Skip to main content

MPB Day 2014

Our router went bonkers this week, so: belated MPB Day recap!

This year, I went with my friend and former coworker Lisa. She wore her first make, a fabulous black-and-white floral dress made from (I think) a Simplicity pattern. She accidentally made it using scrubs fabric, which is kind of funny because we worked in a hospital. (I told her she should wear it down in the OR.)


I work my Alabama Chanin skirt. (People recognized it!)



We stayed at the Carlton Arms, my favorite almost-hostel. Front-desk kitty was disinclined to check us in.



On Saturday, we decided to head over early for flea-marketing. We had breakfast at a Whole Foods "city picnic" on the way (free samples, score), then joined Peter & co. for the Chelsea flea.

Lisa considered, but did not get, this Helmut Lang vest.


I considered, but did not get, this wacky coat.


I still have a minor case of not-buyer's remorse. When in doubt, always buy the wacky coat.

Then we headed over to FIT for the lingerie exhibit. On the way, I chatted with someone who actually  took one of Natalie Chanin's courses (!) and we talked about sourcing cotton jersey fabrics. (!!) (That's the thing I really love about MPB Day -- getting to meet and geek out with like-minded people.)

After lunch and the BEST PATTERN SWAP EVAR, fabric shopping! I didn't bring my camera, so no action shots, but I spent most of my time in Paron's taking advantage of their 40% off sale. Here's my haul:


Ha ha. I wish.

No, really, here's my haul.



L to R: Soft gray jersey, glazed linen, china silk, metallic gold-and-gray jersey (?), brown ultrasuede.

I guess I really go for the neutrals, eh? Unfortunately, my budget is sort of limited at the moment, so I had to go with what they had -- no crazy teal anything for me. That's okay, though; I really love everything I got, and the jerseys will make some nice basics (which I need; my poor three-year-old black t-shirts are definitely on their way out), and the other pieces are enough for two projects. So, yay.

I'm super-psyched about the glazed linen -- talk about something you only find in NY. I'm hoping the pattern I have in mind is a decent match.

So that's it. Peter was an extraordinarily kind and helpful host, and I honestly don't know how he has the energy to manage an all-day sewing meetup/tour. Someday I owe him the baked good/drink/other edible of his choice (and it looks like he wound up with quite a few leftover patterns from the swap; I wish I could take them off his hands). Thank you, Peter.


Comments

Popular posts from this blog

completed: Alabama Chanin fitted dress

Yeah, I can't believe I'm saying that either! It's going to be a long post, so here we go. Design choices Size and alterations:  Straight size medium, with neckline raised a few inches and made into a scoop neck; the original v-neck is really deep Fabric and thread:   Alabama Chanin medium-weight cotton jersey  — top layer in Sand, bottom layer in Dark Grey (only Dark Grey is currently available on their site) — and red craft/button thread Stencil: Anna's Garden Paint:  Tulip fabric paint in Black, watered down and applied with an airbrush Embellishment:  Outside reverse applique -- in which you stitch slightly outside each shape and then cut out the shape exactly on the lines Stitch type:  Straight stitch for outlining and construction, Cretan stitch for binding Here's how it looks on me: Hanging up: I picked the color scheme after seeing it in a sample book at the  two-hour workshop in New York  last year. (Hig...

finished: Alabama Chanin Classic Jacket

Hi! Lots going on around here lately. Thing One: I bought a new sewing machine! This is my new Bernina 480 , purchased from Sew Creative in Beverly, which recently closed. Sorry I don't have a better picture. I love this thing—it's fancy! I'm still learning my way around it. Thing Two: I was supposed to have another article in Vogue Patterns Magazine, but it folded! Bummer. It's on lighting for sewists, and if you want a copy, feel free to contact me on le social and I'll send it to you. I interviewed the gadget person from the Carroll Center for the Blind, and he recommended a lot of great stuff. (Really going to miss Vogue Patterns—it was my favorite sewing magazine! RIP.) And finally, Thing Three: I completed an Alabama Chanin Classic Jacket, from their Sewing Patterns book. The backstory is that I really wanted a nice reversible travel jacket in nice AC organic cotton for an upcoming trip to Japan. (This is after ordering an expensive travel hood...

complete: Nani Iro pocket dress

I made a dress! With the new sewing machine! Wheee! And not to bury the lede, but: We went to Japan for two weeks, and I completely fell in love with the clothing—especially Nani IRO and their amazing fabrics. I'm hooked. We tracked down the atelier in Osaka. ( Here's my review on PR .) They wouldn't let me take photos of the shop but said it was OK to take pictures of the fabrics. Lots of linen, cotton gauze and sateen in bright colors, as well as buttons and notions, an archive (I wasn't sure if it was possible to buy any of the archived fabrics), and jewelry. I bought some lovely blue linen with an asymmetrical print: And the book—the English translation had just been released. And it was signed! (I have a picture, can't seem to post it, sry.) So anyway. I couldn't stop reading the book—you know when you get really really obsessed with a pattern book? Like that. As soon as I got home, I decided to try out the pocket dress. Here'...