Author: goodbyevalentino

07 Oct Van Gogh Inspired

Posted at 06:21h in Fashion Sewing by goodbyevalentino 30 Comments

If I'm in a city with Van Gogh paintings, I will always make time to see them. I guess it was no surprise that the first piece of fabric which caught my eye at Honolulu's Kaimuki Dry Goods was a delightful knit with colors reminiscent of Van Gogh's Olive Trees, Almond Branches and Wheatfield paintings, among others. We're not in Honolulu anymore Toto, and I'm nowhere near a Van Gogh, but I can carry a little of both with me in my latest. Greetings from Edisto. Originally, I envisioned making a Polynesian inspired maxi, but given the current state of my life and the world, I...

04 Oct Helen Haughey Designs – Guest Post

Posted at 07:12h in Fashion Sewing, Sewing Dresses by goodbyevalentino 23 Comments

Just how important is your neckline selection? One of my sewing mentors contacted me after reading my latest Sheath Post and offered a few helpful comments particularly about the design of my sheath. Helen Haughey, of Helen Haughey Designs is a Certified Master of Sewing and a true master of sewing couture sheaths. I met Helen in Tampa last year and again in Boston at the ASG Convention. In February 2020, I took a French Jacket Class with Helen and Mary Funt. It's one of those classes that forever changes the way you sew. (Read Posts Here, Here and Here.) After reading Helen's comments, I invited her...

30 Sep Mood Fabrics – 10 Favorite Fabrics & A Special Thank you!

Posted at 06:58h in Fashion Sewing, Mood Sewing Network by goodbyevalentino 15 Comments

As I enter my 10th year of blogging, I'd like to share some of the significant events and milestones that have made this journey so enjoyable. Shortly before completing my first year of blogging, Mood Fabrics, the Project Runway go-to store invited me to join its new Sewing Network as one of the original members. To say it was an honor is an understatement since I was just finding my way back to the sewing machine. After seven years, I recently completed my work with the Mood Sewing Network (MSN), but were it not for this famous fabric store's investment in me,...

27 Sep Tory Burch Reimagined

Posted at 07:03h in Fashion Sewing, Tunics by goodbyevalentino 72 Comments

In 2015 one of the publisher rejections we received for The Tunic Bible came from a woman who told me the tunic look was on its way out - especially The Tory Burch style with trimmed and decorative plackets. She went on to tell me the book proposal seemed more appropriate for a magazine article. You can't argue with someone whose mind is made up, but I knew she was wrong. The tunic is the original garment and it will never go out of style. You can imagine my delight upon seeing this image and caption on the Tory Burch website two...

23 Sep Jingle Bells – Napkin Giveaway Winner!

Posted at 07:00h in Goodbye Valentino Giveaway by goodbyevalentino 0 Comments

Congratulations to Beth Tingo, winner of the Christmas napkins giveaway! Please contact me at goodbyevalentino@gmail.com to work out giveaway details by SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26 or a new winner will be chosen. ___________________________________________ Many thanks to all who participated and again, a special thank you to Becky Thompson :) RELATED PRODUCTS ...

20 Sep How to Sew Scalloped Cocktail Napkins & Giveaway!

Posted at 07:00h in Napkins and Table Linens by goodbyevalentino 107 Comments

Tis the season! It's never too early to start ...

18 Sep Kwik Sew Pattern 4261

Posted at 07:31h in Fashion Sewing, Sewing Dresses by goodbyevalentino 42 Comments

“Dressing well is a form of good manners.” TOM FORD I've been dressing down during these pandemic times, but I believe we can dress down and dress well. One thing is certain...

15 Sep Make the Muslin

Posted at 10:37h in Fashion Sewing by goodbyevalentino 58 Comments

"You're an elegant woman and you walk beautifully" said the Frenchman at the Savannah Highway Harris Teeter on September 1 at 3:15 pm. I was wearing a mask, flip flops and this dress. After I gathered my wits I thanked him for his flattering comment and told him he made my day. Then I texted my husband and suggested he may wish to talk this way to me. 😉 In retrospect I believe the lovely Frenchman was admiring the fit of my dress, because a perfectly fitting garment accentuates your attributes and downplays your flaws. It's comfortable and moves with you...

30 Aug Nine Years & Counting! Butterick Pattern 6678

Posted at 06:46h in Butterick Patterns, Maxi Dress, Sewing Dresses, Uncategorized by goodbyevalentino 120 Comments

Here it is, my nine year Blogiversary! On August 31, 2011, I announced I would not be shopping for a year and vowed to renew my sewing skills. I made this skirt from Amy Butler quilting cotton which I posted as my first garment and was so proud. Nine years later I'm in a different place in life but one thing is certain. I'll never go back to being a full-time shopper unless someone takes my machines away or I'm unable to sew. Sewing is truly in my blood. _____________________________________________ People not connected with the online sewing community look puzzled when I explain this wonderful...

16 Aug Save Those Scraps – Cocktail Napkins!

Posted at 09:10h in Napkins and Table Linens by goodbyevalentino 41 Comments

There are some things I will buy for other people but not for myself. What about you? ____________________________________________________ This week I developed a technique for making scalloped-edge cocktail napkins, and it is a game changer! Now I can have my cake and eat it too. When I received Pfaff's Creative Icon, I was completely focused on embroidering tunics for The Tunic Bible and it was intense. During this Coronavirus stay-at-home period, the Icon and I have developed a new relationship, and my more relaxed approach has led me to wonderful discoveries. Would you believe the most difficult part of creating these cocktail napkins was...