Thankful Thursday

Last week for my sewing class that meets at the library I procrastinated and didn't get the project picked out until the last minute. 

Since the students didn't all have time to get their supplies I brought a variety of fabrics from my stash for them to choose from.  I am so thankful to be able to do that.   I have enough fabric that I can share liberally.  Much of it was given to me or purchased at an amazingly low cost, so I can give it to others without worrying.  I am glad to be able to do that.

I am thankful for people who give me fabric trusting that I will do something with it - use it or share it.  I am thankful for my favorite thrift store that sells fabric within my price range!  I am thankful for my handful of clients who look to me to create just what they need.

Plenty of quilting cotton!

God is good and I have the fabric and supplies that I need - in abundance!


So today's Thankful Thursday is dedicated to all the people and places who keep me supplied!

Reusable Makeup Wipe Tutorial

My daughter asked for these, then her sister, then their Besties.  There are a lot of tutorials out there and there are lots for sale on Etsy.   I was hesitant to put my own tutorial out, but since it seems to be readily available already I don't think I'm stepping on any toes.

Miaismine asked how I made them so here goes: 

Cut 2 3" flannel squares for each wipe.

cut 2 3" squares

 I like to cut a 3" x 6" piece when fabric allows.

OR a 3" x 6" rectangle

Match squares wrong sides together.  If using 6" x 3" fold in half wrong sides together.

wrong sides together

Sew around the edges with a blanket stitch, close zig zag or whatever your machine can do.  Even a double line of straight stitching would do the trick.

sew around with a finishing stitch, curving the corners

I don't sew the squared corner, but curve as I go around the corner.  This came about from trial & error.  By cutting the curve first I still had to cut again when I trimmed and it was harder to sew when the curve was already cut.

trim and ... done!

Trim as needed, trim off the corners.

Voila!!



Wash with like colors in a lingerie bag.

These become more absorbent after they are washed.

I saw sets ranging from 12 - 24 wipes on Etsy.  How many you need depends on your laundry situation.  I only made 16 for College E, but I will make her a bunch more before she heads back.

Hope you like this tutorial.

Tasty Tuesday - Hamburger Buns

This recipe has become a favorite.  It really is just as easy as running to the store and picking up a package of buns, but they taste so much better and they are great as leftovers for breakfast - almost like an English muffin.

I originally saw a post on Patchwork Times linking to these homemade hamburger buns from Taste of Home.  I tried it and sure enough - as advertised.  40 minutes from start to finish and delicious. 

It had been a while since I made them, but for 4th of July I found the recipe again and whipped up a batch.   I have been trying to use my new stand mixer at least once a week and this recipe worked great in the mixer instead of by hand.

Homemade buns for the 4th!

I got distracted on the 4th of July and they rose an extra long time, but that allowed us to add extra toppings to our burgers!  Everyone raved. 

So I made them again this weekend for sloppy joes.  Since we had a smaller crowd I made just half a batch.  I still formed 12 buns, but they were a smaller.  More like a slider bun.  Perfect.  I was in a hurry because College E had to get to work and I had gotten a late start.  Sure enough 40 minutes from start to finish.

Straight from Taste of Home -

40-Minute Hamburger Buns

40-Minute Hamburger Buns Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Prep: 20 min. + resting Bake: 10 min

1 dozen

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons active dry yeast
• 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons warm water (110° to 115°)
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3 to 3-1/2 cups all-purpose flour

Directions

• In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add oil and sugar; let stand for 5 minutes. Add the egg, salt and enough flour to form a soft dough.
• Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 3-5 minutes. Do not let rise. Divide into 12 pieces; shape each into a ball. Place 3 in. apart on greased baking sheets.
• Cover and let rest for 10 minutes. Bake at 425° for 8-12 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool.

Test Kitchen Tip

Want a heartier sandwich? Divide the dough into 8 portions instead of 12, then shape anyway you like.

These are ultra customizable. We like to add sesame or poppy seeds. Just brush warm buns with butter and add your favorite toppings.

This recipe can also be used for slider buns or rolls. Divide dough into 24 pieces, and bake until golden brown.

To add a golden sheen, whisk one egg yolk with 2-3 teaspoons water, then brush buns before baking.

Nutrition Facts

1 bun: 195 calories, 7g fat (1g saturated fat), 18mg cholesterol, 204mg sodium, 29g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 1g fiber), 5g protein.

Originally published as 40-Minute Hamburger Buns in Best of Country Breads

Design Wall Monday 071618

The wall is clear and the floor is clear.  I got several odd sewing jobs done on Sunday afternoon, so Monday I could start with a clean slate.

Project #1 - Turned an old baby blanket with 2 monograms into 4 small loveys with monograms for 2 other sons.  Great idea for dividing a single blanket into a memory for several children.

My monogram font (bottom row) is different, but the client is still happy.

Project #2 - Monogrammed towel for College E's Bestie.  Since the machine was out, this was easy.

Same font - it's the only one I have, but it works!

Project #3 - Identifying scarf for Grown Up R's nervous dog.  I thought this was a great idea so people know what to expect when they approach her out on a walk.  This has potential as an item to make for the craft fair.

No doubts about this dog's personality!

So now I will take my clear conscience at getting these odd jobs done and use the clean floor to layer/sandwich the baby quilts that need to be quilted and get going on them since the sewing table top is clean as well.

Linking up to Small Quilts & Doll Quilts to show what we are working on.

Stash Report 071518

A balanced last few weeks I think.  Some sewing, some other crafts. Some fabric in and some out.

Fabric In:  I hadn't been thrifting in a while, but College E and I were on the hunt for something specific so we headed to our favorite places.  We didn't find what we were looking for, but she found a fantastic deal on a GoPro camera that was on her dream list and I, of course, found some fabric.

Fabric In

Since I had recently touched every piece of fabric I own I knew what colors I could use and that helps make a decision.

Folded & Measured

I also saw that some pieces I didn't choose were picked up by the lady

behind me in line.  That was a good reminder to me that just because it is a good deal does not mean that I need to be the one to buy it.  11.61 yards

Fabric Out:  I have had some small finishes in preparation for the craft show.
I have been busy making reusable makeup wipes.  2 sets for the girls' Besties, which got away without photos and 6 sets to sell.  1.9 yards

Reusable make up wipes.

Then I moved on to flannel burp clothes.  The ulterior motive being that I had to cut the larger pieces from the flannel, so I could then use the scraps for makeup wipes.  5.25 yards

Large flannel backed burp cloths.

It is kind of funny that just a few weeks ago when I cleaned and organized my sewing room I didn't know what to do with all the flannel.  Now I am working my way though it.

In our class this week we made fabric bins from the tutorial from Birch Fabrics.  They were a lot of fun and just the right level of difficulty.  Some students brought their own fabric, but I provided for others (since I didn't have the plan until the last minute).  I am thankful that I have enough fabric to be able to share freely.  3 bins got out the door without a photo, but they were super cute too.  2.8 yards out

Mediums and Smalls

Fabric Purchased since last report: 11.61 yards
Fabric Purchased YTD: 55.67 yards

Fabric Acquired since last report: 0 yards

Fabric Acquired YTD: 22.65 yards

Fabric Used since last report: 9.95 yards 
Fabric Used YTD: 102.16 yards

Total: 23.84 yards destashed

Movement in both directions, but not in such a way as to upset the balance too badly.  I am shocked to see that over 100 yards has already been moved out this year.  Even though it wasn't all sewn it is still the right direction.  I am hopeful that I can keep sewing steadily for the remainder of the summer.

Don't forget to check out the July Giveaway to see how you can help me get even more fabric out of the stash!

Kate over at Life In Pieces has challenged us to try to stitch 15 minutes each day.  I was in the sewing room almost every day the past 2 week.  The other days I focused on finishing up scrapbooks.  Good progress on both sewing and scrapbooks, so I am satisfied.

Days stitched since last report: 12/14
Days stitched this year: 177/195
Success Rate: 91%


Linking up to QuiltPaintCreate and Life in Pieces to keep accountable.

Thankful Thursday

I am so thankful for like-minded friends.  Even though I had known this person for a few years, she turned into a friend at school this year.  I felt like one of the kids making a new friend!

Before

At nearly the last minute she had the idea to make pajama pants for her daughter's birthday party.  Not just make the pajama pants, but have the kids make them.  She knew who to call.  I am willing to try almost anything.

Getting some initial instruction.

It was a little bit crazy, but a lot of fun.  Four girls each ended up with a finished pair of pajama pants.  Depending on their age, some were able to do almost all the work themselves.  Others did more than enough to be able to say they made them themselves.

Birthday Girl practicing sewing a straight line.

I am so glad that my friend had the idea and trusted me enough to run with it. 

Ta Daaaaa !!!!

Now I have another sewing idea/project to add to my repertoire.

Fabric Bins

The lesson for this week's sewing class came from Birch Fabrics -  fabric bins in three sizes.  Super cute and only straight line sewing.

Tracing & Cutting

The recommendation in the tutorial to trace the pattern out on heavy paper was a good one, especially when working with a class.  I used poster board and they were sturdy enough to be handled repeatedly and traced easily.

Trimming the Pellon away from the seam allowance.

Each student chose the size that fit their fabric and that worked perfectly. 

Careful 1/2" seams.

For this class they had to do the tracing and cutting themselves, which is a skill in itself.

Pressing open the seams.  

The girls especially love to iron.  Today they learned that ironing on the Pellon and ironing open the seams are very different than ironing out wrinkles. 

The last stitching line!

Coordinated bin and shirt!

In the end we got to see the small, medium and large variations.  Our mother/daughter team made matching nesting bins - very cute!

4 of the 6 bins made.

Teaching this class has been a really fun experiment for the summer.  We will see what it turns into for the Fall. There are lots of ideas floating around.