Nothing will make you feel like a slob more than a trip to New York City after a long winter spent in the soggy northwest.

Looking around, I found myself wondering, where are all the leggings? The rainwear? The FLEECE?

I suppose you get sort of inured to what’s around you. I’d forgotten that there are fancy people in the US, and American cities where people don’t look at you sideways if you wear a nice skirt and heels.

And it’s not just the fancy people whose clothes are fun to watch, by any means. There’s an intense sense of individual expression in New York, maybe because of the city’s diversity and density. Paris is the only city I’ve been to that approaches it. Both extremely diverse, and both extremely stylish.

Pins & Needles

We stopped by Pins & Needles on the upper east side and met Rachel, the wonderful owner.

This is an incredible little store. I loved hearing about the classes they do with kids, and how enthusiastic the younger generation is about sewing! But more than that, I loved meeting the super friendly staff.

Mood

I also taught a class on sewing with silk at the incomparable Mood.

There are many places to shop for fabric in New York, but you’ve heard about Mood for a reason. Believe the hype. It is a dream.

They’ve also created a men’s haberdashery department within the store, which I was very taken with.

I’ve decided that I really must become a rich old lady one day so that I can have a pied-à-terre in New York. In the meantime, I’m planning to come back soon. It always feels like my home away from home.

If ever there was a sister city for Portland, it would have to be Brooklyn.

I know both places are considered unbearably hip these days. But it’s not just that. There’s something about the warmth and creativity of the people in both places that makes me say this (yes, I just called new yorkers “warm”).

Maybe that’s why I felt so at home at Brooklyn General. Our party there was filled to the brim with amazing, friendly faces. And when I say filled, I mean filled… it was packed!

Yes, I wore the same outfit that I did in Boston. I am a light packer.

Thanks to everyone who came out, and especially to Brooklyn General for being our wonderfully inviting hosts!

Tomorrow, I’ll share a few more photos from our New York trip.

We’re creating a new internship position this summer!

As you all know, our blog is a huge part of what sets CP apart, and it’s time to take it even further. We are looking for someone to help develop and create new stories and tutorials for our blog, from coming up with creative concepts to creating beautiful visuals to writing clear and easy-to-follow tutorials and projects.

While we’ve had paid internships before, this is the first one focused entirely on blogging. If you’re a creative person who loves writing, sewing, creating moodboards, styling, and taking photos, this could be a great fit for you.

You will be working out of our studio in Portland, OR. This is a full time position through the summer (June – August, exact times are flexible). This is a paid, temporary, entry-level position. For more info and to see how to apply, visit our jobs page!

We’re on the road right now in Boston, and I just had to share a few of these photos from the fantastic party Grey’s Fabric threw for us the other night.

I met so many talented and creative women that night; not only sewists, but knitters, dyers, designers, teachers, and entrepreneurs. It’s so energizing to be in a room surrounded by so all these incredible and creative people.

And I must give a shout out to Sarah Grey and her staff for going all out with this event. You couldn’t ask for a nicer group of people, and the shop is just so inviting and lovely. You may even notice that Sarah served a cocktail named after our kitty, Basil!

For those of you in New York, don’t forget about our upcoming party this Saturday at Brooklyn General Store! RSVP here.