sewing blog

08 Nov Lagniappes

Posted at 16:24h in sewing blog, Sewing Tops, Style Arc Patterns by goodbyevalentino 0 Comments

Many years ago my dear friend from New Orleans introduced me to the word lagniappe, a word Mark Twain describes as worth travelling to New Orleans to get. A lagniappe is a small gift given to a customer by a merchant at the time of a purchase (such as a 13th doughnut when buying a dozen), or more broadly, "something given or obtained gratuitously or by way of good measure." I might be stretching the meaning here, but my new garments certainly bring the word to mind for they were partially obtained gratuitously……. and I do consider those couple inches of extra...

28 Oct Lucky 13

Posted at 21:26h in Ready to Wear Fast, sewing blog, sewing blogs, sewing clothes by goodbyevalentino 0 Comments

Maybe it’s just my love of Halloween surfacing, but I often believe the number 13 gets a bad rap. Today I added the 13th committed person to the RTW Fasters’ page and decided it was time for an update. These 13 women represent a diverse geographic area including three countries and several states scattered from Florida to California. They have been communicating about topics important to them as they sew themselves away from the retail madness, but more importantly they are sewing beautiful clothes. Linda, living in a warm climate resists the t-shirts and crops scene, and recently completed this crisp periwinkle...

18 Sep Goodbye Valentino & Mood

Posted at 07:29h in Mood Fabrics, sewing blog, sewing clothes, Uncategorized by goodbyevalentino 92 Comments

I just returned from a wonderful two-week vacation and, WOW, do I have news to share….!!!!!!! Yesterday Mood Fabrics launched its Sewing Network and guess what? To say I was surprised when Mood Fabrics invited me to be part of its new sewing network is an understatement. W a s I i n t e r e s t e d ? Mood Fabrics, the splendid fabric store in the heart of NYC’s garment district featured in Project Runway wanted M E to help launch its new sewing network? Seriously?? As one of nine bloggers in the US, I receive a monthly fabric allowance from Mood...

16 Aug New Look 6097 + Mood Silk Jersey

Posted at 18:08h in Mood Fabrics, New Look Sewing Patterns, sewing blog, sewing clothes, silk by goodbyevalentino 87 Comments

Until today I owned one silk jersey dress. I bought a Diane von Furstenberg silk jersey wrap dress in 2007 for which I paid $300.00. Since I've been sewing my clothes during the last 11 and a half months instead of buying ready-to-wear, I can hardly believe I spent so much money on a simple dress. Sunday, I returned home from the beach to two and a half yards of this beautiful black and cream silk jersey I ordered from Mood Fabrics. The pen and ink design reminded me of an etching from the Bloomsbury artists’ era; a period that has fascinated me for years. However,...

30 Jul A Sensible Top – Vogue 9771

Posted at 08:26h in sewing blog, Sewing Tops, Vogue Sewing Patterns by goodbyevalentino 45 Comments

Sensible. The opposite of exciting. I just returned from a real vacation, which for me means getting away in every respect. I often overestimate what I can accomplish in a certain time period, and the refashion I planned to do while away never happened. Determined to post a project from someplace other than my backyard, I packed my sewing supplies in my carry-on luggage. Oops. This meant I had to check my suitcase and p a y for my checked luggage carrying my scissors and seam ripper. I never looked at my sewing supplies. Then I paid another fee to fly my scissors and seam ripper...

30 Jun Memorable or Forgettable? Vogue 8570

Posted at 00:12h in Fashion Sewing, Kate Spade, Mood Fabrics, sewing blog, sewing clothes, Uncategorized, Vogue Sewing Patterns by goodbyevalentino 0 Comments

"Fashion is made to become unfashionable." Coco Chanel I tried to keep this quote in mind while admiring Kate Spade’s new black and white paisley garments. This snappy print is featured all over the website in the form of a skirt, a top, a dress, handbags and other accessories all seen here. Fun, yes! Classic, no! Would I have if I indulged in one of these memorable pieces of clothing if I were shopping this year? I’d like to think not at $238.00 for the skirt, $238.00 for top, $398.00 for the dress and now $498.00 for a silk dress of the same print at Saks, but who...

16 Jun Tidbits

Posted at 07:33h in Ruffles, sewing blog, Style Arc Patterns, Uncategorized, Vogue Sewing Patterns by goodbyevalentino 0 Comments

I’m sewing Vogue 8648 again . It’s not quite the S H I B U I that it was the first time around, partly because I have omitted the silk organza underlining, thus saving me hours or perhaps days of work. In the meantime several tidbits of information and inspiration have surfaced that I wanted to share…….. Today I had the pleasure of reading a comment from Lexley. That would be Lexley who inspired the cute Style Arc Lexley blouse ! I’ve often wondered about the names of clothing articles , particularly with Kate Spade and Lilly Pulitzer who name all of the...

11 Jun Style Arc Lexley Blouse

Posted at 17:15h in Mood Fabrics, Ruffles, sewing blog, sewing clothes, Sewing Tops, Style Arc Patterns, Tunic, Uncategorized by goodbyevalentino 0 Comments

“Rainy days and Mondays always get me down.” Richard and Karen Carpenter Not really………………… I have been out-of-town for nearly two weeks and came home inspired by the beautiful tunics I saw on women of all ages ……. on the beach, on the streets, in restaurants and concerts. Upon returning home, I headed directly to the sewing machine and finished this tunic just in time for heavy downpours on this dreary Monday afternoon. Earlier this spring I placed my second order from Style Arc which included the Lexley Blouse and Dress. I experienced a setback upon receiving the pattern when I realized the ruffles are intentionally...

02 May McCalls 3830 + Craftsy Class

Posted at 15:54h in Craftsy, McCall's Sewing Pattern, sewing blog, skirt pattern by goodbyevalentino 21 Comments

Since the last post my sewing took a domestic turn in the form of window treatments for my daughter’s new apartment in Charleston. My husband and I drove down to check out her new home and help her settle in. I sewed, she pressed, he hung; a comical scene since our family isn’t exactly handy. Thirty-six hours later we congratulated ourselves on a job well done and headed for Edisto Beach. Shortly before leaving for Charleston, I decided to enroll in a much-needed sewing course. For months, maybe years, I’ve been looking for the perfect skirt pattern. I finally concluded the only...

22 Apr Ice Cream Social – Vintage Simplicity 7715

Posted at 09:41h in Kate Spade, Ruffles, sewing blog, Simplicity Patterns by goodbyevalentino 0 Comments

What would Kate Spade wear to an Ice Cream Social? ...