Author: goodbyevalentino

24 Aug Serendipitous Silk & More

Posted at 08:10h in Mood Fabrics, silk by goodbyevalentino 96 Comments

My dear friend Libby teaches abroad every summer - this year she taught in Bangkok. On an outing to the National Museum, the lost driver dropped Libby and her class off at the wrong location. They found themselves at the Jim Thompson House & Museum instead. Jim Thompson, an American architect who was stationed in Thailand during World War II, created an international business exporting Thai silk. While wandering through a local market in Bangkok, Jim Thompson spotted Thai silk. Captivated by its beauty he traced its origin to a Muslim community where the weavers were making silk by hand. His discovery not...

20 Aug Vogue 8833

Posted at 08:43h in Mood Fabrics, sewing bloggers, Sewing Tops, Uncategorized, Vogue Sewing Patterns by goodbyevalentino 0 Comments

I often think my Fall wardrobe is practically non-existent – most likely because I look like I’m coming down with something when I wear those traditional, Fall earth-tone colors. Fortunately the Pantone Fall 2013 report brings new colors to the mix translating into exciting possibilities for my closet! My first Fall sewing project needed to be a go-to garment. Being a lover of silk, I ordered this crepe de chine from Mood Fabrics by Thakoon - the gorgeous colors enhance every pair of pants I own! True, the fabric would make a beautiful special occasion garment, but I'll feel special each time this luxurious...

18 Aug The Quest for Perfection, Simplicity 4149

Posted at 22:05h in sewing blogs, Sewing Tops, Simplicity Patterns, Tunic, Uncategorized by goodbyevalentino 118 Comments

“It’s a risky project with a lot of potential opportunities for disaster.” Hubby has been watching way too much Project Runway. “….. and you need to think about ¾ length sleeves.” ___________________________ Somehow, someway and someday I’m going to have the perfect tunic pattern. Encouraged by Julie Starr’s success, (who is also on the same quest), with Simplicity 4149, I decided to give it a try. Here’s my muslin after I made my standard adjustments to shorten the bodice – far from perfect. The darts are too low and the back is enormous. The front is ok, but I wanted to reduce...

09 Aug Social Butterfly

Posted at 10:21h in Uncategorized by goodbyevalentino 0 Comments

Dear Readers, My vacation is far more productive than I expected. Goodbye Valentino is now on Facebook! I'm excited about branching out and hope you will like my new page :) Just click HERE to log on. Many thanks! Sarah :)...

07 Aug Happiness is …….

Posted at 09:22h in Butterick Patterns, Ruffles, sewing blogs, sewing clothes, Sewing Tops by goodbyevalentino 0 Comments

I don’t know what makes me the happiest right now…… … the top I made, the pants I bought, or being back at Edisto Beach where I can eat fresh shrimp, silver queen corn and home-grown tomatoes until my heart’s content. Greetings from George and Pink, a hot spot on the campaign trail for South Carolina politicians, and the finest produce market on the planet in my humble opinion. I was once hesitant about shopping at the dirt floor market amongst the chickens and goats that roam the property, but once I quit worrying about getting my clothes dirty, the quality of our...

01 Aug Gettin’ My Preppy On

Posted at 09:28h in Butterick Patterns, Mood Fabrics, Ruffles, sewing blogs, sewing clothes, Uncategorized by goodbyevalentino 0 Comments

Madras, anyone? Finding this multicolored cotton patchwork on the Mood Fabrics website was almost as refreshing as a dip in the pool! I looked forward to putting a feminine twist on this classic preppy fabric and paired it with Butterick’s dress pattern 5917. Perhaps I’m a child at heart loving those madras children’s clothes filled with ruffles, but I thought this pattern had just the right feminine touch without the fussiness for the busy fabric. Actually, I’ve seen lots of RTW seersucker dresses sewn in this style. Since there was only one review on the Pattern Review website I wasn’t sure what to expect,...

26 Jul Sultry or Sunshine?

Posted at 08:11h in Mood Fabrics, sewing blogs, Sewing Skirts, silk, Yellow by goodbyevalentino 104 Comments

“Well if it isn’t Sultry and Sunshine!” blurted the drunk man upon seeing my friend and me. The year was 1984. My friend resembled Angelina Jolie and well, I just looked like myself, only 29 years younger. It’s not hard to know who was Sultry and who was Sunshine. I’m not sure what little Miss Sunshine was wearing that evening but I doubt it was yellow. There is no yellow in my home and I did not own any yellow clothes until two years ago after a Medium told me I needed more yellow in my life. (Blogged HERE and HERE) Now the color...

15 Jul Ribbon Skirt Conclusion!

Posted at 14:33h in Ribbon Skirt, sewing blog, Sewing Skirts, Uncategorized by goodbyevalentino 68 Comments

I originally planned a three part Sew-a-Long for the Ribbon Skirt, but I discovered after sewing the ribbons in place the rest is simple enough to complete in a single post, thanks to Julie Starr. For newcomers to the Sew-a-Long, everything you need to know is located HERE. PART TWO: If you have marked and attached all rows carefully, the side seams should match at each ribbon row. 12. Press each completed section and with right sides facing, pin and sew the front to the back at the right side seam. 13. Finish the seam allowances as desired. Julie serged her seam allowances and pressed...

13 Jul Vogue 8904

Posted at 08:40h in Mood Fabrics, sewing blogs, Sewing Dresses, sewing patterns, Uncategorized, Vogue Sewing Patterns by goodbyevalentino 0 Comments

Recently on Facebook, Mood Fabrics posed the following question to its followers: When do you put aside summer sewing and move on to fall and winter apparel? Is July too soon to think about cool-weather clothes? I must admit I have actually begun to think about my Fall wardrobe in July for the first time ever. I have even begun to look at Fall Runway shows on Style.com and even started a Mood Fall board, but...

08 Jul Spoleto Ribbon Skirt Sew-a-Long Part 1

Posted at 00:15h in McCall's Sewing Pattern, Ribbon Skirt, sewing blogs, Uncategorized by goodbyevalentino 0 Comments

Greetings! At last the time has come to make the Spoleto Ribbon Skirt provided by Julie Starr and inspired by the J McLaughlin ribbon skirt. Many have asked how to sign up and the answer is you simply follow along on my blog. ________________________________ If you are just now joining in, you will need the following materials. 1. Your favorite straight skirt pattern 2. 1 yard good quality prewashed cotton fabric for your skirt base (Julie recommends Kona cotton) 3. Fusible interfacing for the skirt facings 4. 1 9” invisible zipper in a color to coordinate with your ribbon 5. 1 hook and eye 6. 1 package double fold seam...