Modeling My New Summer Outfit!

Baby, it's cold outside but that doesn't matter.

You can see my just-completed summer pants and shirt ensemble here.

Last Outfit of 2016

Readers, having completed my tailoring and draping classes, this week I opted for a palate cleanser.

The Demise of Wolf Dress Forms

Sad news to report, friends.

The Wolfform Company, manufacturer of dress forms for more than 100 years, is out of business.

Ladies Tailoring III @ FIT: My Final Jacket

I think it's safe to say that of the seven classes I've taken so far at Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), Ladies Tailoring III has been the most technically challenging.

Draping II @ FIT: My Final Project!

Friends, my current draping class at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), which began at the end of August, ended this morning -- in a snowstorm.  It's been a long semester!

Peter Models the Bias-Plaid Cape

I did it, friends -- my bias-plaid cape is finished!

You can see more of my completed garment in all it's red, white, and blue glory HERE.

My Manscape Adventures

CORRECTION: The title of today's post should read My Man's Cape Adventures -- darn Autocorrect!

When Patterns Look (Exactly) Alike

I think I mentioned that we are creating a lot of cowl neck variations in my current draping class at FIT.

In other news, I'm an uncle!

Me and Cathy in UPPERCASE Magazine!

Are you familiar with UPPERCASE Magazine?

A Little of This, a Little of That

Readers, this is not a Halloween costume, nor have I joined the Marine Corps -- I'm a couple of decades too old for that.

A Pretty Pair of Pockets

I spent most of the weekend catching up on my tailoring work.

Tailoring Progress, Slow and Steady

I haven't discussed my Ladies Tailoring class much lately because we had a three week break and my focus shifted.

Draping Drama + My Charm Bracelet!

Sometimes I forget where I originally raised a style-related question, here or on Instagram.

NAME THAT PATTERN -- The Farewell Tour

Readers, it's a show business truism that you should leave them wanting more.

Which Blazer Muslin Looks Better On Me?

One of my goals before the end of the year is to complete a wool suit jacket for myself.

Peter Models the Completed Chalayan Knockoff!

Readers, my Hussein Chalayan cotton poplin knockoff is finished!

Check out the entire photo shoot here!

Just Knock It Off, Okay?

Readers, even if I could afford it, I'd have a hard time forking over $520 for a white cotton shirt.

Draping and Tailoring Class UPDATES

This fall I'm taking two classes at Fashion Institute of Technology: Ladies Tailoring III and Draping II.

Marimekko Pants -- FINISHED!

Friends, the pants are finished!  Below are a few shots Michael took of me in them.

My Marimekko Pants Project

Last December I bought this intriguing Marimekko panel print at the Chelsea flea market.

Red Cotton Work Jacket REVEALED!

Readers, not even last Saturday night's bomb explosion (which took place just three blocks from my apartment) could keep me from sharing my new red cotton work jacket with you today.

Please check out the entire photo shoot here.

You Say Tomato, I Say Cranberry: What Color IS My Jacket?

Friends, did you know that red, specifically aurora red (18-1550), is one of the ten colors featured in Pantone's Fall 2016 Color Report?

Japanese Pattern Book Project #1 -- The Work Jacket

My next project is going to be the jacket featured on the cover of Men's Clothes For All Seasons, a Japanese pattern book with roughly 22 different men's patterns featured in it.

I hope eventually to try them all.

Fabulous Flea Market Finds

Could a man wear a charm bracelet?

Should he?

Another NYC Fabric Store Bites the Dust

These are tough times for small independent fabric stores in New York City.

Hats, Hats, Hurray for Hats!

Friends, the balder older I get, the more I love hats.

Culling My Fabric Stash for National Sewing Month!

Readers, you probably have heard that September is National Sewing Month.

To celebrate, I decided to spend a few hours doing an inventory of my fabric stash and getting rid of stuff I'm unlikely to ever sew with.  As you can see up top, I had four bags' worth of discards.  Off to the thrift store they went; we kept the dog.

Home Again + Back to School

I'm home again, readers.

All over Provincetown, where we were on vacation last week, I saw these medallions embedded in the streets (up top), which I interpreted as welcome signs to us creative types. What else could they be?

Peter at the Manus x Machina Exhibit + New Pattern Book + More Jacket Pics!

Readers, today I finally got my a** over to the Manus x Machina exhibit at the Met Museum Costume Institute.

Peter Models the Wool Camo Jacket!

Friends, I know what you're thinking:

Peter is sewing camouflage?  This from the person who eschewed G.I. Joe dolls for Barbies?

Well it's true.  And you can see the results right this very minute by clicking HERE.

MPB Day 2016 -- HEAT, HUMIDITY, HULA HOOPS!

Readers, yesterday's sixth annual MPB Day summer event was a hot hit!

'Twas the Night Before MPB Day + Camo Jacket UPDATE!

Friends, tomorrow's the big day: our sixth annual MPB Day celebration, seventh if you count last March's Winter Frolic.

And the Cold Weather Sewing Begins!

Sure, the weather outside is hot and unbearably humid, but inside, I'm thinking November!

NAME THAT PATTERN: Billie Burke Birthday Edition!

You know her as Glinda, the Good Witch of the North in The Wizard of Oz, but before that, Billie Burke (b. Aug 7, 1884) was the famous Ziegfeld beauty who married her boss, Florenz Ziegfeld himself!  She then went on to play ditzy matrons in countless golden era Hollywood films, including such classics as Dinner at Eight and Father of the Bride.

Eat Your Heart Out, Ralph Lauren! Peter's Original Polo Union Suit

Readers, ever since I wrote about a 1920's union suit I bought on eBay two years ago, I've gotten frequent inquiries about where one might find a pair just like it, or whether I'd made a pattern to make one.

New Month, New Fabric, New Projects!

No, you're not seeing double.

Michael and I wore our matching shirts to a workshop this weekend and this happened: pure serendipity.  These are our friends Ralf and Arne from Germany and we were excited to coordinate so well with them, especially since the workshop was all about creativity.

My Final Class Project (and a few others)

Yesterday was my last day of patternmaking class: we presented our final projects and received our reviews.

You can see my jacket in motion here.

Drafting My First Notched Collar

You probably know what a notched collar is, but if you don't, the illustration above should make it clear.

Michael Models My Swiss Dot Creation!

Friends, today's the day!

You can see Michael model the new summer outfit I made him here.

What I'm Sewing Now + Sketching My Final Patternmaking Project!

I've been sewing up a storm, readers.

Patternmaking Class Project #2: Shawl-Collar Jacket

Friends, this week I drafted my own pattern for a double-breasted, shawl-collared, raglan-sleeved, princess-seamed ladies jacket.

Say that ten times fast!

Vintage 70's Men's Pullover Shirt in Patchwork!

This weekend I decided to use some patchwork fabric I've had in my stash for a few years now, which I purchased at Metro Textiles (the end of a bolt) for a song.

First Patternmaking Class Project: Hit or Miss?

Readers, my first formal flat patternmaking class project was to create a (structured) drop shoulder hip-length top.

A Second Summer FIT Class: Flat Patternmaking II

Last week I decided to take another summer class at Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT).

A SECOND tractor shirt? YES!

Friends, I know it was odd enough that I would sew even one tractor print shirt, why would I make a second one?

Sewing On the Wrong Side: My Reverse-Print Tractor Shirt!

Readers, did you know this was even a thing?

Apparently Aloha shirts -- also known as Hawaiian shirts -- are often made with the printed side (what we sewers call the right side) on the inside.  More muted in appearance, they are often worn for business wear.  (You can read more about reverse-print Aloha shirts here).

New Summer Separates: Geometric Print Shirt + Linen Shorts!

Isn't that the coolest print shirting you've ever seen?

Readers, you can see me modeling my new summer outfit right this very minute by simply clicking here!

Final Project for Draping Class: THE BIG REVEAL

I'm done with my final class project!

Beginning of the End: Draping Class Week 4 (of 5)

Readers, it's hard to believe it but I have only one more week (and a day) of draping class!