Fashion Sewing

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...

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...

05 Aug Butterick Pattern 6669 View C

Posted at 07:16h in Butterick Patterns, Maxi Dress, Sewing Dresses, Uncategorized by goodbyevalentino 30 Comments

Green - the color of life, growth, renewal, harmony, nature, and energy. I think the world could use a little more green and so could I. I embraced the Clover Green Cotton Eyelet from B & J Fabrics, and turned to Butterick 6669 for a full silhouette maxi, a departure from my everyday sheaths and shifts.I recently finished the top included with this pattern (blogged here) and found the neckline flattering and the straps substantial...

22 Jul How to Sew Linen Dinner Napkins

Posted at 08:45h in Coats & Clark, Mood Fabrics, Napkins and Table Linens by goodbyevalentino 37 Comments

I confess to my growing fondness for creating posh napkins, and blame it all on the pandemic. If you follow my Instagram account, you know what I mean...

18 Jul Butterick Pattern 6669

Posted at 06:30h in Butterick Patterns, Fashion Sewing, Mood Fabrics, Sewing Tops by goodbyevalentino 46 Comments

There's no doubt I work better under a deadline, otherwise it wouldn't have taken two years to make a top for this skirt. 'Why rush...

28 Jun McCall’s Pattern 6885

Posted at 07:39h in Fashion Sewing by goodbyevalentino 86 Comments

As crazy as it sounds, I'm trying to spiff up my summer stay-at-home wardrobe. I'm set for going-out clothes, but workout pants and t-shirts don't cut it anymore. This means I have one of those loaded closets with nothing to wear unless I want to be all dressed up with nowhere to go. I even turned to eBay for a few things, but Ready-to-Wear clothing no matter how expensive or cheap has its pitfalls. Everything needed an alteration of some sort, and it didn't take long to hop back on the sewing train. I simply LOVE sewing with stripes! Instant embellishment and...

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...