MPB DAY 2018 -- Wet, Wild, and Wonderful!

Friends, I won't lie: when I saw that the forecast for yesterday's MPB Day festivities called for scattered thundershowers, I was worried.

MPB DAY PREP + Could it rain on MPB Day?

Friends, my staff has been working round the clock and I'm happy to say that on MPB Day tomorrow I am going to look my glamorous best. 

Drafting a Men's Shirt Pattern From Scratch

Readers, it is time I drafted a shirt for myself entirely from scratch.

Listen to My (Free) THREADS Podcast!

I think you already know that I currently contribute online content to Threads Magazine as their first "Digital Ambassador."

The Finished Double Gauze Shirt!

My shirt is done! (and I think I know what I'll be wearing on MPB Day)

Sewing With Double Gauze

Gauze.

It's beautiful.  It's lightweight.  But it can be a PITA to work with.

Cathy's Comeback Dress?

Big news, readers!

My identical cousin Cathy, who hasn't been seen on this blog since 2014, is planning her return, tentatively scheduled for mid-August.

INSIDE OUT? My New Reverse-print Hawaiian-style Shirt!

Friends, I'd had roughly three yards of a super-saturated Alexander Henry hibiscus print (quilting cotton) in my stash for a while now.

Ladies African Wax Print Tailored Jacket!

This week I finished a client project I'd been working on for the last couple of months: a lined, notch-collar tailored jacket made from an African wax print from AKN Fabrics and Textiles, a store just south of the Garment District that specializes in them.

Michael Models His Octopus-print Shirt

Friends, Michael's octopus-print shirt is finished!

How Do You Like My Octopus (Fabric)?

Did I mention that, in addition to my mermaid-print fabric, I also purchased an octopus-print fabric to make a shirt for Michael?

A Mermaid-Print Summer Shirt!

Last week Michael and I were on vacation in Sanibel Island, Florida, and naturally I insisted on visiting the only fabric store on the island, Three Crafty Ladies.

MPB DAY 2018 -- SAVE THE DATE!

Friends, its official!

Saturday, August 11, we'll be holding our eighth annual MPB Day celebration!

So What Else Have I Been Up To?

One (of many) of the frustrating things about social media is that there are simply too many platforms and it's extremely time-consuming to participate in more than a few.

I find Instagram (where I'm @peterlappin) to be much more spontaneous (i.e, faster and easier) than a blog, which is why I'm most active there these days.

Is There an Embroidery Machine in My Future?

Readers, embroidery machines -- I can't stop thinking (and reading) about them.