I’ve had this dress for almost a year, picked it up for $15 at the antique market.   It is almost a relief to have finally done my fixes on this dress; clothes are really moving from the to do rack to the closet!  I really love this dress, I feel really at home in it.

Here’s a look at the before:

A 1970s version of a 1930s dress.  You can’t see it in the photos but the little flowers are flocked which I love (not much flocking left but still counts for something).  There’s absolutely nothing wrong with the style, only it needed some repairs here and there.  But for the most part I don’t like high necklines; I feel too closed up.  And the sleeves were shortened in a slapdash fashion by its previous tenant (Hmm, I sense a trend) so I had to do something about that.

This is what I did:

• Cut out and lowered the neckline; removed neck facing that was clearly visible under the sheer fabric.
• Added a pleated Petersham collar that I tacked down by hand. (The stitches seem very obvious to me even though I tried my best to not sew too tightly; I might redo it but it’s fine for now.)
• Cut the sleeves down, leaving a little bit of the previously gathered fabric which I hemmed creating little ruffles.
• Fixed some general wonkiness around the bust seam.
• Cut off the lace and ruffle at the hem and shortened the skirt.  I considered fixing and re-attaching the ruffle but decided I liked the simplicity of the plain hem.
• The ties were very much uneven so I shortened one. (I did not match the lengths exactly as I don’t see a problem with them being off just a little.)
• Fastened a little brooch to the neckline (from Seventh Muse).  I’ve fashioned other things like a yellow velvet bow and such which I can switch out at will!

I have to say I quite enjoy detailing all the repairs and alterations I do to my vintage finds and I hope you do too!  I think so, and I find your comments very kind and encouraging.  Thank you.

My mother-in-law made this beautiful wool rug as a wedding gift.   She let me pick out the shape, size and colors (she even dyed a couple herself).  We didn’t really know what to expect with the grey, yellow and ivory color combination.  Though it seems trendy, I figured these colors would make the rug look more modern while still retaining the old-fashioned feel from a braided rug.  I have to say I was completely thrilled when I open the box!

The photos don’t do it justice, plus you can’t feel how soft it is.  As you can see, even the four-legged member of the household approves!  This photo was taken soon after I unrolled it (you can see the edges are still a little wavy) and Spoo has pretty much claimed it as his own.  Because of this I’ve had to move it from the living room to my office (oh geez that’s a real shame, now i have it all to myself) where I can shut the door when I’m not around.  See, Spoo Kee likes to dig his claws into the wool (as most cats would);  he knows he’s not supposed to.  In fact, while I was on the computer the other day, I heard the faintest of  sounds behind me: *pick* *pick*.  Yes, that was Spoo Kee trying to be ever so quiet while scratching the rug!

Oh, and thank you for the comments on Dress Parade (Yellow, Part 1), I’m glad you love that little yellow dress.  Part 2 is coming up very soon!

Spoo Kee, perhaps like most cats, assumes that everything his humans do, they do for him.  For example, laying out quilt pieces on the ground.  Naturally, Spoo Kee made a beeline for the colorful squares (for my nephew’s little sea-inspired quilt I mentioned before) as soon as he saw them, spread out in front of the big window in the living room.  I don’t know, maybe he’s just telling me what a perfect little picnic quilt this will be.

There’s this other funny thing Spoo Kee does.  (Ok, at least my husband and I think it’s funny.)  Spoo Kee, like most cats, is rather lazy and finds it difficult to leave his basket; there must be good reason.  But he is also - yes, once again, like most cats - very curious.   Sometimes my husband and I will be talking in the hall, between our offices, and I’ll look over and see Spoo Kee peering at us from his basket:

Curious and wondering, and yet not quite ready to leave his nest; he’s just not sure it’s worth the fuss.

Well, maybe it is.  Perhaps the front paws can venture out from the bed.

Sometimes this is as far as he gets.

1. Hunkers down in a new fleece blanket.

2. Cozies up to a computer monitor (while watching colorful bubble screensaver).

3. Nestles in a pile of vintage clothing meant for the wash.

4. Gets toasty under the wee halogen lamp (while ignoring the mess).