Author: goodbyevalentino

07 Nov Whereabouts and Giveaway Winner!

Greetings from the magical land of Morocco! Julie Starr, Dorcas Ross and I are on a trip of a lifetime with the talented Amy Butler and Valori Wells, along with 10 other lucky people! As soon as I opened the email in February, I knew an immediate decision was needed and asked two of my sewing friends to join me. Creative workshops and cultural inspiration galore fill the week along with the opportunity to connect with a lovely group of women, and our leaders husbands. Julie and I made tunics to express our admiration for Amy :) but the most moving experience so far has been spending...

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26 Oct The Lillian Top

My recent break has not been a break from sewing - far from it! Marketing The Tunic Bible has involved lots of additional sewing, but after completing 75 tunics, Julie and I have nailed it ;) _________________________________________ Maybe you remember my post from April about the noble woman, Lillian Weber, who in the twilight of her life, set a goal to sew 1,000 dresses for the organization, Little Dresses for Africa before she turned 100.  Lillian reached her goal two months before her birthday, attracting much media attention and inspiring a documentary. She died on the eve of her 101st birthday (May 6, 2016) having completed...

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17 Sep New Website and Giveaway!

It is with great excitement that Julie and I announce a companion website to our upcoming book, The Tunic Bible, thetunicbible.com.  Not only is the website designed to enhance your tunic sewing experience, thetunicbible.com will allow me to post far less tunic material on goodbyevalentino.com. So you might say this is one of my last tunic posts on Goodbye Valentino ;) Julie and I have sewn over 60 tunics during the last 16 months, and became intrigued with several tunic designers. In the beginning it was Sail to Sable, followed by Tory Burch , then Gretchen Scott and others. We accumulated a...

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13 Sep Butterick 4735 With a Twist

It’s a girl :) Greetings from Scottsdale where I’ve been since September 3, celebrating one of life’s greatest miracles ~ the birth of little “Birdie” born September 1.  Hubby and I are truly thrilled to be first-time grandparents to such a precious bundle of joy! Can you believe it, dear Readers? I started Goodbye Valentino as a new empty nester.  In 5 short years, I’ve gained two son-in-laws, a new puppy and a granddaughter. My husband and I have each lost a beloved parent, and I’ve written a book to be published in 18 days. Please accept my heartfelt gratitude for hanging with...

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01 Sep To Trim or Not To Trim?

Summer clothes are sew much fun to sew, I will make them until the end of the season. While writing The Tunic Bible, I developed a new appreciation, perhaps an obsession for working with trims. Using the 'right' trim whether it's inexpensive twill tape or an ornate applique easily transforms a garment from plain to sensational. Mood Fabrics has it all from lace to ribbons to chains and appliqués! To transform my latest tunic in Mood Fabrics luscious fuchsia lightweight linen, I selected an this Oscar de la Renta 2" medallion design cotton lace. It's fabulous. When clicking on the link be...

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10 Aug The New Forty – Garments 22 and 23

Greetings from the amazing Chautauqua Institution! Situated on 750 acres beside the Chautauqua Lake in southwestern New York State, it is one of my favorite summer destinations for culture and enlightenment. Although clothes and fashion are hardly on the minds of the learned souls who inhabit this lofty sight, I found the trip a perfect opportunity to sew two very different casual pieces both from The Tunic Bible. Above is a simple tunic made from a sarong purchased at the Roberta Roller Rabbit at Kiawah Island ~ sometimes you just have to think outside the bolt!       I embellished the neckline with piping cut from the...

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