Author: goodbyevalentino

15 Jun Lilly P Knockoff Shorts

Posted at 05:00h in Fashion Sewing by goodbyevalentino 42 Comments

Six glorious beach days with Birdie - life gets no better! I was determined to perfect a pair of scalloped hem shorts before returning to the beach, and my inspiration came from many of the Lilly Pulitzer beach shorts. Many thanks to Margo Bergman from Creating in the Gap for introducing me to McCall's 6930, a flat front short with a scalloped hem option (View B). For optimal results I added a lining to the shorts for comfort and wrinkle reduction, and inserted an invisible zipper - eliminating the need for a hook & eye at the waistband. Rather than sewing the 3-piece waistband...

12 Jun Tunic x Nine !

Posted at 07:36h in Sewing Tunics, The Tunic Bible, Uncategorized by goodbyevalentino 25 Comments

Greetings! I'd like to introduce you to a reader who made my day. Meet Marion, a fellow tunic lover from Germany. Marion bought The Tunic Bible in February and has showcased our concept of one pattern unlimited possibilities so beautifully that I must share. After reading Marion's initial email, I requested photos of her tunics. She surprised me with not one or two or three….. but nine tunics she’s created this Spring using the master pattern! Let's look...

03 Jun Scalloped Edge Shorts

Posted at 05:59h in Simplicity Patterns, Uncategorized by goodbyevalentino 40 Comments

I learned something on this project that you may already know; scalloped hems look best on solids and pinstripes. Having said that here's my latest...

31 May Refashioned Linen Dress – A Foot to Spare

Posted at 06:27h in Refashioning Clothes by goodbyevalentino 81 Comments

Over the last few months I've lost 10 pounds. That means several clothes from the past fit once more, and there's nothing like an easy refashion to make my day :) It's true, I wore my dresses this long around the turn of the century - LOL. Above is a dress from Talbots made from Irish Linen. I've hung onto it all these years hoping to wear it again one day. While longer dresses look great on many women, I feel dwarfed by the longer length of a slim silhouette. The lines in the dress are spot so I kept the refashion simple. After removing approximately...

29 May Seersucker Beach Pants – Vogue 7912

Posted at 06:33h in Mood Fabrics, Mood Sewing Network, sewing blogs, Uncategorized, Vogue Sewing Patterns by goodbyevalentino 48 Comments

For some reason, my husband and I have not been to the beach together in almost one year! Greetings from Edisto and Happy Memorial Day! I didn't know I wanted a pair of wide-leg beach pants until the Blue and White Bengal Cotton Seersucker arrived from Mood Fabrics. Seriously, I was planning a dress with a ruffle collar, but a new vision appeared once I opened the package. This is no pinstripe seersucker, but a lovely light and airy fabric featuring 1/4" stripes. It is slightly puckered with a wonderful drape making it suitable for several garments. As one who almost always prefers a slim silhouette, I was...

21 May Sprout Patterns

Posted at 16:19h in Sewing Tops by goodbyevalentino 70 Comments

Greetings :) I wish I could say I've been on vacation but home renovations interfered big time with sewing. This Spring Sprout Patterns offered me the opportunity to sew some of their patterns. I knew about this unique sewing concept, and having never sewed the Sprout way, I enthusiastically accepted the generous offer. First of all I greatly admire creative minds who think outside the box and the concept is brilliant. Sprout Patterns is a business that sells Indie sewing patterns printed with any Spoonflower design. After selecting a pattern you are directed to a design board featuring a screen with a 3D rotating image...

28 Apr Sip & See

Posted at 08:32h in Fashion Sewing by goodbyevalentino 15 Comments

Dear Readers, Since I started sewing again in 2011 I've made hundreds of garments whose total sum equals a complete wardrobe minus a bathing suit and lingerie. My inspiration to sew initially came from high end ready-to-wear, but I quickly learned those garments were only the beginning of my inspiration. Through the years I've met many sewists with enviable skills, style and creativity who draw inspiration far beyond the ready-to-wear scene. From a single blade of grass to exotic travels, creative inspiration abounds for those ready to receive, anywhere and anytime. I have learned so much from so many willing to share their skills,...

26 Apr Carolina Herrera Stretch Silk

Posted at 07:00h in Mood Fabrics, Mood Sewing Network, Sewing Dresses, silk, Uncategorized, Vogue Sewing Patterns by goodbyevalentino 73 Comments

I scored big time finding this beautiful Carolina Herrera Leopard Printed Stretch Silk Twill from Mood Fabrics. I ordered the fabric with a wrap dress in mind, but after the fabric arrived I came across a photograph of the Carolina Herrera original and decided to follow the style of the designer with a close fitting dress. I reached for a favorite pattern I have made twice before - Vogue 9047. (Version one is here and version two is here.) The pattern is now out of print but still available on the website, Etsy and other online sources.While the 'original' dress is a sheath with...

09 Apr Almost Cocktail Attire

Posted at 18:48h in New Look Sewing Patterns, Refashioning Clothes, sewing blogs, Sewing Skirts, Uncategorized by goodbyevalentino 54 Comments

In my next life I'd like to live in a historic house in Charleston with a decorative gate and creeping fig wall. Perhaps you follow Teggy French, one of my favorite fashion bloggers. Last fall her social media led me to Shein, a website of inexpensive clothing where I purchased a ruffled bell sleeve top. When it arrived I hated everything about it...

03 Apr Saint James Dress

Posted at 10:02h in Fashion Sewing by goodbyevalentino 120 Comments

Knowing I can sew a garment for a tiny fraction of the retail price of a simply thrills me, and is one of the reasons I continue to sew. I knew I could make the $200 Saint James Toledo striped dress I saw in a boutique in Charlotte,but I didn't know that Mood Fabrics stocked Saint James knits ~ the very same fabrics! Upon finding Burda 6722, I knew it was meant to be. Described as a ponte, Mood offers the Saint James knits in several colors, and I chose the white background with black stripes. I rarely sew Burda patterns (no reason in...