08 Jan Inspiration Defined
According to the Oxford dictionary the word inspiration is defined as:
the process of being mentally stimulated to do or feel something, especially to do something creative.
An example is “Helen had one of her flashes of inspiration”
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I have received many comments from readers who said they were inspired to sew after reading my blog, and I am always inspired (mentally stimulated) upon reading such comments.
As a matter of fact, I believe living a creative life is the only way to live.
Recently, Cathy Rogers, a reader talented in her own right illustrated the epitome of flashes of inspiration by taking the Ribbon Skirt Tutorial (blogged here and here) to another level.
Cathy applied Julie Starr’s instructions and made a wedding dress.
Is this not beautiful?
She not only turned a cute skirt into a stunning dress, but brilliantly demonstrated the results of building upon our best efforts. Now I’m inspired all over again 🙂
Cathy gave me permission to share her Pattern Review as well as her Flickr photo album showing the construction of the dress.
I devoted a post to Cathy’s dress not only because of its beauty, but to remind all of us of the important role we can play in another person’s life just by being ourselves.
Best wishes to all and Congratulations to Cathy !
Alethia
Posted at 20:51h, 08 JanuaryWhat a beautiful post, and this dress is magnificent!!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:38h, 09 JanuaryThanks Alethia and I agree 🙂
Lauren
Posted at 20:53h, 08 JanuaryThis is the best cocktail/christmas dress I have seen yet. Beautifully fitted & workwomanship.The skirt length perfect to the overall design that flatters the wearer, and age appropriate. How the heck did she get that zipper in with all the embellishments ending at the zipper? Amazingly well done. The best!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:39h, 09 JanuaryI agree, Lauren it’s a superb dress 🙂
Savage Coco
Posted at 11:16h, 09 JanuaryLauren,
Thank you for such lovely, lovely compliments. To achieve zipper success, I made few burnt offerings to various sewing Godesses, drank many shaker-type cocktails whilst pacing around a bit ruminating the best approach and then finally just sat down with a needle and thread and got on with it.
Stephanie
Posted at 20:59h, 08 JanuaryOh my, what an absolutely beautiful dress..and yes inspirational. And yes you have inspired me. I was looking through one of my pinterest boards of dresses I have for inspiration and I realised that one of them I posted early last year is one of you and your dresses…
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:39h, 09 JanuaryThank you for the nice comment, Stephanie!
Kath
Posted at 21:00h, 08 JanuaryOh my gosh, that is GORGEOUS.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:39h, 09 JanuaryI think so too. 🙂
Louisam
Posted at 21:04h, 08 JanuaryStunning!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:40h, 09 JanuaryIndeed! 🙂
Julie Starr
Posted at 21:07h, 08 JanuaryCathy created something I could never even have imagined at the outset of our project. As the ever increasing network of my new sewing friends grows, so does the inspiration. Thank you, Sarah.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:40h, 09 JanuaryYou’re welcome but I should say Thank You, Julie!
Art Attack
Posted at 21:17h, 08 JanuaryThis is beautiful. I always find it fascinating when someone takes an idea and makes it their own in a way I would never have thought to do. That’s what so great about supporting each other in our creative endeavors. You never know where the big idea is going to come from!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:41h, 09 JanuaryHow true, Dorcas!
Fifty Dresses
Posted at 21:33h, 08 JanuarySuch a gorgeous and elegant dress – thanks so much for sharing this inspirational story!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:41h, 09 JanuaryIt deserved to be shared 🙂 !
Linda Richards
Posted at 21:43h, 08 JanuaryThe epitome of inspiration – take an idea/concept and run with it, make it your own! There are so many occasions where this would be the perfect dress. Simply beautiful and so well done! I need more than 24 hours in my day!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:43h, 09 JanuaryI agree about the dress, Linda… and about needing more hours in the day 🙂
I made it!!
Posted at 21:56h, 08 JanuaryA beautiful dress indeed!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:43h, 09 January🙂
Vicki
Posted at 22:03h, 08 JanuaryGreat post, and how true! You are indeed inspiring a lot of people to get sewing this year, including me 🙂
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:43h, 09 JanuaryThank you, Vicki! I believe we all inspire each other 😉
Mary Lynn
Posted at 22:17h, 08 JanuaryWhat a beautiful post to read before I toddle off to bed! Sara, you really are touching so many lives with your creativity and joy in making and sharing with all of us! And………….what to say about THE gorgeous wedding dress, the awesome sewing she did and how happy she looks in it! May they all live happily ever after:-)
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:44h, 09 JanuaryHere, here! Many thanks for the comment, Mary Lynn 🙂
Cheryl Scott
Posted at 23:15h, 08 JanuaryBrava, Cathy! What a beautiful dress! Thanks, Sarah, for sharing!!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:44h, 09 JanuaryMy pleasure, indeed!
Laurie
Posted at 23:35h, 08 JanuaryReally gorgeous!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:44h, 09 JanuaryI so agree, Laurie!
twotoast
Posted at 00:24h, 09 JanuaryWhat a fabulous – and personal – wedding dress! Congratulations to Cathy!!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:45h, 09 January🙂 🙂 !!
Beth (SunnyGal Studio)
Posted at 01:07h, 09 Januarythat is so lovely and what a great design and fit.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:45h, 09 JanuaryCathy did an amazing job from start to finish 🙂
carolee1945
Posted at 01:38h, 09 JanuaryI just discovered your blog. Wonderful!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:46h, 09 JanuaryThank you, Carolee!
The Nerdy Seamstress
Posted at 02:15h, 09 JanuaryWow! I didn’t care for it on the dress form, but it looks amazing on. Simply, amazing! Very beautiful and, yes, inspirational! Thanks for this!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:48h, 09 JanuarySometimes it’s difficult to tell what a garment really looks like until it is modeled by the sewist. 🙂 Many thanks for your comment 🙂
Red Point Tailor
Posted at 03:20h, 09 JanuaryFabulous! Very inspiring!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:50h, 09 JanuaryI agree!
Jean
Posted at 04:18h, 09 JanuaryThanks Sarah, for sharing Cathy’s beautiful Wedding dress on your blog and also your sentiments regarding inspiration. I couldn’t agree with you more. I think we (the sewing community) all gain inspiration from each other when we share our work. There is always someone or something out there to inspire others and it really has a snowball effect. Looking forward to a very inspiring year joining in with the RTW fast.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:50h, 09 JanuaryMany thanks for your nice comment, Jean! 🙂
AJW
Posted at 06:05h, 09 JanuaryI’m speechless over the gorgeousness of this dress. It’s just beautiful. Also impressive (via the PR) is the wonderful sense of exploration that Cathy demonstrates. I’d be paralyzed with fear at potential mistakes involving a “life-event” dress, but she seems unaffected by that. Her work and outcome are certainly worth celebrating but let’s not forget that you are the inspiration, Sarah, and also deserve a bow!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:51h, 09 JanuaryI’m happy to take a bow for playing any roll behind the creation of Cathy’s lovely dress!
Many thanks for your nice comment 🙂
Jeannie at 365 Creative Dresses
Posted at 07:07h, 09 JanuaryJust perfect! Exquisite!
Kathleen
Posted at 07:19h, 09 JanuaryAbsolutely wonderful accomplishment dress!
And Sarah, thank you for continuing to inspire
Pam
Posted at 08:21h, 09 JanuaryWow. Classy, sophisticated, stunning, and very inspiring.
mzsweetpea
Posted at 08:25h, 09 JanuaryA beautiful, beautiful dress!….and I do remember your skirt and instructions. Yes, to live a creative life is the best….we all do in some form…we just need to honor and recognize it.
Laura@Waechter’s
lisa g
Posted at 08:36h, 09 Januarywow, what a stunning dress!
Teri
Posted at 10:16h, 09 JanuaryWhat an amazing dress! Just beautiful.
Caroline Lazzara
Posted at 10:41h, 09 JanuaryI echo the sentiments of everyone else! Sarah, it would be a beautiful MOB dress — subtle and oh-so-elegant!
Savage Coco
Posted at 11:19h, 09 JanuaryDearest Sarah and all Kind Commenters,
I am overwhelmed. Really. Just bowled over. Thank you everyone for such lovely and generous complliments.
The Bride
Sam
Posted at 11:35h, 09 JanuaryWhat a beautiful dress.
missmarys
Posted at 11:43h, 09 JanuarySarah, I think that’s why we write. 🙂 Gorgeous dress for a very special occasion.
Mary
margo
Posted at 11:46h, 09 JanuaryThis gal Cathy has been an amazing seamstress as long as I have known her….( since we were 11 years old!). I have admired her work and creativity for a very long time.
Savage Coco
Posted at 17:24h, 09 JanuaryMags! You’re too much! Actually, it was YOUR mother, Evelyn, whose beautiful dressmaking (not to mention infinite patience with a rather snotty and scraggely 11 year old) that pretty much launched a lifetime’s interest. Her and, you know, Barbie.
XOXO!
Cathy
Debby
Posted at 11:58h, 09 JanuaryThis is absolutely gorgeous, the pics are lovely too, thank you for sharing. Congratulations to the Bride and Groom.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 22:48h, 09 JanuaryIt’s always a pleasure to share stories such as this 🙂
Ally - Design Rewind Fashions
Posted at 12:00h, 09 JanuaryWhat a lovely story and Cathy looks gorgeous in her dress! You both are inspirations! So much so that this year I have decided to up my sewing skills. My grandma taught me when I was little but I think I have picked up some bad habits along the way. Tomorrow I start a pants sewing class that includes the dreaded (for me) pant zipper! May my projects look half as good as yours and I will be happy 🙂 May 2014 be filled with creativity and love for everyone!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 22:49h, 09 JanuaryThank you for this nice comment, Ally! Good luck with your sewing class and can’t wait to see the pants 🙂
CarmencitaB
Posted at 12:05h, 09 JanuaryImpressive! Congratulations on both the wedding and the dress!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 22:49h, 09 JanuaryIndeed!
gingermakes
Posted at 12:21h, 09 JanuaryWow, this is so elegant! I love it! And I love your thoughts on inspiration and community! Congrats to Cathy!!!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 22:49h, 09 JanuaryThank you, Ginger!
Almeda
Posted at 12:59h, 09 JanuaryWe are all feeling so happy for Cathy! She looks beautiful in her stunning creation!
Thanks for ‘initiating’ all this wonderful inspiration. 🙂
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 22:50h, 09 JanuaryYou’re most welcome but a special thanks to Cathy for kicking it up a notch 🙂 !
Becky
Posted at 16:08h, 09 JanuaryWOW, the beauty of sewing at home. A one of a kind, beautiful dress made just for you on your wedding day! How perfect is that? That is a brilliant make.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 22:50h, 09 JanuaryVery brilliant, Becky 🙂 !
Angela
Posted at 17:46h, 10 JanuaryWhat an amazing dress!!! It really does look amazing on her. She looks just beautiful. Very inspiring. A dress is a great way to use that technique!!!
Joy Bernhardt
Posted at 09:59h, 11 JanuaryGORGEOUS dress! Thank you for showing it to us.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:23h, 13 JanuaryI couldn’t resist!
Sandra (Sewist-Stitch)
Posted at 01:01h, 12 JanuaryOh my that is sooo inspiring and the fit of the dress itself …. just fabulous. Thanks for sharing.
Carolyn
Posted at 09:58h, 12 JanuaryWOW! Congrats to Cathy on her wedding and a truly stunning dress. Thanks for sharing it with us! It’s indeed inspiring to see a simple silhouette transformed with such a special fabric treatment.
Vernelle
Posted at 09:41h, 18 FebruaryThis dress is just divine! I’m just discovering your blog. Can’t imagine what took me so long. I’ll definitely be watching future posts. Your work is beautiful.
Happy stitching