Oilcloth Table Covers

My kids are really hard on my kitchen table.  They are even harder on the plastic table cloths I use to cover it.  Here is an area where I totally FAIL in my attempt to live a greener life.  I have been buying cheap, fleece-backed vinyl tablecloths which, have a life span of a couple of months (tops) at my house.  They are not really washable (I tried, it was a disaster) and my youngest will inevitably poke a hole with his fork two days after I put a new one on the table.  Did I mention the binder clips?  To keep the cloth in place I have resorted to using extra large binder clips to clip it to the table frame.  Trust me, it's a pain.

So, a few months ago I got the idea that I should make some fitted table covers from oilcloth and see if they stood up better.  My first problem was finding oil cloth that I liked.  I like neutral and muted colors in my house and most of the oil cloth I found was LOUD floral prints.  I finally located some gingham check, one in green, one in brown, that I liked.

The first step was to make a pattern on my kitchen table top.  I used some non-woven landscape fabric from Lowes for this step.  I laid a piece on top of the table and traced around the edge.  I then folded the shape in half each direction, roughly matching the traced lines.  I added 3" along the outside edge of one quarter and cut four layers at once with my rotary cutter.  I cut my fabric out using the pattern.

Next, I serged elastic all around the cut edge of the oval, stretching the elastic as I sewed.  To determine the length of elastic required you need to measure around the circumference of your shape.  You will need approximately half that length in elastic.  I did not quarter my elastic and oval -- I simply sat down at my serger, anchored one end of the elastic with some stitches and then stretched as I sewed.  When I had applied the elastic all the way around to the start I overlapped the ends slightly.  It worked just fine.

I also made a fitted table pad using a purchased pad that I cut to the same pattern and applied elastic to in the same manner.  I put that on underneath the oilcloth to help protect the table some more from those fork pokes.

I have found some really cute oilcloth patterns at Hart's Fabric and may order a couple more pieces.  So far, this table cover has held up remarkably well, still looks brand new after a month's use and cleans up beautifully.  I dream of the day when I can uncover the cherry wood that is hiding under the cover, but until then I think this will act as a good protectant.

Sweet Sushi

This past weekend the youth at my church put on a talent show.  They asked church members to support them by providing baked goods and snacks for the event.  I've seen the candy sushi instructions floating around the internet for some time and always wanted a good excuse to try it.  This seemed like the perfect opportunity, as I thought it might appeal to a teen's sense of whimsy.

Have you ever tried to rinse out a bowl that has dried on Rice Krispies adhered to it?  I've often wondered why NASA doesn't use them for securing parts to their space craft.  Dump some melted marshmallows on top and you have the potential for some really sticky stuff.  The bases of these confections are nothing more than Rice Krispie squares.  I did find that allowing the mixture to cool considerably made them easier to work with.  For the "nigiri style" pieces shown above I simply formed a handful of the mix into a flattened oval, topped it with a Swedish fish and wrapped the whole thing with a strip of green apple fruit strip.

The "roll style" pieces were a little harder to create.  I used waxed paper to press some of the Rice Krispie mixture into a slab.  I used Twizzlers as the filling, rolling the cereal mixture around them.  Again I used the green fruit strips to wrap the outside before cutting the roll into 6 pieces.  (Hint:  save the plastic sheets that the fruit strips peel off from and use them to help form the cereal into a cylinder.)

I hear these were a big hit with the younger crowd.  They didn't take long to create and could be a really cute addition to a birthday party.

Gathered Skirt Girly Aprons

Aprons!  I've been making aprons!  I've written before about my enthusiasm for sewing some girly-girl items when my boys need birthday presents for their female classmates.  Here are two more examples hot off my sewing machine.

Here's how I did these.  I started with my Child's Apron Tutorial.  I used only the top (bib) section and cut the skirt off, leaving 11.5" from the top edge.  I then cut the skirt panel the width of the fabric and 11.5" long.  I ran gathering stitches along the top edge and pinned the skirt to the top section.  I pulled up the gathering to fit and stitched the two together.  I then hemmed the sides with a double-folded hem.  The ruffles were both cut 4" wide.  The bottom ruffle was two fabric widths seamed together.  The top ruffle was about half the fabric width.  I finished the ends of the ruffles first by folding right sides together and stitching.  I then turned and folded the remaining strip wrong sides together, forming a 2" wide strip, before running my gathering stitches along the matched cut edges.  I serged all of the raw edges on the inside of the apron (waist seam and bottom ruffle seam) for a clean finish.  I bound the top edge and the armholes according to the original tutorial.

Here are some of the aprons I've made.  You can see all of the posts by clicking here.

Another Needlebook

I wanted to make a special little gift for a sewing friend/teacher/mentor of mine but hesitated because I didn’t want to send something that would not be useful or beautiful or that might end up as clutter.  My dear friend Joyce, knowing that I had just finished a needlebook for myself, suggested that might be both useful and beautiful, and could house my teacher’s favorite Japanese hand sewing needles.  Using the directions for my Hari Kuyo needlebook as a jumping off place, I created this smaller version. 

While hand embroidering the silk ribbon irises on the front cover, I was reminded how simple and effective a little touch of hand embroidery can be.  It adds a specialness that nothing else matches.  Try adding a bit to your next project.  If you need some books for inspiration try Beginner’s guide to Silk Ribbon Embroidery by Ann Cox or Elegant Stitches by Judith Baker Montano.

Pot Holders, Pinchers and More

Several weeks ago I was contacted by the publisher of a new sewing book by Chris Malone, Potholders, Pinchers & More, offering a complimentary copy for me to review on my blog.  Last year I participated in a blog tour sponsored by this same group for their book Purses, Bags & More, so I knew that the books they produce are really excellent.  This one is no exception.

The book contains 20 projects that are grouped into eight coordinated sets.  These kitchen helpers are great projects for using up small bits of fabric from your stash, and can be customized to match any decor.

When I review a book, I like to "test drive" one of the projects to see how the instructions function in a real-world setting.  I had a hard time choosing which pot holder I wanted to make.  Then I remembered three pieces of fabric that I bought at a little quilt shop called the Scrappy Apple in Winchester which were nearly identical to the fabrics used for the red flowered pot holder above.  Here's my version.

This little project was super quick to make.  In fact, it's got me thinking about replacing all of the ugly/burned/worn out pot holders currently residing in my kitchen.  These would also make great hostess gifts, especially when coordinated to the recipient's kitchen.  Most of the supplies you will have on hand in your sewing room, with the possible exception of the insulated batting material (Insul-Brite) used inside. 

This book is published by DRG under its House of White Birches brand and can be purchased online from Clotilde.  Having now reviewed two books by this label, I can share with you what appears to be their consistent strengths.  The books are beautiful to look at.  They are full of detailed colored pictures of the projects.  The instructions are well-written and illustrated, and all of the necessary patterns are included.  In a world where clear, concise instruction isn't always easy to find, these books are shining examples of how to do it right.

I really love that chicken oven mitt.  I have a secret penchant for chickens and dream of one day filling a farmhouse kitchen with their image (and my backyard with the real thing).  Until then I think I'll have to find just the right fabric for this one and put it in my hope chest.