Inspiration Tag

28 Apr Sip & See

Posted at 08:32h in Fashion Sewing by goodbyevalentino 15 Comments

Dear Readers, Since I started sewing again in 2011 I've made hundreds of garments whose total sum equals a complete wardrobe minus a bathing suit and lingerie. My inspiration to sew initially came from high end ready-to-wear, but I quickly learned those garments were only the beginning of my inspiration. Through the years I've met many sewists with enviable skills, style and creativity who draw inspiration far beyond the ready-to-wear scene. From a single blade of grass to exotic travels, creative inspiration abounds for those ready to receive, anywhere and anytime. I have learned so much from so many willing to share their skills,...

08 Jan Inspiration Defined

Posted at 20:47h in Ribbon Skirt by goodbyevalentino 73 Comments

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" _________________ 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...

04 Jun It’s June Too Soon!

Posted at 21:52h in sewing bloggers, sewing blogs, sewing clothes, Uncategorized by goodbyevalentino 55 Comments

Dear Readers, The conclusion of Me-Made-May '13 was over four days ago, however, my Me-Made-May '13 page fizzled out shortly after mid-month ...

03 Dec Holiday Fasting

Posted at 08:17h in Mood Fabrics, Ready to Wear Fast, sewing blog, Sewing Dresses, Sewing Tops, Uncategorized by goodbyevalentino 31 Comments

A funny thing happens when sewers quit buying clothes…… they become very clothes conscious. At least that is what’s going on with the RTW Fasters, and it certainly happened with me. I became obsessed with all things clothes. I recently asked the Fasters to briefly comment on the experience so far and to date no one said they miss shopping for clothes – quite the opposite. Many have expressed a new sense of freedom as shopping for RTW is becoming a distant memory. So what are they doing? Robin bought a practically new Bernina Artista 200 last month and is all over the place...

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...

10 Mar Style Arc Abby Cardi

Posted at 16:31h in sewing blogs, Sewing Tops, Style Arc Patterns by goodbyevalentino 0 Comments

I’m wearing the versatile Abby Cardi by Style Arc, a pattern which I received free during a company promotional. The WORTH cashmere sweater pictured below has been one of my wardrobe staples for nearly four years and served as the inspiration for this sewing project. I wear the sweater throughout the winter months and pack it for all cold weather trips, but I typically cannot wear it past March. Beside it is the Abby Cardi I just made. There are distinct differences between the two garments; the Worth sweater has beautiful tiny ribbed edges along the front and cuffs with long ribbing...

25 Feb One Award + Two Legs =

Posted at 08:52h in sewing blog, sewing blogs, Vogue Sewing Patterns by goodbyevalentino 0 Comments

…… a l e n g t h y p o s t , but please stay! Yesterday I received a lovely message from Beth at Chic Envelopments who awarded me a Versatile Blogger Award. Many thanks, Beth! I started following Chic Envelopments after reading the cheerful Mitten Madness post. Since then Beth has launched a new Etsy Shop with beautiful handmade cards. Check it out! The rules to abide by when accepting a Versatile Blogger Award are listed below: 1. Add the award to your blog 2. Thank the blogger who gave it to you. 3. Mention 7 random things about yourself. 4. List the rules. 5....

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...

29 Jan La Primavera

Posted at 12:01h in Amy Butler, clothing designers, sewing blog, Simplicity Patterns by goodbyevalentino 26 Comments

Dead perennials + leaves in the pool = w i n t e r in South Carolina; t h e p e r f e c t t i m e t o g e t r e a d y f o r s p r i n g ! I think it’s safe to say that over the last 5 months I have memorized the online pattern stores of Vogue, McCalls, Butterick and Simplicity, so when I saw this very cute dress on LaRoque’s Facebook page, I knew where to go. This Simplicity...