



Friends, I know that for many of you -- particularly you Pacific Northwesterners -- the urban lumberjack look isn't really a look at all; it's just the normal way men dress.

Dec 16, 2013

Buttonhole Breakthrough + New Lining Fabric!



I wish I could take credit for this lovely buttonhole, but I cannot.

Dec 14, 2013

Five Days to Coatmas!



Readers, you know I'm not big on the holidays, but this coming Thursday, December 19, I will be celebrating Coatmas.  And I do hope you'll join me.

Dec 13, 2013

Bust My (Coat) Buttons!



I'm usually a plastic button kind of guy, but for my tweed peacoat I've opted for horn.

Dec 12, 2013

One Victory, One Defeat



Good news and not-so-good news today, friends.  Naturally, this is all in reference to my tweed peacoat -- the only thing on my mind these days.

Dec 11, 2013

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Peacoat!



Friends, I never thought I'd say this, but I'm starting to like tailoring!

Dec 9, 2013

Peacoat Progress -- a lot of pad stitching (and a little fusing too)



Today I worked primarily on the undercollar and undercollar stand (two separate pieces) of my peacoat.

Dec 8, 2013

A Swingin' Sewing Machine for a Groovy Guy



Friends, you are to be forgiven for thinking that this portable, circa-1969 sewing machine looks an awful lot like an Elna Lotus -- on acid.

Dec 6, 2013

Wool Tweed Peacoat UPDATE!



What can I say?  Wool tweed is both wonderful to work with and challenging.

Dec 4, 2013

Dip-Dye Fashion -- YEA or NAY?



Readers, I'm open-minded.  I like all kinds of looks and, even if I wouldn't wear them, enjoy all sorts of contemporary trends.

Dec 3, 2013

Things I Don't Get, Vol 12 -- The $2,025 Vintage Sundress Pattern



Yes, you read that correctly: two thousand and twenty-five dollars.  For a sundress pattern on eBay.  Yesterday.

And that doesn't even include shipping!

Dec 2, 2013

Dec 1, 2013

Gifts For Cathy + "Who Wears It Best?"



Friends, I don't formally celebrate any of those gift-giving holidays this time of year, but there's something about the season that makes one want to buy stuff.  Am I right?