MPB SNOW DAY SPECIAL --100% men's shirt free!

Friends, as you can see, we had another big snow dump yesterday.  It kind of makes me want to crawl back into bed and it definitely makes me want to take a break from talking about shirts.  We all need a rest now and then, no?  (But since you asked, somebody please remind me to talk about pattern tracing paper -- maybe you can recommend some?)

As you well know, one of my mottoes has always been Out with all the old clutter!  Unfortunately another motto is In with all the new clutter!

Apropos of which, my Elnapress arrived yesterday and it works beautifully!



Most delicious grilled cheese sandwiches EVER.

Joking aside, I'm having a serious like affair with this machine (a dry press, not a steam press) having used it only once so far.  You put the interfacing (which I didn't pre-shrink) on the fabric, close the heated press for just a few seconds and presto! 







I think I could more easily peel off my fingernail than the interfacing off that fabric.   I can't wait to experiment with more fabric and interfacing samples and perhaps some Prosciutto di Parma and sliced pecorino on sourdough.

And speaking of food (and clutter) you can read about Michael's new slow cooker here.

In other purely clutter-related news, I have a new swimsuit.



Forget what Michael Phelps may have you believe, there is nothing like swimming in 100% wool knit for minimal resistance in water.  In an eBay-induced frenzy I picked up this little 1940s navy-issue number that fits perfectly and aside from a few inconspicuous moth holes is ready for a trip to Brighton Beach.

 

My intention was actually to study the construction of it and come up with my own line of vintage-inspired men's swimwear.  I think the topless look is on its way out and apparently Giorgio Armani agrees with me, though I think he got it backwards.  I fear he's losing it.

In other news, lest you think our dogs are underexercised during these stormy winter days, rest assured they are working out regularly on their doggie treadmill -- up to 1/2 hour daily!  We can now put them on the machine, set the speed, and go about our business.  They seem to like it.



Friends, that's it.  I see from our Flickr group that Sew-Along anticipation is building steadily, with all kinds of patterns and fabrics in the mix.  Fun!

Have a great day and if you have a spare minute -- What should those who want/need to trace their pattern purchase as far as tracing paper goes?  Any particular technique(s) you recommend?  I never do it, though I should.

The ball's in your court today -- jump in!

Peter's best (and worst) of 2010!

Friends, as 2010 draws to a close, let's take a few minutes to recall some of the high -- and low -- points of this, our very first year together.

Worst Garment of 2010 

Readers, this was a tough one.  While I have no doubt created some winning garments for myself, Michael, Cathy, and others, there have been some clunkers along the way.





This bathing suit/matching tank top combination is best suited for a member of the Romanian women's gymnastics team circa 1972.  (Olga Korbut anybody?) Though made from an honest-to-goodness vintage men's underwear pattern (McCall's 3438), something is very wrong here -- primarily the cut and the fabric.  The execution...is scheduled for any day now.   

Little known fact -- That tank top went straight to the Salvation Army; let's hope it doesn't turn up in the neighborhood this summer.

First Runner Up:



Belch.

Second Runner Up:

 

Why did I ever?

Best Men's Garment of 2010

Let's face it, like every sewist, I make a lot of things that end up sitting (or hanging) more often than not.  But there are always a few favorites that become wardrobe staples.



I wear these Kwik Sew jeans nearly every day.  To the wise guy who asked about the bathing cap, that's a Wigwam Headliner cap I wear when I run or when I'm cold.  My bathing caps have flowers on them.



I love my toggle coat and the timing of the construction couldn't have been better.   Could it possibly win the Pattern Review Winter Wear contest?  We'll see.



My banded collar shirt turned out so very nicely.  If only it were warm -- and opaque -- enough to wear in December.

Best Cathy Outfit of 2010

This is a very controversial category, friends.  We all have our image of Cathy and what suits her best and I would hate to alienate any of her fans.  But my favorite is...



Maybe it's because I was at my physical peak in the Eighties or just because I like Joan Collins, but this Dynasty dress, McCall's 9037, made from a Ralph Lauren bedsheet, is my favorite.  Cathy modeled it on the first day of Spring, and the weather that March day was glorious.

Has Cathy ever looked so fetching?



First Runner Up





Cathy's a natural flapper.

Did you know?  Cathy has a 16-inch waist hidden under 14-inches of adipose tissue.

Worst Cathy Outfit of 2010



Never. Again.  (Vogue 9128)

Best Garment Made for Somebody Else in 2010



Michael's Liberty of London print shirt (McCall's 6890).  Gets a lot of wear, too!

Best New (to me) Book of 2010

This one just arrived on Wednesday, friends.  I saw the legendary Hollywood costume exhibit, curated by Diana Vreeland in the Seventies at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, when I was a kid.  I finally tracked down the accompanying book, Hollywood Costume: Glamour, Glitter, Romance, published by Abrams in 1976, on Amazon.

My favorite coffee table book and I don't even have a coffee table.  Gorgeous!















Great photos and text.  A lot more pics here.

***

Friends, that's it.  Thank you all for helping to make 2010 such a fulfilling, fun-tastic year and I look forward to even more fun in 2011.  I wish all of you a happy and healthy new year.

Have I missed any MPB highlights -- your favorite pics, posts, outfits?  Don't be shy, make your argument!

See you in the new year, friends --  Hugs!

In memoriam...

You win a few.... + GIVEAWAY!

Good morning, kind and compassionate readers!

So the day I bought that multicolored seersucker I also picked up a yard of this bold, sturdy stretch knit, thinking it would be great for Cathy.  Then I changed my mind:  I wanted to make myself another bathing suit and, fresh from my cabana set success, decided I would make a matching racing suit and tank top.

Well the racing suit turned out great:



I used elastic in the waistband; the legs were snug and secure enough to simply serge, turn under, and topstitch.  And rest assured, I did the "wet test."  All clear!



Fun!



I can do the Watusi, the Frug and the Boogaloo in it with confidence!









But then.  The matching tank top.

I used an old favorite, McCall's 3438.



Oh, my.



And with the suit....



Go ahead, laugh.  I can take it.

With blue tights, I could it wear it on the flying trapeze.  Barelegged, strictly women's gymnastics meet.

I should have done the trim in a solid, made the neckline lower, never started the thing to begin with.

It's a 36" chest and quite well made-- would anyone like it?



I think it would look best on someone with a 34" chest or smaller as it's a snug-fit.   It's completely clean and sure to be a collector's item in the future.

Let me know by leaving a comment below and I'll drop it in the mail.  Of course, we'll expect a pic of you in it!

So that wraps it up.  I have a few more little knit tops to stitch up for Michael in the next few days and then we're off.  I'm really starting to enjoy using my serger, by the way.  I find that I have much more control over the fabric feed and can see better if I stand over it -- that gives me a clear view of the knife cutting through the fabric.  Mine is the popular Brother 1034D -- highly recommended.

Happy Friday, everybody -- Watusi!

Troy Donahue Lives!

Squint hard -- don't I look like Troy Donahue?  Harder, harder!

 



Despite temperatures in the triple digits yesterday, I completed my cabana set.  Now all I need is the cabana.

Despite the worst directions for attaching a shirt yoke facing ever, I managed to stitch this up pretty fast.  I used a few vintage buttons on the front...



And added the oversized front pockets, which definitely give it a vintage look:



Having only purchased a yard-and-a-half of this seersucker, I didn't have quite enough for the shirt, so I had to make the inside yoke out of a different seersucker I had left over from a pair of pajama bottoms I made for Michael way back when.



Not pretty, but thankfully hidden inside.

The dogs were so happy to model with me this morning, despite not getting matching muumuus.



I hope you like the shirt as much as I do.  But more importantly, what do you think of me as a blonde?  Dreamy...or bad dream? 

The beauty is there was absolutely no peroxide involved!

 

 

I'm tired and hot but plowing ahead.  Five days to Fire Island!

P.S. -- A special thank you to the many readers who expressed concern about the wisdom of wet seersucker.  Rest assured I will be wearing the appropriate foundation garments.  I'm strictly a pre-code kind of guy.