Fashion Sewing

10 Nov The Shanel SUIT

Posted at 11:49h in Mood Fabrics, sewing clothes, Sewing Skirts, Simplicity Patterns, Uncategorized by goodbyevalentino 165 Comments

I always thought I wanted to be cremated, but now I’m not so sure. I mean, now that I’ve got something to wear………. At last, I have completed the coordinating skirt to my Shanel Jacket, which means I have a brand new suit! Goodness, I never wear suits, but I’m going to start, and pray I am lucky enough to wear this one out before it’s time to go. ;) ________________ Over the last 26 months I’ve sewn many skirt patterns and deemed Simplicity 3648 worthy of sewing the last yard of the lofty Chanel tweed. I so wish the camera could capture the beautiful metallic thread...

21 Sep Butterick 5526

Posted at 03:00h in Fashion Sewing by goodbyevalentino 127 Comments

It was time to make a shirt – not a top, not a tunic but a shirt. My Pattern Review friends are making shirts by the dozens while I’ve been acting as the cheerleader. While I’ve always appreciated the flexibility found in sewing my clothes, the precision of shirt-making kept my happy observer status in tact. From my large collection of unmade shirt patterns, I selected Butterick 5526. View D offered princess seams giving me a more controlled fit. After sewing the bodice pieces together of my new off white shirt, it hit me………… precision need not be so rigid. In other words, lighten up! Using...

15 Sep Rite of Passage I

Posted at 22:22h in Mood Fabrics, sewing blogs, Sewing Tops, Uncategorized by goodbyevalentino 88 Comments

I’m convinced there are a few rites of passage into the online sewing community. One of them is making Sewaholic’s Renfrew Top. In spite of dozens of good reviews boasting the merits of this simple pattern, I remained reluctant to give it a try. I’ve sewn several disappointing knit tops during the past two years – why would I want to sew another one? Well, sooner or later most people come around to join the masses and I did too. Described as ‘the knit top pattern for people who dislike sewing with knits’ I bought the pattern and waited for a vision...

11 Sep Butterick 5873

Posted at 09:00h in Butterick Patterns, Mood Fabrics, Sewing Dresses, Uncategorized by goodbyevalentino 86 Comments

I believe relaxing vacations are a fantasy. Mine began with a bust as I was greeted at the beach by an exploding water heater leaving everyone with cold showers for three days. As soon as company left, the painters came w i t h o u t their drop clothes……. Midweek I had the pleasure of meeting and spending an afternoon with my blogging and Pattern Review friend, Julie Starr! I wore the ribbon skirt in her honor ;) Julie is wearing her beautiful dress with 20 darts! The next day my oldest daughter became engaged, and we shifted into high gear! Hubby and...

31 Aug Trunk Show and Giveaway!

Posted at 01:00h in Fashion Sewing by goodbyevalentino 340 Comments

Two years ago I turned over a new leaf, but you might say I've branched out this past year :) This year I'm celebrating 45 Me-Made garments on my 2nd blogiversary! The ruffles continued...

28 Aug Butterick 5917 – The Un-Preppy Version

Posted at 18:38h in Butterick Patterns, sewing blogs, sewing clothes, Sewing Dresses by goodbyevalentino 108 Comments

After all of my carrying on about colorful clothes, I’m back in black. I enjoyed sewing Butterick 5917 so much I had my second version planned before finishing the madras patchwork version (blogged here), and I’m tempted to make it again! I envisioned this pattern as a black dress from the beginning and used a black textured French polyester/cotton taffeta from Tessuti. The fabric certainly highlights the dressier details of the pattern and gives the dress a more structured appearance. I believe this is the fabric featured in the most recent Tessuti contest for a knee-length formal dress, but I think the...

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...

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,...