Summer Sewing ~ Simple Machine Appliqué

This is the first of two articles by Elizabeth; she shares everything you need to know for some fun, summer appliqués! This first post is a “how to” covering supplies and materials, machine settings and more, and today Elizabeth even gives you a PDF download to get started. The basic appliqué sheet includes a sea horse, sea anemone and starfish. Later this week she’ll help us with layering and more complex appliqués (and great patterns for more involved designs). Maybe you’ll want to try appliqués on your new summer tote?!

Years ago, I had a job sewing patches, letters and so forth onto letterman jackets and sports uniforms. It was a terrible job, but I learned a lot about how to sew things onto other things, and I’ve used those skills to refine a style of machine appliqué that I like to use on quilts and bags.

I start with fusible webbing, which is basically a paper-backed web of glue that can be fused to fabric, turning it into a kind of iron-on patch. It also stabilizes the fabric, making it possible to use slippery materials or even stretch knits for appliqué.

The two brands of fusible webbing I see most often are Steam-A-Seam and Heat-N-Bond. Both brands come in heavy and light (or “lite”) versions. The heavy versions are difficult to stitch through, so I always buy the “lite.” The main difference between Steam-A-Seam and Heat-N-Bond is that Heat-N-Bond has paper backing on only one side, whereas Steam-A-Seam has paper on both sides.

Having the paper on both sides is useful if you want to trace a mirror image of something (like letters) because you can trace the image or letter the “right” way on one side and then flip your sheet of Steam-A-Seam over to the other side to trace the mirror image. If you’re using patterns that are already oriented appropriately, Heat-N-Bond may be a better choice because you won’t have to fiddle with the extra paper.

Using a stabilizer under your work can make the process easier, especially on lightweight fabrics and stretch knits. It prevents your fabric from shifting and pulling as you stitch around your appliqué. I like to use iron-on paper stabilizer, which can be torn away when you’re finished. This product is especially nice to use when placing an appliqué over patchwork, since it keeps your seams from shifting about while you work. If your project can use some added support, a lightweight fusible interfacing does the same job and won’t have to be removed when you’re done stitching.

If you have a finicky machine, or if you’re having trouble getting a good stitch, placing a drop of Sewer’s Aid (silicone drops) on your needle may help. It’s a lubricant that will help your needle get through all the gluey layers smoothly.

Here are some of the materials I use most often:

Cotton: Solid or printed cotton is easy to find, easy to use and easy to care for. Cotton is ideal for use on solid backgrounds. However, it’s relatively thin and often translucent, so it’s not always the best choice to use over patchwork.

Felt: Felt is my favorite material for appliqué. I like to use wool and wool blend felts, because they can be ironed. Acrylic felt can be used, but it’s more work, since it melts and scars so easily. If you do use acrylic felt, I suggest buying the kind that comes on bolts. I’ve noticed the quality is often better than the kind that comes in sheets. If you’re using 100% wool felt on a quilt or clothing, be sure to pre-wash it.

Polar Fleece: Polar fleece is a great, economical choice for baby quilts. It also stands up well to machine washing and drying.

Microfiber Fleece (e.g. Minky): Microfiber fleece is a great choice for animal appliqués. It sheds a lot and it can be tricky to get the nap just right when cutting it into appliqué shapes, but the results are worth the extra effort.

For best results, match your thread to the color of your appliqué. (If you’re choosing between two colors of thread, I suggest using the darker one.) I always use the same color thread and bobbin.

Creating Your Appliqué:

The first step is making an iron-on appliqué. Place your fusible webbing over your pattern, with the glue side down, and trace your pattern using a pencil. Trim away excess fusible webbing and place glue-side down onto the wrong side of your appliqué fabric. If you’re using cotton or wool felt, you can iron the shape directly onto your fabric. Use sharp scissors to cut out your appliqué. (Because I make lots of appliqués, I have a pair of sewing scissors that I use specifically to cut through fusible webbing and its paper backing.)

If you’re making an appliqué out of polar or microfiber fleece, or anything else that may be damaged by too much heat or pressure from the iron, pad your pressing area with a folded towel. Place your appliqué fabric, wrong side up, with your fusible webbing shape on top. Cover the entire area with a clean piece of scrap fabric and press quickly – just enough to adhere the fusible webbing. I’ve found that a few quick bursts of steam and very little pressure work well and reduce the smashing effect the iron can have on delicate fabrics.

Prepare the fabric you’re applying your appliqué to by ironing a piece of stabilizer or fusible interfacing to the back. Position your appliqué on the right side of the fabric, cover with a scrap of clean fabric and iron in place.

If your appliqué is fleece or something similar, you’ll want to do this process “upside down” so you can press from the back, rather than on top of your delicate fabric. Lay your appliqué, right side down on top of the same folded towel you used earlier. Place the fabric you’re applying the appliqué to right side down on top of the appliqué. Use quick bursts of steam and very little pressure to activate the fusible webbing and adhere the appliqué to your fabric.

Starting to Sew:

Prepare your machine by switching your settings to a buttonhole or satin stitch and putting in a new needle. If desired, put a drop of Sewer’s Aid on your needle.

Starting on the right side of your appliqué, begin sewing, encasing the raw edge of your appliqué in stitches and raising your presser foot to pivot the fabric as necessary. Your needle should always be in the down position before you pivot your fabric. When sewing around a concave curve or angle (as in upper right photo) your needle should be down in the left-hand position, or through the appliqué. When sewing around a convex curve or angle (as in lower left photo) your needle should be down in the right-hand position, or just outside the appliqué.

When you reach the point where you began, backtrack slightly. Remove your project from the machine and use tweezers or a seam ripper to gently pull the loose threads to the back. Trim threads and tear or trim away any removable stabilizer.

Being able to buttonhole stitch around shapes smoothly takes practice but I think it’s one of those things, like riding a bike, that you eventually “get” and then are always able to do. If buttonhole stitching proves too challenging, zig-zag stitching, or using a decorative stitch (a vine-like stitch works well) can be more forgiving. These larger stitches are good choices for non-raveling fabrics like polar fleece or felt.

The same method can be used to appliqué on t-shirts, onesies or other stretch knits. Just iron a fusible stabilizer to the inside of the garment, iron on your appliqué, sew around it, tear away the stabilizer, and you’re done! Keep in mind that the area where you place the appliqué will no longer stretch. (In other words: It’s best to avoid placing appliqués in the bust area of women’s t-shirts.)

Sainsbury's yummy chicken recipe

I am a member of Sainsbury's Little Ones - a supermarket baby and toddler club. Every month they send through a magazine with useful stuff in it, some vouchers and some recipe cards. This month I nearly didn't see any of them because the little one got there first. However, I eventually extracted one of them from her and it was a recipe for a creamy chicken. It's actual more like a chicken korma but they are toddler friendly recipes and I had defrosted some chicken so thought I would try it for dinner tonight. It was a hit with all of us, including the little one so here is the recipe card:

I added half a teaspoon of garam masala which I think turned it into a korma! When I served it my hubby added raisins to his and the little ones dish. He said that it really completed it. This is what it looked like in the pan.

And then this is dished up for the hubby. I'm not having rice right now so I just had some on its own in a bowl.

  
Ta Da! 

Hanging Vase Tutorial

Mo from lime gardenias created this Hanging Vase tutorial. It’s just right for weddings, or for any special celebration. As sun shines in the Pacific Northwest it feels like the perfect time to whip up one or two (or more!) for spring dinners on the patio! Enjoy, and be sure to visit Mo for more great ideas and inspiration.

Thinking about summer weddings and the outdoor summer parties I am itching to have got me thinking about how big a role flowers play. I love having vases of flowers year round and I thought this was a perfect way to bring a beautiful touch to all of the outdoor parties I am planning for this summer. It also seems perfect and a nice personal touch for weddings too. I love the idea of being able to put these in places where you might not otherwise be able to have flowers. I hung one of these on a hook in my daughter’s room and it looks so cute; gorgeous flowers right there in the middle of the wall and I don’t need to worry about her knocking it over. This is a very easy project, and if you are patient I think most anyone could make these.

Supplies:

• 1 glass vase. I purchased mine at Michaels. It is 5 inches high and 3 ¾ inches in diameter and it had a glass lid on it which I removed. I have included a pattern to work with this size but it would be easy to modify the pattern to fit a slightly different size.

• Hanging Vase pattern.
• 1 yard of ribbon. I have used velvet and vintage woven ribbon and they both worked well. I would stay away from anything too delicate or lightweight as once you get the water and flowers in the vase, it will have some weight to it.
• Fabric. A fat quarter will be more than enough.
• Optional: Embroidery thread and needle. I love the embroidery on it but it is certainly not required! You could also embellish with more ribbon or just let the beautiful fabrics and flowers speak for themselves.

1. Embroidery. I chose to embroider my fabric before cutting the pattern piece out. For the 8 (which celebrates my daughter’s upcoming eighth birthday) I used a disappearing ink pen and freehanded an 8 which I filled in with french knots. I was unable to find my book of monograms so I drew the B on a sheet of paper and used carbon paper to transfer it. A week later I found some fantastic Aunt Martha’s monogram embroidery transfers (bought at Joann’s) so if you are not comfortable drawing your own, that is a good resource.

2. Lay two pieces together, wrong sides facing with the embroidered piece on top. I cut a hole in the pattern piece so that I could figure out the correct placement. Once you have it lined up right, pin the pattern in place.

3. You now have two pieces cut– the front and the facing. At this point, cut the bottom inch and a half off of the facing piece. This will make things less bulky when you get the bottom sewn on.

4. Cut the ribbon in two 18 inch pieces and lay them down. Prepare to pin the two pieces together. Remember here to lay your ribbon down right sides together with your embroidered piece. When you flip after sewing, the ribbons will have the right side out.

Here is a nice view of the sides after it is sewn:

5. Pin well and sew facing to front.

6. When you get to where the ribbon is, backtack so you have a good three rows of stitches. Again, this ribbon will have to support some weight so you want extra stitching.

7. After sewing, clip your curves.

8. Flip right side out and press.

9. Lay the vase on it’s side and wrap the cover around it, wrong side out. Pinch the ends together tightly to pin in place. A nice snug fit looks best so take time to pin it correctly.

10. Pin all the way down the length of the vase and sew backtacking at each end. Remove from vase.

11. Stand the vase on a piece of fabric and trace around to create the bottom piece. Cut the circle out being sure to leave a good ½ inch seam allowance. Bigger is always better because you can trim it after you pin it.

12. Slide the sewn cover back on the vase making sure it is wrong side out so that when you pin the bottom on, you have wrong sides facing out. (Almost messed this part up myself!) I placed a piece of double sided tape on the bottom of the vase and stuck the bottom circle to it which was a huge help in keeping the bottom piece in place for pinning. Pin the circle in place.

13. Take your time and pin carefully. It helped me to pin one side, move across and pin the opposite side, and move in a north-south, and then west-east sort of pattern. Like putting bolts on your tire– it just keeps things a little more even. It should look nice and flat and tight when you are done pinning.

14. Now that the bottom is pinned, hand baste a stitch to follow with your sewing machine. It is worth it to take a little time to get this right because it will look a lot better.

15. Sew the bottom on, carefully clip your curves and excess fabric if there is any and turn. You should have a nice tightly fitted bottom like this:

16. You are ready to fill it full of flowers and hang it up!

I am planning on making a few of these with vintage sheets and vintage ribbon from my collection to hang outside all summer. My daughter is loving the one we made her and they look so cute hung just about anywhere. Enjoy!

A hearty quick bread ── moist and dense with apples. Serve it warm from the oven or enjoy it toasted with a smear or butter and a side of fresh fruit and yogurt for breakfast.

makes: 12 servings

Ingredients

1 cup Stonyfield Organic Low Fat French Vanilla Yogurt
1 cup quick-cooking oats
1 egg or two egg whites, slightly beaten
1/4 cup canola oil
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
2/3 cup all-purpose flour
2/3 cup whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup diced apples (peeled or not)

Directions

Spray a loaf pan with cooking spray. In a small bowl, mix together yogurt and oats and set aside. In a large bowl, mix together egg(s), oil and brown sugar. Stir in flours, baking soda, cinnamon, salt and yogurt mixture (batter will be lumpy). Fold in apples. Pour into greased pan.

Heat oven to 350°F. Bake 45 minutes or until golden brown or a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Remove from pan immediatley. Once cooled, cut bread into 12 slices.

Now, Nigella I'm not but I do love to cook and I have four very keen little helpers around the kitchen! I was asked by the lovely people at Green&Black's to taste test some chocolate and one of the bars was a milk chocolate cooking chocolate so I couldn't resist making our firm family favourite Chocolate Mousse Tart. Plus I was feeling slightly guilty that my little darlings didn't get a look in with the other Green&Black's chocolate bars *ahem*

Ingredients for Chocolate Mousse Tart

• 85g digestive biscuits, crushed
• 85g amaretti biscuits, crushed
• 70g butter, melted
• 200g plain chocolate
• 115g milk chocolate
• 3 large eggs, separated
• 55g caster sugar
• 2 chocolate flake bars to decorate (optional)

1. First make the base, mix together the crushed digestive and amaretti biscuits with the butter and press down well into the base of of 9inch (23cm approx) springform cake tin. This then needs to be chilled in the fridge.
2. Melt the plain and milk chocolate together in a heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of gently simmering water. Try to resist the urge to just drink it and let it cool slightly, then add the egg yolks and give it a good mix.
3. Whisk the egg whites until they form soft peaks, then add the sugar and whisk it altogether until stiff.
4. Next, fold the chocolate mixture into the egg whites and pour over the biscuit base then it needs to be chilled in the fridge preferably overnight or for at least 8 hours. It%u2019s well worth the wait %u2013 honest!
5. When you are ready to serve the tart, unmould from the spingform tin and transfer to a serving plate and then providing you haven%u2019t eaten them already if you wish, you can decorate with the crumbled flake bars on the top.

Personally, I find it hard to come by really good quality milk cooks chocolate but this Green&Black's bar has a really high cocoa content and it is really rich in flavour and has a superior smooth consistency when melted.  This is such a simple recipe though that even I can't go wrong with it and even better, there are no fancy ingredients, just store cupboard basics. I would love you to have a go and let me know what you think. Although, I accept no responsibility for how fat it will make your backside ; )

• 600g potatoes — peeled and chopped
• 400g turnip (swede) — peeled and chopped
• 250g kale or Savoy cabbage with the stalks stripped of — washed and shredded
• 50ml double cream
• 75g butter
• 50g mature farmhouse Cheddar – grated

1. Boil the potatoes and turnip in boiling salted water then drain thoroughly, before mashing well adding the butter and beating until smooth.
2. Gently cook the kale or cabbage by sautéing in the butter over a medium heat for four to five minutes, stirring, until wilted but still vivid green
3. Tip the kale and all the butter into the potato pan and mix everything together, season to taste with plenty of salt and freshly milled black pepper.
4. Tip into an ovenproof dish.
5. Sprinkle over the cheese and bake uncovered in a preheated oven (180C) for about 30 minutes or until golden brown and piping hot

Easy sausage and potato casserole

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This cheap and easy casserole is comfort food at it's best, because not only does it fill a hungry hole, it's simple to make, uses just six ingredients and the kids will love it too!

• Prep time: 10 mins

• Cooking time: 25 mins

• Total time: 35 mins

• Serves: 4

• Skill level: Easy peasy

• Costs: Cheap as chips

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• Child friendly

Ingredients

To prevent potatoes from sprouting, put an apple in the bag with the potatoes, I have no idea how it works but I promise it does!

Sally Carpenter, 69, Redditch, Worcestershire

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• 1tbsp oil
• 500g new potatoes, halved
• 454g pack sausages
• 1 onion, sliced (200g)
• 1 green pepper, diced (170g)
• 340g jar tomato pasta sauce

Method

1. Heat the oil in a large frying pan and fry the potatoes and sausages for 5 mins.
2. Add the onion and pepper and cook for a further 5 mins, turning the sausages occasionally until browned.
3. Add the pasta sauce, rinse the jar out with a splash of water and add to the pan. Cook, covered for 5 mins.

Would want to use my own sauce rather than a jar but this comes recommended as a cheap, easy meal that even the children will love

easy homemade curry pastes

dressings / sauces
Korma paste
2 cloves of garlic / a thumb-sized piece of fresh root ginger / ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper / 1 teaspoon garam masala / ½ teaspoon sea salt / 2 tablespoons groundnut oil / 1 tablespoon tomato purée / 2 fresh green chillies / 3 tablespoons desiccated coconut / 2 tablespoons ground almonds / a small bunch of fresh coriander
Spices for toasting 2 teaspoons cumin seeds / 1 teaspoon coriander seeds

Jalfrezi paste
2 cloves of garlic / a thumb-sized piece of fresh root ginger / 1 teaspoon turmeric /½teaspoon sea salt / 2 tablespoons groundnut oil / 2 tablespoons tomato purée / 1 fresh green chilli / a small bunch of fresh coriander
Spices for toasting 2 teaspoons cumin seeds / 1 teaspoon brown mustard seeds / 1 teaspoon fenugreek seeds / 1 teaspoon coriander seeds

Rogan josh paste
2 cloves of garlic / a thumb-sized piece of fresh root ginger / 75g roasted peppers, from a jar / 1 tablespoon paprika / 1 teaspoon smoked paprika / 2 teaspoons garam masala / 1 teaspoon turmeric / ½ teaspoon sea salt / 2 tablespoons groundnut oil / 2 tablespoons tomato purée / 1 fresh red chilli / a small bunch of fresh coriander
Spices for toasting 2 teaspoons cumin seeds / 2 teaspoons coriander seeds / 1 teaspoon black peppercorns

Tikka masala paste
2 cloves of garlic / a thumb-sized piece of fresh root ginger / 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper / 1 tablespoon smoked paprika / 2 teaspoons garam masala / ½ teaspoon sea salt / 2 tablespoons groundnut oil / 2 tablespoons tomato purée / 2 fresh red chillies / a small bunch of fresh coriander / 1 tablespoon desiccated coconut / 2 tablespoons ground almonds
Spices for toasting 1 teaspoon cumin seeds / 1 teaspoon coriander seeds

Vindaloo paste
2 cloves of garlic / a thumb-sized piece of fresh root ginger / 4 dried red chillies / 1 tablespoon turmeric / ½ teaspoon sea salt / 3 tablespoons groundnut oil / 2 tablespoons tomato purée / 2 fresh red chillies / a small bunch of fresh coriander
Spices for toasting 1 teaspoon black peppercorns / 4 cloves / 2 teaspoons coriander seeds / 2 teaspoons fennel
seeds / 1 teaspoon fenugreek seeds

To make any of the above curry pastes
First peel the garlic and ginger • Put a frying pan on a medium to high heat and add the spices for toasting to the dry pan • Lightly toast them for a few minutes until golden brown and smelling delicious, then remove the pan from the heat • Add the toasted spices to a pestle and mortar and grind until fine, or put them into a food processor and whiz to a powder • Either way, when you’ve ground them whiz the toasted spices in a food processor with the rest of the ingredients until you have a smooth paste

• from Jamie's Ministry of Food

Banana Bread.

5 ripe bananas

250g plain flour

1 tsp baking powder

Half tsp baking soda

1 tsp ground cinnamon

75ml water

 

• Mash up the bananas until smooth then mix in the water.

• Sift in all of the dry ingredients (and add dry fruit if using).

• Mix to combine but don’t over-mix (like you’re making a muffin batter, flour all gone then no more).

• Turn into a well greased pound loaf tin.

• Bake for one hour at 200 degrees centigrade (maybe 180 in a fan).

• Allow to cool on a rack wrapped in a tea towel (leaving the tea towel around it in the cake tin seems to keep it nice for longer).

 

Variations:

 

• Add a handful of dried fruits (figs, raisins, dates, apricots) occasionally needs a little more water.

• Add nuts and seeds (ground for babies).

• Replace one banana with another fruit (soft ripe pear, mango, strawberries).

• Add a little cocoa powder for chocolate banana bread.

 

Keeps for about one week if it lasts that long…