The Bugs/ Turkeys Table Runner

"Buggy" Table Runner

Whenever I stop into my local Jo-Ann Fabric Store for a specific sewing notion, the vast choice of colorful seasonal whimsical fabric always catches my eye.  One time last summer 1 yard of comical bugs fabric on the bolt was added to my purchase.   Into my stash pile it went.  Now, the bugs fabric and also 1 yard of comical turkey fabric have been combined for a very handy table runner! 

Whenever our young grandsons "bring" their parents over (as our son phrases it), one of my many whimsical table runners cover our coffee table.  My African Violets and other treasures find a spot on the mantle and our coffee table becomes a workstation.  One must be realistic... African Violets do not rate as high as Thomas the Train and Percy or Duplos do...to a toddler.  Last Saturday "the bugs" table runner covered our coffee table.  During Thanksgiving time, the flip side of "comical turkeys" will be used! 

Reversible!

The pattern for a table runner was simple to make.  It was made to order.  Newspaper, scissors, a tape measure and scotch/ masking tape was used.  My Janome was ready!  Now, I use the newspaper pattern over & over again whenever I sew another whimsical table runner.

Coffee Table Runner

To make Pattern:

1. Measure table dimensions.
2. Subtract 1 and 1/2 inches on each side.
3. Make pattern from old newspaper using those dimensions.
4. Fold newspaper pattern in half lengthwise.
5. Fold in half, again.  There will be 4 quarters.
6. Cut desired triangle from corners. (This gives the table runner an interesting shape rather than a rectangular shape.)
7. Place paper pattern on table and re-size, if needed.
8. Cut two pieces from desired fabric.  *I always wash/dry fabric first.
9. After cutting out, pin "right" sides of fabric together.  Leave 3" opening for turning fabric right side out.  Stitch using 1/4" seam.  (I also zigzag raw edges.)
10. Turn right side out and press.  Also press raw edges of opening in, to get ready to finish off. 
11. Stitch small opening closed.
12. For extra body, I mark/ pin & topstitch 3" from edges on all sides.  
13. Optional:  Topstitch again 2" or 3" from first topstitching.
14. Press when finished.

***With the Bugs/Turkeys Table Runner, I wanted the comical characters to be visible to the little guys on the two long sides of the coffee table - it would always be facing them.  For that reason, I cut the 1 yard of fabric in half and then sewed the two halves together, with the 2 halves facing opposite directions.  Other wise, it would be upside down on one side of the coffee table, if left as one large piece.  This was done before Step 8.  I prepared the turkeys fabric in the same way before cutting the pattern out.

Last weekend the Bugs were out!  The Turkeys are on the flip side of the table runner.  They will be used in November!  As time goes on, I see Math & Spelling lessons happening!  Once a teacher, always a teacher!  :)

Now, I'm back to working on my Envelope Pillows!

Do you enjoy sewing for special occasions?  

My Janome has been humming!

Touch O' the Green

This month is all about green!  St. Patrick's Day is approaching!  I glanced over to my fabric stash (that had been previously washed) and located the shamrock fabric.  On another "project pile" a newly purchased (previously washed) hand towel was easily found.  Now, that combination could only mean one thing...a new decorative guest towel for our bathroom was in the planning stages.

Decorative Hand Towels look wonderful!  I've purchased them in the past...only to be disappointed when the terry cloth or the decorations do not hold up well after washing.  My solution has been simple!  I enjoy sewing.  Why not make them for holidays and special occasions using better quality towels?  Now, that's exactly what I do!

My directions are quite simple:

A strip of fabric is cut to fit into the towel's recessed area near the bottom edge.  The strip is 2" longer than the towel's width.  That way I have an extra 1" on each side to play with when doing the finishing work and sewing. 

The height of the desired strip is measured and 1/2" more is added to the measurement, so both the top and the bottom edges may be turned in 1/4" and pressed.  The raw edges on each side of the strip are also turned in, pressed and then turned in again and sewn in place. 

Sewing decorative strip in place.

When sewing the strip in place:  I like to wrap a very small portion of the colorful decorative strip around the backside of the towel when attaching, so I allow for an extra 1/2" on each side.  Pin the strip onto the plain recessed portion of the towel's front and sew in place.  Really easy!

If you enjoy sewing, as I do, a quick trip to nearby Jo-Ann's works into a routine, quite often.  Fabric that catches my eye is purchased to be used in the future.  Usually 1 yard will be purchased using a 40% or 50% coupon.  Amazing what can be made with 1 yard added to another yard.

Enjoy!

   

~Luck of the Irish~

The Little Guy's Bib

Such a FuN week!  The outside grill has been working for 4 straight evenings!  It's time to bake and enjoy the Irish Soda Bread!  The St. Patrick's Day bib is finished for the Little Guy!  It's a real toss up which ranks as Numero No!  That cute bright green bib just may win out!  It's great that Jo-Ann's is now nearby, because the day it opened in February, I purchased the most festive holiday fabric for a bib!  I envisioned my grandson's holiday bib...  The cotton backside and Double Fold Bias tape are Kelly Green.  A small piece of Velcro works well as a fastener.  Previously, I had purchased the Butterick pattern #4533.  After lining it with fusible fleece, the parallel line quilting finished it off.  The fabric was washed before sewing and again after I finished, so it's ready to wear on St. Patrick's Day! 

A definite St. Patrick's Day edible favorite is the Irish Soda Bread my blog friend, Carol had shared about 4 years ago (Charli and Me).  This treat came from the Will O'Glenn Irish Bread & Breakfast in Glenn, MI.  Butter, Buttermilk and filled with Raisins!  Also...no Eggs!  Yum!  It is baked in a pie plate and is absolutely delicious! 

I've adapted the recipe by melting and cooling the Butter before using.  One year I was working too quickly and melted it.  It was an error that came out great!  The dough is less sticky to work with, so I now always melt/cool the Butter in this recipe.    

Ready for the oven!

Now, I bake this bread every year for our March 17 breakfast.  After cooling, I wrap it in GladWrap and then in foil.  After breakfast, any extra slices can be wrapped and stored in the freezer for another scrumptious breakfast!  Yum!  Definitely leave a few slices out for "grazing"!

Deliciously filled with Raisins!

Irish Soda Bread
Oven:  400°F, then lowered to 375°F.
Total Baking Time:  45 Minutes

Ingredients: 

1 and 1/2 Cups Raisins
1 Cup Boiling Water
*   *   *   *
1 stick Butter - I use unsalted.
2 and 1/2 Cups Flour
1 teaspoon Baking Soda
1 teaspoon Baking Powder
5 Tablespoons Sugar
1 Cup Buttermilk, can be Low Fat/Fat Free

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. Spray a 8" or 9" Pyrex Pie Plate with PAM.
3. In a small bowl combine Raisins and boiling Water.  Let sit while preparing dough.
4. Melt Butter.  Cool.
5. In larger bowl, combine Flour, Baking Soda, Baking Powder & Sugar.
6. Add melted Butter to dry ingredients, stir in.
7. Add Buttermilk, stir.
8. Add drained Raisins.  Stir.
9. Shape dough into a ball after placing into pie plate.  Dough will be sticky.
10. Bake 15 Minutes at 400°F.
11. Lower oven to 375°F.  Bake 30 Minutes longer.
12. Remove the bread from pie plate and cool on rack.
13. After cooled, wrap in plastic wrap and aluminum foil.
14. Wait at least 5 hours before cutting into slices and eating.

I cut the bread into slices and place in two sealed Ziploc Bags.  Extra slices do freeze well.

Enjoy!
Yummy!
Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!

             

O-W-L

Blogland is GREAT!  There are a number of talented bloggie friends that I visit.  Sometimes I leave comments...sometimes I don't.  Does that sound familiar?  In the past year I found the absolutely cutest OWL on "A Spoonful of Sugar".  The kind of cute that a very young child would find really cool.  So, of course I bookmarked it!  Clicking on that site led me to the Bernina site and then onto Ashley's Tutorial for her Snuggly Owl.  Ohhh!  I bookmarked that link, also.  :)

My little grandson enjoys learning about animals, colors and just about everything else.  The last time the little guy was over, "O-W-L" became the word of the day.  Needless to say I remembered that cute little owl pattern in my "Sewing Projects" Bookmarks.

A few days ago we drove in to visit with a non pill fleece stuffed owl.  It's about 9" in height - perfect for a little toddler's hands.  And it's totally washable.  I sure do remember that stuffed toys do land in the wierdest places.  Do you remember those days? 

For the eyes - I chose to machine stitch fleece circles onto larger cotton circles and then made Yo-Yos.  Then, I hand stitched the eyes and the fleece beak onto the body.  The cotton feet are machine stitched.  (Owl will stay in one piece - no problem!) 

Before Owl went on the Road Trip with us, I did take a photo.  I do see a larger version in my future!  I'm so happy that Jo-Ann's opened just over my town's border!  I have Jo-Ann's coupons!  My Janome has really been humming!  :)

Enjoy!

**UPDATE: 8/22/12**
"Baby Owl" took a Road Trip during the day with the little guy back to Western MA this past weekend.  He's aged really well and enjoys traveling in the car, often.  His colors are as bright as ever!  The washable non pill Fleece was a great choice in fabric. :)
~JG