Sewing Dresses

05 Aug McCall’s 2401 in Pink Flambe!

Posted at 11:18h in Fashion Sewing, McCall's Sewing Pattern, Mood Fabrics, Mood Sewing Network, Sewing Dresses by goodbyevalentino 49 Comments

With an unapologetic youthfulness straight out of an "Eloise at the Plaza" book, add this adorable Pink and Blue Printed Stretch Cotton Sateen to your collection! Hand drawn flowers, swirled vines and hearts move in a kaleidoscopic fashion over a light blue background. A crisp hand is paired with a stiff drape for perfectly tailored pieces. Its stretch through the weft ensures the perfect fit for bodycon pieces as well! Make crop tops, shorts and shift dresses for an adorable spring/summer look. Who can resist a description like this?? I ordered the fabric with pants in mind since cotton sateen makes wonderful...

26 Apr Carolina Herrera Stretch Silk

Posted at 07:00h in Mood Fabrics, Mood Sewing Network, Sewing Dresses, silk, Uncategorized, Vogue Sewing Patterns by goodbyevalentino 73 Comments

I scored big time finding this beautiful Carolina Herrera Leopard Printed Stretch Silk Twill from Mood Fabrics. I ordered the fabric with a wrap dress in mind, but after the fabric arrived I came across a photograph of the Carolina Herrera original and decided to follow the style of the designer with a close fitting dress. I reached for a favorite pattern I have made twice before - Vogue 9047. (Version one is here and version two is here.) The pattern is now out of print but still available on the website, Etsy and other online sources.While the 'original' dress is a sheath with...

05 Mar 3 Dresses 3 Fits 3 Looks

Posted at 10:18h in Ruffles, Sewing Books, Sewing Dresses, sewing patterns, The Tunic Bible, Tunics, Uncategorized by goodbyevalentino 47 Comments

Maybe you go through color phases like I do. I don't know where they come. Two years ago I was all about orange but lately I've been partial to blue and green. Recently, the delightful fabric designer Jennifer Paganelli sent Julie and me selections from her Hotel Frederiksted collection. We each made a tunic for one of our book signings at Quiltcon in Savannah last week. The fabrics are quilting cotton which isn't always recognized as garment friendly, but one can have fun with the great prints found in quilting cotton, and create cute casual garments! Here's mine. I decided to make a...

01 Aug New Look 6372

Posted at 01:00h in Mood Fabrics, Mood Sewing Network, New Look Sewing Patterns, Sewing Dresses, silk by goodbyevalentino 45 Comments

My husband and I have always been awed by the 7:15 am sun at the beach ~ so soft and scattered by the rooflines of homes as it rises, gently illuminating the water and sand. We thought this time would be perfect for shooting photos of my new dress, but were quickly reminded that best laid plans often go awry...

04 Jul Garment No 19

Posted at 11:01h in Sewing Dresses, Uncategorized by goodbyevalentino 100 Comments

I've gone Preppy this Fourth of July. HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA! Using the same pattern as my last dress, McCalls 2401, I went for a different look by sewing the pattern in an embroidered seersucker rather than silk :) Additionally, I made a piping from red and white shirting for the arms and neckline. This time I lined the dress with a lightweight batiste, perfect for hot humid weather. Maybe I look like I belong in Maine eating seafood rather than South Carolina eating bar-b-que, but I couldn't resist the cute fabric at Five Eighth Seams in Charleston, SC last summer! This small independent fabric store is worth...

30 Jun Shape It Up! McCalls 2401 Garment No. 18

Posted at 10:03h in McCall's Sewing Pattern, Sewing Dresses, silk, Uncategorized by goodbyevalentino 74 Comments

"The dress must follow the body of a woman, not the body following the shape of the dress." —Hubert de Givenchy Since I returned to sewing nearly five years ago, I've been looking for the perfect simple dress pattern and have quite a collection. Shifts, Sheaths, A-lines, Empire Waist, you name it...

10 Jun Garment # 16 Simplicity 1612

Posted at 18:12h in Maxi Dress, Sewing Dresses, Simplicity Patterns, Uncategorized by goodbyevalentino 55 Comments

TGIF Dear Readers! Would you believe I never wore Maxis until I started sewing? I just finished my 'Weekend Maxi', perfect for leisurely Saturday strolls through markets and poolside afternoons. Here it is when I'm standing at attention. The pattern is Simplicity 1612 , a very easy sew with some pizzazz thanks to the cute details. I made View C which features a front twist, an open back and a flared skirt. What I love about this pattern besides the ease in which it is assembled, is the coverage of the bodice. The neckline is flattering and never gapes or slips open ~ ever. I...

04 Jun No. 15 – Little Black Dress

Posted at 07:00h in Mood Fabrics, Mood Sewing Network, New Look Sewing Patterns, Sewing Dresses, Uncategorized by goodbyevalentino 83 Comments

Greetings from Edisto Island! Hubby and I are on the grounds of the island's historic Presbyterian Church now in its fourth century of worship, and which we found to be a perfect setting for photos. I was on a mission to make brightly colored summer clothes when New Look 6429 leaped off of the catalogue page. It is one of those patterns I've been looking for since I returned to sewing nearly 5 years ago. Cut in shoulders, cut out neckline, simple and chic, I was smitten. I also had a beautiful piece of black stretch viscose crepe from Mood Fabrics waiting to be sewn. Often...

08 May New Look 6057

Posted at 11:09h in Mood Fabrics, New Look Sewing Patterns, Sewing Dresses, Uncategorized by goodbyevalentino 78 Comments

Happiness may be a new puppy, but a new baby on the way is pure elation! Greetings from beautiful Scottsdale, AZ! We're here celebrating Mother's Day with our little mother-to-be and her husband. Katie thinks she is having a girl, but I think she's having a boy! She and Will are one of the few couples I know who are not finding out the gender of their child. How am I supposed to sew anything for Little Baby without knowing if it's a boy or a girl ;) For our special Mother's Day celebration I made a new dress with a pattern I've...

29 Apr Happiness Is……..

Posted at 01:00h in Butterick Patterns, Maxi Dress, Sewing Dresses by goodbyevalentino 124 Comments

..... a new puppy! Last weekend we welcomed beautiful little Lulu, a seven-week old English Cocker into our family. I decided to celebrate our little bundle of energy by making a dress in her honor, and why not? Pattern Reviewer extraordinaire, Cissie Wellons introduced me to Farmhouse Fabrics, in Beech Island, SC (birthplace of James Brown) through one of her entertaining reviews. The store offers a comprehensive online selection of fabrics, and I was smitten by the soft black linen with giant embroidered white polka dots! After receiving the fabric, I realized the dots ran lengthwise which meant I needed to cut the...