What I'm reading now...

This is the book I'm DEVOURING at the moment... 

The Lost Art of Dress

Review to follow soon....

Don't bother me -

I'm reading!

Oh, and you can watch the video from CBS Sunday Morning here.

Mood gives you pointers...

I just happened upon this video, which is a great introduction to shopping at Mood for those who have never been.  Check it out!

Elegance in an Age of Crisis: Fashions of the 1930's

This is a current exhibit at the Museum at FIT.  Click through the link for hours.  Also note, this exhibit ends soon (April 19)!

When it comes to this exhibits, words fail me for this one.  I cannot adequately express how wonderfully, visually stimulating this exhibit is.  Just go.  It is amazing.  It is free.  It is timely, relevant, and smart.  If that isn't incentive enough, here is my stream of consciousness review...

Fred Astaire's custom shoes, the lovely draped geometry of Vionnet, lovely suits, a sweet and lovely hand knitted sweater... beauty at every turn.  They even took the time to show a woman's garment that is beautifully menswear inspired, despite its technical flaws.  I am so impressed that its value in this exhibit could be appreciated anyway!

Trust me on this one. It is powerful food for thought, particularly in the current US economy, with some historical perspective.

Beyond Rebellion: Fashioning the Biker Jacket

Fashion Institute of Technology has done it again! Nestled behind "Trend-ology", which I featured on this blog in January of this year, is another smart, great, culturally relevant, fun exhibit.

This biker jacket exhibit is a small but worthy one, exploring an iconic type of garment in a new, highly aesthetic and practical way.  What I studied specifically and appreciated about this exhibit, was the technical sketch of the standard biker jacket, its features, and the descriptions of how and why a prototypical biker jacket is designed in such a specific way.  Who knew the epaulettes were for holding gloves?  I never considered the assymmetric zipper to be a factor for improving wind resistance, and... assuming you might actually mount a bike wearing one, that jacket needs to be short, needs to have a belt, and those pockets need to zip!

There are also some lovely designer examples to see on display, all worth examining for features and details.  It is a bit-size dose of an education on the biker jacket... and when you're done... head downstairs for another great exhibit.

See my next post for more!

Coming to the Garment District? Don't know where to go?

Walking along 40th Street between 7th and 8th Avenues, I recently noticed how the food establishments are absolutely TAKING over the block. You can't walk more than ten steps without stumbling across another place to grab a bite.  I ask myself... seriously, how hungry are we?  And more importantly, what are we truly hungry for?

Faster than I could blink an eye, walking between the same two avenues a while later on 37th Street, I noticed how many storefronts are empty or undergoing renovation.  Visiting some of the vendors I have been patronizing for decades now, I can see that only the best can stay afloat these days. Beautiful products abound, and I will continue my mission to help you find them.  The irony of it all is, I have never seen such a gorgeous array of options... but you have to know where to go, or you will exhaust yourself and your wallet with endless searching.  More than ever now, you've got to look "up" to find more places to go!

The weather is changing, Spring is in the air... can you feel it?  And, like the wings of a hummingbird, my machine is humming again.

I now offer  the Speakeasy map to anyone who wishes to purchase one.  (Follow the link, for more info) Complete with names, addresses and special offerings from my go-to sources of sewing-related products and services, this map will help you narrow down your choices to something more manageable and specific to your needs.

Constantly being updated to include my newest finds, this map will help you find special spots of your own.

You may also opt to join me on a future Speakeasy tour, request a private tour, or just contact me for information specific to your own needs.  I'll be happy to help.

Will there be more Speakeasies?  Yes, you can bet your sweet patooties there will be... Schedule to follow soon!

Spring Speakeasy! (May 17)

Reposting, for those who are thinking of joining the Saturday Speakeasy!

I've missed you all...

May 17, 2014!

The itinerary is below. This one includes lunch, and is a definite "go", no matter how few or many attend, with no change in price.  This one is guaranteed because we have at least one out-of towner attending who is promised this tour, since it agrees with her travel schedule.  All conditions regarding cancellation or inability to attend below apply, and full refund or future tour if anything beyond my control prevents me from leading this tour (weather, illness, etc.), of course.

Itinerary:

10AM - 1PM - 

Shopping (Will include a specifically selected set of stores with a wide variety of offerings suitable for many different purposes/types of garments, appropriate for the theme of the day's tour. Relevant additional information, suggested additional resources and appropriate on-site expertise will be available.)

1PM-2PM

Lunch (local restaurant reservation for our group, already included in your fee.)

2PM - until end of business day

Armed with your "Secret Map" and your own interest in or desire to visit the many other stores you see or have learned about, you may visit more garment district stores if you wish, and give unique codes (that you'll get from me) to vendors who will give special assistance/discounts.

The cost of this guided, efficient tour is $75 per person. If you use this trip to shop and participate in what the NYC garment district has to offer, you will save at least as much as you are paying in supplies and education, and probably far more.

Wanna come? Click above, send payment, and the details on meeting time/place will be provided.

From outta town? If you need hotel and/or travel help, I will advise some of the BEST NYC secrets I know! Payment is only accepted via PayPal (you do not need a Paypal account), credit or debit card. No cash, personal checks, or additional payments will be accepted on the day of the tour. The trip will involve a good amount of walking, so come prepared in weather-appropriate gear, and healthy.

Regarding cancellations:

 If you have paid and wish to cancel 7 days or more before date - 100% refund

 Fewer than 7 days - 50% refund

 If you don't come on the scheduled date or cancel within 24 hours or less - you will forfeit your refund, but can switch reservation to a future tour date.

 If I cancel a tour for reasons not related to weather, newsworthy acts of God or other emergencies, you are entitled to your choice of a full refund, or a future tour.

Now is the time for Italian ponte knits at Metro Textiles!

I love ponte knits.  You know what I'm talking about, don't you?  That tough, resilient knit that holds, stays, performs, and lasts... and lasts?

Scans of swatches of the wonderful fabric won't do it justice.  You have to see/feel it for yourself!

Well, I've been checking out some lovely rayon Italian ponte knit fabrics from Kashi.  In my case, I went for the standby solids black and white, which I will use to make a non-color blocked something or other... But the possibilities are endless!  When you stretch it, it recovers.  When you scrunch it, it forgets, resisting any wrinkles.  Feel it, and it has body.  A picture?  Well, you get what look like a black and white square.  the experience is different.

Ready for a secret?  Here's the deal... lean in....

For my blog readers exclusively, Kashi is offering a beautiful discount on these fabrics.  A mere $9.50 a yard.  58" wide.  No kidding!  Oh... and he'll ship, too!  You pay the cost of shipping of course, but he will quote you the shipping cost, so you can confirm beforehand.

But wait, there are more colors.  Interested?  You have to call, visit, or email him and ask for the color you want.

Do make a point of visiting, if you're able! He gets new fabrics in every day!

Metro Textiles

265 W 37th St # 908

New York, NY 10018

(212) 209-0004

MetroTextiles@aol.com

New to ponte knits? 

Read this great blog post about working with ponte knits.