Tunics

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...

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...

07 Nov Whereabouts and Giveaway Winner!

Posted at 15:28h in Amy Butler, The Tunic Bible, Tunics by goodbyevalentino 3 Comments

Greetings from the magical land of Morocco! Julie Starr, Dorcas Ross and I are on a trip of a lifetime with the talented Amy Butler and Valori Wells, along with 10 other lucky people! As soon as I opened the email in February, I knew an immediate decision was needed and asked two of my sewing friends to join me. Creative workshops and cultural inspiration galore fill the week along with the opportunity to connect with a lovely group of women, and our leaders husbands. Julie and I made tunics to express our admiration for Amy :) but the most moving experience so far has been spending...

01 Sep To Trim or Not To Trim?

Posted at 06:25h in Mood Fabrics, Mood Sewing Network, Sewing Tunics, The Tunic Bible, Tunics by goodbyevalentino 41 Comments

Summer clothes are sew much fun to sew, I will make them until the end of the season. While writing The Tunic Bible, I developed a new appreciation, perhaps an obsession for working with trims. Using the 'right' trim whether it's inexpensive twill tape or an ornate applique easily transforms a garment from plain to sensational. Mood Fabrics has it all from lace to ribbons to chains and appliqués! To transform my latest tunic in Mood Fabrics luscious fuchsia lightweight linen, I selected an this Oscar de la Renta 2" medallion design cotton lace. It's fabulous. When clicking on the link be...

10 Aug The New Forty – Garments 22 and 23

Posted at 16:24h in C&T Publishing, Sewing Tops, The Tunic Bible, Tunics, Uncategorized by goodbyevalentino 61 Comments

Greetings from the amazing Chautauqua Institution! Situated on 750 acres beside the Chautauqua Lake in southwestern New York State, it is one of my favorite summer destinations for culture and enlightenment. Although clothes and fashion are hardly on the minds of the learned souls who inhabit this lofty sight, I found the trip a perfect opportunity to sew two very different casual pieces both from The Tunic Bible. Above is a simple tunic made from a sarong purchased at the Roberta Roller Rabbit at Kiawah Island ~ sometimes you just have to think outside the bolt! I embellished the neckline with piping cut from the...

28 Jun Garment No 17

Posted at 06:54h in Sewing Tops, The Tunic Bible, Tunics, Uncategorized by goodbyevalentino 68 Comments

Breaks from blogging are rarely intended but life happens...

04 Jul Poppin’ Poplin!

Posted at 05:30h in DIY Clothes, Mood Fabrics, Mood Sewing Network, sewing blogs, Sewing Dresses, Tunics by goodbyevalentino 69 Comments

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AMERICA! You survived another year, and I made a new dress to celebrate! One of the things I look for when shopping online are fabrics that will work well together, and I had no doubts about these off-white and navy Celtic inspired stretch cotton poplins. from Mood Fabrics. Cotton poplin with the addition of spandex is a dream come true for casual Summer sewing! Crisp, lightweight and minimal wrinkling - what more can I want? Using my own pattern I sewed the bodice with the navy background poplin saving the reverse fabric for the collar, placket and lower band. I generally make lower bands similar...

21 Mar Sail to Sable or Goodbye Valentino?

Posted at 17:38h in Sewing Tops, Tunics by goodbyevalentino 126 Comments

Will the real Sail to Sable please come forward? Seriously, this is what keeps me sewing. I cannot spend $200 on a tunic that I can make for $50. It's true the Sail to Sable tunic is dress length, but I wanted the shorter length. I've been on a quest to sew the perfect tunic for months. I love tunics.They are the perfect garments to toss on for casual occasions, or make one in silk and you're set for the evening. My attempts to sew the perfect tunic have resulted in a collection of tunic patterns. Through mixing pattern pieces, tracing RTW garments and an enormous amount of...