Thursday, June 30, 2011

June Bloggers' Dinner Party Wrap-up


Thanks so much to everyone who joined in the first month of the Bloggers' Dinner Party!  It was so fun to see all of your creations and a few of your even shared recipes too (yum!).  Here were a few of my favorites...

Awesome flower placemats from Sara of Sew Sweetness

Sweet Crop Circles Tablerunner from Skooks Playground

Rainbow Quilt-As-You-Go Tablerunner from Michelle at City House Studios

You can see all the June entries at the Bloggers' Dinner Party page!

The winner of this month's lovely fabric prize is:


Skook's Playground!  Congrats Skooks, I will get in touch to get your mailing info so you can look forward to receiving this...


A huge thanks again to Peg and Becca at Sew Fresh Fabrics for donating this great prize!


Stay tuned, I will be back in another day or two to open the linky for July :)

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

June Bee Blocks and WIP Wednesday

June Do Good Stitches Blocks

I don't have a lot of progress to show on my current quilting WIP, my drunkard's path quilt - I haven't touched it since my last WIP wednesday update two weeks ago!  I have been traveling a bit, spent time with Lawson and enjoyed the beautiful weather over the weekend, and just haven't had a lot of time for quilting.  The quilting time I have had has gone to my more time-sensitive projects... I just finished up my "hexing around the block" do. Good Stitches blocks for June (for Lee - you probably saw her fun tutorial for these blocks).  I love the bright summery color palette she chose and these blocks are so fun to highlight a fussy-cut center!

SUTK placemats... again

And since I can't resist posting another photo, I also made these fun patchwork placemats for the Spicing Up the Kitchen Swap.  I'll be getting the placemats and the bee blocks in the mail today.  I also made my Knit Peasant Dress and wrote up the tutorial... so I guess it's not like I haven't had any time to sew, it's just that other things have jumped ahead of my quilt.  I am really hoping to make some serious progress on the drunkard's path today and tomorrow, especially since I would like to finish the top for this quilt before I start cutting for the Kaleidoscope QAL (hopefully next week!).

Tank Tops to Upcycle

But then again, I just saw this call for boy's t-shirts from Fishsticks Designs (her blog was down when I checked but hopefully that link will work soon).  I looked in my goodwill donations bag and found these too-small/too-short tank tops that I think will be great to refashion into little boys t-shirts (and I'm hoping to do some freezer paper stenciling again, too!).   So hopefully I will have time to both work on my quilt and on this new fun distracting project in the coming week... 

I'm linking up again to WIP Wednesday over at Freshly Pieced:

WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Knit Peasant Dress Tutorial

Brown Knit Peasant Dress

I have been wearing my blue knit peasant dress at least once a week since I made it, so I knew I wanted to make another one, and I thought it would be fun to write up a tutorial to share with you, too.   This dress is really easy and fast to make - this one only took me a few hours to sew up.  I know a lot of people are intimidated about sewing with knits, but it really isn't that hard, and this would be a great first project - the gathers at the neckline and armholes can hide any stitching issues you may be having.

Peasant Dress Bodice

I like the fact that you can change the style of this dress so much based on where you put the waist.  The first one (which was less loosely cut) I made with an empire waist, which is generally a good option for my body type, and I loved how it turned out.  I didn't want to have two nearly identical dresses though, so for this one I put the waist closer to my natural waist.  You can either wear it bloused up as shown below, or really at the waist as shown below (apologies for the crappy bathroom photo - I forgot that I wanted to take a picture of the alternate way to wear it when my ever-helpful husband was taking photos before going to work).  I think this would look great with a lower waist, too, or even with no waist - it would make a great loose beach coverup, or you could wear it with a belt.  Since the original inspiration for this dress was a tank top, you could also make it shorter for a tank (or a tunic)... or you could make it longer for a maxi dress.  So many fun options!

Peasant Dress Tutorial alternate waist


This dress is perfect for the hot summer in DC - comfortable, lightweight and cute.  I hope you like it as much as I do!  If you make a dress (or a tank top) with this tutorial, I'd love to see how it turned out - you can share a photo in the Needle and Spatula Flickr group.

TERMS OF USE:  For personal, non-commercial use only.  If you are interested in making this dress for small-scale commercial sales (eg craft fairs, etsy), please contact me to discuss a licensing agreement.

DONATE TO SUPPORT THIS TUTORIAL - this tutorial is provided free of charge, if you would like to show your appreciation and support the free patterns I provide here, you can donate here (or it helps if you click through to any of the amazon links below or elsewhere on this site, whether you purchase that particular product or not!).  Thanks for your support!


What you will need:

  • Approximately 1.5 yards of light to mid-weight stretch jersey knit fabric (mine was a stretch rayon from Joann's)
  • 1/4" elastic
  • Thread in coordinating color
  • Size 12 ballpoint needle (or universal needle if you don't have ballpoint), and double needle for sewing hem (optional) 
  • Semi-fitted t shirt to use as template (or an actual t-shirt pattern)

The fabric amounts above are for a knee-length skirt, so adjust accordingly if you are planning to make a tank, tunic, or maxi dress instead.  Also, this will be enough fabric to make a dress up to about size 12 or maybe a 14 - for larger sizes, you will need to double the yardage.

Here are the step by step instructions:

Peasant Dress Tutorial 1

Start by folding your fabric in half (so that selvages are stacked on top of eachother), and then fold it in half again.  Try your best to get the fabric to lay flat and to get out any big wrinkles, but don't worry if it's not perfect.   I found that it helped to hold the fabric up when making the first fold, you may have to shift the alignment of the selvages to get it to hang straight, then lay it down on a surface and make the second fold.

Peasant Dress Tutorial 2

Take your t-shirt and fold the sleeves inside the t-shirt and then fold it in half as shown above.  Place the t-shirt on the fabric with the folded edges on the same side.  The folded edge of the t-shirt should be 2-3 inches in from the folded edge of the fabric and the top of the t-shirt 4-5 inches below the top edges of the fabric.

Peasant Dress Tutorial 3

To cut out your bodice shape, you want to imagine that the t-shirt is stretched about 1 and a half from the armpit up.  You want to basically echo the top shape of the t-shirt (back neckline and shoulder) but move the line up about 3-4 inches.  I just cut this freehand but you can mark it on the fabric first, or cut a paper pattern, if that would make you more comfortable.  For the armhole, you want to connect the top of the shoulder that you cut with the bottom of the original armhole, adding about an inch of seam allowance.  From there, you can just follow the line of the t-shirt (or add more ease for an even looser fit).

Peasant Dress Tutorial 4

From the bottom of the t-shirt, you want to cut a gradually sloping line out to the selvage edge. (note: my skirt originally had a lot of excess fabric, yours may not be this long).

Peasant Dress Tutorial 5

You should now have two dress pieces cut out - remove one and set it aside, then refold the other so that the armholes and side edges align.  Starting at the top of the shoulder edges, cut a scoopneck out of the fabric - again about one and a half times as deep as you want it to ultimately be.  Mine is a bit deep, you probably want the bottom of your scoopneck to line up an inch or two above the bottom of the armhole.

Peasant Dress Tutorial 6

Unfold both of your fabric pieces and place them together with right sides facing and shoulders and side edges aligned.  Using a stretch stitch (I like to use the zigzag that looks like a lightning bolt), sew the top edges of the shoulders and the sides all the way down to the bottom of the dress.  I used about a 1/2" seam allowance and then trimmed it to 1/4" after sewing - since knits don't fray, you don't need to finish the seam.  If you have a serger by all means use it for these seams!

Peasant Dress Tutorial 7

At the armhole, fold the seam allowance in about 3/4" toward the wrong side and pin in place.

Peasant Dress Tutorial 8

Using a regular, straight stitch, sew 1/8" in from the edge all the way around the armhole, starting and ending at the bottom/armpit (since the armholes and neck are gathered and will never be stretched all the way out, you don't need to worry about using a stretch stitch).

Peasant Dress Tutorial 9

Starting in the bottom of the armhole again, sew another seam 1/4" inside the first, ending 1" before you get back to the place you started to leave a gap to insert the elastic.

Peasant Dress Tutorial 10

This is what the armhole should look like at this point.  Repeat for the second armhole and then for the neckline (starting at the center of the back for the neckline).

Peasant Dress Tutorial 12

This is what your bodice should look like now.

Peasant Dress Tutorial 13

Cut a piece of elastic for your armhole.  You can estimate the size you will need by wrapping the elasic around your arm/over your shoulder - I ended up needing a piece about 17" long (although I started with it longer).  Thread the elastic through the channel you created around the armhole using a safety pin, then pin it to itself.  Repeat for the other armhole and for the neckline (I used about 30" of elastic for the neckline to start).  Try the dress on and adjust the pinning of the elastic until you are happy with how it looks (and the sleeves are even).

Peasant Dress Tutorial 14

Pulling the elastic out far enough that you can maneuver it, sew the two ends together where you had pinned them, then trim off the excess elastic.  Tug the gathers to draw the elastic back into the channel, and then sew the opening shut.   Repeat for the other armhole and the neckline.

Peasant Dress Tutorial 15

Try the dress on and decide where you want your waist to be placed.  Mark the spot with a safety pin in the seam, then take the dress off and, with the dress inside out, replace the safety pin with a straight pin and mark the same location on the opposite side (check that it is the same distance from the bottom of the armhole).

Peasant Dress Tutorial 16

Tuck the bodice inside the main body of the dress such that the fold aligns with the pins you had marked for the waist.  Pin around the waist to hold in place. 

Peasant Dress Tutorial 17

Using a stretch stitch again, sew 1/2" in from the folded edge, starting at one side seam and sewing all the way around the waist.  Fold this little flap down and sew it down flat to the dress body, starting at the side seam again but stopping 1" before the starting point to leave a gap to insert the elastic.

Peasant Dress Tutorial 18

Using your waist as a guide, cut a piece of elastic and thread it through the casing you created then safety pin in place.  Try on the dress and adjust the elastic length/pin as needed, bearing in mind that you will want it to be pretty snug (especially if you are planning on wearing it bloused out or as an empire waist).  Sew the elastic at the point that you pinned it, then pull it back in and sew the opening closed.

Peasant Dress Tutorial 19

Try the dress on and decide where you want the hem to fall - mark this point with a pin or safety pin.  Take off the dress and lay it on a surface, and fold it in half again (as it was when you cut out the pieces).  Cut the hem about 1" below the point you marked, cutting a slightly curved line as shown above.

Peasant Dress Tutorial 20


Fold the hem 1" toward the wrong side and pin in place.  Using the double needle if you have one (here is a tutorial on how to sew with the double needle), or a stretch stitch if you don't, sew on the right side about 3/4" up from the edge.  I went back and trimmed the back so that there wasn't a lot of extra fabric outside the stitching, but you don't have to.

Enjoy your new dress!

Monday, June 27, 2011

Channa Masala - Chickpea Curry

Chickpea Curry - Channa Masala

This chickpea curry with tomatoes and onions is a favorite recipe that I got from a friend a number of years ago.  I made it the other night for the first time in a while and remembered how much I like it!  It is pretty quick to make, so it makes a nice everyday dinner, or could be a good side dish to go with other Indian food and round out a meal.  As I usually do for Indian food, I served it over brown rice with homemade naan (flatbread) and raita (yogurt and cucumber sauce).  This recipe makes enough to serve 4-6, so if you are having a crowd you may want to double the recipe to make sure there is plenty for everyone!

Channa Masala - Chickpea, Tomato and Onion Curry
  • 2 onions, sliced
  • 4 cloves garlic, crushed
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon turmeric
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1 tablespoon ground coriander
  • 2 (14 oz) cans of chickpeas, drained or about 3-4 cups of cooked chickpeas
  • 1 (14 oz) can diced tomatoes (not drained)
  • 1 teaspoon of garam masala spice mix (you may find it at your grocery store - they have it at whole foods for sure)
Heat the oil in a large skillet or a saucepan, then add the onions and garlic and cook until the onions are soft (about 5 minutes).  Add the spices (except garam masala), and stir for 1 minute.  Add the chickpeas and tomatoes and their juice and stir to combine.  Simmer, covered, for 20 minutes over low heat, stirring occasionally.  Stir in the garam masala and simmer, covered, for another 10 minutes, then serve.

Saturday, June 25, 2011

Spicing Up the Kitchen Swap Placemats - and a reminder!

SUTK Placemats

I just finished up my placemats for the Spicing Up the Kitchen swap and I am really happy with how they turned out!  This is the first big swap I have done, and I have to admit I will have a bit of a hard time letting these go... they are definitely nicer than any placemats I have made myself.  My partner said she likes Anna Maria Horner so I used a number of her fabrics and let that guide the color choices for the other fabrics I used as well.  I had a great time making the patchwork band on each one different and think they make a fun set.  Lawson was a bit befuddled by how much effort I put into something for a total stranger, but it was really fun to get to be inspired by someone else's taste (luckily very similar to mine) and I hope my partner loves them! 

Placemats Embroidery Detail

I added a line of running stitch embroidery echoing the band in a different color on each placemat, and then I did some straight line quilting.  Most of the quilting is just through the top and the batting and was done before I attached the backing.

Placemat Backs

I used a variety of Anna Maria Horner prints for the backs, these could definitely be used on the reverse side as well.

Placemats Edge Detail

I like how the backing peeks out at the side edge showing a bit of that color!

Placemat placesetting

I couldn't resist testing them out with a placesetting to see how they would look... I think this postage stamp one is my favorite of the set.  I may have to make another set for myself...

In addition to making these for the swap, they are also my item for this month's Bloggers' Dinner Party!


The party is open for three more days - through the 28th - so you still have time to enter for a chance to win this lovely fat quarter bundle from Sew Fresh Fabrics.  Remember, you can either enter a new project, or something you have made anytime in the past year, as long as you put up a new post!  The full details to enter are on the Bloggers' Dinner Party Page (and you can check out the lovely items that have been entered so far while you are there!).


Also, I'll be linking up to Sew Modern Monday on Canoe Ridge Creations on Monday - check it out to see others' modern sewing finishes!

{Sew} Modern Monday at Canoe Ridge Creations

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

French Lentil Salad with Raisins and Walnuts

french lentil salad

This lentil salad is a perennial summer favorite in our household.  It is a great side dish to have on hand to eat throughout the week or to take to a potluck, and it keeps well in the fridge.  If you aren't familiar with french lentils, they are smaller than regular lentils, and have a more nuanced taste; they also keep their shape better when cooked, and are great in salads.  You may be able to find them in your regular grocery store, but if not they carry them at places like whole foods.  If you can't find them you can always substitute regular lentils (just be careful not to overcook them), but if you can find them they are totally worth adding to your pantry!  The recipe below is double what was called for in the original recipe, but I find it to be a better amount - if you don't want so much salad, feel free to halve the amounts.

French Lentil Salad with Raisins and Walnuts
Adapted from Entertaining for a Veggie Planet
  • 2 cups french green lentils
  • 1/2 cups raisins (or currants if you have them)
  • 1/2 cup lemon juice (2 lemons)
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1/4 - 1/2 cup finely chopped red onion (to taste)
  • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts, toasted
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1/2 cup chopped fresh mint
  • crumbled feta cheese (optional - I don't usually use but it is good)

Combine lentils with 4-6 cups of water in a saucepan.  Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer until tender but still somewhat firm, about 20-30 minutes (less if you are using regular lentils).  Drain.

In a bowl, combine all remaining ingredients and mix well.  Refrigerate and serve either chilled or at room temperature.

Monday, June 20, 2011

Baby Hat with Self-Striping Yarn

Self-striping baby hat 1


When I finished my self-striping socks last week, I didn't have another project on hand so I started a baby hat with the (substantial amount of) leftover yarn.  I didn't have a particular plan but figured 100 stitches would make a good size baby hat... and it just happened that it was a perfect fit for my adorable nephew who we were seeing this weekend!  Hopefully it will still fit him OK when it gets cold enough for him to need a hat again.

self-striping baby hat 2


The self-striping yarn makes a super cute hat, especially with the decreases at the top of the hat.  He was kind enough to submit to a quick photo shoot even though it wasn't anywhere close to hat weather.  But I wanted to share a hatless photo too - don't you love his red hair??

IMG_0666

Saturday, June 18, 2011

Early Summer Garden Update

Cucumber Plants

Since my last garden update, it has rapidly moved from feeling like spring in the garden to feeling like the beginning of summer.  When the snap peas started to peter out, I pulled them out to make room for the tomato plants that I had started inside.  I planted cucumber seeds a month or so ago and they are growing heartily, as you can see in the photo above - they look like they will have their first flowers soon and so hopefully we will have cukes in a few weeks!  I also planted some dill which should be useful if we make pickles again.

Tomato Plants

I started three types of cherry tomatoes from a seed packet with a variety of types (with the seeds dyed different colors so you could tell them apart).  In addition to a traditional red cherry tomato and an orange one (that I am hoping is similar to a sungold, my favorite), on Lawson's request I also started a pink stripe cherry tomato (on the left in the pot above).  I am curious and excited to see how that one turns out!  On the left above is a volunteer tomato that came up that must be from one of the plants I grew last year, so I am also curious to see what that is - it already has a few flowers so hopefully we will find out soon.  My other plants aren't as far along, because I started them pretty late this year, but they should catch up soon and hopefully this means they won't get so out of control scraggly this year.

Basil Plant

I also started a few basil plants, essential to go with the tomatoes...

Swiss Chard, Scallions and Parsley

The swiss chard, (overcrowded) scallions, and parsley are all coming along well.  At the back of this photo and in the photo below, you can see that the cut and come again lettuce has continued to regrow well (after a few rounds of cutting back).  I haven't tasted it recently so I'm not sure if it is still good or starting to get bitter and bolt, I will have to cut it back soon again and see.

Regrowing Lettuce

And the arugula has also grown back pretty well after I cut it back recently (which I didn't totally expect it to).

Arugula

How about you?  What is growing in your garden lately?
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