Monday - Wash Day!

A Recipe for you...........

     I know this has been in my newsletter before, but I am posting this to pinterest, and the easiest way for me to get it there is from my blog!  This recipe was shared by Nancy Balance at convention a few years ago and makes a wonderful laundry detergent.  It uses Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda (NOT baking soda!, Borax All Natural Laundry Booster, and Fels-Naptha soap.

The proportions are
1 Bar of Fels-Naptha
1/2 cup Super Washing Soda
1/2 cup Borax

I usually make a bunch at a time (6 or 8 bars worth), so I only have to do this twice a year. (Remember that I am almost an empty nester, so not as many clothes to wash!).

You want to get the moisture out of the Fels Naptha, so I unwrap the bars, slice the bars into thirds and then microwave it, 30 seconds at a time, for 3 or 4 minutes.  I let them rest a bit between each 30 second blast.  The soap will kind of start to puff up. 

***It has a strong smell - I actually have an old microwave that someone was getting rid of that I use for this, but if you have a built in, just keep the vent on.***

Once that is done, take it outside (I put mine in the garage, and let it sit until it is cooled off.  Then I run it through a food processor to make fine crumbs. 

Once that is finished, I add the Super Washing Soda and the Borax and I keep mine either in a ziploc bag or an old plastic container with a lid.

Use 2 Tablespoons per load.  If you have a high Efficiency washer, only use 1 teaspoon per load.  You do NOT have to use a fabric softener with this detergent!

    For this load, I used 8 bars of F-N (.97*8=$7.76), 4 cups of Super Washing Soda (about 1/3 of a box at $3.28=$1.10) and 4 cups of Borax (again, about 1/3 of a box at $3.38=$1.13) for a total of $9.90.  Since I only use 2 Tablespoons per load and no fabric softener, this is an economical solution, although that does not factor in my time.  I do like the way it cleans, and I like not having to put the fabric softener in.

Try it and you may just find yourself hooked!

Happy Stitching,
Vaune

Happy Valentine's Day!

            Happy Valentine's Day
                     to you all!

     I hope you all are enjoying Valentine's Day today!  I had a lovely pre-Valentine's Day present yesterday - a visit with Beverley Sheldrick!  She emailed me several weeks ago and let me know that she was going to have a long layover at LAX on the 13th, and if I wasn't busy...........!  I told her she couldn't see me, but that I was doing the happy dance on my end!  It has been a few years since I have seen her (she taught for our Santa Barbara Stitching Serenity the last time she was here in the States), so of course I was happy as a clam that I was going to get to see her. 
     She had been in Huntsville, teaching at the Martha Pullen School of Art Fashion.  The school was over Sunday, so she went to Atlanta for a couple of days with her friend, Toni, and then started her trip home yesterday.  I picked her up from the airport and then we went to Chalet Edelweiss for lunch.  We met up with Catherine Ljungquist, who was down here from the Bay area, along with Joanne Paine and Vicki Young, who are from the Sandcastle SAGA chapter.  We were just like a bunch of schoolgirls, chatting and enjoying our lunches!
     Once we parted company with them, we went to Starbucks for a latte and then next few hours seemed to fly by.  Isn't it wonderful how you can not see dear friends for months or years, but when you do see them, you can pick up right where you left off, just like it has only been a few days since you last saw them?  That is one of the things that I so enjoy about all of my stitching friends.  So many of you I see once a year - at SAGA convention, in Arlington at the Martha's market, at the Sewing and Stitchery Expo, etc. - and when I do see you, it is as if our last conversaion was last week!
     I took Beverley to the airport for her evening flight.  She was there in plenty of time to get settled.  Once the plane took off, she was going to eat her dinner and then go to sleep.  Her flight was 13 1/2 hours - she is a trooper!  I am so thankful that I got to see her.  She is as lovely and gracious as always - I told her I want to be her when I grow up!  She is home today - what a nice Valentine's Day for her - home again!

     I thought that I'd share this picture with you.  I pulled out my red pinstripe teaset (I usually have my pink set out) and used my heart shaped mini cake pans to make heart shaped brownies.  A Valentine's Day treat for my favorite little kids.  I can wait to be a Grandma, but when the time comes, boy am I going to have fun!

     I also just got this picture from one of my friends - I made this outfit for her granddaughter and it is perfect for Valentine's Day!

  I am off to run errands and I have an ASG meeting tonight.  I hope you all have a wonderful day!

Happy Stitching,
Vaune

Doll Show finds...........

        Irene's Treasures!

    I just got back from our Snata Barbara Sewing retreat - much needed, and much appreciated!  There were 8 of us (including 3 from the Bay Area) that stitched and sewed and gabbed, and of course, watched the Super Bowl at one point or another!
     Iren Thomas brought some treasures that she found at a doll show that she had gone to and graciously allowed me to take pictures to share!

 

 

 

      First up is a beautiful bonnet - lace on the bottom and a turn back brim.  the bonnet has some gorgeous featherstitch!

 

     This a closer view of the featherstitch. Irene says when she goes to the doll shows, she takes her time and hunts through the boxes on the booths, as you never know what you are going to find. 

          A better view of the bullion flowers.  I believe this bonnet was a bargain at just a couple of dollars.  Sometimes patience and perseverence pays off!

    
     More featherstitch on the crown of the bonnet!

     This is a cute little trim - tiny rikrak is rolled and whipped to the edge of a strip of fabric (looked like a batiste to me).  She found a card of about 2-3 yards of this.

     This baby gown has embroidery aroung the bottom of the skirt - looks like it machine made, but from the turn of the century.  Not al lot going on at the neckline, but the bottom of the skirt is gorgeous!

     Little embroidered flowers dot the skirt.

     Close up of the embroidery motif - granitos, eyelets, padded satin stitch.

     Last but not least, a little dress - looks like about a size 12 - 18 months.  It has smocking across the front, and the collar has a piexe of ruffle that is rolled and whipped to the edge of the collar.  Very interesteing technique!


     Hope you are enjoying some stitching time!  For those of you in the Northeast, stay warm and dry!  Annie has been sending pictures - she and her friend went out and made snow angels yesterday.  The webcam at March square is on the top of her building, so we are watching!

Happy Stitching!
Vaune



Christmas in........January???

     It's not what your are thinking!

     As  I was winding up my decorations, and winding down from the Christmas holidays, an innocent little email appeared in my box.......introducing 2013 Christmas fabrics!  This, as I am shaking my head at all of the Valentine's decorations and candy that were on the shelf at the store, as I was picking though the Christmas clearance!

 

     Not that I am promoting the early arrival of Christmas - remember that if you are sewing Chritmas-themed things, you start planning in summer, even if you don't get around to sewing them until much later! 
     The big textile trade shows are right around the corner, where most of the shops will be placing their orders.  The LA Textile show is in a couple of weeks, at the end of February!

 

     I like the LA Textile Show - it is nice and convenient, almost in my own back yard!  It is only an hour away, with no traffic, and I get to see some of my vendors that I usually only talk on the phone with.  Unfortunately I will be in Puyallup at the Sewing and Stitchery Expo during the Textile Show this year, so I will miss the spring show.  Hopefully, I will be here in the fall!

     The Textile Show in Las Vegas is in March and I am hoping to make that one - not quite in my back yard, more like a hop, skip, and a jump!

     The new fabrics that are being shown now are for delivery in June-ish timeframe, plenty of time to see, think, and sew!  This line of fabrics is from Studio E.  One of the thinks that I really like about this line is the particular shade of red that they use.

 

     The reds are not too bright or too dark, but they are Just Right!  Along the lines of a 321 Red from DMC.  Many of the patterns come in white or red or black background and there is even a snow pattern, for a winter (instead of Christmas) look.

     Just thought I would give you a sneak at the fabrics to come!  I will post more of them as I see them!

I just got back from a stitching weekend in Santa Barbara - lovely as always!  Irene Thomas brought her doll show finds - I took some pictures and will post them later this week!


Happy Stitching!
Vaune

 



A Bit of Old...

  A Look at the Past

     Hello again!  January got off to a quick start - 2 of the chicks went back to Boston (when they went back, it was colder here than it was there!), I had a birthday (thanks for all of your birthday wishes!) and I have been subbing the last 2 weeks for a teacher who lost his father over the holidays.  Let me tell you, working can really cut into your sewing time!

 



 

     I have been sorting and cleaning and moving and organizing (though not too much throwing away yet) and have come across some of my old 'Modern Priscilla' magazines and thought I would share some of the pictures and articles with you!  This is the cover of one of them.

 

     A beautiful dress that has been embroidered - white on white for the baby!

 

 

      Some select women's fashions of the day, along with some children's looks.  I must say, I am glad that the 'pigeon' look is NOT one if those that keeps returning every few years!

     A closeup of an pattern add for a christening gown - you can see the insetion panel down the front of the dress.  You can also see the eyelet and cutwork on the front of the girl's dress.

 

 

 

 

 

     Here is a baby's bonnet - if you look carefully, you can see the ribbon weaving in and out that is pulled to fit around the baby's head.

 

 

 

     Sometimes, the adds are as much fun as the articles!  Here is one for leather English sandals - and I still have seveal pair in my kids' baby boxes to pass down!

 

 

 

     Last by not least, an add for Stork Pants, made from Stork Sheeting that buttoned over the diaper, from the Stork Co., in Boston, MA.  We have come along way!  And speaking of diapers, I also just got a sample of diaper flannel in - nice and soft and thick - I am going to play around with that also. I am going to run it through the wash for a shrink test tomorrow to start with and go from there. I will let you know how it turns out and if I will decide to carry it.  It makes great cleaning rags to start with!  When I was growing up, we always used old diapers as cleaning rags.  When I got married and started having kids, I bought a package of diapers to use as burp cloths (before they got so fancy) and rags.  Remember the Curity brand?  But they were not the same diaper fabric that we had growing up - the fabric was not nearly as soft, and not just because it was new.  I am thinking beyond diapers, as it makes great burp cloths, receiving blankets, and is wonderful for underlinings!

 

     I hope this has brought a smile to your face!  I just got a package in the mail today with a new sewing 'toy' that I have decided to carry - I will be playing with it over the next few days and will post pictures soon. 

 

Happy Stitching,

Vaune

 

 

 





Madeira Institute for Embroidery

           More Madeira!

     The Madeira Institute of Embroidery is the ruling body for embroidery inspection in Madeira.  Once an embroidered piece is finished, cleaned, and pressed, it goes to the Institute for Inspection.  If it passes inspection, it will receive the seal of approval, or a gremio.  It is attached with several pieces of threads (different colors) and then the gremio is crimped onto the thread, which is attached to the fabric.

     You can see the gremio in the bottom right corner of this hankie.  the different colors of threads actually do have significance.  The final destination of the piece determines what color of threads are used to attach the gremio.  For example, pieces that are going to be sold in Madeira are given different colors than those that are destined to be sold in the United States.

Here is another example of a gremio - upper right corner.

     In 2006, the Institute for Embroidery, Tapestry, Handcrafts of Madeira (official name) merged with the Madeira Wine Institute to become the Madeira Wine, Embroidery and Handcraft Institute (IVBAM).  With the advent of this entity, they switched to a paper tag, but by the end of 2007 were moving to a cloth tag.  It will be sewn onto the piece and will be numbered, giving a permanent certification to the piece and will hopefully contribute to the item's value.
     I think this is a great idea, as I hated to cut off the gremio!  I did cut them off of my blouses, but hae actually left them on the napkins, doilies, etc. that I have used.

     Maderia Embroidery beware!!!!  Watch out for tags that are on embroidered pieces that say Madeira Embroidery!  this means NOTHING!  Remember that Madeira Embroidery is a FORM of embroidery as well as the place.  If the was actually stitched in Madeira, it will say so and if it has passed inspection, it will have the tag on that says so.  Anyone can place a tag on something and have it say Madeira Embroidery.

     Along with the women who inspect the embroidery, the building also houses a wonderful museum that covers the history of embroidery in Madeira.  There are some beautiful embroidered pieces - dresses, tablecloths, etc., as well as some of the machinery that was used!

***Please accept my apologies for the pictures! These were taken many years ago, before digital cameras were commonplace.  All of the items were under glass, so lots of glare!***

     This machine marked the fabric.  There were roller bars and the fabric was run through (kind of like a pleater with no needles) and the beads that had the design on them marked the fabric as it rolled by.

     This is a string of of different beads that were used in the machine above.  Each bead had a specific design - just put the bead with your design in the machine, crank through the fabric and you were good to go.

      One of the dresses on display - each horizontal strip is full of eyelets!

     This dress has tucks and an intricate embroidered band around the bottom of the dress and yoke.  Beautiful!

     A tablecloth with an embroidered edge.

We had a wonderful time looking around at all of the beautiful examples of embroidery.  It was marvelous!  I truly hope I get a chance to visit again!

     I hope you are all taking some stitching time for your self.  Both of the girls leave to go back to Boston by the end of the week (where it is co-o-old) and then things will get a bit back to normal.

Happy Stitching!

Vaune

Tracing Your Design

                                         or
                   All I Want for Christmas is
             Magic Sizing, Extra Crisp!

     Well, it took a trip across the country, but look what I got for Christmas!  I like sizing much better than starch - it doesn't seem to flake as much for me, and Magic Sizing - Extra Crisp is my favorite.  The unfortunate part (for me) is that NO ONE around here seems to carry it.  I can find Magic Sizing - light Body (blue can) everywhere - Target, Von's (our local grocery store), Ralph's, Albertson's, even Wal-Mart, but no one carries Extra Crisp (sounds like fried chicken, doesn't it?!).  I have even asked to order a case of it and no luck - not on their order inventory sheet.  At my last smocking class, I was talking about this and the problem I was having finding it locally and one of they students whipped out her iPad and ordered a whole case (12 cans) from Agelong.  For those of you who are not familiar with Agelong, they sell all kinds of things, especially those things that you remember from your childhood (like Beechnut gum and real girdles), as well as Magic Sizing Extra Crisp.
  
     The order came in and I am happy as a clam (especially as I have about 1/4 of a can of my last can from my last case left - very timely).  I  can now block and starch (or size, as the case may be) to my heart's content!

     Speaking of sizing...........and the focus of this post, I am going to talk about tracing your designs on to your fabric.  Today I am going to be worling an example on a fabric that you can 'see through' when you lay a design under it.  (I will be talking about denser fabrics at a later time).  I know I mentioned that in Madeira, they run the design through a machine that is essentially an unthreaded sewing machine, and then use a pounce ball to mark the fabric.  That would work with this, but is usually more involved than I want to do.  When I am going to trace a design, the 'tools' that I use are:

Smocking Board
Clover Extra Fine Water Soluble Marking Pen
Glass Head Pins
Design
Magic Sizing Extra Crisp
Fabric 

( I am going to go through each item and tell you what/why.  That way, if you want to substitute, you can figure out what will work instead)

Smocking Board - I like to really stabilize my design and my fabric so that they don't shift.  If you use a lace shaping board, it usually has foam underneath the cover and so has more 'give'.  

Remember - your finished design is only as accurate as your tracing, so
                                  GET IT RIGHT!!!!   

Clover Extra Fine Water Soluble Marking Pen - again, your finished design will only be as accurate as your tracing, so make sure your lines are thin, smooth, and clean.  If you use the regular marking pen, the felt tip is wide and there is so much ink that comes out when you place the tip on the fabric, that it often 'bleeds' into the fabric and spreads, distorting the design line.  I don;t have that problem with the fine tip.  The reason that I use the Clover brand is that they last - they don't dry out.  Most of mine last a year or two, where as with the other brands, I am lucky if they last me a month or 2. 

Clover Glass Head Pins - the Smocking Board actually comes with these cute little pins, but the shaft is larger than the glass head pins, and I son;t want big holes in my fabric, so I use my Glass Head Silk pins.

Design (pretty obvious), but remember, if the design is on something that you do not want to be marked, make a copy first!  If you have to have mirror images, make a copy in a clear sheet and then turn it backwards to get the mirror image. 

Magic Sizing Extra Crisp - talked about this above. When I am going to trace a design on fabric, I use sizing on the fabric first - that puts a layer of sizing between the fabric and the ink, so there is less of a chance that the ink will embed itself in the fabric.

Fabric - talked about this a bit at the beginning - my sample is on linen, but typically I am using a fabric that I can see through when I lay it on top of the design.

     To start, put the design on the Smocking Board.  (if the design is on light paper, I will often put a piece of plain white paper underneath to make the design stand out).  Put the fabric on top of the design, making sure the grainline of the fabric is oriented as the same as the design.  You can see where I am starting to mark the fabric.

     *TIP***TIP***TIP***TIP***TIP***TIP***TIP***TIP***TIP***TIP***

When you are tracing a design if you follow the design with your pen to the fabric, chances are your will shift your fabric and then your design will not be accurate, and remember:  

     Your finished design will only be as accurate as your tracing!!!

     So instead of 'drawing' the design, 'dot' it instead!  Pick your pen up off of the fabric after each dot.  This way, your fabric doesn't shift and your design will be more accurate.

     *TIP***TIP***TIP***TIP***TIP***TIP***TIP***TIP***TIP***TIP***
 

     If you look carefully, you can see the dots.

     Remove the pins and I have my accurately traced design.  Now, if I can only find the time to stitch it!!! 

I hope you found this helpful!  Let me know if you have any questions!  

Happy Stitching,

Vaune