Book Reports--Due Monday: Simple Sewing

Another Monday book report! Lotta Jansdotter's Simple Sewing.

Things I like about this book: This book is billed as 'simple' because its projects do not involve anything complicated like a zipper; the patterns and instructions are clear and straightforward; and most of the projects can be completed in a short period of time without the need for any obscure supplies. And, so far, I agree that it lives up to its promises. The projects (and pictures) are also characteristically Lotta Jansdotter with elegant design and a clean aesthetic. Many are playful and inspiring...this is another book that makes me want to sew. I have made seven projects from this book, I'm particularly fond of this apron that I use all the time. And, I have marked several other projects to make in the future.

Things I do not like about this book: One thing I find a little annoying about the book is that many of the projects look so beautiful and appealing because they are made in Lotta's own line of fabric, which is no longer available for sale. I'm not one to replicate a project exactly but I would love to make some of the things in the book from her actual fabric because the design is so nice. That's not really a critique of the book, though. I also found the sunhat pattern to have a ridiculously wide brim. And, some of the project ideas seem very cool in Sweden but not so cool in the U.S. Like her side-of-the-bed organizer would just look tacky in my house but somehow the Swedes make things like this look hip. Again...I'm really just highlighting my own issues here...not the book.

Final Grade: B+ for clean, beautiful projects with just a few glitches.

Little Discoveries

These little discoveries are making me happy today:

The Sunflower Project, get some sunflower seed, plant them (you know next season), grow them and then track the activity of bees around it a little bit every once in a while, report it to this group of researchers trying to understand what is happening with the crazy virus all the bees have.  Projects like this just satisfy the little field researcher in me.

The Small Object's Recipe Review post-it notes, these are just crazy great.  Little post-it notes that you stick into your cookbooks with all your cooking notes so you don't forget next time you go to make it.  Done in the adorable Small Object way, or course.  I'm also dying to get a candle holder and I think the mustache magnet is brilliant. Her 'steno pad' site is fantastic, by the way, and has great do-it-yourself holiday ideas and strengthens my resolve to go 'hand (or artist) made' this holiday.

BuggaBugs felt food: this is the kind of felt food I want to stock in my son's little kitchen.  I did sign up for her newsletter and got the free instructions for making a strawberry and had to make three immediately because they are so fun and easy. 

Elsita's little ride, does it get any better than this for a boy's imagination? I think not. And, her blog is full of imaginative paper cuts, ceramics, and flower people as well as literally alive with imagination and heart.  

This Beach Cruiser Pillowcase is just pure fun.

I have always loved children's literature and especially love the art in children's stories from Ezra Jack Keats to Maurice Sendak.  This etsy shop has a small selection of books: The Art and Book Shop.  But, one of my books on the art of children's literature highlighted this, The Hole Book, and I'm in love with this cover.  So cute.  Apparently, the hole goes straight through the book and fits with the story on each page, including shooting a rabbit.  For this reason, the book isn't so popular anymore. We don't really kill rabbits as much these days I guess.

And, sigh, Saffron Craig.  Saffron is an Australian fabric designer with elegant but whimsical fabrics that make me want to try my hand at winning the lottery so I can spend my days making things with her gorgeous designs. 

The last thing making me happy, and this is making me really happy, my Handmade Home by Amanda Blake Soule of Soulemama arrived!  I browsed it first, then studied it a bit more carefully, and finally pulled out the post-it notes (the pretty ones) to mark projects for the future. 

And, with all of these good things swimming around in my head, I'm about at tired as little Adelaide right now.  Off to bed for me.

The Apron Mystique or Thinkin' About it Thursday

I have long considered myself a feminist. At times, even considered myself a feminist in a way that was fierce and off-putting. In high school I wore out a t-shirt that said "Women hold up half the sky". Interestingly, the most frequent question I got about it was "So, what do men do?" I usually answered, "I don't know. I doesn't say." But, what women do or don't do has always been a key component to the ways in which men define themselves. For this reason, I feel like we are all restricted when women's roles are strictly defined.


Over time I've come to feel that feminism, for me is about choice. The choice to be a parent in the best way I can, the choice to follow my interest in sewing for the home and family and the choice to cook foods I love for the people I love. I do it all from a sense of loving to do it rather than feeling it is an obligation or a duty or hoping to appear a certain way to the outside world. I find cooking, sewing, and even baking (!) satisfying to the part of me that needs a creative outlet. I also work outside of the home both for financial and personal reasons.

In this context, feminism for me often moves toward grappling with how to bring broader freedoms of choice to everyone. Sometimes this moves me away from concerns about women; mens' choices are severely restricted from fear of appearing 'gay' and people living in poverty see most aspects of their lives defined for them, particularly if they are receiving welfare benefits. This doesn't come from any feminist theorist and, perhaps, wouldn't pass muster in an academic context but it is where my life's journey has brought me.

So, what does this have to do with aprons? Well, to be honest, I've been a little perplexed about my fixation and love of making aprons. I mean, aren't they the symbol of women's servitude....look pretty and stay in the kitchen! For a while, I just chose to ignore that voice and enjoy making them but kept wondering 'where is this coming from?' I could claim that they are just fun and easy to make, that they require just the right amount of fabric that I can get create with my stash and not have to buy new fabric for a project. All of which is true but it wasn't the full story. I've been making aprons for the women in my family and thinking about the food they make very fondly. I've been putting loving thoughts into each one and purposely making them very feminine. With ruffles and pom-poms and ric-rac, these are not gender neutral aprons. I'm celebrating something purely feminine that joins the kitchen and cooking and womanliness.

But, I think I figured it out. Or at least I'm closer to it. Aprons could be viewed as symbolic of servitude in the kitchen OR recognized as celebrating the amazing things that women do to sustain their families. Because, as it turns out, the work traditionally done by women in the kitchen is pretty important. As childhood obesity, adulthood obesity and the global climate rises, we are taking a second look at food and the importance of food. Just ask Michael Pollan. His recent article in the NYTimes magazine explores, among other things, how eating at home can stave off obesity.
Did you know that the best way to fight childhood obesity is for meals to occur on a set schedule? That's it. Eating at a set time is even more important than what is eaten. And, no, it doesn't matter who mashes the potatoes or puts the napkins on the table. But, for a long time, and without much gratitude it has been women. Suddenly, we are looking back and saying "Oh right, that sweat that used to go into breakfast, lunch, and dinner...THAT was a really big deal."

I'm lucky to be of a generation that cooks for fun and is appreciated for it. My husband also loves to join in the fun. I hope I'm passing this onto my sons...a passion for food. But, the aprons. Well, the aprons are for the uncelebrated efforts of the generations before me and the hopes for the future. And, in the same way that I consider sewing a feminist act, so is cooking. Because, if you so choose, we should all be able to cook and eat good, healthy food.

And, I'm not alone. EllynAnne Geisel, who considers herself an apron archeologist, is collecting apron stories from all around in her effort Apron Chronicles. And Michael Pollan, is collecting food wisdom that has been passed down for his Food Rules. I love when the answers we are looking for have always been there. Others are exploring whether healthy eating is even possible on Food Stamps. If you have a bit of time, check them out. And, let me know what I am missing, what else is out there?

The apron in these pictures, is my latest. It's all vintage fabric, the top half is an adaptation of the Lotta Jansdotter reversible apron and the bottom half is from the Anna Maria Horner book Seams to me. I used ric-rac around the pocket and along the curve of the top. The gingham is from an etsy seller, beautiful living, that is good fun for the vintage hoarder. The body of the apron is from my local yard sale!

And, there is more to come. Got a big apron project brewing!

Purple and Rust

This bag is for me. It's not for any particular reason. The fabric is not scraped together from my stash, it was bought specifically for this purpose: a bag for me. I don't need a bag, I have bags. But, I needed to make this bag for me at this time. I just fell in love with this fabric and decided it was time that the machine was humming for something new for me.

The pattern is from Lotta's book, Simple Sewing. I found I had to made some modifications. First, it required lots of interfacing to give it some structure (the pattern doesn't call for any, which is crazy!). And, after my nesting blocks I had plenty of experience to make that happen! I also altered the front pocket so I didn't need twill tape. Instead, I used scraps sewn onto twill tape for the handles. I did also manage to make the bag with half yards rather than the yard it called for of both outer fabric and lining. The big front pocket allowed me to patch together scraps for the side underneath the pocket. I literally have one 1/2 inch by 3 inch scrap of fabric left. That would be the only thing frugal about this particular indulgence.

The bag is great. The front pocket fits the paper or a magazine or journal, a side pocket fits my water tin, inside pockets fit pens, phones, and keys leaving lots of room inside for everything else. My husband and I, realizing that we both need an occaisional break, have started taking 'nights' meaning one person on one night a week is free from any dishwashing, tidying, diaper stocking, laundering, or cleaning. So, on my night last week, I took this bag, put everything in its respective pocket, tucked the laptop in the bag and sat quietly in a coffee shop for a good 45 minutes drinking hot tea. Ah, bliss.

One of my discoveries was this: Spoonflower Print. You send them your fabric design, digitally, and they turn it into fabric for $18 a yard (quilting or upholstery weight). You can also choose to sell it through them. So many fun possibilities for really personalizing gifts. I know it is early but I can't help but think of Christmas! You can even get a swatch for $5 to see what it looks like. Here is one of the prints they sell, created by Tamptation.

Wishful Thinking

Another little something from Lotta's Simple Sewing. This is her reversible apron. For one side, I used up (sob) fabric from a thrift store. It was a kimono style bathrobe with 'nikko international hotels' written all over it so the wooden spoons were created to cover that up. I added the placard with 'yummy tasty' to memorialize something my son says. I ask, "How is it, Cal? Is is yummy." and if it is he says, "Yummy Tasty, Mama. Yummy Tasty." So, my wishful thinking is that everything I make in this apron receive the 'yummy tasty' certification. I like the style of this apron and have enjoyed having full coverage. It was a really simple pattern, the time consuming part was adding the detail to both sides. And, it does require the detail or it looks a bit dull. On the other side, I added applique dots and some embrodiery. I'm trying to work on embrodiery as it offers such creative freedom. I've found my water-soluble fabric marker is the essential tool for conquering embrodiery or on darker fabrics, a sliver of soap does the trick. There is a tiny pocket on this side, just a folded over circle with a button to hold it together. I've noticed, though, that I tend to use the yummy tasty side. It just seems a bit more...durable, I guess.

A while back I also completed this little top for a friend of mine in Oregon. She just became a big sister! I used the peasant blouse tutorial from Blueprint and the rest of my Heather Ross mermaid fabric. I love how whimsical this fabric is and it's so soft. Had to hope for the best on the fit of this one as I haven't seen this lovely little lass in years. But, word is that it fits and has apparently already been worn to the aquarium, which makes me sooo happy! I did stray from the tutorial in a really exciting way for this one. I was able to use the elastic thread to create the sleeves, rather than creating a casing. I LOVE this alteration because not only is it a million times easier, it also creates an adorable little ruffle and isn't as tight of a fit on the upper arm. I'm literally on the prowl for other ways to use elastic thread these days.

The Quick Trip Backpack

Sometimes, everything seems to go haywire and there is a need to get out of the house IMMEDIATELY. I know that I'm not alone, we've had friends drop by without even shoes on. This backpack was made with these moments in mind. It's small and I packed it with the diapers and wipes I need for both kids. There are no toys, no additional distractions, just the essentials. It's the get-out-of-Dodge backpack. I'm keeping it hung on a hook on our front porch.
It's from Lotta's Simple Sewing, I just haven't put her book back down since I picked it up for the sun hat! I also made a smaller one for a little friend of mine for her trips to the park with her new baby sister. Just took six inches off the pattern and a few off the straps.

the evolution of a hat

Felt a strong need to make something for myself the other week. So, I pulled Lotta Jansdotter's Simple Sewing off the shelf and made her sunhat. It felt at times a little too awkward than it should be and sure enough, it turned out RIDICULOUS. This picture really doesn't capture how mad-hatteresque it looks. And, I found the brim far too long, good (I suppose) if you were gardening but when I wear a hat with this wide of a brim I can't find my son...no periphreal vision.
So, I took another stab at it, shortening the brim by two inches. I discovered that I had inadvertently flipped the hat crown such that the sudtle flare down (you know, so that it fits across the forehead and narrows up around the top of your head) was facing up. This would be why it felt so awkward to sew and looked so silly. I'm much happier with the shorter brim and correctly sewn hat crown.

Ironically, the picture of the hat I like is a worse picture than of the ridiculous hat. I mean, seriously, is that chicken neck! Aren't I too young for that?

Getting Organized the Pretty Way

I've been meaning to get my crafting space more organized for a while now. After the work was done on our house I had just enough time to throw it all together and make it mildly functional. As I've had time I've been working on making it more organized. So, this week and last I sorted my stash and even my scraps and laid out my supplies in an organized fashion. I've seen pictures on lots of people's blogs of their crafting table and always admire how organized they are and how much inspirational material people keep up in their view. So, I decided to build an inspiration board that also organizes me. I've been meaning to create a wall organizer for a while after looking at the project in Lotta's book Simple Sewing. Then for Christmas I got Anna Maria Horner's (who just had her baby!) book Seams to Me. It was only in the last few months that I was able to really sit down and pour through it. She has a project for a fabric covered magnet board that I thought I could alter to use up some cork board that I have. In the end, I decided to create a cork board that incorporates a wall organizer. I love the way ideas germinate even when you don't know it's happening! So long story short...or longer, whatever. I adhered foam board to the size of cork I wanted as is picture below.


Then made a fabric sleeve with pockets at the bottom as in this shot, slid in the cork board and blind stiched the end. (Lesson for the future, leave the short side open for blind hand-stitches unless you really like hand-sewing, which I do not.)
This is how it looks completed. I don't have a picture of it hung up because my crafting space is in a dark basement. But, now, next to the boxes and grey walls is this great, bright organizer ready and waiting to inspire me.

Here it is hung up, on our oven. This is sure to cut down on the under-the-breath swearing in this household as I will be able to locate my exacto knife! I will say this was a fun project and is essential for a tinkerer like me. As I flit from one project area to another my list of 'must have' tools tends to shift, this way I can keep things right in front of me.

I'm thinking I need more of these, especially behind our kitchen office space for bills and cards and wedding save-the-dates. And, of course, kid art. Might as well use of the cork board. Both of the books, Lotta's and Anna Maria's are fantastic--elegant and whimsical projects.