Holiday Crafting in NYC at Pins and Needles

I'm so excited.  My friend Rachel has invited me to a crafting event she will be having in her store Pins and Needles  this Thursday November 10 6-8pm.

This event is extra special:  Pins and Needles is  teaming up with Martha Stewart's Living in the Family Room Blog to host this fun evening.

Rachel has a beautiful light- filled shop/studio on the Upper East Side full of the latest beautiful fabrics, crafting kits, books and notions.  She also has a great offering of sewing classes for you and yours!!

Here's a little preview of her pretty space (photos taken last May for a book signing event):

   If you live in NYC or just visiting that day I know you  will have lots of fun crafting , shopping and meeting new people.

  I can't wait to see what's new in the store and what Rachel and the Martha Stewart people have in store for us!!

xo CP

Pleated Skirt in Vintage Fabric

Yes, I am the great procrastinator with certain things- unless of course there is a fire under my a__.  Anyway I have this beautiful polished cotton fabric that I have kept since high school.   Let's just say it could definitely be classified as vintage material AND I still love it.  Anyway when I was at design school we learned how to make a pleated skirt and since this fabric is a wallpaper print (i think that's what it's called ) I figure it would be the perfect guinea pig to try it out.  This is a close up of the fabric when pleated:

I decided to give it a ribbon waistband instead of the traditional same fabric.  I love how this ribbon tape goes with the fabric.

Now its made but I have to re-do a few things to adjust it and make it fit me. Ugh - it never works the first time but at least I am able to figure it out.  I will show a pic when I have finished and might even write a tutorial on it!!

Have a happy Friday!!

A New Fabric Store in NYC. You Should be On Pins and Needles!!

Last week I posted a list of my favorite fabric, ribbon, button, notions and yarn stores in New York. A big thanks to Monica at Monica Lee Studios! After reading my post she suggested I check out a new store that had somehow slipped my radar  Pins and Needles.

 Here's a quick view:

 The website is packed with  photos of  a simple, white, (and dare I say cheerful) new store that  opened on the Upper East Side in December 2010. By luck and/or coincidence  the store was hosting a book signing party the next  day for the new Oliver +s book.  I couldn't wait to run up there and check it out!

At the door, I was greeted by Rachel Low , the store owner  and expert.  The space was even better "in person" and it was filled with a lovely crowd of her clientele.   I knew nobody there but instantly felt welcome and comfortable.   A sure sign is when you bring a 6 yr old with you and she instantly has a few playmates to hang with while I went through all the gorgeous merchandise!!  I could already sense a budding community of DIY'ers in the store.

To give you an idea of what is offered, here are just some of the fabrics :

 

And another color story:



Rachel has created an assortment with a ready-to-wear slant as well as notions by Clover and wonderful, creative books. 

An array of Sewing Classes that covers everything from sewing, embroidery, needlepoint and quilting to re-purposing a tired sweater is offered.  Equally as impressive and exciting is that a lot of her clientele reflects the new trend in handmade.... The  average age of her students  is  7  yrs to 13 yrs old!    I'm not sure if that was in the business plan, but  that's something everyone would wish for in their first 4 months of business!

Click image for more info

I had a wonderful time meeting Rachel and hanging  out at her store. As an added bonus that Saturday I also met Liesl Gibson  (Founder and Chief Designer of oliver +s ) and her adorable daughter for the  book signing and sale of her new book ;  Oliver + S Little Things to Sew.  I can't wait to make some of the projects in her book and my daughter can't wait for me to cut out the little paper dolls and clothing.   But more on that later!!!

Thank you Rachel for providing such a beautiful space, sumptuous merchandise and a friendly atmosphere where all will feel welcome.  I look forward to visiting again soon!

For more information be sure to visit the Pins and Needles website and blog.

If you think I am missing any other stores feel free to comment and send suggestions.  I love the hunt!!

xo CP



Pins and Needles
1045 Lexington Ave., at E. 75th St.
2nd floor

phone: 212.535.6222

www.pinsandneedlesnyc.com

Store Hours:

• Mondays: 1-5pm
• Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday: 11 - 6pm
• Thursdays: 11- 7 pm
• Saturdays: 10:30- 5pm
• Sundays: By appointment only

Love Handmade and Plan to Visit NYC ? Fabric, Yarn, Ribbon and other Resources.

If you love making things, using beautiful fabrics, yarns, ribbons and findings then  New York City is probably the best resource in the US for all of those things!  I was recently asked by one of my bloggy friends at Charlotte and Stewart  to come up with a list of good places to visit on her trip to New York in April.

Contrary to my usual shtuff there will be few (if any) photos in this post.

In the Fabric District:
 Mood Fabrics  Beautiful Fabrics of all kinds.  Including over runs from Marc Jacobs, Calvin Klein and the like.

B and J Fabrics Super organized and has EVERYTHING. They carry probably the whole Liberty line of fabric in every fabrication- corduroy, cotton,etc.  , Japanese printed cottons, metallic linen to name a few. This fits in the  "gotta go" category!

Steinlauf and Stoller This is the place to get all the tools you need to sew. All kinds of muslin, needles, pins, thread etc.


M+J Trimming The best button, ribbon and trim.

Hyman & Hendler Sons Around since the early 1900's . beautiful ribbon of all kinds.

Sil Thread   Every YKK zipper and tons of Clover notions.

Tinsel Trading Pretty sparkly place. Marthat Stewart loves it.

Mokuba All ribbon. Designed and produced by the Japanese. Nothing like it!

Kinokuniya If you love Japanese Craft Books the way I do this is the place to browse.  I love flipping through all of their perfectly executed and photographed craft and interior design books.  They also have wonderful Japanese Art and Office Supplies. 

Of course there are lots more stores in the Fashion District but these are the highlights and the first places I go .

As far as the rest of the City :

Purl in Soho    The best of the best.  Beautiful yarn, fabric, books, design- everything.  There are other yarn stores in the city but this is truly the BEST.

Now, in no particular order some other things you might enjoy:

Visit the FIT Gallery at  the Fashion Institute of Technology Museum. Always beautiful costumes and clothing.

If your interest is in toys the  Museum of the City of New York has a wonderful collection of antique toys. It's uptown but worth the trip.

On the Lower East Side I always send people to the Tenement Museum  (108 Orchard Street).   Docents take you through a guided tour of the museum explaining and showing how people lived at the turn of the Century in NYC.  They have a wonderful gift shop and  the tour is great for inspiration.  

After that, a trip to Economy Candy is lots of fun. The store is full to the rafters with candy, chocolate, nuts and chocolates.  (i'm a former candy/chocaholic and have the dental bills to prove it)  All the classics like Necco candy and Beemans gum are there.  and practically anything else you'd want.

   Next have lunch at Katz's Delicatessen.  ( Remember the  scene in the movie When Harry Met Sally) A real New York experience.  Just don't take the rudeness personally-- it's part of the fun. The corned beef is Excellent.

You can  also visit Belraf Fabrics. It's a bit messy but there are treasures to be found. Vintage fabric can be hidden in the stacks!

You should save time and room for one of these:
DONUTS from the Doughnut Plant  on Grand St in the same hood.   These are the real thing people!!  Flavors are incredible. My personal favorites are  the  creme brulee and the blackout donuts... and the square jelly donut and .....  Oh- and no transfats so go to town!!

photo from www.hauteliving.com

I have yet to go but I hear the Brooklyn Flea Market is great.  Check out their blog.

If you can get to the High Line  you won't be disappointed:  Formerly the elevated rail that was scheduled for demolition. Read below and  check out the website to find out more. It is a good example of Grass Roots volunteers getting together to preserve the historical integrity of the city and it is now a beautifully designed park.

High Line History

  The High Line was built in the 1930s, as part of a massive public-private infrastructure project called the West Side Improvement. It lifted freight traffic 30 feet in the air, removing dangerous trains from the streets of Manhattan's largest industrial district. No trains have run on the High Line since 1980. Friends of the High Line, a community-based non-profit group, formed in 1999 when the historic structure was under threat of demolition. Friends of the High Line works in partnership with the City of New York to preserve and maintain the structure as an elevated public park.  *


* This last paragraph from the High Line website.

Lastly,  a couple good restaurants downtown:

Pulino's Pizzeria   - excellent  fancy pizza. new restaurant by Keith McNally, known for Pastis in the MeatPacking District and Balthazar's in Soho  (Downtown)

Prune Restaurant- check out the recent write-up in the NYTimes.  (lower east side )

inoteca -   excellent italian food and wine, hipster and loud but delicious!  (lower east side)

Cafe Habana- cuban sandwiches and spicy corn on the cob  (in NoLiTa)

So I'm blogged and linked out now. If you have any other places you could recommend please include them in your comments!   And I'm happy to answer any questions too.

ps. one more place to look is the Fashion Center Directory . Tons of resources there.

PSS.  Just thought I should finish with one of Johanna's dolls from Charlotte and Stewart  
So cute!!

An EASY little girls Skirt using a Free Pattern from Oliver+S website.

I've been going through fabric I've saved for some future date and finally did something with this little floral.  I found the FREE Oliver + s pattern lazy days skirt (though really its not so much a pattern just tells you what to do with a big rectangle of fabric) on one of my ricocheting days on the web.  It was extremely easy and gives instant gratification.  It took me about 2 hours to complete and Jane put it on right away.

An Oliver +s pattern "Ice Cream Social" Dress

I've been meaning to post these for some time now. Up to now I had only ever made my own patterns or used the typical Simplicity, Vogue and Butterick patterns. On my hunt to find something new and easy to make I found the Oliver + s  Pattern Company at Purl in Soho.    I found a pattern for the their ice cream social dress  I traced the pattern in a size 10 but found I had to take it in by about 6 inches in the circumference of the dress.  Here is the finished product!  Please excuse the photos which are over exposed but I'm at my parents house where it seems pretty difficult to do just about anything!


I really like the Liberty floral print paired with the mini gingham. While in Michigan I ran over to Habermans and picked up another Liberty tana lawn fabric floral print and found the cutest 2 tone gingham to go with it. I'm going to make another one of these dresses for Jane now.

Bodice detail

pocket detail

Geek Sewing Tools

 

Clover Triangle Tailors Chalk, Blue

So after sewing from the age of 12 and going to art school to get a degree in Fashion Design I have found 2 new fabulous tools I love!! All produced by Clover which is a Japanese based company so of course these are great!!    First I discovered this tailors chalk.  It makes perfect lines- not all blurry like the ones you see with the wax/chalky thing....  I also can't live without Clover Ball Point Awl

 

Clover Ball Point Awl

It's this point-y thing that has a sort of ball point and is great for evening out the gathers while you are sewing.  Can't believe it took me this long.

The last thing (until I buy my next tool) is the clover stuffing tool.

This is great for stuffing little amigurumi animals and just digging into a corner when turning something out to the right side.




I also just finished a dress for Laura and I LOVE it. Can't wait to post it but have to take some pictures.

Tomorrow I'm off to Ikea to try and find some fun props for Laura's 10th birthday party- Alice in Wonderland is the theme.  I'm thinking crazy tea cups, mini lights, glitter. All the girls will come dressed up as their favorite character. Laura will be the White Queen.

Now I'm going to go back to the Clover website to find another gadget I can't live without then off to bed... trying to get to bed earlier these days!