01 Feb Lots of Love
“Where do you plan to wear this?” were the first words my husband spoke upon seeing this dress.
I have no idea where I plan to wear this dress, but I’m sure something will come up.
Does it really matter? Don’t we find ways to wear the clothes we really like?
I wasn’t ready to put this Simplicity pattern away and had just enough of this tangerine and lavender fabric from Amy Butler’s L O V E collection to make the dress. I’ve had the fabric for nearly two years just waiting for the right pattern to come along. After finishing the aqua polka dot dress last week, I knew what I wanted to do.
This fabric is so cheerful that matching the nearly 22” vertical repeat didn’t dampen my spirit. As a matter of fact the project happily possessed me from start to finish – I only left my sewing machine to come up for a little bread and water and catch a few hours of sleep.
Contrast facing can open for sporty look.
The pattern matches with the zipper inserted!
So… after a whirlwind of sewing, I find myself with two Simplicity 2584 dresses. The aqua polka dot dress may become a sleeveless tunic or go to my daughter.
Goodness!
I’m entering my 6th month of abstaining from RTW for a year with the belief that I’m on the right path. Several people have asked me about the difficulty of giving up buying clothes for a year. I’m not sure if they believe me when I say it’s been incredibly easy (not to shop) and fun (to sew), but it’s the absolute truth.
Louisa Coburn
Posted at 18:07h, 01 FebruaryJust wanted to say how much I am enjoying your website and following your journey through your blogs. What a great idea! Sewing was my main creative outlet throughout my high school and college years, and I have missed it. You certainly have supplied some food for thought!
L.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 20:39h, 01 FebruaryThanks for the comment, Louisa! This has been a great process for me. I’ve sewn never dedicated to a particular genre so I’m pleased to be totally focused for a year!
JoanneM
Posted at 18:25h, 01 FebruaryAnother winner. Matching is perfect.
Are there some RTW items you are NOT wiling to sew during your year of RTW abstinence?
I absolutely refuse to sew jeans!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:11h, 02 FebruaryThank you, Joanne. I doubt I’ll be making jeans, swimsuits or tailored coats, but you never know – I really wasn’t expecting to sew an evening gown!
Art Attack
Posted at 18:27h, 01 FebruaryIt’s adorable! Such happy fabric…you will wear the heck out of this
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 20:40h, 01 FebruaryI think so too, Dorcas! A commenter on Pattern Review suggested I just wear it while doing errands – that could happen!
AllisonC
Posted at 18:48h, 01 FebruaryI love it, I’m sure you will find plenty of occasions to wear it in the summer, it looks great with the gold sandals.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 20:41h, 01 FebruaryThanks, Allison! I like it with the flats but think it would look great with some gold wedges. I plan to wear it as much as I can!
Peggy
Posted at 19:05h, 01 FebruaryThis is gorgeous–and I love the sleeves!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 20:42h, 01 FebruaryThanks, Peggy. I wasn’t sure if the sleeves were too youthful for me, but I got daughter approval today!!
kuby2u
Posted at 19:48h, 01 FebruaryThis dress is totally gorgeous on you. Your *perfect* center placed zipper has eluded me in more then 40 years of sewing although I still aspire to that kind of perfection.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 20:43h, 01 FebruaryThanks so much! My zipper placement usually leaves something to be desired, so I was very pleased.
prttynpnk
Posted at 20:35h, 01 FebruaryYou look lovely and kudos on that zipper placement!!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 20:45h, 01 FebruaryThanks so much! I hope the zipper isn’t one of those once in a lifetime experiences!
Barbara Segen Gould
Posted at 22:48h, 01 FebruaryI have to echo everyone’s comments. Your choice of fabrics is inspired for this dress….tangerine and lavender! Really? It is beautiful. I have seen one or two of your reviews on Pattern Review over the last 6 months but this one truly intrigued me and so I have read every post in your blog today. Bravo on a brave and daring journey that has revealed some things about yourself that you never knew. I applaud your nerve..the patterns you have chosen to make are in no way Very Easy Vogues. I sewed all of my clothes in college and as a young business woman, but then when I could afford to buy RTW, I relegated my sewing machoine to mending. But when I took early retirement in 2004 I began to sew again and I too am rediscovering the creativity, challenge and sheer fun of making my own clothes. I am enjoying your journey as well.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 19:51h, 02 FebruaryBarbara,
This is one of the nicest comments I have ever received! Thank you so much for your kind words.
I am thoroughly enjoying chronicling my commitment to sew through a blog – I had no idea how warm and supportive the blogging world, especially the sewing blogging world is.
I had not sewn for myself on a serious basis in many years and enjoy it so much more now – maybe I have a better understanding of what styles I can wear as well as a better eye for envisioning the end result. At any rate, garment sewing has changed for the better during the past 25 years and I love being a part of it again!
Carolyn
Posted at 10:42h, 02 FebruaryI’m really hoping that now that you’ve discovered this creative outlet that you will continue pass the one year mark that you’ve set for yourself. You have a gift for this and should definitely continue to explore it. The dress is very cute and will be wonderful during the summer! It was a good idea to make a second one.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 19:57h, 02 FebruaryThank you Carolyn for the comment! I am so happy to be making clothes again – maybe I needed the 20 year break from making clothes to appreciate the whole sewing process again.
I am very glad I made the Simplicity pattern again because now there are changes I want to go back and make to the first dress that I was unaware of the first time around. I might even make it a 3rd time!
Dakota
Posted at 13:27h, 02 FebruaryI love this dress Mrs. Gunn! It looks fabulous on you! This is such a fun blog! xo
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 19:58h, 02 FebruaryDakota – So good to hear from you!! I never dreamed I would be blogging one day but it is great fun!
Sharon
Posted at 00:47h, 03 FebruaryLove your summer dress and the pattern matching is perfect. I agree with Carolyn, please continue with your creations they are wonderful to see.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 15:43h, 03 FebruaryThank you, Sharon. I visit your blog for constant inspiration! Fitting can be a nightmare for people who are 5’2″ (1.524 meters?) like me, and your clothes fit you to a T. I’m truly impressed!
Keri Jill
Posted at 09:31h, 03 FebruaryI have to say very pretty. This dress says to me picnic on Sullivans Island with your husband, great cheese, bread, wine! Lovely afternoon! I’m a new reader from Charlotte and I’m really glad to find your blog, we come done every chance we get. Your work is very inspiring. Thanks for sharing!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 15:46h, 03 FebruaryHi Keri Jill,
Thanks so much for your comments! I’m always up for a picnic on Sullivan’s Island or anywhere near Charleston. We are in the Upstate of South Carolina and get to the coast as often as possible….. wish I was there now!
champagnemaker
Posted at 11:13h, 03 FebruarySARAH!!!! LOVE LOVE LOVE this! I wish you lived here in Charlotte with me! We’d get in a bunch of trouble. Mimi and Patterson would think we should be roommates! I’m going to put your blog on Crush Party with some of your pics, is that ok??
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 15:49h, 03 FebruaryHi Champagne,
Thank you sooo much for writing! All I need is to get into a bunch of trouble 🙂
I’m loving sewing again A N D blogging! Feel free to put my blog on Crush Party or share with anyone who might like it! Until soon I hope!! – S
Mimi
Posted at 16:08h, 03 FebruaryMake me one! 🙂
judy roberson
Posted at 06:21h, 07 FebruarySuch a cute dress, Looks great on you.. Dont you just love making your own clothes.so fun.. I have not bought many RTW items either.. And I didnt make a challege to do it..it just kinda happened.Ha.
Love sewing, and have finally started sewing for me. fun..
Just found your blog and have really enjoyed it. Happy sewing.
Suzi/FlFiFiLarue
Posted at 14:21h, 20 FebruaryOh my goodness that is such an adorable dress! The fabric is to die for! When I first glimpsed the picture I thought…a “Lilly Pulitizer” dress!! Here on the East Coast of Fla that is almost a “uniform of choice” to be seen in at the Beach shopping. As I type my “SeeSide Suzi” manniquin is wearing the exact dress pattern in a very beachy lobster, crab, flower power cotton fabric found somewhere. However the fabric is not forgiving to my body so it is relegated to being on show. Love your blog and you are just adorable!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 08:05h, 21 FebruaryAhhhh…. this is the nicest comment – thank you so much! My girls and I love Lily clothes and have several hanging around in the closets. One day I may do a post just one these Lily dresses! Amy Butler’s “love” collection is one of my all time favorite fabric collections, and I’ve found works well for sewing clothes though most things should be lined. Many thanks for writing 🙂
Anne Ominous (@rustoleumlove)
Posted at 14:44h, 31 MarchHello, I came across your blog looking for a tunic to sew.. I too gave up clothes shopping for a year in 2011, I never make resolutions but this was something I’d been wanting to do. Now, I realize how much more satisfying and fun it is to craft one’s own things, even with the trials and tribulations, and I haven’t gone back to buying clothing in stores or online. How wonderful to know that others are having the same idea and following through. Since I used to cook professionally, I understand how burned out one can get on a hobby, but it’s great you picked it back up, your stuff looks fantastic!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 10:41h, 04 AprilThank you so much for the nice comments, Anne! I thought I was all alone in this endeavor until I started a blog about it. Sewing has truly enriched my life this year and I haven’t missed shopping at all!
Tunic Time | Mood Sewing Network
Posted at 11:33h, 10 October[…] I don’t have an answer, I do have an easy dress I will throw one every chance I get. Lots of Love is going to face Lots of Competition to maintain her standing! 0 October 10, 2012 By: Goodbye […]
Tunic Time! | Goodbye Valentino
Posted at 11:02h, 11 October[…] I don’t have an answer, I do have an easy dress I will throw on every chance I get. Lots of Love is going to face Lots of Competition to maintain her […]
Velosewer
Posted at 14:18h, 12 OctoberThis is a lovely piece. I’ve decided to make more lovely outfits because I have the basics but really enjoy making dresses and clothes that are pretty rather than functional. I try to get the fit right and this year I’ve been concentrating on detailing. You’ve made some great dresses/tops with lots of small but fitting details so I hope you continue, so I have a benchmark to reach.
elise
Posted at 19:37h, 13 DecemberHello! I love your tunic, it’s beautiful! Here’s America’s dumbest question…could I rent the pattern from you? I will pay shipping and pay you for letting me use the pattern. I want to make this but the pattern is nowhere on the internet! I’ve searched for hours. The last one I saw was on ebay and it went for $50!!! I will take good care of it, send you a deposit and postage, and mail it back to you. Think about it, OK! Anyway, happy holidays–please help my Christmas dream come true! Thanks for considering this request.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:39h, 16 DecemberThank you Elise and sorry to be late replying – I’ve been out of town. You’re welcome to borrow the pattern if it’s in decent shape. Give me a few days to check it out 🙂 I’ll be back in touch!
Eliss Passentino
Posted at 08:31h, 16 DecemberWOW! Thanks, that is so nice of you! I will pay the postage, and return it immediately after cutting. I promise. It’s a miracle! Enjoy the holidays!
Eliss Passentino
Posted at 08:32h, 16 DecemberHappy New Year, too.