Pattern Review 13th birthday party in NYC!

I forget to take pictures of people when I'm having a good time. 

Luckily, there are others who took pictures of the event and all of its  players, so you can follow their stories and reports, to which I am giving you precious links...

First up, Peter of Male Pattern Boldness took great "people pictures", so he really covered that aspect of things.  Check out his blog to vicariously experience the party!

Do you know what Pattern Review is?  Do you know who Deepika is?  Click here to learn...  You would really think I didn't even bring a camera.  The thought of taking pictures didn't even occur to me ONCE.

Well, now having explained all of that, Pattern Review is 13 years old!  On Friday, November 7th, the celebratory event began with a tour of the McCall's Pattern Company offices downtown, followed by a party at Elliott Berman Textiles.

The theme was to "dress as your favorite era - whether future, past or present".  That gives us a lot of playing room, right?  Well, my love for The Flintstones made me choose a modern take on the Stone Age.  You know how Fred wore an animal skin, and a TIE, because he had to go to work?  So I wore animal print and a brown suit, to show a professional version of Wilma.  The shirt was more about the fabric (an Elliott Berman digital print panel that I paired with an animal print contrast) cut into two large squares, and laced together at the shoulders with grommets and string.  Then I cut jagged shapes into the hem, armhole/sleeves, and side "seams".  I attempted to create the illusion of no sewn seams on the shirt, to give it a real undone, "Flintstoney" look. This "shirt" will have  a second life in a more tailored version, because I love the print combo and the feel of it, and didn't cut down the big pieces, so I can still tailor it to my body after using it for the party.

Was it fast and lazy?  Yes.  But it was fun!

Jagged, unfinished edges

The "sleeve" fabric is my contrasting fabric - goes very well, doesn't it?

The fabric feels like pajamas, which was great for comfort.

A beloved fabric from Metro Textiles - why am I mentioning this? (see below)

Let me draw your attention to Kyle of Vacuuming the Lawn.  She was also a very enthusiastic attendee of the party, and wore a lovely dress, which was apparently caught in a desperate love triangle, since it was snatched up by me, a Speakeasy attendee, AND Kyle, each of whom wished we had more of it! Isn't it funny, how, in a district with SO much fabric to choose from, we all hone in on one particular fabric???  Her blog post about this fabric and what she made using it practically reads a love letter.  Mine has yet to be deflowered. Kashi should be blushing.

Speaking of "deflowering", I felt driven to show party attenders my very favorite fabric at Elliott Berman, and I am SO SERIOUS when I tell you that at least 4 of us either bought or obtained some in game prizes!  I already knew that it was what I wanted to buy later that evening. I decided to break free of that mold (a little), and chose a different colourway, since we shouldn't all have the SAME EXACT glorious printed digitally printed wool, right???

And then, of course, there was also Sharon, who showed us tricks for how to properly lace a corset when you have no help, and wowed me with some really intriguing corset and bra making philosophy/advice.  I must say, she really knows what she's talking about.

I must say, that this party could not have happened without the expert planning and care of Deepika (Pattern Review), the wonderful enthusiasm and warm, open generosity of the staff at Elliott Berman, the careful attention, communication and dedication to education shown by the fantastic employees of McCalls patterns, and the fabulousness of the party guests/participants.  Each of these ingredients deserve a HUGE thank you for keeping the spirit of creating clothing alive, whether you do it for profit and/or for pleasure!

By the way, I think I ate my weight in cheese, wine and cake... I'm serious.