Ready-to-Wear Fast 2014

31 Dec The Kitchen Sink

Posted at 13:09h in Mood Fabrics, Ready-to-Wear Fast 2014 by goodbyevalentino 94 Comments

Dear Readers ~ Many thanks for your enthusiastic responses to my last post! It was simply heartwarming to hear from you :) The end of the year roundup is not one of my favorite posts to write. I find it difficult to choose favorites with anything. I can’t name my favorite song, meal, movie, book or vacation spot, however I find it very important to review, reflect and learn from my experiences. Sewing during 2014 took on a life of its own with a second Ready-to-Wear Fast accompanied by a wedding. I bought nothing yet sewed fewer garments than I expected, which...

26 Dec Happy Holidays Giveaway!

Posted at 21:45h in Goodbye Valentino Giveaway, Ready-to-Wear Fast 2014, Sewing Books by goodbyevalentino 455 Comments

In a world where there is no such thing as bad publicity, I managed to let a November GOMI thread get to me. Who would have thought refashioning my husband's 10-year-old cashmere sweater would have set off pages of fallacious comments about my lifestyle by the snarkers? During this holy season and busy month I completely removed myself from the negative GOMI energy and returned to my musical roots. This December instead of sewing, I practiced the piano and presented two Christmas programs with my father. The break was refreshing and renewing, and now I'm ready to get back to sewing and...

17 Nov RL Cashmere Refashion

Posted at 15:15h in Ready to Wear Fast, Ready-to-Wear Fast 2014, Refashioning Clothes, Uncategorized by goodbyevalentino 81 Comments

I often read and hear conversations about whether one really saves money sewing clothes. It's all relative of course. With the exception my two Susan Khalje garments and Mother of the Bride dress, I've spent very, very little on clothing. Personally, I love comparing what I've spent on sewing and refashioning clothes to what I would spend buying similar garments. Case in point: Sweater: Exclusive for Intermix for Intermix Oversized Boyfriend Crew S...

05 Nov Guest Post from So Sew Simple & the Marcy Tilton Giveaway Winner!

Posted at 21:44h in Goodbye Valentino Giveaway, Ready-to-Wear Fast 2014, sewing bloggers, sewing blogs, Uncategorized by goodbyevalentino 29 Comments

I still find it hard to believe that nearly 400 lovely women joined me for the 2014 Ready-to-Wear Fast! In January, I created a 'Secret' Facebook page for the RTW Fasters. The lively news feed which features all things sewing has served as a source of support and encouragement during the year, and has created a spirit of camaraderie among the group. Now in month 11, the RTW Fasters have sewn quite a collection of garments. Equally as important, they are approaching a huge achievement which extends beyond their new clothes. Today, I'm pleased to introduce Denise from the blog So Sew Simple. Denise has made some great garments this year and...

08 Oct Vogue 9017 and Butterick 4856

Posted at 07:09h in Craftsy, Craftsy.com, Mood Fabrics, Mood Sewing Network, Ready-to-Wear Fast 2014, Sewing Dresses, sewing with knits, Uncategorized, Vogue Sewing Patterns by goodbyevalentino 118 Comments

Greetings from Talbots ;) Hmmm...

02 Jul J McLaughlin Refashion

Posted at 07:54h in Ready to Wear Fast, Ready-to-Wear Fast 2014, Refashioning Clothes, sewing clothes, Sewing Tops by goodbyevalentino 0 Comments

The RTW Fasters and I are halfway through our pledge to abstain from buying ready-to-wear clothes during 2014! Lots of the women are knocking it out of the ballpark sewing incredible clothes too. I've found reaching the halfway point serves as a great incentive in achieving nearly every goal I've set out to accomplish, and I celebrated the six-month marker by cleaning out my closet. :) While I've questioned the wisdom about going on the RTW Fast during the same year of my child's wedding, the closet exercise proved my decision sound. Closet organization generates a different type of creative pleasure for me. I do not...

15 Jun Dare to Wear

Posted at 22:37h in Ready-to-Wear Fast 2014, Ribbon Skirt, sewing clothes by goodbyevalentino 143 Comments

When I started sewing again in August 2011, I vowed to wear my clothes in public. I’ve been true to my word with two exceptions - here and here. While a job well done should be reason enough to do one’s best, knowing that others will see (and judge) my clothes is one of the incentives to get it right. Hubby and I spent the weekend in Charleston, SC, where my daughter and her fiancé were honored with a party hosted by friends of the groom’s parents. I packed a Me-Made suitcase and hoped for the best. Clockwise from the top left: The...

22 Feb Tips and Clips

Posted at 10:16h in Ready-to-Wear Fast 2014, sewing bloggers, Uncategorized by goodbyevalentino 55 Comments

Do you keep a Sewing Diary, sew your muslins with one-inch seams, or keep a pad of post-it notes beside your machine? The 2014 RTW Fasters are rocking the sewing scene with some fabulous frocks and I asked them to share some of their secrets to successful sewing. Following are 48 of their Favorite Tips from techniques to practical and even philosophical advice. The first clip, from a Singer Sewing Manual was offered more for amusement, but I find it could be quite helpful if re-written for the 21st century! Does anyone want to give it a try? ;) While I don't...

02 Jan One More Day

Posted at 08:08h in Ready-to-Wear Fast 2014 by goodbyevalentino 0 Comments

Dear Readers, The positive response to the 2014 RTW Fast invitation is all things good in addition to a little overwhelming! I've had many requests from readers who want to join the 2014 RTW Fasters since yesterday's post. If you are interested in joining - and did not shop for RTW yesterday - and will send me ALL of the information today - I will be delighted to add you to the list. Please send 1. Name 2. Online photo album or blog address 3. Photo - preferably a headshot 4. Send to goodbyevalentino@gmail.com I'm happy to extend the RSVP through today, January 2 and would love...

01 Jan Happy New Year!

Posted at 01:01h in Ready-to-Wear Fast 2014, Uncategorized by goodbyevalentino 0 Comments

Ready - Set - STOP! Buying clothes that is…. It's time for me to stop shopping and start sewing for an entire year :) This time around I am in the company of nearly two hundred women who accepted my 2014 RTW Fast invitation. Click on any of smiling faces below to see the entire group of the 2014 RTW Fasters. Aren't these 200 women amazing? They represent women across the globe and feature a diversity of skills and styles as well as a diversity of shapes, sizes, ages and races. The new 2014 RTW Fasters page found at the top of the blog is designed so...