MAT & MATCHING POT HOLDERS

Today was a fun day in my craft room.  I needed some mats for the canning kitchen.  

When I take my jars out of the water bath or pressure cooker I like to put them on a towel to cool and not have to move them.

I usually use a kitchen towel.

With some left over material it would be fun to have some fun mats.  So got busy cutting out a piece of left over material and some older towels that were worn in some places and not in others.

My left over material was large enough to make some pot holders that would match as well.  

The next left over material was not large enough to make the mat and the pot holders.  I cut it in long strips and sewed them together making the mat large enough with this fun bright material.

I will really enjoy using these in the canning kitchen.  May even keep one in the regular kitchen to use under my large antique

dish rack.

Have fun everyone. 

FUN BLOUSE WITH DIFFERENT COLORS TUTORIAL

Made another Melody Dolman XS-XXXL blouse with different colored pockets, collar and cuffs.  The material I used was also purchased for me as a gift by my Dear Daughter Carrie.

In my post on the 1970-1980's BLOUSE I stated that I did the cuff different.  I decided that maybe some of you might want to have a little longer sleeve also.  Below is some instructions on how I sewed the sleeve. 

 

Some of these tricks are what my mother who turned 89 showed me how to do when teaching me and my sister to sew.  She had some really quick and easy ways to sew things as there were 4 of us kids to sew for.

The picture above is the blouse sewn according to Love Notions  instructions except for sewing up the side seams.  I usually never sew the side seams up and then try and insert a sleeve.  I find it really difficult to do so.  The method of inserting a sleeve into a sewn up side seam is the usual method of putting in a sleeve.  Just not my option, but if it is easy for you then continue doing so.

1.  Turn down a 3/8 inch hem on both cuff pieces and iron in place. 

2.  Pin the cuff in place to the sleeve edge, as seen in the photos above.  Sew your 3/8 seam across the cuff where you pinned it.  

3.  Press your seam toward the cuff.

4.  I then iron it on the right side also to make sure it is pressed accurately on the front side.

The cuff at this time will look like the above.

5.  Pin both side seams right sides together as seen in photo above.  Now sew this area down the side seam.

6.  Turn the cuff to the wrong side of the sleeve as above. You are placing the hemmed cuff on the seam allowance that you see in step 2.  Pin in place.

Turn your sleeve to the right side.  Sewing close to the sleeve edge on the cuff making sure you are sewing the hem down on the wrong side as well.  Be careful removing pins from the wrong side as you sew.  You now have a finished cuff.  Do both cuffs this way.

Continue to follow the directions for finishing the hem.

Another trick is to put the blouse on and mark with a pin right in the middle between your breast.  This is where I will place my first button hole. Then measure up and down the inches apart you want your other buttons from this pin mark. This keeps the blouse from gaping and revealing your bra, if you know what I mean.  

Hope this helps anyone that wants to make the sleeves a little longer.

1970-1980's BLOUSE

This week I made a new blouse from a newer pattern I purchased.  The patterns name is the Melody-Doleman Blouse from Love Notions.  It was a very easy pattern for me to sew.  I have sewn for years, but I think a beginner would find it pretty easy.  

The material was given to me by my dear daughter.  She got it at a estate sale she had gone too.  It sure reminded me of my youth during the 70's and 80's.  I decided to try this pattern on this material in case it did not go as planned or I did not like it.  After making it I really liked it.  It seemed so bright and uplifting just to wear it.  It also was cooler to wear this time of year with sleeves that do not reveal as much at my age. 

I did do the cuff on the sleeve different.  My daughter and myself have large biceps.  When we buy blouses that fit every where else, they are too small for our biceps.  Sewing makes it easier to adjust this inherited characteristic so the sleeves fit with ease.  I just did not turn the cuff up but left it down.

The Melody Dolman XS-XXXL pattern comes with sizes XL-XXXL.  This does make it easy to adjust your size to fit your particular body shape.  These patterns are downloaded on your computer to copy on a printer.  There are other options but that is the option I chose.  

So I will wear this cheery blouse when I go to town.  

You all have a great day.

ROOSTER POTHOLDERS

Last post was of an apron I made.  I just loved the rooster material.  I had some left so I decided to make some pot holders. 
I use old terry towels for the stuffing inside.  That makes them fairly thick.
I have learned to save things like towels that may have a hole in an area.  I use them for hand towels and pot holders or anything else that they would be good for.

NEW ROOSTER APRON

Hi everyone

It has been a long time.  My life is so full each day.  I do a lot of cooking from scratch which usually takes up most of my mornings.  I DIY my own spices, mixes, cookies, muffins, etc.  I also do a lot of canning of things like my Nomato Sauce, Dear Hubbies tomato sauce from tomato paste, beans, meat etc.
My poor aprons have taken a beating with lots of washings and use.
So yesterday afternoon I decided to dig out some material that my Dear Daughter sent me and make myself a new apron.
Below is a picture of that apron.  It was a lot of fun and got me motivated to make some more along with some pot holders which are becoming tattered too.
You all have a great day and God Bless.