It's been awhile since I geeked out on here, so this is for my tailoring readers. I knew after making the muslin, way back when, that the sleeves would be problematic, especially at the cuff. The cuff is really a facing at the end of the sleeve that's edgestitched down and then flipped to the [...]
Blog posts
MPB Day 2013 / Eeeek! I’m Becoming a Fabric Hoarder
Since 99.9% of my readership has come via Male Pattern Boldness, an explanation of MPB day is probably unnecessary. BUT in case you're unfamiliar with Peter and his amazing sewing blog, just follow the link above. Peter is, without question, the ambassador extraordinaire of all things sewing for both men and women (with cute chihuahuas, [...]
Losing my velvet virginity
I must confess that the boat project has been taking precedence over sewing lately, but a glitch with a piece of machinery has caused my progress to come to a grinding halt. Just for the heck of it, here's where I left off. I'm not even going to try to explain what's going on here. [...]
All systems GO for the Belgian Chef’s Jacket
I recently had the chance to slip away to the Jersey shore for a little mini vacation. In addition to a couple of gorgeous days at the beach, I also took advantage of my proximity to New York and slipped into the city for a few hours in the garment district. Time was limited so [...]
This Man is Muslin’d Out!
I'm not sure that what I have to report today is really progress. A month ago I left off wondering if I should go ahead and do a sloped shoulder adjustment. The general concensus was that I should man-up and go for it. Since I don't have the contrasting fabric for the reverse of the [...]
Muslin #2, The Belgian Chef’s Jacket
I thought I'd show my alteration of the jacket's side front piece. The technique is "slash and separate". The advantage is that all the seamlines remain the same length and no adjustment needs to be made on any of the adjoining parts. The armscye, shoulder and neck remain unchanged. I am by no means a [...]
Fitting the Belgian Chef’s Jacket
Contrary to public opinion, there has been some sewing going on here. I went ahead and made the men's size 40, and here's the result. As I mentioned previously, it went together easily. Please note: I have 1/2" shoulder pads pinned in for these photos. I think this pattern really demands them to look its [...]
Cooking up the Belgian Chef’s Jacket
Bloggers, do you feel guilty when it's been a month since your last post? I do! The reality is that there really hasn't been much time for sewing. When I'm not out llama trekking with my son in the Smokey Mts.....I've started building a small sailboat. Don't ask! Anyway, today I decided to tackle the [...]
Handmaker’s Factory — Maker Men
I was truly flattered when Nichola, of Melbourne Australia no less, asked me to participate in her series, Maker Men. Afterall, I'm just a crazy man making my own clothes in the middle of nowhere on the coast of Maine. So if you want to know more about me here's the link. As you'll see, [...]
The Shopping Spree
Is a trip to San Francisco complete without a visit to Britex? I think for most sewists the answer is a resounding "NO"!For those of you who have never been and are curious, here's my country bumpkin impression. It's a four story "townhouse" of luxury fabrics in the posh Union Square district of the city. [...]
Mainelymenswear 