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23 Mar Mood Sewing Network Lace Challenge

Posted at 10:04h in Craftsy, Mood Fabrics, sewing blog, sewing bloggers, Sewing Dresses, Sewing with Lace, Uncategorized by goodbyevalentino 120 Comments

While Tory Burch may refer to her Ginevra dress as the little lace sundress in the classic shade of navy, I’m calling my new navy lace dress my Easter dress, and it better warm up or I'm in trouble. This is my completed project for the Mood Sewing Network lace challenge and I must say I’m pleased. Inspired by the Tory Burch Ginevra dress, I ordered this navy cotton lace from Mood, and was set to go until I saw - and touched the actual dress in a store. I suddenly lost confidence fearing I could never make a dress that favorably compared...

22 Feb K a t i e Spade

Posted at 17:40h in Kate Spade, Uncategorized by goodbyevalentino 115 Comments

Can you tell the difference between the Kate Spade and the Katie Spade? Most people can’t thanks to Kenneth King’s online course, Clone Your Favorite Garment! I've made several pencil skirts during the last 17 months, but was still searching for the perfect pattern when I broke down and bought my sixth garment since completing the RTW Fast in August; the Kate Spade Judy Skirt. At 60% off, the skirt was a bargain?? Surprisingly, everything about the skirt works for me, enough so that I wanted this pattern! Enter Kenneth King. In a series of 10 brief lessons Kenneth demonstrates how to create a pattern...

08 Feb Missoni My Way

Posted at 10:52h in McCall's Sewing Pattern, Mood Fabrics, sewing blogs, Uncategorized by goodbyevalentino 106 Comments

I cannot begin to explain how much I have always wanted to own a Missoni dress. Those chevron stripes in wacky colors simply speak to me. Unfortunately, Missoni is w a y out of my price range. I was willing to settle for the one-time Missoni for Target line, but guess what? The event was held during my ready-to-wear fast...

02 Feb Party Pep – Vogue 8815

Posted at 18:13h in Kate Spade, sewing blog, Sewing Tops, silk, Uncategorized, Vogue Sewing Patterns by goodbyevalentino 67 Comments

I'm a little late to the party with this pattern but I've finally arrived :) Vogue 8815 has received dozens of favorable reviews on PR. I came close to buying a Kate Spade zebra peplum made in the same style, but the "I can make this" mindset thankfully kicked in...

27 Jan Style Arc Willow

Posted at 21:43h in Mood Fabrics, sewing blog, Style Arc Patterns, Uncategorized by goodbyevalentino 0 Comments

“One of the advantages of being disorderly is that one is constantly making exciting discoveries.” A. A. Milne Had I known organizing my sewing room would result in a two-week hiatus from sewing AND blogging, I bet I would still be in the midst of a huge mess declaring I couldn't take the time needed to bring order and modest aesthetic appeal to my cluttered space. I reached a good stopping point and expect to finish up over the next few weeks with pictures forthcoming. At last I can sew in pleasant surroundings! Last year I made five pairs of pants. The first pair...

10 Jan New Year’s Spirit! Vogue 8241

Posted at 11:55h in Mood Fabrics, Uncategorized, Vogue Sewing Patterns by goodbyevalentino 116 Comments

I started the New Year generous in spirit by making a dress for my daughter. It’s been over 15 years since I have heard “Will you make me a dress, Mom? ” and she wasn’t referring to a Children’s Corner or Martha Pullen pattern anymore. Mimi wanted a formal dress. Not only did I make a dress for Mimi, but I made a dress for Mimi with my Mood Fabrics allowance using this baby sequined fabric with a poly-knit mesh base lined with matching china silk. I bought the fabric at Mood NYC and understand there is a good amount available. I have linked you...

08 Jan Odds & Ends – Plus a New Top!

Posted at 20:45h in Craftsy, McCall's Sewing Pattern, Mood Fabrics, Ready to Wear Fast, Sewing Tops, Uncategorized by goodbyevalentino 56 Comments

While I wait for my Mood Fabrics to publish my first garment-of-the-year post, I believe it's a good time to clarify a misconception among some readers. I have recently received several comments from readers who believe I have continued my RTW Fast into a second year. Not so...

31 Dec Hits – Misses – Reflections – Inspirations – Goals

Posted at 09:56h in Uncategorized by goodbyevalentino 73 Comments

2012 was a great year full of new adventures for me which included more sewing than I thought I was capable of. I know by now that even our mistakes are worthwhile, although it's the successes I like to celebrate. Below is my honest appraisal of the Best and Worst of 2012 :) HITS TOP FIVE HITS - NEW PROJECTS Vogue 8648 - The first thought that pops to mind is - "Thank you, Susan Khalje for teaching me how to make a dress that fits!" What a winner this is :) Vintage Simplicity 7715 - Though I don't have the opportunity to wear this...

30 Dec Vogue 8742

Posted at 21:32h in Sewing Dresses, Uncategorized, Vogue Sewing Patterns by goodbyevalentino 0 Comments

Whew! (click Like if you feel the same way) On the First Day of Christmas my true love gave to me……. On the Third Day of Christmas I found myself alone, ;) Which meant by the Fourth Day of Christmas I had made a new dress. And on the Fifth Day of Christmas…….. I made it to the beach.O h H a p p y D a y ! Would you believe my husband said of all the dresses I’ve made, this is his favorite? This dress was s o e a s y to make that it belongs in a different category from the dress projects...

13 Dec Elizabeth McKay Inspired – Vogue 1323

Posted at 11:00h in Mood Fabrics, Sewing Tops, silk, Uncategorized by goodbyevalentino 52 Comments

I spent the first weekend of December in New York and was exhilarated by the Christmas sights and festivities throughout the city. I spent the second weekend of December visiting my parents in Southern Pines, NC thoroughly charmed by small-town Christmas celebrations including the cutest horse and buggy parade. I went from being among millions of people dressed in black to hundreds of people dressed in red inspiring me to do the same. On a mission to recreate this Elizabeth McKay top, I chose a red and white silk charmeuse from Mood Fabrics for my...