22 Oct Seventeen Years Later
Well, I did it! I am now wearing the beautiful silk that I’ve been afraid to touch for 17 years. I finished it just in time to take on a business trip with my husband to Palm Springs and wore it last night.
Making this top from some polyester in my stash a few weeks ago gave me the confidence I needed to pick up my scissors. 
I’m grateful for the inspiration from LaRoque in Columbia, SC, and doubt I would have noticed this Simplicity Cynthia Rowley pattern without first admiring these cute tops designed by Annabelle LaRoque.
The more I sew the less tempted I am to buy clothes, but temptation is far and wide here in Palm Springs especially in the form of the high end outlet mall!
Kate Spade, Tory Burch, Diane Von Furstenburg, Elle Tahari, St. John, Jimmy Choo ……. let’s see, who have I left out….. Ferragamo, Theory, Christian Dior……. Bargains everywhere.
I did not succumb to a single garment of clothing on this 51st day of my abstention from buying clothes for a year, but it was hard.
V e r y , v e r y h a r d ….
Bethsews
Posted at 23:13h, 22 OctoberStay strong! haha But if you slip up just a tad, its not the end of the challenge….The silk top is just lovely, and perfect occasion to wear it.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 10:27h, 23 OctoberThanks Beth – hopefully I won’t slip! Surely I can make it for another 312 days!!!!
jlundy6116
Posted at 07:52h, 23 OctoberGood for you, I would have been such a weakling! And, beautiful, BEAUTIFUL blouse!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 10:24h, 23 OctoberThank you so much! ——- I didn’t buy clothes but I didn’t leave empty handed! Handbags, shoes and I found the purple necklace in the photo at the Kate Spade outlet.
The Ultimate Compliment | Goodbye Valentino
Posted at 20:53h, 20 May[…] so there I was in Neiman Marcus at the top of the escalator wearing a homemade top, examining the construction of the Kate Spade Aubrey Wrap dress which I have attempted to re-create […]
Liz
Posted at 20:37h, 01 AugustHow lovely! And good for you! I know the feeling of fear of cutting into gorgeous fabric. Of course, that first photo with the gorgeous print and the name in the selvedge makes me miss Paris and regret that I was not a fabric-shopper when I lived there 😉
Dare to Wear | Goodbye Valentino
Posted at 22:38h, 15 June[…] ruffled Cynthia Rowley top, now in year 3 works for nearly any warm weather occasion, and it was perfect for Friday evening […]
Katalin
Posted at 08:05h, 03 JulyI love this top! The skirt matches it really well!
May I ask that do you normally have your silk clothes dry cleaned or is there anything that you launder at home?
Thanks!
lin
Posted at 18:41h, 20 Aprilhow in the world do you wear all the garments you make? It seems like you would use several closets>>>???
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 18:51h, 20 AprilHi Lin!
Would you believe the average person buys 60 garments a year?!! I make far less than that and buy very few. It seems like a lot because I’ve been blogging over four years and document everything 🙂
lin
Posted at 18:55h, 20 Aprilamazing-
Rhonda Gatti
Posted at 12:08h, 28 AprilHow much fabric did you need to make our blouse? It is fabulous, by the way!
Thanks,
Rhonda