Author: goodbyevalentino

13 Sep 350 More Days

Posted at 23:13h in clothes, clothing designers, Fashion Sewing, shopping by goodbyevalentino 0 Comments

Well, it’s been two weeks since I bought any clothes – only 50 more weeks to go. Instead of thinking about what to buy for fall, I’ve had to turn inward and look at what I have….. and what I have needs some variety. There is definitely too much black and too much lime green. This challenge I’ve given myself is definitely stirring the creative juices. I think about how to make everything I see in magazines, in stores and on websites! I’ve made or redesigned four skirts in the last two weeks, so it’s time for something else. A top, maybe? I...

12 Sep Matronly Makeover

Posted at 18:53h in Refashioning Clothes by goodbyevalentino 6 Comments

Is this not one of the most matronly looking suits you have ever seen? [caption id="attachment_93" align="aligncenter" width="145"] YUK[/caption] When my husband walked in and saw this he thought it was a service uniform… Years ago I bought a beautiful Ralph Lauren black suit which I wore until it was thread bare. When it came time to replace it I could not find anything close to it in my price range. I didn’t have an office job anymore and couldn’t justify the splurge, so I bought this suit from Talbots. That was four years ago and I have worn it once. I felt...

10 Sep CAL PATCH

Posted at 12:21h in clothes, DIY Clothes, sewing patterns by goodbyevalentino 0 Comments

I just received my copy of Design-It-Yourself Clothes by Cal Patch and realized the first thing I had to do was take my measurements…. E x c r u c i a t i n g is all I’ve got to say. Now that I’m finished I’m enjoying the book and really appreciate the easy to understand instructions. Thank you Cal Patch! I’m not sure what I’ll try first but I’m ready to make clothes that fit well. I’d love to know if anyone has sewn from this book....

09 Sep Last Summer Skirt

Posted at 13:10h in Amy Butler, clothes, Fabric, Fashion Sewing, shopping, skirt pattern by goodbyevalentino 0 Comments

Greeting me inside LaRoque two days ago was a cute summer dress made from one of my favorite Amy Butler fabrics. It just so happened I bought two yards of the fabric over a year ago, and seeing this smart dress was the inspiration I needed to get this fabric out of the stash and into my wardrobe. Once again I used the A-line pattern from Amy Butler’s Barcelona skirt pattern and I’m pleased with the result – a casual skirt to finish out the final days of summer. On to fall!...

07 Sep Inspiration

Posted at 21:37h in Amy Butler, clothes, Fabric, Fashion Sewing, shopping by goodbyevalentino 0 Comments

Last year I was searching for retailers carrying Amy Butler’s fabrics and came across a business that continuously inspires me. The shop is LaRoque in Columbia, SC and is owned by the young and talented dress designer, Annabelle LaRoque. Six months after learning to sew she left her corporate job to sew and design clothes. I finally visited her store yesterday which overflowed with Annabelle's terrific sense of style. [caption id="attachment_58" align="alignnone" width="200" caption="LaRoque skirt and wrap top"][/caption] LaRoque’s clothes are just great and Annabelle's perseverance is paying off with her wholesale line now available in dozens of stores throughout the Southeast....

07 Sep Redo II

Posted at 02:10h in Refashioning Clothes by goodbyevalentino 0 Comments

This cute skirt has been in my oldest daughter’s closet for four years. She also moved away from home four years ago. I didn’t get rid of it because it belongs to one of her friends who now lives 500 miles away. I believe it’s safe to say the skirt has been abandoned….. The skirt is a size 12 and I am a size 4. Since it has a side zipper and no waistband, it should be easy to alter by adjusting one side. The only problem is there is a hole on the front of the skirt…… [caption id="attachment_48" align="alignnone" width="270"]...

05 Sep DÉJÀ VU

Posted at 22:35h in Refashioning Clothes by goodbyevalentino 0 Comments

Do any of you still have your maternity clothes? I wore Laura Ashley dresses throughout my pregnancies. This is one that I wore during the first half of my pregnancy before I became huge. [caption id="attachment_36" align="alignnone" width="144"] Laura Ashley circa 1988[/caption] Modifying Amy Butler's Barcelona skirt pattern, I turned the dress into an A-line skirt and brought it to the beach for Labor Day weekend. A new skirt – free. Speaking of Amy Butler, I simply adore her. I love Amy's fabrics, books, home and her easy life philosophy illustrated through her products. Visit the inspiration page on her website for dozens of creative...

31 Aug HERE GOES……………..

Posted at 13:07h in clothes, Fashion Sewing, shopping by goodbyevalentino 0 Comments

We women who enjoy clothes and can usually justify a new purchase, and I have had lots of reasons to shop during the past year. Whether is was my best friend’s daughter’s wedding or my daughter’s best friend’s wedding I was buying a Milly dress here, a Lilly dress there and then came the Valentino. How I have loved my first Valentino dress! Did I mention I have two daughters? Shopping, shopping, shopping...