There was a zipper down the center back of the dress to contend with in this cut, but thankfully it ended up being inches away from the final cut.

A lovely yellow zipper down the back, adding to the homemade charm of the dress, luckily, just short enough.

The blouse is darling on it’s own, thanks to the tie.

The top of the dress, and my new blouse was simple to finish, all it needed was a little ironing and a narrow seam sewn around the bottom.

There’s plenty of fabric left for a skirt. I want it to have a tailored look- as opposed to a drawstring or elastic waist so here’s what I came up with:

Luckily, the seam allowance left behind by the original maker was enough that I could easily add a zipper. I pressed the seam flat then placed the right side of the zipper down the center of the inside out fabric. I moved the sewing machine needle position closer to the center of the zipper (or use a zipper foot) I stitched all the way around.

Then flip the skirt right side out and with a seam ripper (pictured above) carefully pick out the old seam where the zipper is now situated. (This is my favorite, and the easiest way to add a zipper in any garment.)

Using an old favorite skirt pattern (but you could easily make it up) I added 2 darts to the back and  to the front of the skirt.

 Darts are simply make with a pattern or by making up with your own measurements, just make sure to make them equally in length and in width if there are two or more on the garment.

Finished darts on the front of the skirt. The business was a bit tricky because of the ribbon already in place where darts should have been placed.

The darts and zipper, once in place, took off nearly 4 inches of width off. Remeasure the width now to find how much more needs to be taken off to have the skirt fit your waist. In this case I needed to get rid of 4 more inches.

On the existing side seams, I marked off 2 inches in either side, this will take away the excess 4 inches and leave the skirt fitting great.

Use a ruler to mark a gradual taking-in and adjusting of the side seam. My new seam ran the entire length of the skirt (not including the ruffle area at the bottom).

Now to finish the waist:

For the waistband I chose to use bias tape, which would match well and not require any attempt to find or try and match up similar fabrics.

To make the beginning (and end) of the bias tape, which will be right above the zipper in the back, I turned it inside out and sewed it together.

Then, following the old fold lines, I turned the bias tape back to right side out and used the nice finished end to begin the waistband. Don’t finish the other side until you’ve sewn the bias tape nearly all the way around. In the picture above you can see I also folded over and sewed around the top edge of the skirt fabric to add an extra bit of sturdiness and bulk to the waist.

Tuck the skirt fabric up into the bias tape and start sewing around to enclose the edge.

When you get within a few inches of the end stop and mark the end of the bias tape. Finish this end like you did the other.

Then put the end of the bias tape into it’s place, making sure the ends of the waistband will line up when the zipper is closed.

All finished, a new/old article of clothing I can’t wait to wear when it finally stops snowing. I’m thinking a chambray shirt, and bright colored sandals.

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I ran across the book, The Art of Clean Up: Life Made Neat and Tidy, by Swiss artist and comedian Ursus Wehrli. Humor-in-art and art-in-life is much appreciated in our house, as is knolling.  A newish but nevertheless important word, knolling is defined as ”the process of arranging like objects in parallel or 90 degree angles as a method of organization”. The knolling community would be very proud of this book, probably get a little teary-eyed.

So, instead of showing or telling or selling you that thing that will organize, clean and make your world a peaceful, orderly place- here are a few examples from Wehrli on how to get started:

Reverse the order of the pictures and the scheme makes more sense- although decidedly less funny (and OCD)- constructing instead of deconstructing. How about the poor little buddy in the sandbox? Hopefully his day ended with the picture on the left.

Seriously though, the trick to clean up, in my opinion- is simplify.

“Live simply, so that others may live.“

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Here’s a little something to kick off your springtime weekend, a quick, short video by The Talking Fly to remind us all that it’s the little people and moments that surround them that count… and all the moments in your life spent on a bicycle.

Go get yourself on a bike and have a great weekend!

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The back of the dress was a gorgeous cut, only missing a bow in a true look-alike contest.

I can’t recall where I picked up the pattern, but it was so easy, just like the pattern says. I can’t wait to make it again. The avocado green dress in the picture above is also from a 1950′s era pattern I made about a year ago, here are more pictures of that dress and pattern .

For the making of Joan’s red dress look here.
For the event photos go here.

For the Mad Men apparel obsessed, here’s my Pinterest board stash of inspiration.

And Julia’s got a great Mad Men Pinterest board too.

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We joined some friends and went into the canyon through ‘Crack in the Wall’, a new entry point for me. It took some lowering of backpacks with ropes and then shimmying through a narrow gap to get down to the canyon floor.

Beginning with Stevens Arch (I believe) there are beautiful arches every few miles, one of the spectacular features of this hike.

Jug Handle Arch

Jacob Hamblin Arch, the most famous of the Coyote Gulch line up.

Ohh and a natural bridge too.

The Escalante River meanders it’s way through the canyon, cascading over waterfalls.

The leaves were out on the Aspen trees and buds appeared on the other foliage. We were about a month too early to see all the desert flowers in bloom.

And a bit early for swimming, only about 70 degrees (air temp) for a high. We enjoyed the waterfalls from a distance, with just our feet in the water.

Ahh… sleeping in the sand, great for kids and the weary Ambien induced traveler. The star gazing was phenomenal with moon light casting shadows on the cliff walls.

Backpacking breakfast of champions- hot chocolate and oatmeal, on a rock shelf table.

Rock shelf table (1st night) better than sandy floor/tiny rock table (2nd night). But it’s-all-good, just happy to be camping along side a beautiful arch.

Teens, all in a row, heading back across the slick rock after a fantastic few days in the great red rock outdoors.

So, now it’s back to real life and work and lots of sand covered laundry. But we’ve got a head full of magical memories we’ll never forget!

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I started with a foundation of muslin, thinking I would piece the mountain using a foundation method. I had it all worked out in my head, it was going to be so easy and straightforward.

I dug out all the right fabric pieces in all solid colors. Another exciting and different element, I don’t generally work with all solids, but luckily I had an entire tub on hand from past projects.

The progress I’ve made so far… After just 3 pieces built onto the foundation, I found myself picking seams out so I scraped the foundation plan and started just building color onto color. It’s taking me longer and with much more puzzlement than I had anticipated. But, a challenge is always good. I’m going to have to walk away from the progress for the rest of the week- we’ve got some spring break fun planned. We’ll be going south, to Escalante Utah for an escape from IT all. Phew, a much needed break for everyone. Here’s to spring!

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Peeps plushies:

Full plush Peeps sewing pattern and tutorial from Dandelions and Lace here.

Sewn Carrots:

M has already dug into my fabric scraps and managed to sew up a few of these carrots this week using this tutorial from Claire’s Craft Room. She even found some of the exact same orange polka dot fabric in my extensive collection of scraps.

AND… I really want to make a Peep garland, seriously, with my obsessions with garlands (one on every window) and Peeps (even though they aren’t chocolate) why haven’t I made one already?

Peeps garland or bunting:

Find the full and very easy tutorial here from Dana Made It.

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Peace felt warrior necklace also on Etsy by catrabbitplush. The beauty is in the clever details and the size- about 6 cm by 6 cm.

Made by the talented Alice Mary Lynch, a commissioned piece titled ‘the firebird’ wears a skirt made from a traditional Russian vintage costume, red tulle petticoat, embroidered socks, plaited golden hair and vintage feather brooch with multi-coloured stones. Very impressive work.

I’ve been following Jess Quinn’s blog for awhile now, she also has an Etsy shop. I’m so inspired with her mad/rad art, sewing and creative skills. I wish I lived in England so I could attend one of the shows where she sells her dolls and be starstruck.

These little cacti are reason enough to learn how to crochet. Who wouldn’t want one of these as a gift!? The pattern is available at Little Things Blogged if you’d like to give it a try. I will be attempting to make these very soon.

I think it’s the somewhat mournful gaze- not to mention the accessories- that got me on this fat cat. I don’t have any details though, the website is all in Russian.

So, go ahead and adore all that’s tiny on this terrific tiny Tuesday!

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