Goodbye Goodwill

I've been following a blog called Goobye Valentino where a woman has vowed not to buy any ready-to-wear clothes for a year.  Actually, I think she's been doing it for a couple of years.

The only designer duds I've ever owned have come from Goodwill unless you consider White Stag from Wal-Mart high fashion.

There's really no excuse for me not to sew my own clothes.  I used to do it all the time.  Sewing for customers has been my excuse for the last few years.  Now that I'm retired I can sew full steam ahead.

I belong to City Wide Couture in Atlanta; a group who has inspired me to make new clothes for myself.  This is my first attempt. 

My second attempt to leave Goodwill behind was a coat using the quilting techniques from a Mary Ray Craftsy class.

 

Just yesterday I finished what I call the bandage dress.  My wardrobe is growing.

Like Goodbye Valentino, I plan to replace all of my Goodwill finds with clothes that I have made.  I may not be as speedy as she is, but I'm probably as determined.

I've finally realized that Goodwill is just the right place for my perky, petite daughter but unless I want to dress like an escapee from a nursing home, it's not quite the place for me.   Besides, I'm a talented designer I just don't have a big name label.

My next project is to re-make this blouse.  I love the fabric but it's too overwhelming a print, at least for me.  If I can find some matching solids, I'm going to make it a color-blocked top.  I was told that everybody in the South knows what challis is but when I went into Joann's today, they tried to sell me suede cloth thinking I was looking for chamois.