creative accomplishments Tag

01 May Merry, Merry Month of May

Posted at 17:18h in New Look Sewing Patterns, sewing blog, Sewing Tops by goodbyevalentino 0 Comments

Make that the Merry, Merry Well, Hello! After sewing almost non-stop for over a year and a half, I'm ready to take the Me-Made-May'13 challenge created by the cute, creative and energetic Zoe from SoZoWhatDoYouKnow. Her challenge now in its fourth year has gained strength and momentum with over 440 participants. In case you don't know, the challenge is a celebration of the efforts we pour into creating our clothes by pledging to wear our handmade garments. Participants design their own pledge based on their comfort level. I pledge to wear one handmade garment made by me everyday during the month of May. I...

28 Oct Lucky 13

Posted at 21:26h in Ready to Wear Fast, sewing blog, sewing blogs, sewing clothes by goodbyevalentino 0 Comments

Maybe it’s just my love of Halloween surfacing, but I often believe the number 13 gets a bad rap. Today I added the 13th committed person to the RTW Fasters’ page and decided it was time for an update. These 13 women represent a diverse geographic area including three countries and several states scattered from Florida to California. They have been communicating about topics important to them as they sew themselves away from the retail madness, but more importantly they are sewing beautiful clothes. Linda, living in a warm climate resists the t-shirts and crops scene, and recently completed this crisp periwinkle...

31 Aug Celebration Time

Posted at 07:23h in Butterick Patterns, McCall's Sewing Pattern, Mood Fabrics, sewing blogs, sewing clothes, silk by goodbyevalentino 187 Comments

On August 31, 2011 I turned over a new leaf :) I gave up buying Ready-to-Wear clothing for one year and vowed to make my clothes instead. Today I’m celebrating because I not only set out to do what I intended, but I completed an experience that brought me great pleasure and satisfaction. I must have needed a challenge! I was spending huge amounts of money on clothes and was constantly shopping. I bought way too many clothes that looked alike, and had entirely too many clothes that were barely worn. One day I snapped, gave up shopping, began sewing my clothes and started a...

30 Jul A Sensible Top – Vogue 9771

Posted at 08:26h in sewing blog, Sewing Tops, Vogue Sewing Patterns by goodbyevalentino 45 Comments

Sensible. The opposite of exciting. I just returned from a real vacation, which for me means getting away in every respect. I often overestimate what I can accomplish in a certain time period, and the refashion I planned to do while away never happened. Determined to post a project from someplace other than my backyard, I packed my sewing supplies in my carry-on luggage. Oops. This meant I had to check my suitcase and p a y for my checked luggage carrying my scissors and seam ripper. I never looked at my sewing supplies. Then I paid another fee to fly my scissors and seam ripper...

07 Mar Orange Pique

Posted at 22:26h in sewing blogs, Style Arc Patterns by goodbyevalentino 24 Comments

Well, I made these orange/red pique pants from fabric in my stash using this wonderful Style Arc pattern again . The pants turned out great, but sadly I have n o t h i n g but a couple of white tops to wear with them. I'm going to consider this unadorned photo a blank canvas - maybe like one of those paper dolls you cut out and dress up with different clothes. I’m noticing red and orange pants everywhere this spring combined with vivid colors, and I look forward to sewing new tops in new colors for my new pants. As I enter my seventh month of abstention from buying...

19 Feb Austerity or Abundance?

Posted at 08:34h in clothes, sewing blogs by goodbyevalentino 25 Comments

I was at a social gathering over the weekend wearing my Red Ruffle Dress when a friend made reference to my year of "austerity". Now, everyone is entitled to his or her own opinion, but I thought this was an interesting choice of words for I’ve felt anything but austere. Based on some of the definitions and synonyms for austerity and austere, I suppose the word can be applied to my abstention from buying ready-to-wear clothing for a year. AUSTERITY 1. Economy measure 2. Severity or plainness 3. Enforced thrift AUSTERE 1. Suggesting physical hardship 2. Unsmiling 3. Plain and without luxury 4. Plain in style or design Sewing clothes rather than buying clothing...

31 Dec Celebrating Creative Spirits

Posted at 18:13h in clothes, Simplicity Patterns by goodbyevalentino 11 Comments

Greetings from Edisto Beach, SC – the perfect place to usher in the New Year! I’m wearing my second serger product – Simplicity 2603. I had no idea I liked red so much until I gave up buying clothes and started sewing again! NEVER would I have bought such a bold piece of clothing. NEVER would I have splurged on something with limited holiday appeal. And NEVER would I have bought something just for the fun of it! As I reflect on 2011 in front of an especially stunning sunset, I question the importance of my mighty goal of abstaining from buying ready to wear clothes for...