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Thursday, September 20, 2012

French Silk Frosting


My sister and I would BEG to make this as kids. We loved it. Mainly because we just wanted to eat it on its own. It sure makes a boring cake delicious. I made some cupcakes to snack on after a little charity mud run thing I did a few weeks ago, but after all that baking, NO ICING SUGAR! And too little too late, I didn't even think about this recipe! No cupcakes for anyone (in fact, I threw most of them away). This icing recipe is from my mom who got it from somewhere, who knows, but when I googled it, a blog my Aunt contributes to came up, so it must be in the family :) Here is the recipe.





You can leave it  at room temperature, and it will be very smooth & spreadable, or if you chill it too long like me, you can spoon it out, and it will look like this glob. But, I kinda like this blob, after seeing so many perfectly decorated cupcakes, this is a fun change.



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Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Gertie's New Book for Better Sewing


The long awaited book has arrived! I ordered it the minute I could, and waited... and waited... and heard about how everyone else got theirs, and how amazing it is. FINALLY, last week, my copy came! And it's everything I knew it would be. I can't wait to get into it, but work has really picked up for me lately, so I am afraid Gertie's New Book for Better Sewing is on hold. At least I am used to waiting :)


I have read through a lot of it, and have two projects picked out for when I have some spare time, so I can dig right in. But I think the bulk of it will have to wait for December, when things will slow down again for me.


I started following Gertie's blog after I broke my ankle & had a lot of spare time. That's when I really got into following blogs & thinking about how I need some serious hobbies. From the first few months, I knew one day, one day, she would have a book, like half of the other creative bloggers out there, and when that day came, I couldn't have been more happy for her (and me!).


This book is a fantastic resource. She has combed through vintage patterns, and written down the easiest ways to follow them, the easiest methods to understanding the techniques, and the modern equivalents to notions that are no longer available, or obsolete. She has done ALL the work for me! And she is inspiring me to create my own patterns, and alterations without fear. I feel like she bridged that gap between the hobbyist sewist and the professional seamstress.


And the illustrations are fantastic, and alone are worth buying the book for.


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Monday, September 10, 2012

Colette Violet - 1015

This is Colette pattern Violet, #1015. It's such a cute pattern, and their presentation is also wonderful too! It's a little booklet with easy to understand instructions and illustrations. It's easy to keep on the table next to your sewing machine, unlike those enormous flimsy folding sheets you get in other patterns.


I've seen Colette patterns online, but they are too expensive for me to order with shipping costs to Australia. Then a friend took me to one of her favorite local shops, Piece Together, and lo and behold, they stocked Colette patterns for VERY reasonable prices (which is also rare in Australia). It turned out to be much cheaper for me to buy it in person, than online. Yay!


I picked a peach gingham for my material, and simple floral buttons. I used scraps from the previous blouse I sewed for the peter pan collar. I lengthened the blouse about an inch, but maybe even less -it was already a good length. Using the finished overall bust size as my pattern size, I still needed to take it in on the side seams. I took in about an extra inch at the waist (4" overall), tapering to .5" at the hem, keeping the same width at the arm holes / bust.



Blouses that tend to fit my bust, are too bulky everywhere else. I find it hard to get a flattering fit, but I am learning. Being a little less comfy in loose fitting clothes, does mean I look better overall. I would love to wear muumuus all day long; they hide all lumps & bumps, but I would look ridiculous. Tapering this blouse in at the waist means I don't need to wear a belt, trying to show a waist line. This is also quite casual, so I don't want to have to wear a belt. I am sure there is room for an extra dart or two for a perfect fit, but I am happy overall with the end result. I also used my new serger / overlocker to finish seams and hem, and I LOVE it. First time (machine) sewing button holes too, and they were much simpler than I imagined.



I forgot to take a photo of the yoke on the back. It's subtle, and makes for a nice comfortable fit.

The patterns suggests alterations to make as well, like gathers, pin tucks, etc. I was thinking of adding a more ruffled sleeve, like make it larger, but then gather it with some elastic on the hem. It would be so cute & girly.

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