New Ways to Mess Up the House
With all the projects going on around here. I think I may just be trumping the the kids in the mess department.
I just made another Night Owl Bag. This time instead of using corduroy, I made the little owl out of quilt fabric. I love how she turned out. I added an interfacing to give the pocket some stability. After making it yet again, I’m reminded how much I love making this pattern. Sewing the owl is so fun and easy. The fabric is the fabulous Quite Contrary line by My Mind’s Eye from Riley Blake. This line isn’t available yet in stores, but will be soon. Be sure to watch for it… It’s sweet and wonderful.
OK, this project’s not too messy… except for a few threads on the carpet.
But this project is! Yesterday, my friend Kate and I made applesauce. We had the most lovely day. For some reason, yesterday’s canning seemed almost leisurely, with lots of time to talk and enjoy each other while waiting for the apples to cook. The sauce was so delicious it almost brought me to tears. And the pink color, well, I looove it. If you are interested in how we make our pink sauce, check out my post from last year.
What I don’t love is cleaning applesauce off the counters and floor!
Halloween is the one time of year I work with a lot of synthetic fabrics. And guess what? THEY ARE SO MESSY!
These fabrics here, need to magically transform into a gypsy costume.
And these into a knight. Well, not just any old knight. “A Templar Knight,” mom. Complete with a helmet that looks like a cylinder…. any ideas on how to pull that one off?
Just look at those white strings hanging from that fabric. Messy, messy, messy.
And last but not least… These fabrics need to turn into the Red Queen. “OOFFF with her HEAD!” Actually my daughter keeps saying, “I need a PIG HERE!” But I drew the line at making an Elizabethan costume. The fabrics would cost a fortune and I don’t have a month. So my daughter happily settled on the Disney animated Red Queen. Just look at that fur. Pieces of it is sure to be all over my kitchen floor in a day or so!
Here is a tip for the white furry fabric. Once you cut your pieces throw them in the dryer and all the little fluffs will come off and you won’t have to deal with them while you sew. No heat just air fluff. Good luck I have a pink Musketeer, a Wicked Witch of the East, Cinderella the bride, and a Prom Zombie. Good luck with yours.
That applesauce looks so good! For the knight’s helmet, maybe you could use part of an oatmeal container? If you cut out the bottom and cut a slit the length of the side, you could probably spread it open whatever diameter is convenient for his head, and then cut space for his face and ears. Just a thought. Good luck!
I made my 2yr old a knight costume last year with that “chain mail” fabric It turned out to be the PERFECT fabric after I realized how to sew with it. At first, though, it kept getting tangled and gummed up in the machine. I finally decided to use an iron on interfacing. With the interfacing it sewed like a dream and was probably a lot less itchy for my little guy. If you are interested in a picture or two, you can send me an e-mail. Good luck, they look like the makings of fun costumes.
Alli, I would love to see your photos, I’ve been wondering how my machine was going to handle it! Thank you for the invaluable advice. cheers, Calli
I’m sure I’m just looking in the wrong place, but I can’t find your email address.
Hi Calli
We don’t do Halloween here in Australia, but we do have “Bookweek”. (Kids dress up as favourite book characters). I made my youngest a knight’s costume & his hat was only 3 pieces of grey felt. This is the link.
http://theadventuresofpdte.blogspot.com/2010/07/under-8s-day.html
have fun.
Debra
I’m making a Cleopatra costume this year. Little Red Riding Hood, too, but it’s so simple it doesn’t even count. Then, Rapunzel… not sure about her. And finally, a little tuxedo suit, which won’t involve any sewing, just paint and a black shirt.
Oh dear, I am the same I’m afraid. I do make far more mess than my daughter, and I take longer to clean it up!
You’ve been very busy and about to get busier with 3 Halloween costumes to pull together. Good luck! Can’t wait to see them :)
What does that website box mean anyway? I was wondering if having little airbubbles in you sauce is O.k., I can see them in your jars too, hope its alright since this is my first time canning I thought I’d ask a pro.. Thanks Zelda
Hi Zelda, As you process your jars in a boiling water bath some of those air bubbles do form. The water in the bath is boiling and so does the sauce in the jar to an extent. It is perfectly safe. I’ve been making and eating this applesauce for 10 years, and my mother-in-law has been making it for many many more years. The jars always have a few air bubbles like that after processing. Eat your delicious sauce with an easy heart. Best, Calli