Inspiration Tag

24 Jan The Latest

Posted at 21:19h in McCall's Sewing Pattern, sewing blog, sewing blogs, sewing patterns, Sewing Tops, Uncategorized by goodbyevalentino 28 Comments

One top costs $150.00 and the other is $29.99. Why is that? In March of 2011 I bought the blue and white top at J. McLaughlin in Charleston, SC. I thought $150.00 was expensive for a spandex top, but the sales clerk explained to me it was made of fine French swimsuit fabric, and somehow I justified my purchase. I love the top and have worn it repeatedly since I bought it. This McCall’s pattern reminded me of my J McLaughlin top, and I anticipated replicating it. I bought fine Korean swimsuit fabric – seriously, it...

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...

22 Dec In the MOOD

Posted at 19:26h in Fabric, Mood Fabrics, shopping, Uncategorized by goodbyevalentino 10 Comments

I’m envious of anyone who finds time to sew clothes in December! I’ve not sewn since early December - but I've not bought a single item of clothing either. However, this week I had the good fortune to take a quick trip to New York, and visited Mood Fabrics for the first time! Swatch was hilarious running up and down the aisles, and the store was awesome in the truest sense of the word. I fell hard for the jerseys…. I fell hard for the silks……. I would have fallen for everything if I had been alone. Thank goodness I was with another woman, the wife...

20 Nov Robe de Soirée

Posted at 18:44h in clothes, clothing designers, Fabric, Fashion Sewing, sewing patterns, Uncategorized by goodbyevalentino 22 Comments

It has been eighteen days since my last post! Making an evening gown consumed every precious free moment I’ve had – physically, intellectually and emotionally. The ball is in five days and the dress is finished! Up until making this gown I have really enjoyed sewing again, but I put such pressure on myself to make a dress that will match up to the others (including the ones I bought for my daughters) the experience has been stressful, but I persevered. Other than several dyslexic incidents brought about from working on a one-shoulder dress, this Butterick pattern was easy enough and presented no...

24 Oct I must make an evening gown

Posted at 23:07h in clothes, Fashion Sewing, sewing patterns by goodbyevalentino 0 Comments

I was hoping to tackle the more ambitious projects towards the latter part of the year but here I am in the second month faced with a challenge that has brought my momentum to a standstill…………….. an evening gown…….. for a ball……….. the day after Thanksgiving……… h e l p . I would have considered an exception to my year of no shopping but both of my daughters are going and you guessed it…………. they need new gowns too. I’ll buy their dresses and make mine - something is wrong with this picture. The last time the entire family went to...

22 Oct Seventeen Years Later

Posted at 12:01h in clothes, clothing designers, Fabric, Fashion Sewing, Kate Spade, Simplicity Patterns by goodbyevalentino 12 Comments

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...

11 Oct Liberty of London Part II

Posted at 15:25h in Amy Butler, clothes, Fabric, Fashion Sewing by goodbyevalentino 0 Comments

My last trip to London was three years ago. My daughters were with me and I enthusiastically prepared them for our shopping trip to Liberty of London, but sadly, things had changed. No more dressmakers, no quilts and far less fabric. Much of the floor space once occupied by bolts of gorgeous and unique fabrics was replaced with ready to wear shirts and skirts in Liberty cotton prints. It was depressing when compared to the store I first visited in 1993, and I never saw it coming. The store appeared to have suddenly changed though I doubt that’s the case. “How...

30 Sep Ruffles!

Posted at 12:41h in clothes, clothing designers, DIY Clothes, Fabric, Fashion Sewing, sewing patterns, shopping by goodbyevalentino 0 Comments

I’m ending the first month of my one year promise to make and not buy clothes with ruffles! Around a year ago I saw these beautiful tops on the LaRoque website. When I recently discovered this Simplicity pattern I thought I had a close match and decided to put my newly learned Cal Patch skills to work. I spent $9.00 on this pattern solely for the neckline and the ruffle – definitely a worthwhile investment. I’ve...

23 Sep To Share or Not To Share?

Posted at 12:07h in clothes, Fashion Sewing, sewing patterns, shopping by goodbyevalentino 0 Comments

I haven’t told my family about my blog yet for lots of reasons. I know if my daughters learn I’m sewing my own clothes this year they will think I should spend all of the money I’m saving on them – specifically clothes. I realize I’ve helped create this shopping mindset and I’m constantly thinking about how to change it. Secondly, my immediate family will tell me there is no way I can go a year without buying clothes and will offer hypothetical situations for me to consider that I don’t want to think about. They will also tell me I don't...

13 Sep 350 More Days

Posted at 23:13h in clothes, clothing designers, Fashion Sewing, shopping by goodbyevalentino 0 Comments

Well, it’s been two weeks since I bought any clothes – only 50 more weeks to go. Instead of thinking about what to buy for fall, I’ve had to turn inward and look at what I have….. and what I have needs some variety. There is definitely too much black and too much lime green. This challenge I’ve given myself is definitely stirring the creative juices. I think about how to make everything I see in magazines, in stores and on websites! I’ve made or redesigned four skirts in the last two weeks, so it’s time for something else. A top, maybe? I...