March 2013

23 Mar Mood Sewing Network Lace Challenge

Posted at 10:04h in Craftsy, Mood Fabrics, sewing blog, sewing bloggers, Sewing Dresses, Sewing with Lace, Uncategorized by goodbyevalentino 120 Comments

While Tory Burch may refer to her Ginevra dress as the little lace sundress in the classic shade of navy, I’m calling my new navy lace dress my Easter dress, and it better warm up or I'm in trouble. This is my completed project for the Mood Sewing Network lace challenge and I must say I’m pleased. Inspired by the Tory Burch Ginevra dress, I ordered this navy cotton lace from Mood, and was set to go until I saw - and touched the actual dress in a store. I suddenly lost confidence fearing I could never make a dress that favorably compared...

16 Mar MSN / Face the Lace

Posted at 17:40h in Fashion Sewing by goodbyevalentino 0 Comments

Lots of news at the Mood Sewing Network! For starters, Mood has added four new bloggers to the network bringing the total to twelve. Lori from Girls in the Garden Lauren from LLadybird Peter from Male Pattern Boldness Haley from Threaded I applaud Mood for continuing to expand the Network with creative diversity. Each of the eleven other MSN bloggers offers a unique style of photography, writing, sewing, fashion and overall character, providing ongoing inspiration to me and hopefully you! _________________________ Did you know during the month of March, the MSN bloggers (minus the 2 newest) have accepted a lace challenge? You can read more about it HERE on...

15 Mar New Arrival at K a t i e Spade

Posted at 16:06h in Kate Spade, Mood Fabrics, Sewing Tops, silk by goodbyevalentino 61 Comments

I’m staying at a lovely 5-star resort through the weekend (not our typical getaway) – one of those places where you swap your car for bicycles upon arrival. My husband is engaged in professional activities allowing me to bring along a suitcase of sewing paraphernalia guilt free. This morning when I discovered my white thread was left at home I called the concierge to request a sewing kit so I could hem my top. “My apologies Mrs. Gunn, but we do not furnish sewing kits.” My husband was slightly incredulous when I got dressed and pedaled to the nearest store to find some thread. I ended...

08 Mar Anchors Away

Posted at 12:18h in McCall's Sewing Pattern, Mood Fabrics, sewing clothes, Sewing Tops by goodbyevalentino 105 Comments

“I don't really know how to do casual clothes.” Oscar de la Renta I don’t know how to sew casual clothes - the kind of knock around frocks you wear on the weekend - but I’m going to learn. I believe the art of making a simple garment requires an underestimated level of sophistication that I’ve yet to acquire. How does one Avoid the discount department store look? Address excessive ease in loose-fitting patterns? Achieve a finished appearance despite a lack of construction details? What is Eileen Fisher’s secret? I gave myself the assignment to sew a very casual top - one I would wear on a...

28 Feb Sew the Perfect Fit – Review, Part 1

Posted at 13:52h in Craftsy, Sewing Dresses, Vogue Sewing Patterns by goodbyevalentino 63 Comments

At last I’m now sewing along with Linda Maynard in her online class - Sew The Perfect Fit! The Craftsy course title and description completely captured my attention leading me to contact Craftsy. “Learn how to alter your patterns to achieve a flattering fit for your body. Fit specialist Lynda Maynard teaches fitting techniques you can use to customize any pattern to your shape.” Since I am receiving the class for free in exchange for a review, I plan to write at least two thorough posts. I also want to let you know that Craftsy is offering a 40% discount on this class to my...

22 Feb K a t i e Spade

Posted at 17:40h in Kate Spade, Uncategorized by goodbyevalentino 115 Comments

Can you tell the difference between the Kate Spade and the Katie Spade? Most people can’t thanks to Kenneth King’s online course, Clone Your Favorite Garment! I've made several pencil skirts during the last 17 months, but was still searching for the perfect pattern when I broke down and bought my sixth garment since completing the RTW Fast in August; the Kate Spade Judy Skirt. At 60% off, the skirt was a bargain?? Surprisingly, everything about the skirt works for me, enough so that I wanted this pattern! Enter Kenneth King. In a series of 10 brief lessons Kenneth demonstrates how to create a pattern...

14 Feb What I Did For Love

Posted at 12:19h in Fashion Sewing by goodbyevalentino 102 Comments

My sewing goal for this post was to make two pairs of Style Arc’s Elle Pants from fabric I bought over a year ago inspired by Robin of A Little Sewing. The fabrics are a hi-tech matte hybrid in chocolate-brown and red. I made the pants in black last year, blogged here. For some reason I asked my husband’s opinion about making the pants………. “Make a dress out of the red fabric, like the one you had at the beach,” Hubby was referring to his favorite dress pattern. Of all the dresses I’ve made this is his favorite. “But Cissie, one of the RTW...

09 Feb A Movement?

Posted at 18:08h in Ready to Wear Fast by goodbyevalentino 25 Comments

I am thrilled, elated and joyous that the RTW Fast is catching on. Could become a movement? In late September I was informed by a reader that the day after I completed my RTW Fast, a sew-a-long inspired by my 1 year challenge started on the Pattern Review website in my absence, with many citing me as their inspiration. I was quite moved to say the least. Just last week I learned Pattern Therapy along with thirteen other women are hosting a year-long challenge for home sewers who want to commit to ONE YEAR of sewing to build their wardrobe. The challenge is to avoid purchasing clothing beginning...

08 Feb Missoni My Way

Posted at 10:52h in McCall's Sewing Pattern, Mood Fabrics, sewing blogs, Uncategorized by goodbyevalentino 106 Comments

I cannot begin to explain how much I have always wanted to own a Missoni dress. Those chevron stripes in wacky colors simply speak to me. Unfortunately, Missoni is w a y out of my price range. I was willing to settle for the one-time Missoni for Target line, but guess what? The event was held during my ready-to-wear fast...

02 Feb Party Pep – Vogue 8815

Posted at 18:13h in Kate Spade, sewing blog, Sewing Tops, silk, Uncategorized, Vogue Sewing Patterns by goodbyevalentino 67 Comments

I'm a little late to the party with this pattern but I've finally arrived :) Vogue 8815 has received dozens of favorable reviews on PR. I came close to buying a Kate Spade zebra peplum made in the same style, but the "I can make this" mindset thankfully kicked in...