Classic Clothing

16 Jun Bias Beauty, Kwik Sew Pattern 3308

Posted at 06:00h in A Stylish Guide to Classic Sewing, Classic Clothing, Fashion Sewing, French Jacket by goodbyevalentino 65 Comments

I finished my last French Jacket in March just before our schools and businesses closed. Inspired by the cute bias halter tops Julie made from her French Jacket linings, (see page 117, A Stylish Guide to Classic Sewing) I ordered extra lining fabric from B&J Fabrics to make one to wear with my jacket. The plan was to photograph the halter in front of the blue waters of Aruba in April. Greetings from my back yard. The pattern is Kwik Sew 3308. Long since out of print, Julie was nice enough to make a copy for me. The beauty of the top lie in...

06 Mar Shanel No. 3 – French Jacket Completed

Posted at 07:06h in A Stylish Guide to Classic Sewing, Classic Clothing, Fashion Sewing, French Jacket by goodbyevalentino 44 Comments

My mission: to make a versatile French Jacket, one I could dress up or wear with jeans. Mission Accomplished 😊. Helen Haughey and Mary Funt offered a superb six day French Jacket class, that challenged me both technically and creatively. I needed it and I loved it. MY FABRIC My original plan was to use the multicolored tweed on top. Mary and Helen knew I had made two previous jackets, and that my goal was to improve my skills. They told me I'd learn much more (such as ironwork shaping) using a different fabric such as one with a grid. I ordered the blue and white...

24 Jan Shanel No. 2 – Completed French Jacket

Posted at 06:50h in A Stylish Guide to Classic Sewing, Classic Clothing, Fashion Sewing, Sewing Jackets by goodbyevalentino 84 Comments

“It's the not the Destination, It's the Journey.” Ralph Waldo Emerson For three weeks I've embraced the French Jacket journey. My diligence was strong and I was not impatient…… but reaching the destination was pure ecstasy! In 2013 I traveled to Baltimore and made a French Jacket in a Susan Khalje class. Once I completed it at home, alone, after the class, I was shellshocked, and it never occurred to me to make another until writing A Stylish Guide to Classic Sewing. We featured pages of my sewing friends & colleagues in stunning French Jackets. What was wrong with me? Why did...

25 Nov McCall’s 6930

Posted at 08:39h in Classic Clothing, McCall's Sewing Pattern by goodbyevalentino 21 Comments

" I like being a woman, even in a man's world. After all, men can't wear dresses, but we can wear the pants." Whitney Houston When I told my husband I needed a prop to enhance the stark white background, he suggested Lulu 😉 Greetings...

18 Oct Pink October – Closet Case Carolyn PJs

Posted at 07:40h in A Stylish Guide to Classic Sewing, Classic Clothing, Fashion Sewing, Sewing Books by goodbyevalentino 39 Comments

Thank you, Dear Readers for your warm, encouraging and thoughtful responses. Katie and I have read them all, and we felt your love in each message. We are sincere in our gratitude and please know how much your thoughts and prayers mean to our families through Katie's cancer journey. Tis the month for pink...

19 Apr The James’ Tunic

Posted at 06:28h in Classic Clothing, Fashion Sewing, Sewing Tunics, The Tunic Bible, Tunic by goodbyevalentino 50 Comments

Dear Readers, Life happens. (Birdie, Billy and James) Since I last published a post nearly two months ago, we welcomed Baby James into our family on March 1. Three days later a family member was diagnosed with an illness which has taken me away from home, as well as sewing for extended periods of time. My new embroidered tunic is in celebration of Baby James who will be here for Easter 😊 I purchased my fabric, a reversible rayon at the Children's Corner store in Nashville last year. This lovely store is loaded with beautiful fabrics ideal for both children and adults. After selecting my design...

01 Mar The French Jacket Experience: Julie Starr

Posted at 07:08h in A Stylish Guide to Classic Sewing, Classic Clothing, Fashion Sewing, French Jacket by goodbyevalentino 49 Comments

QUESTION: What's effortlessly chic, always appropriate and lasts forever? ANSWER: The French Jacket: It's a Classic. I've made one French Jacket six years and as stated in the last post, it's time for another. My friend Julie Starr has made six and they are all stunning. Julie, Dorcas and other dedicated sewists have mastered creating these couture garments requiring 100+hours to assemble. I've watched several of Julie's jackets come together and though I can't say she makes it look easy, I will say the process is intriguing. Over the next several months, I'll be sharing French Jacket posts created by my sewing friends and I'm beginning...

03 Feb More St. James Please!

Posted at 17:48h in Classic Clothing, Mood Fabrics, Mood Sewing Network, Sewing Tops, Uncategorized by goodbyevalentino 28 Comments

If I was a stylist, I suppose I would spend all of my time doing stuff like this...

25 Jan Scuba Knit – McCall’s 7539

Posted at 11:01h in Classic Clothing, Fashion Sewing, McCall's Sewing Pattern, Sewing Dresses by goodbyevalentino 58 Comments

Same black boots, same black tights, but a brand new dress...

06 Jan New Look 6581

Posted at 14:00h in Classic Clothing, Coats & Clark, New Look Sewing Patterns, Sewing Dresses, sewing with knits, Uncategorized by goodbyevalentino 50 Comments

Greetings on this twelfth and last day of Christmas! After a complicated year I was craving a simple project, not to mention an unstructured garment following holiday indulgences. 😉 I'm a lover of the classic wrap dress, and enjoy trying new patterns. This time I reached for New Look 6581. I was game to try the midi pattern length ...