Another Project Using Retired Sheets

Sorry I haven't been around for a few days. At the end of August I had major back surgery. All the hardware the surgeon put in may have made it possible for me to continue walking awhile longer but it did nothing to alleviate the chronic pain, or the problems caused by peripheral neuropathy. As a result, when the weather gets wickedly cold, as it has been, my back has a tendency to complain - loudly. The past few days I have been lucky to get off the couch and do much of anything.
So, today I decided to show you another sewing project using old sheets. The pajama pants are very popular but leave me with bits and pieces of sheeting that need to be put to use. The purpose of my renovating old fabric is to leave as little as possible for the scrap pile. (We'll use the scraps in a later project.)
Tipnut has an abundance of patterns and tutorials for aprons. Most of us may think of them as something our grandmothers wore back in the old days but they are making a comeback. The economy is bringing more of us back into the kitchen rather than ordering pizza and it's necessary that clothing not get ruined. Who wants to do laundry more than necessary?

To make this apron I used a sheet for the main part of the apron then I made bias tape from an old shirt I had. Bias tape is easy enough to make, but time consuming.

The ruffle for this apron was once a dust ruffle for a bed. I almost prefer making bias tape to attaching a ruffle. Well - almost.

This is obviously the same apron as  the others but I had some ribbon sporting mixed drinks. This would make a great apron for the bartender in the family. Of course, if the bartender were female :). It's always possible to make one for the man of the house. Any of the projects I show are for sale and can be made according to your own specifications.
Speaking of aprons, it's time for me to head back to the kitchen. I'm in the process of making homemade chicken and noodles. I had some thighs in the freezer and they were starting to look - well, a little cold. I either needed to cook them or make some pants for them.

The Skirt

I finished the patchwork skirt late last night. It's not nearly as long as I originally intended but it was my first effort with quilt squares and I was more concerned with getting it right than getting it long. Besides, I can always adjust by adding more tiers or putting strips between the rows.
I'm very pleased with the results of the project - not so much with the photos. I really can't complain though. The woman who comes in is paid to cook and clean, not photograph.

                                                                                                                 Of course, it doesn't help that my bulging belly is obvious in this picture. I also think I had it sticking out more because the skirt ended up being quite a bit wider than I needed. That was easily fixed and it now fits wonderfully. I can't believe how comfortable it is.  I'm thinking if I made two more of these skirts, and two more of the pajama pants I'd be set for life. Well, maybe I'd better find a top as well.
Here is a photo of the skirt itself.

                            So, once I had the size adjusted, it was time to put together the artsy outfit I promised myself at the beginning of the year. Now, this photo I like. I guess I need to stand in front of the cam more often. (Ew, I just realized how bad that sounded...)
I'm not sure what's next. I'm  playing around right now with some small items . But, mainly, I'm sitting here trying to stay awake. Time for a quick nap before I begin work on my novel.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      








































     

Vintage Recipes

I am putting together various projects that celebrate the past in clothing, arts and food. One of the topics I'm exploring is recipes. I recently acquired the Inglenook Cook Book, published in Elgin, Illinois in 1913.
The book was written by women belonging to the Church of the Brethren. This particular organization was founded in Germany in the early 1700's so the women writing these recipes were primarily German. Meals were rarely fancy since they were meant to feed family members who labored hard on the farm.
During the early 20th Century, weeks were often divided with each day set aside for a regular chore. Laundry, visiting and church, for instance, each took nearly a full day to complete.
Sunday Soup:
At night wash a pint of dried beans, place them on the back of the stove in a porcelain vessel, with 2 quarts of cold water and a pinch of soda. In the morning, when they have simmered half an our or until breakfast, pour off the water through a colander; return beans to cooking vessel; add 2 quarts hot water; let boil until nearly done, then place the vessel where it will keep warm, but not boil. After church, visit or washing (according to the day) add to your beans a teacupful of sweet cream; salt to taste and serve. They should simmer before serving. 
Not all the recipes were meant to serve as a regular meal. Some were also used to aid in healing during an illness....
Barley Water for Fever:
Take 1/2 cup of pearl barley and wash well. Take 1/2 gallon of cold water, put it over the barley, set it on the stove and let cook for 1 hour, then strain the liquid of the barley and put it to cool. Squeeze the juice of 1 lemon and sugar to taste in the barley water, and add a piece of ice. This is cooking and nourishing.
I'll add other recipes over time, some from the past, some from the present.