It’s done – the plane tickets are purchased, and I am going
to New York !! Which might not seem like a big deal to many, but since I have never actually gone somewhere on vacation as an adult, this is going to be an awesome adventure (I hope!).
The confluence of the Charles James exhibit and Male Pattern Boldness Day happening in the same week was just too much of a coincidence to
ignore. I had been waffling back and forth for over a month, but
finally had the courage to step off the ledge on Monday.
I did visit The Big Apple back in 1998 for a school theatre
trip, but that was very regimented. This
is going to be much more of a free for all – I have five days to explore, and I
plan to make the most of them!
A little Charles James here, a little Male Pattern Boldness there, and perhaps a little theatre outing, etc., etc. Any tips or suggestions on not-to-be-missed sights would be most welcome. And if you are local, I would love to meet-up!
Also, if you travel to New York
often, I would appreciate feedback on Manhattan
hotels – the good, the bad, and the ones to absolutely avoid.
By the way, does anyone know if bamboo knitting needles are allowed
on a plane these days? Inquiring minds
need to know! I have heard rumors they
are a big no-no, but am not finding them on the list of verboten items. What a rube, right?!
I have not been on a plane since 2000, so any crafty traveling types
with ideas for passing the time on a plane would be appreciated, especially if knitting is a no-no.
Hope to see you in New
York !
Now I just need to figure out what I am going to wear . . .
Yay for your holiday! New York is on my go to list, I'll get there one day.
ReplyDeleteKnitting needles are now allowed on international flights so fingers crossed you will be ok?
I can't help you on where to stay, but as for knitting needles, it's a yes! I've traveled with my aluminum knitting needles and they pass through security okay. I last traveled in May, and NYC in November.
ReplyDeleteI hope you have tons of fun. I wish I could be there for MPB day!
Me again. Here are the links:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/transporting-knitting-needles-and-needlepoint
http://blog.tsa.gov/2013/11/tsa-travel-tips-tuesday-knitting.html?m=1
This is awesome! One question checked off the list - thank you, Kathy!
DeleteHow magnificently exciting!!! Though I lived in Ontario for six years, I never made it across the US boarder on that side of the continent. I would flat out adore the chance to visit NYC one day myself, too, and all the more so since my sister briefly did last year and couldn't say enough positive things about her time there.
ReplyDeleteI hope you a safe, fun filled, entirely fabulous holiday, dear gal!
♥ Jessica
Laura Mae, I don't know into which airport you'll fly. I took bamboo knitting needles through LaGuardia on my way to Ben Gurion (Israel) this past March. I had no trouble at either airport. Other than one of the security officers at Ben Gurion asking where I found such nice needles (KA), they were a non-issue.
ReplyDeleteHopefully I get friendly security officer who like to knit, too!
Deletei flew UK to US with bamboo knitting needles last year. i was told metal ones would be an issue. have a fab holiday!
ReplyDeleteThere's a lovely native New Yorker, Cathy Lane, who would graciously guide you on lodging, eateries, and venues.
ReplyDeleteJust ask...........
The Charles James exhibit is amazing. The opening segment is a tableau of muslins next to an oil portrait of Millicent Rogers wearing an ivory satin gown. I thought of you immediately! Give yourself a whole day at the museum, and get there early. It opens at 10:00, but by then the line for tickets will be all the way down the block.
ReplyDeleteOf course I am extremely excited about the gowns and the coats, etc. - but the muslins and forms and all that in-process stuff is what I am so thrilled to see. Thanks for the tip about getting there early!
DeleteI take steel crochet hooks all of the time. Scissors are always a problem. I have a pair of scissors that practically look like school scissors by Gingher that function very well and go through TSA. Check the airline's website, there should be a whole page of TSA rules and regs. They explain with reasonable clarity what items are acceptable. I'd love to go to Peter's soiree, but as usual I will be out of state working. sigh. Have fun!
ReplyDeleteNew York is always a big deal! And always a good idea! I stayed at the Hampton Inn in Chelsea and would stay there again. (They have breakfast and its close to two subway stations) We found a restaurant around the corner called Elmo who has the most amazing truffle fries!
ReplyDeleteI’m very jealous..... Have fun and I hope you write a post about it!
x
Yes, knitting needles are allowed now. And Barbara of http://sewingontheedge.blogspot.ca/
ReplyDeleteoften travels to NY and she actually recommended a hotel from her last trip. She also knows some of the fabric spots to visit. Try contacting her.
Barbara wrote a post on fabric shopping in NYC that was helpful. The place she recommended for lunch was great! Have a blast!
DeleteI can't offer specific hotel recommendations as I haven't had a need to use one but if you have a list of prospective places, I can tell you good/bad location or convenient/super inconvenient. See you at MPB Day!
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy you're going to have a chance to go to the Charles James exhibit! Plan to go twice is my advice. And how great to visit the garment district with Peter of Male Pattern Boldness! I lived there years ago, and recommend wandering around the West Village.
ReplyDeleteAs for scissors, Kai Scissors sells small craft scissors with a blunt tip that are super sharp.
And for what to wear, NYC in the summer is usually steamy, but all manners of fashion (old and new) are perfectly acceptable, so pick your favorite NYC old movie wardrobe and go from there. (Though comfortable walking shoes are a must...)
I am definitely considering going twice - not sure if that will actually happen, but I may have to brave the final day crowds if I love it as much as I expect to!
DeleteAnd yes, the comfort shoes thing is going to be a challenge . . . !
You will love the city. Plan to walk a lot and spend a lot of money.
ReplyDeleteOh, Goody! So glad you're coming!!
ReplyDeleteThere's no place quite like New York! Try to get to Mendel Goldberg Fabrics... Have a wonderful time!
ReplyDeleteI Love New York, I was there last week for a 36 hour buying trip and stayed at The London on West 54th Street. It was kind of perfect because the cab ride was like 5 minutes from everything, plus it was clean, roomy and had fantastic doormen. I loved every minute of it, we did breakfast at The Plaza, then did the Rockefeller Center, walked 5th Ave, did Times Square in both day and night, did some celebrity sighting(Anna Paquin was at our hotel), ate at Balthazars (omg go there it was so fantastic), did Central Park and a whole bunch of other stuff. We didn't really sleep because it was such a short trip and now I am fantasizing about returning by myself to properly do fabric shopping. I loved Mood, it was like a dream going there.
ReplyDeleteI brought knitting needles with me, but I would print out the TSA rules and bring them with you in case the particular agent is being grouchy that day. Also to get around the no scissors thing I brought a dental floss container and used that to cut my strings when I needed to.
Have a fantastic trip
Thank you for reminding me about the dental floss thing - I have heard that trick before! Now I just need to remember to put the floss in my purse!
DeleteI went in June and took a garment district tour with Seek Tours. The women who led the tour had been a designer and took us to several small shops where we got some good deals on fabric. http://www.seeknewyorktours.com/fashionandstyle2/garment_district/ The Charles James exhibit was fantastic and I got there right when it opened so the line wasn't too bad. Enjoy.
ReplyDeleteSecurity can and will confiscate anything they see to be a threat. To avoid this possibility, you can put your needles in your checked luggage. Having said that, I think you are pretty safe with your bamboo needles, especially if you have a project in process, so it is pretty clear to a new or over enthusiastic agent what they are. Being nice and relaxed also goes a long way!
ReplyDeleteSounds amazing! I wish I could offer tips but I haven't been since 2001! When I was in the 8th grade! I hope you have a wonderful trip and I can't wait to read all about it!
ReplyDeletexoxo
-Janey
Being a NY-er I've never actually stayed in a NY hotel, so not much help there. But my office is right near the Garment District. So if you are going to be doing any shopping/lunching in the area, feel free to give me a holler.
ReplyDeleteHow fun--good for you for taking that leap! We spent the night in Brooklyn last summer while visiting friends (the hotel was nothing noteworthy, and now I can't even find the name!) and had dinner at Gramercy Tavern--it almost made up for the fact that we didn't have time to go to the Garment District :( One word of fashion advice (though probably doesn't apply to you, since you always look dressed up): New York is way more formal than San Francisco! I felt completely underdressed at dinner!
ReplyDeleteI will probably end up underdressed for me (just because of the suitcase issue) but definitely something to keep in mind – thanks for the hint!
DeleteBe sure to go to the Guggenheim Museum. There's also a lovely museum in Brooklyn that usually has a fashion exhibit. Have lots of fun!
ReplyDeleteSo excited for you! You will absolutely love the Charles James exhibit! As others have stated, knitting needles have not been a problem -- I have carried my Addi turbos with me on the plane, both domestic and international, and they have not been a problem, so bamboo would be not be an issue. Instead of scissors (still paranoid about that), I carry a container of dental floss and use the cutter part to cut yarn. Given your interest in the theater and garment districts, you could try the Sofitel. Have a wonderful trip!
ReplyDeleteI'm going in a week! Sadly, I will be returning home the day before Male Pattern Boldness day. I'm hoping to fit in the Charles James exhibit, but I WILL be going to Mood Fabrics. (They will ship your purchases. I already checked!)
ReplyDeleteHaving recently done a tour of the States, I can safely say....
ReplyDeleteInternational flights: absolutely not
Domestic: you're fine!
I think there is less risk of an overzealous TSA agent confiscating knitting needles when there is half a sweater hanging off of the needle (last Christmas I had a colorwork vest with 3 balls of attached yarn hanging off my circulars, no problems with the gate). That being said, there is so little elbow room in the economy class seats that it would be impossible for me to knit on a flight without disturbing those seated next to me- I leave my knitting stowed in the carry on. If you haven't flown in more than 10 years, make sure your carry-on still meets size requirements- some of the airlines (Spirit is really bad for this) have slightly smaller size requirements than a decade ago. Do pack a snack for yourself on the plane ride- many flights only serve beverages or make you pay extra for a tiny snack.
ReplyDeleteI did little hand embroidery while flying. (needle cases to improve my stitching skills) Everything fit in a sandwich size ziplock- I had only two sewing needles and brought an empty floss container to use for cutting thread.
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely vacation!
~Shannon
I'm in New York and planning on seeing the Charles James next week when I am off work. If you wouldn't mind a tag-along let me know when you are planning on being there.
ReplyDeleteI recently flew to Australia and knit a sweater there and back. I took a set of round metal needles and no one gave them a second look.
ReplyDeleteAwesome!! And I've flown with needles a few times no problem ;)
ReplyDelete