Author: goodbyevalentino

10 Oct Join Me In Honolulu!

Hello Dear Readers, We continue to work, write and sew as our deadline approaches, and what I miss most of all is communicating with you. Hopefully soon the book will be in the hands of the publisher. Is it fun writing a book? Yes, when everything clicks the process is great fun, but the pressure is somewhat relentless at the moment. Fortunately, I get to take a much needed break in exactly 4 weeks thanks to the Hawaii Stitchery and Fibre Arts Guild! Please join me for one or both of the events if you're in the Honolulu area! The November 7th "Lecture" is...

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10 Sep Four Good Excuses and an Announcement

  Four Reasons I Haven't Sewn Since the end of August: My new Grandson was born (August 28).  His name is Billy and he is healthy and beautiful ❤️ I had a back injury (September 1).  While pulling my kayak out of wet sand, the strap broke and sent me sailing across the beach before landing on my back. I've been out of town (September 6 - 9 ) ...

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16 Aug A Skirt and Upcoming Event!

I can't understand how a single trip would knock me for a blogging loop but it happened. I've been traveling with my mother ~ wonderful trip but we are both glad to be home from Chautauqua. Hi There 🤗 What's so wonderful about this skirt? I asked myself the same question when I saw a similar pair of $600 linen shorts on the Moda Operandi website. Obviously it's the designer's ingenious use of stripes since the shorts are not lined or hemmed ! (The edges are serged.)  However, I loved it and got busy adapting the look to suit my style. Mood Fabrics Red and White...

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20 Jul Feminine Twist on Men’s Shirting

Why is so much wonderful cotton shirting described as a man's fabric??? I couldn't pass on Mood Fabrics' beautiful pink/blue Italian cotton shirting even if the description read -  This is a light weight 100% cotton shirting with a woven pattern. Smooth, soft, sleek, ideal for men's dress shirts. Cotton is simply my salvation during this time of year, and with a new grandchild due on September 1, the pink and blue stripes spoke to me! Yep, my daughter and son-in-law are doing it the old fashioned way and skipped the gender test ;) I knew this soft textured fabric with its baby colored stripes...

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18 Jul EOS Giveaway Winner!

Dear Readers, What a great response to the Emma One Sock Giveaway! Thank you for bringing so many gorgeous fabrics to my attention as well 😊 Congratulations go to reader #112 Congratulations, Marla! We can't wait to see your make! Please respond to goodbyevalentino@gmail.com with your contact information by Friday, June 20 or a new winner will be selected. Many thanks to all who participated and a  h u g e  thank you to Linda Podietz for her generosity and support! Until soon....

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04 Jul Vogue 1809

Greetings from the beautiful Wofford College campus! I grew up in a historic home on this campus where my father was Dean of Students, and both of my daughters are Wofford graduates.  I'm quite at home popping over for an occasional pic, and always enjoy seeing campus developments. Right now the Colonnade of Wofford's new Greek Village is calling my name.  No, I wasn't a sorority girl, but the classical architecture is a great setting for one of my favorite classics - the shift. I've sewn dozens of shifts and even though I vow to move on, I consistently return and sew yet another shift pattern. What...

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19 Jun Vogue 9053 and a Pattern Giveaway!

A little late for the trip to Charlotte, but just in time for the sweltering heat! My plan was to make a new dress for the Charlotte Girls' Weekend, Julie and I hosted over the weekend, but too much to do and too little time left me short. While this pattern is not my typical silhouette, Vogue 9053 is loaded with summertime possibilities. After sewing the brocade party dress last October (blogged here), I was ready to expand my wardrobe to include more full skirts. I believe the secret to making this pattern work for me is the fitted upper bodice, and a gently draping...

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07 Jun Not Just For Children!

A two-week beach vacation happens rarely, but I enjoyed every day and my sewing machine barely made an appearance. I missed you, Dear Readers! ____________________ The season of love is upon us and my first post vacation garment is a Rehearsal Dinner dress for a wedding this weekend in Atlanta. Visiting fabric stores is so rare for me these days, that when I do have the pleasure to touch and feel the real thing, I am like a child in a candy store. In March, I visited the Children's Corner Store in Nashville for all of 25 minutes. I was caught off guard...

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