Stone ground

Peter has been enjoying all the pie making.  He wanted to make his own pie so he asked Oma for a baggie of wheat, found a smooth stone and starting to grind his own flour the old fashion way just like he saw demonstrated at Capital Reef National Park.

He worked at it for at least two hours and ended up with a Tbs. of flour which he decided to leave "as a treat for the bugs".  He also decided it would take a long time to make a pie that way but still added "Flour" as recipe #2 in the illustrated cookbook he has been working on.  

Boiling Pants

Michigan is famous for its cherries.  That is how William convinced me to buy a cherry pitter at a yard sale last week.

That same evening we picked up a bag of cherries at the corner farmer's stand and the cherry pitter became the new favorite toy, everyone was anxious to help.  We made 4 cherry pies in 4 days, they were both delicious and messy. 

This morning James didn't have any clean church pants.  I dug through the dirty clothes piles and found them crumpled up along side several other cherry stained items.  They've been sitting there for almost a week because I didn't want to face the challenge.  This morning I had no choice because James had no other pants.

 A quick google search suggested boiling the stains out.  Could it really be that simple?  It was! At least it was with the poplin shirts and khaki pants.  After a 30 second dip they were ready for the wash.

Maryanna's new linen genie pants on the other hand gave me a bit more trouble.  I believe I boiled them for as long as it took my children to eat their oatmeal, all the while Maryanna was whining, "I don't want you to cook my clothes".  The boys made a joke of it and suggested boiling all sorts of other inedible objects, diapers, legos, My Little Ponies, car keys, and books.

Still no luck after 10 minutes of boiling. In fact that cute little red hang tag I sewed on slipped in and leaked its dye across the top of the pants. It was a quick rescue to the sink and with a shot of Zout the red dye came out but the cherry juice was still a dull purple.

I had a flash back to my  youth watching my mom smear a juicy cantaloupe all over the red ostrich skin binder my Dad brought back for her from Africa.  When I asked her what she was doing she replied, "someone must have mistaken this for a cutting board and since I knew I couldn't get the stain out I'm just staining the whole thing".  At age 15 that seemed like a crazy thing to do but there I was this morning, more than 15 years later, planning to make yet another cherry pie only to roll the new linen genie pants in whatever juices were left in the mixing bowl.

Instead, I gave them another rinse, scrubbed in some Zout, let them sit then boiled them again and again.  Finally they came clean in more time than it took to sew them and certainly more time than it would have taken to make another pie.  Next time those kids are going to cook and eat their pie in their underwear.            

Summer Sleepwear

Last summer's nightgowns were made from vintage pillowcases.  This summer I used old sheets picked up at a yard sale.  I can't believe how much they have grown up in just one year!

The pattern is a Kwik sew pattern (3423) and view B from the same pattern I made for Christmas 2007 (actually I did make some style adjustments to view A).  I like it and think I'll make another two of view A for this next Christmas.  

Squeezing in the Sewing

This is in response to the following comment from Brown Eggs and Jam.

My daughters and I enjoy seeing all of your sewing projects and hope to try one out soon. We both enjoy sewing but I haven't quite mastered how to fit it in. How do you do it? I only have four children; ages 3, 5, 7, and 9.

First of all thanks for asking me how I "fit it in" because it gave me an opportunity to ponder and reflect on how I spend my time and whether my time spent sewing was time well spent.  This is actually a question that comes up in my mind at least once a year, typically around September when we are starting anew our homeschool schedule.  I have discussed this on multiple occasions with my good friend Marie' and I have even made it a matter of prayer.  Here are the answers that came to my mind:  Your children need to see the creative process in action.  Your children need to see you live more providently.  Your children need to see you find joy as you learn new skills and develop your talents.  For these reasons I have not abandoned sewing, in fact since then I have been able to fit more of it in than ever before.

Here are some tips that I sew by: 

1.  Only sew what you need.  Before each season I go child by child and take an inventory of what is needed.  I save hand me downs, graciously accept clothing donations from other families, go garage saling and on occasion scour sale racks.  When there are gaps I get to sew.  It seems I sew mostly for oldest girl and my youngest boy because that is where the biggest gaps are (few items survive the older 3 boys).  I am also finding it harder and harder to find things to sew for boys over the age of 8 - they start to get 'too cool' for handmade clothes and if I know they won't wear it, it isn't worth sewing.

2.  Make a plan.  My children are involved in this step.  Considering what is needed we flip through pattern books, talk about what they like or dislike, and then go through my fabric stash.  We also browse fabric online or make a run to DI for inexpensive clothes that we could use as fabric.  The girls especially love playing with the fabric in wrapping around themselves like mummies requesting yet another "pretty dress".  I take notes and make a final plan with sketches, pattern #, size, and fabric to be used.  I also take note of any notions or trim that would be needed.  Marie' took a picture of my plan here. 

  

3.  Draft and cut all at once.  I really don't love this step so I'm better off getting it over with all at once.  It takes at least one weekend and starting on a Friday I give the kids "the day off" even watching movies in the middle of the day.  We have simple meals and Paul takes them out or just takes over on Saturday.  This is the most critical step and I cannot be interrupted.  Any mistake made drafting or cutting will lead to frustration and flops. 

 

After each pattern is drafted I put it in a sandwich size zip lock baggie with a label of the book, size, style # and a sketch.  This is then organized in an accordion file folder by book or pattern company.

When all the drafting is complete I start cutting.  I will roll the whole project up or place it in a gallon sized zip lock bag.  I store them in a foot tub stacked in order to sew.

4.  Use good tools.  A sturdy machine, new needles, cutting mat, sharp (fabric only!) scissors, rotary cutter, and pattern drafting supplies.

5.  Use good fabric.  This is getting harder and harder to come by.  It's not worth sewing on junk!

6.  Set up a sewing station.  Have your sewing machine and iron in a spot that it can be used on a moments notice.  In my last home this was a tiny 24" desk nestled next to my washer and dryer.  If you already have everything cut out and ready to go you really don't need much space (unless you are sewing wedding dresses).  Actually it did get really hard to sew back there when I was late into my last pregnancy.

7.  Don't sew when angry.  This is when I make my most mistakes.  One mistake can quadruple your sewing time

8.  Don't sew during "wild time".  This is between the hours of 4pm - 6 pm when children are hungry and restless.  This is the time when I make the second most mistakes.

9.  Don't talk on the phone while sewing.  It may just be me but this when I make the third most mistakes.  Again mistakes = sewing angst and more time

10.  Reward yourself with sewing.  Fold a load of laundry, finish the dishes, or read books with your children then take the time to work on your project.

My best time to sew is during our scheduled quiet time hours.  This is when the babies and toddlers are napping, the younger kids are coloring, looking at books or playing quietly alone, and the older kids are working on their reading, writing, and math.  I'm not one to hover over their work but instead make myself accessible for questions and help.       

       

I hope this helps. I can't wait for my girls to start participating! Right now they just push pins in pin cushions, cut up scraps, and sort buttons.

Getting through WIPs

I'm behind on posting my sewing projects.  I guess because I'd rather be sewing than blogging.

This dress was among a bucket of projects cut out before we moved (read more about the pattern here).  I've got to get through them all before I can reward myself with Fall/Winter wardrobe planning.  

Genie Pants

This is the second pair of genie pants I have made for Maryanna this summer.  The first pair I have yet to post.  The pattern is from a Japanese sewing book and you can read more about it here. 

What was most amusing to me was watching Maryanna instinctively practice her yoga moves after putting on these pants (She is attempting tree pose while Clara is in dog pose).  What was not so amusing is how soiled the pants were by the end of the evening of their first wear.  They are sitting in a pile to be treated for cherry juice, soy sauce, and chocolate stains.  Any suggestions?

Stuff Stoires: Bear Lake Stuff

1. Seed rooster picture that blocks the broken window. This may have been left from the original owners.


2. Book end from the same bookshelf as the bell lady.


3. Clock from Grandma and Grandpa's house.


4. Original phone.


5. Tin wall plaque I made in 7th grade shop.

This is a special post just for you Suz - I think you love Bear Lake with all its quirks more than any of us.  There is just one photo I forgot to take, the 64 oz (actually it may have more capacity) Mavericks mug.  I believe it is just as much as a farm house icon as these other items.