DOLLHOUSE DELIGHTS

 I know that I posted a Chicken and Dumpling recipe before, but after trying a new one that my Mom found at Rhoda's Southern Hospitality blog I really think this one is better.  The fact that you actually make up, roll out and, cut your own dumplings truly makes this one homemade.   Rhoda entered her Mother Iris's  recipe in the Knorr BlogHer Cooking Contest earlier this year and was actually one of the winners.  I promise, it's not as hard as you might think and tastes delish, I had two bowls for dinner.

 Iris’s Homemade Chicken and Dumplings
1 1/2 cups plain flour
1 tsp. salt
1 cooked chicken breast (bone in) chopped & shredded
Water (approx. 1/4 cup) Add water a couple of tablespoons at a time until consistency forms a dough ball. Add a bit more water as needed. When dough ball is pliable without being too sticky, time to roll out.
Cook chicken breast in boiling/simmering water until done. Pull from the bone and chop/shred. Set aside
Add 2 Knorr’s chicken concentrate stock to 7 cups of boiling water. Simmer until time for the dumplings.
Flour a flat surface. Press dough ball on surface and begin rolling out with rolling pin. Go from side to side, back and forth until a round circle is formed, pressing down all around to make the edges even and flat. Roll as flat as you can.
Begin cutting strips on one side of the circle (approx. 3/4″ wide) all the way across the dough circle. Then, cut strips the opposite direction until you have cut through the complete circle and have little rectangles of dough strips ready to cook.
As chicken stock is simmering, bring to a boil and begin dropping in the dough strips, one at a time until they are all in the pot. Stir them around with a spoon making sure they are not sticking together. Add a bit of the flour that is on your surface, this will thicken up the broth. Bring to a slow boil, then turn down to simmer for around 10-15 minutes. Then add the cooked chicken, simmer another 10 minutes until stock has begun to thicken.
Serve hot and eat! Enjoy!

Not much sewing on Saturday due to having to deconstruct the sewing room to get new rods hung, and then having to reassemble again.   But I am way over half way done with the second dress from my Fall Hit List.

VOGUE 8764

I'm making the long sleeved version and it's going very well.  All that remains to be done is the hemming.

 Here's to a GREAT week everyone...

FINISHED #3 ON THE FALL HIT LIST ...

FLIPPING ON OVER INTO FALL

#3 Ponte Roma Knit Cheetah Cowl Neck Sheath - Completed
After a few interruptions, a trip to the fabric store and two days work on the project I finished my #3 on my Fall Hit List (19 more items to go).  I'm showing a picture of the dress on Lady Faye, but will post it again as soon as I wear it - with temperatures dropping steadily that should be real soon.

Dark fabric doesn't show very well.  I am pretty satisfied with the finished project.  Now on to clean up the sewing room and then choose another item from the Hit List.  Hope every one enjoyed Columbus Day, I certainly did...

FLIPPING ON OVER INTO FALL...

...good Fall Saturday morning everyone! Wow, several weeks ago here in Georgia it seemed that Fall would never arrive.  That made transitioning from one sewing season to the other just a little bit difficult and almost frustrating.  But alas, it's here in all of it's glory.

I know, I know; I'm forever declaring that "I AM A SPRING/SUMMER" type of girl, and Oh, I do love those seasons sooooo much even though I was born very late in Fall.  But, I do so LOVE dressing for Fall.  The colors are nature rich;  all warm and cozy. 

So, I'm FLIPPING ON OVER INTO FALL and in doing so I have what I call my Fall Hit List.  The Hit List consists of 20 Easy Pieces that I've eyed and drooled over in InStyle Magazine and Etcetera.com.   There will not be a definite color scheme, but it will be filled with MY FAV ponte roma knit, wools, some double knit, denim, and believe it or not corduroy.  20 pieces goal is quite a bit to chew.  The idea of a goal that big would normally stress me right out.  But in this case, I'm placing no pressure or imposing any deadlines on myself, and it will be done in no particular order - I'm just taking it one step at a time.  My Fall Hit List has been added to my sidebar.  I'll be working on it at slow and steady pace - with my main goal being that of Enjoying the Adventure. 

 First up:  #3 Ponte Roma Knit Cheetah Cowl Neck Sheath 

Inspiration for this dress is from Etcetera.com's Fall Collection Look #50.  Everything in this line speaks to me so it's not hard to find inspiration here.  And to top it off on last week's trip to Joann's, Ebony helped me spot the exact fabric for this dress on the clearance rack - $7.00 per yard, usually $12.99.  

I'll be modifying Vogue 8413 - View A (adding longer sleeve) to knock off this dress.

Last night I worked up a bodice markup primarily to see how low the cowl neckline would fall.  An extremely low neckline would mess up my fabric and frankly make me cry.

I'm satisfied with the drape of the neckline, but decided to increase the shoulder area 1 inch so that hiding bra straps would not be an issue.  I decreased the ease in the sleeve cap, and added 1 inch to the length of the bodice.  Also took the opportunity to install the invisible zipper for another practice session.  I'll turn front skirt tucks or pleats into darts.

I've completed my pattern alterations, cut and marked my fabric so now I'm ready to go with this.  Here you will see I used "MY TACKS" rather than tailors tacks, but they work just fine for me.

 

Of course I'm excited!  Just brewed a fresh pot of Caramel Truffle Gourmet Coffee.  Think I'll have a cup spiked with Creme Brulee creamer - that ought to speed me up.  I'll need to stop a moment to make up some lunch before I get a headache (Grilled Alaskan Sockeye Salmon marinated in lemon juice w/ a Romaine Salad).   I'll be trying a new Chicken and Dumpling recipe for dinner tonight (more about that later).  I'm thinking about food a lot right now because of course there was no breakfast due to this sewing session was yelling out so loudly for me early this morning....

I DIDN'T KNOW THAT (3)...

Today, during my information gathering lunchtime I ran across another tidbit of information that "I DIDN'T KNOW".  It's about sergers, and it gave me a few little AHA moments at lunchtime.

This picture represents a likeness of the Singer Serger that is on my sewing table.  I'm also blessed to have an alternate Ricar Serger.  Don't tell, but I have the same love/hate affinity for both of them - you know how it goes with sergers - every now and then, they want to have a bad day and drag you right along with it.  Lately; however both are acting like adults, and have been cooperating just fine.  I'm so thankful that I have them; one is always threaded dark and the other light - they both sit on ready all the time.


I must confess that I do not use either of my sergers to their full potential.  They are usually used for seam finishing to give my garments that interior polished professional quality that I insist on having.  I just haven't had the time to pull my resource books off the shelf to sit down to practice sessions with them.  Well, maybe one day...


But today (maybe you already knew this, but for the sake of those who don't) I learned the difference in the 4 thread & 3 thread overlock stitch.  I always use the 4 thread overlock stitch and 9 and a half times out of 10 it works just perfectly for seam finishing be it on knits or wovens.

• I knew that in having both needles threaded, of course this means that all 4 cones are being used simultaneously
• But, I didn't know that the left needle is 1/4 inch away from the cutting blade
• I didn't know that the 4 thread overlock produces a strong reinforced stitch perfect for wovens but is o.k. to use on knits as well
• I didn't know that the 3 thread overlock stitch produces a stretchier stitch
• or that if I want a narrower stitch to use the right needle vs using the left needle if I need a wider stitch.

I must give credit to Nancy's new book for this information

 It's a simple book, but contains a lot of information that I DIDN'T KNOW...

GRAB YOURSELF A NICE CUP OF TEA, ...

...Go ahead,  I'll wait a minute for you.  Now, relax and kick your feet up because I haven't posted in 10 days so you know this is going to be a long one (lol).  All kidding aside for a moment, let me take a minute to say THANK YOU AGAIN to all who take the time to read my blog - ESPECIALLY to new followers.   Seriously I get a little misty when I think about you, and I do not take your readership lightly.  

Now for Eyewitness News at 6...

1)  I finished the second pair of pants that match my 3 piece MINI WARDROBE CAPSULE (blogged about here), and I did wear them to work last Thursday.

 

REVIEW/WEAR-ABILITY RATING:

I know I see wrinkles down the front leg too, but really they are not that bad at all.  They did turn out just a little loose through the hip area, which is much better than them being to tight.  I plan on going back in to tweak them just a bit.  Overall, a nice wardrobe addition and they match both capsule tops perfectly.  I'll give them a rating of 9 (with 10 being the highest) for wear-ability until I make the needed alteration.  Fixing won't take but a minute...but that's what I say about EVERYTHING!  (ha)

2)  Look Mom, I made a new top!

McCalls 6164 view A

REVIEW/WEAR-ABILITY RATING:
This pattern has hung on my inspiration board I guess since it first came out.  I just didn't know how I'd like the Grecian draped sleeves.  But I finally went ahead and made it up.  Love this Joann's clearance table jersey - it's super drapey.  Believe me the color is really bright for me being such a neutral person.  But every now and then I need to break out of my norm to cheer everybody else up and wearing this today did just that.

I guess I JUST DON'T KNOW MY SIZE!, or this pattern just runs large.  I made size LARGE and this thing swallowed me.  Of course I used my bust size when determining the size to use, but I should have listened to Myra who made the same top and wished she had gone down a size too.   I did take her advice about raising the neckline (I raised 1 1/2") which worked out nicely.  Thanks to Lisa I pulled this book off the shelf

and tried a new neckline binding on this top - LOVE IT TOO!  I know many of you already have this - I used the Single-Fold Binding for knit fabrics, pages 40-43.  I was scared to interface this jersey so I tried it on a scrap first - no problem.  I will be using this method again and again, but I'm kinda wonder how it would work using Steam-a-Seam rather than regular fusible interfacing.  Mmmmm, I'll have to check that out.

Tonight I'll go in and take up the sleeve and the side seams on this top, but until I get that done,  I'll need to rate this top a 7 on the wear-ability scale.


3)  I love getting GOOD mail - you know the kind I mean... stuff you want!, not expected or unexpected bills and the like.  This is what I call GOOD MAIL:

Vogue 1242, 2767,1200, & 1025

A few weeks ago Tanya of Eating Pins held a blog celebration (not a contest) a straight give-a-way.  All you had to do was select the patterns  you liked - and they were yours!  THANK YOU TANYA!  Vogue patterns I didn't have were in today's mail - YEAH TANYA!  Better than shopping at BMV even.


4)  Ok, Ok I'm getting ready to close.  Lastly, I hung this great picture in my sewing cave this weekend.  

It sort of reminds me of this  picture from Ballard Designs -  Cost: $299.00.

  I like mine better - cost: $10.00 at a Goodwill 1/2 price sale.


Ok, Ok, that all for this time.  Thank you so much for reading....

I DIDN'T KNOW THAT...

...Am I just old school - or is everyone who makes pants as serious about creases as I am???

I love a razor sharp crease, especially in a pair of pants that I make for myself.   Yet I can't figure out why it's easier to set the crease some of the time than it is others.  I would think that it might have some to do with the grain line that the pants were cut on, but I think I'm pretty good at getting my pattern pieces laid out straight.

Well, while busy making a new pair of my TNT pants I happened upon some instructions on how to set the crease of during construction.  Now, you may know about this already, but I didn't know that!  I've told you before that what I "don't know" could fill a small reservoir; but I thank God for an insatiable hunger for knowledge.  He just keeps on making it available to me.

After darts are sewn in and pressed fold each front pant leg, and each back pant leg individually; steam press from hem to crouch curve.

  I used my handy dandy pounder to set the crease while the fabric was still warm, and allowed each pant leg to sit still until it was cool.  I'll be using this technique for all my pants from now on.

A portrait of the pressing tools I use to get a professional finish.  My EXTRA large padded sleeve board, one of my hams, and a great pounder.

Here I'm using the sleeve board and ham to press open my side seam, and set the hip curve into the pants.

I called this picture "from sea to shiny sea" because I've use the board to press the entire inseam from one leg to the end of the other.  I find that amazing.

I'm in love with these pants and they aren't even finished yet - I this color somewhere and they called it Copenhagen.  Doesn't that sound like a marvelous fall color?  Today I rushed home from work to get to Copenhagen (lol).  They fit in so well with my three piece capsule (blogged about here).  I can see the 3 pieces expanding and expanding; I've also started work on my second 3 piece capsule of a different color palette.

Sewing for yourself is so wonderful, there is always room for another adventure...

MY CURIOSITY GOT THE BEST OF ME...

MCCALL'S 6400

I LOVE A LOW SLUNG BELT

For some reason I just had to get this top out of my system.  I stitched up a markup just to see how this thing would work out - we'll just call this a wearable muslin o.k.


PATTERN CHANGES:  Of course I had to change something about the pattern.  Just call me Ms. Pattern Morpher extraordinaire.   The one review I found of the pattern mentioned that the neckline had bra strap visibility, so I widened the neckline by 1 1/2", AND raised the neckline to boot.  After finishing it, I wish I hadn't raised the neckline as it made it look sort of boat neckish - but at least bra straps showing won't be a problem.  I also lengthened both sleeves about 1 1/2 inch (don't even ask me why I did that).

I added a bias self fabric neck binding rather than hemming the neck edge.

FABRIC:  I used a WalMart purchased (who knows what kind of)
knit to stitch a markup just to see how this THING would work out - we'll just call it a wearable muslin o.k.

PATTERN RATING:  Super easy, super quick - you definitely won't not need the pattern instructions for this one.  I cut it out and started stitching last night.  Could have finished but you know I'm a working girl, and a sister has to get some sleep (lol).  

WEAR-ABILITY TEST:  Just finished it this afternoon so I haven't worn it yet.  Because of the quality of the fabric I think this will be - a Saturday pair with really dark slim cut jeans tucked into some cowgirl boots - kind of top, especially with that low slung belt.

TIPS OR TECHNIQUES USED:  I used my jersey ball point needle again of course and didn't have any problem with missed or uneven stitching.  To tell the truth almost the entire thing could be done on a serger (don't know why I'm scared to pull that one off yet).  Used Steam-a-Seam Lite to turn up hems, then stitched down.  This time I took some pictures to show my version of turning up a knit sleeve hem using Steam-a-Seam.  And why in the world did I come home with 1/4" SAS rather than 1/2"???  Oh well, just had to make it work. 
 

My marvelous seam roll.  Over 20 years old and still tight as a drum.

Trusty SAS; got to make sure I buy 1/2" next time.

Apply adhesive strip on edge of sleeve, pressing with your fingers.

Press, steam and roll.

Continue applying adhesive all around until you meet where you started; pressing in place with your fingers.

Fold up hem allowance evenly all around.

Press and steam, then roll , press and steam, then roll all around to where you began.

Finished product

Stitch down narrow hem to secure

There you have it!
 **************
What have you fallen in love with lately?
For me it's this

I'm loving views A and B, it's called a Popover, and is very trendy right now.  I also like Shrugs C and D.  It's an old pattern, but paired with just the right fabrics it will do the trick for me... I'm contemplating this as my next project - gearing up for Fall even though the high today was 93 degrees. Autumn IS in the air (somewhere)!!!

MCCALLS 6400 - OK, WHAT'S UP WITH THIS PATTERN???

I'm sure it hit the pattern counters in mid-July, but yet I haven't seen any of the bloggers that I visit regularly stitch it up.   I like the serious asymmetrical vibe of the top, and it looks so quick and easy.  Truthfully, I've been just a little a-f-r-a-i -d to give it a whirl.  I even checked on pattern review, and only one person has reported making it.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THIS PATTERN???

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED...

...first many thanks to those of you who took the challenge of watching me work my way out of my recent sewing slump.  I accomplished my mission of creating the coordinated pieces of my

  3 Piece MINI WARDROBE CAPSULE

.Two knit tops with one pair coordinating TNT pants

Simple, yes; but I think it snapped me out of a depressed sewing stage. 

Piece 1:     Vogue 8634 Cowl neck knit top

FABRIC:  1-5/8 yards of a lightweight two way stretch knit purchased from Vogue Fabrics .  I'll need to be careful in laundering this fabric - it has a tendency to shag a bit.  I'll probably hand wash to make it last a while.

PATTERN RATING:  Super easy, super quick.  45 minutes to make less the layout, cutting time, and an hours nap I took last Saturday afternoon.

WEAR-ABILITY TEST:  Opppps!  This top made it into this weeks work rotation but did not stand up to the test.  Be careful if you plan on making this pattern because the neckline is an extremely low cut.  I spent the day pulling it closed;  got really tired of looking down at my bra all day long - should've just pinned it up.

SOLUTION:  Came home yesterday and ripped off the cowl collar.  Had enough fabric left to re-cut the bodice and sleeves for a new top because there was no way was I willing to spend time removing all of the serge stitches.  Raised the front neckline of the pattern a full 3 inches and remade the same pattern.  Now I love it and plan on making another maybe in a solid color.

TIPS OR TECHNIQUES USED:  Used Steam-a-Seam Lite to turn up hems, then stitched down.  Gives me a slightly stabilized more professional looking finished product. I have to try hard to remember to switch over to a jersey ball point needle when sewing knits.

Piece 2:     Simplicity 2181 Mock Twist Front knit top

FABRIC:  1-7/8 yards soft jersey knit purchased at JoAnn's for $1.80 (after redeeming a coupon).  One of my favorite fabrics.  Its forgiving, easy to sew up and take care of.  Minimal to no ironing needed after washing. 

PATTERN RATING:  Not so quick because pattern has 8 pieces.  A two day project for me, but well worth the time to produce.

WEAR-ABILITY TEST:  Gave this top a whirl at work also this week and it did pass the test.  Completely comfortable and easy to wear.

TIPS OR TECHNIQUES USED:  Used Steam-a-Seam Lite to hem this top too.  Used a number 2 lead pencil to mark because chalk does not work for me on jersey fabric.  Same with the jersey ball point needle.

Piece 3:     SIMPLICITY 8707 TNT PANTS PATTERN

 

FABRIC:  2-7/8 yards of really nice gaberdine - source unknown.  Washes up nicely and wears great without stretching out of shape as the day progresses.  Wish I remembered where I got this from.

PATTERN RATING: What more can I say about this pattern.  I've tweaked and tweaked it again and again.  But the only change I added this time was more stabilization of the pocket area, which  I'll address in another post. 

WEAR-ABILITY TEST:  Haven't worn these yet, but they fit real good in the sewing room.  I'm almost sure they will work out fine.

TIPS OR TECHNIQUES USED:   When ever I have to hem something that I know will leave pic marks on the right side of the fabric, I've started using stitch witchery.  I'd rather use this than try to live with pic marks showing through.

 It was such a good sewing week, now own to the next project...

 

I LOVE IT WHEN A PLAN COMES TOGETHER...

PLAN:  scheme, design, way of doing things. 

It's taken me some time to get it together, but in the scheme of things, I do love it when a plan comes together.  It's all about my attempt to break the slump I've been in.   I've concluded that because of:

• my lack of planning,

• my trying to do too many things at once, coupled with

• my sewing room disorder

eventually contributed to the project indecisiveness that threw me into this sewing slump.  Thank God for self-analysis, and it's free too.

That being said, I'm ready to unveil my little "snap back scheme":

A  3 Piece MINI WARDROBE CAPSULE

Two knit tops with one pair coordinating TNT pants.

Simple, yes I know, but it will give me two outfits that can be added to later - this is just a little jump start.  Sometimes a big plan is just too much for me to handle.  It not only overwhelms, but at times gives me a good case of sewing paralysis.   I mentally cannot handle coordinating six, nine or twelve fabrics and patterns right now.  But, I've been able to manage three fabrics and patterns.  I had to go back to an old adage that I use to lean on, that being "you CAN eat an elephant - just take one bit at a time".

IT'S ALL IN THE BAG(S)

Now to put the scheme in motion...

JUST ANOTHER DOLLHOUSE DELIGHT, SEWING STILL TO COME...

...I've truly been in love with Italian Sausages I think since first tasting them who know how long ago.  I used to wait until the annual fall county fair to have one - or maybe two.  But last year at the fair they weren't that great so I decided to start making my own. You know the type - smothered in colorful peppers, onion and just a little bit of tomato sauce - on a big old hoagie bun.   Looks something like this in my big old cast iron skillet...

 ...and something like this on my sesame seed bun

Mmmmmmmmmm, smoking!  I'm a glutton for colorful food - I MUST have color on my plate, after all we eat first with the eyes.   

I don't need a recipe for everything, but I do like them for most things.  I modified Pat and Gina's recipe from Food Network - mine has fewer ingredients but I really love the results I get.

Dollhouse Italian Sausage with Peppers & Onion

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 package Johnsonville Sweet Italian Sausage (or flavor of your choice)
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 1 green bell pepper, sliced
• 1 orange bell pepper, sliced
• 1 large yellow onions, sliced, (or colors of your choice)
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1- 4 oz. can Tomato Sauce
• 5 Sesame seed hoagie rolls (or roll or bun of your choice)

Heat the olive oil in a large cast iron skillet over medium heat. Add the sausages and brown on all sides, about 7 to 8 minutes. Remove from skillet and reserve.
Add onions and peppers to the skillet and saute until tender and golden brown, about 6 minutes. Add the garlic. Stir in the tomato sauce. Cook for a few minutes, then add the sausages back to the pan. Reduce the heat and simmer until the sauce is nice and thick, about 10 minutes.
Serve on a nice hoagie roll
NOTE:  I've even gotten brave enough to try this with Beer Brats and they are just as wonderful!, no more waiting until fair time rolls around.
ENJOY!!!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
P.S.  I'll be getting some sewing in tonight!!!