Vogue 8709 Fabric choice

Well, I've made a fabric decision for Vogue 8709 and have been busy cutting the pattern pieces.  Fourteen pattern pieces!

Okay, I'm really taking a break from cutting.  

A chocolate cupcake and tea break.  

And then I just have three more pattern pieces and the interfacing to cut out.  And then some marking transfers and I'll be all set for some weekend sewing. 

Oh, but back to the fabric choice...

100% lightweight cotton

    

I hear the kettle whistling... tea time!  But before I go really should share the Chocolate Cupcake recipe since I can't share the cupcake.  They really are de-lish!  

I think the cupcakes are delicious without the icing, but I have included the recipe for the icing too.  I got the recipe from a co-worker and the source states that the it is from the book 500 Cupcakes, published by Sellers Publishing Inc.  

Ultimate Flourless Chocolate Cupcakes (For maximum luxury, top with chocolate heavy cream.)

For the Cupcakes:

1 1/2 cups (10 1/2 oz.) bittersweet chocolate chips

1 cup (2 sticks) sweet butter

4 eggs

4 egg yolks

1/2 cup superfine sugar

2 tbsp. Dutch-processed cocoa powder, sifted

2 tbsp. ground almonds

1 tsp. vanilla extract

For the Frosting:

2 tbsp. Dutch-process cocoa powder

4 tbsp. confectioners' sugar

1 1/2 cups heavy cream

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1/2 tsp. orange extract

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).  Place 12 baking cups in a muffin pan.  Put the chocolate and butter in a double boiler, or medium bowl over a pan of simmering water, and stir until completely melted.  Set aside to cool.  In a large bowl, cream the eggs and sugar with an electric mixer until pale and thick.  Gently fold in the melted chocolate and remaining ingredients.  

Spoon the batter into the cups.  Bake for 20 minutes.  Remove pan from the oven and cool for 5 minutes.  Then remove the cupcakes and cool on a rack. 

To make the frosting, sift the cocoa and confectioners' sugar together into a medium bowl.  Add the cream, vanilla, and orange extract.  Beat until soft, but the cream should still hold its shape.  Spoon over the warm cupcakes.  Store unfrosted in an airtight container for up to 2 days.  

Makes 1 dozen.  

Tip of the Day... Pre-washing

Have you ever purchased or created a garment that you absolutely adored?

You know the kind of garment that makes you feel sweet and the sweetness continues as the compliments come in.  And then you wash it and the most devastating thing that could possibly happen happens.  It shrinks.  Deep breath.

Don't fret, pre-washing your fabric before you cut and sew will prevent this scenario from occurring.  I know the excitement to get to work on a new project but this is one step that you don't want to skip.

You need to consider the type of fabric that you are planning to see and how you plan to care for it.

Cottons, like denim, can be washed in the washing machine and dried in the dryer.  Drying a denim fabric can give it a new softness.


I also find that dark denims tend to bleed their dye sometimes.  Prior to the pre-washing process you can also treat the fabric to prevent this.

Dissolve 1 cup of salt in about 4L of cold water.  Pre-soak your denim for about 45 minutes before pre-washing your fabric.

Still on the topic of preventing dyes from bleeding... I often worry about red dyes.  For this colour, I tend to take a different approach and use vinegar as my secret tool.  I mix 2 cups of regular white vinegar with about 2L water and pre-soak my fabric for about an hour.  Then I can continue with pre-washing my fabric.

Linen fabric I would pre-wash in the washing machine and put into the dryer but I also use one more step.  I gather the fabric and fold it in long lengths matching the salvage edge and I safety pin through all the thicknesses.  This way the fabric does not become tangled during the washing and drying process.  And if you are quick enough to grab it out of the dryer as soon as it stops you will find that the linen fabric will not develop any wrinkles from being left in the warm dryer sitting in a tousled state.    

Silk and other delicate fabrics I would typically hand wash.  I would recommend a gentle laundry detergent like Zero.  And I would hang to dry delicate fabrics or garments.

Wools I would treat completely different.  If you are going to invest in some good quality wool for a winter coat or suit, I would treat it exactly how you would as if you purchased the garment ready-made--Dry-clean it before you proceed to cut it.  

When I was learning to sew it was recommended that pressing your fabric was an alternative to pre-washing.

Well, I'm not really a fan of ironing but seriously it is not the reason that I won't recommend this method.

Past experience has revealed that this is not necessarily a reliable method.  I found that I have avoided disappointment if I take the time and care to pre-treat my fabric of choice.  

Now we're on a road to happy sewing...

Moving on... after a big decision.

I have been thinking about Vogue 8709, a jacket with side pockets and a peplum and sweet collar detailing.  But I'm stuck on what fabric to choose for the project.  

My first choice was this red and white fabric.  It is 100% cotton and it has a medium weight to it, but now I'm not sure. 

I also have a black and white art print in lighter weight 100% cotton .  

I love the print, but is it too much? 

Hmmm, I'm going to have to sleep on this one... 

Colette Patterns

Sencha 1007

Sencha 1007

Crepe 1013

Have you heard of Colette Patterns?

They are a small pattern line out of the United States but with big style!  Their patterns have a vintage vibe going on which we all know I adore.

And the best feature of the website... the models.  Seriously, it is so refreshing to see real-looking models.  No air brushing to edit out the curves.  Curvy women who look great in the clothing that they are modeling.

I can't wait to test out these patterns when they arrive.  I just ordered them.

Oooh, I should mention they have a fabulous how-to page that you might like to check out!

Skirts and Hemlines... oh my!

Photo from becomegoreous.com
Clements Ribiero Dress

So sew for the past few seasons short skirts and dresses have graced the runways.  But there is a new skirt trend for Spring/Summer 2011... the midi-length.  Oh my!  Does this mean it is time for a wardrobe renovation?

Photo from becomegoreous.com
Suno

Vogue 8637 Marcy Tilton

Vogue 1248
Andrea Katz Objects

Vogue patterns have been right on top of the trend with some new additions for the spring/
summer 2011 catalogue.



The AKO skirt, Vogue 1248, has some interesting details with the shirt sleeve belt tied in a bow and the oversized gathered pockets but the length is what rocks this look!

Vogue 8737

And Marcy Tilton's midi-length skirt, Vogue 8637, has front draping details.

Vogue 8737 made it into my collection of new patterns because of the tee-shirt, but I have to admit that I find the midi-length skirt intriguing.

But what is a gal to do if they don't want to part with a fav and still want to look fashionably fabulous?  

You might want to pick up the latest issue of threads.

Barbara Emadi wrote an informative article and tutorial on how to extend your current wardrobe and sewing patterns to fit into the new hemline trends.

Although I'm not a fan of the contrasting insert near the hemline because of my petite stature and wanting to create a lean taller appearance, Emadi does offer a creative solution to incorporating the new midi-look.

It is worth a read, I will admit that I do like the look of the polka-dot skirt with the curvy extension Emodi added to Butterick 5391. To me, it screams retro rick-rack ribbon trim chic.

Hats!

Nothing says spring like a new hat!  

But I can't find anything in the stores (living in the prairies, western and folky styles seem to rule), so sew I was digging through my pattern collection.  I think I found the one!

I had this pattern for years, but never got around to making it.  It has always been in my want to make one day list.

It is a Vintage Vogue circa 1958.





The lined draped hat in one piece has a rolled brim in the front.  The pattern calls for thin crinoline for interlining the hat.  And it has a cute little bow in the centre back that I think will look nice with my hair kept short.

Can't wait to make it... but first I have to decide on the fabric.

Any suggestions?

Fashionably safe...

Has back pain ever stopped you from sewing?

I've had a non-productive sewing week.  I was dealing with back pain after some sewing last the weekend.

I'll admit I not the most fashionably safe sewer.

I work at a make-shift cutting table (a plastic folding table) that is nowhere near the proper recommended height for a cutting table.  And I sit at an old kitchen chair that has no back support or height adjustment.  And there's all that twisting and turning out of the seats to move to the sewing machine, ironing board, and serger.

No wonder I'm paying for it now!  It has been a rough week of meds, chiro and massage appointments to get me moving again.

But I'm not blogging about this for sympathy.  It is more a cautionary tale that I hope others can benefit from.

Home and Family Resource have a wonderful link on safety in the sewing room.  Sewing.org also has some wonderful suggestions for healthy sewing.

How about you, do you have any safe sewing tips you would like to share?  I would love to hear them.

Remember to be fashionably safe, so sew we can all be fashionably fabulous!