The only thing plugged in was the sewing machine

Last weekend I went to a cabin in the woods with five friends and made things.

Feel free to insert multiple exclamation points after each word in that sentence. Because it was awesome.

There was inspiration.



Recreational reading. (And puppies!)



Colorful pens and sketchbooks.



Yarn and embroidery floss. Pattern tracing, fabric, and sewing machines. (A little cursing too, of course. Sewing just wouldn't be complete without it.)



Even Legos.

A hot tub, hot toddies, and the Nisqually River.

Fancy pastries, cheese and wine, delicious Brussels sprouts (two ways!), and the inevitable lively conversation about how great it would be if we could just all live together in a commune, or at least on the same block.

Really, everything you could ever want in a crafty weekend. I'll do a more "how-to" post in a few days, in case you should want to organize one yourself. (Take my word for it: you do.)

For now I'll just say that maybe the best part was knowing I was missed.

The (Almost) Hundred Dresses

Do you remember that book from when you were a kid? It was one of my favorites.

It's a beautiful story about inclusion and forgiveness (not to mention imagination), but I have to admit that really I loved it because--a hundred dresses! I mean, think of it! (Similarly, I like to pretend that I like The House of Eliott for its proto-feminism, but really I watch it for the clothes.)

Anyway. I haven't sewn any clothing for myself since 2004. I remember exactly when it was, because the garment in question was my wedding dress. Time to stop resting on my laurels.

Here is some of the fabric I've accumulated with sewing for me in mind, and the plans I have for each piece. Not quite a hundred dresses, but a few tops thrown in for good measure:


From right to left:

1. Alexander Henry cotton lawn in dark blue: Simplicity 3835, view B--tunic with sleeve ties (pattern sadly out of print--thanks Victoria!)

2. Laura Gunn poppy print: Anna Maria Horner Socialite Dress

3. Vintage bird-print cotton: Simplicity 2245 view B, lisette portfolio tunic. I think this piece of fabric is made for this pattern: it's a border print, so the plain gray fabric at the top will highlight the lines of the dress, while the birds will provide some interest near the hem.

I'm told that my girl really likes this fabric too, so I'm hoping I can squeeze a dress for each of us out of it. It occurs to me that the lines of the Portfolio dress are pretty similar to those of the Sunki dress by Figgy's. Oh my goodness, how cute would we be together? I am almost dying at the very thought of it.

And what would make it extra special is that this piece of fabric was given to me by my grandmother some years ago--she was destashing and I snapped it up. I'm trying to figure out the story behind it. I can see the name of the designer printed along the selvedge (see below)--Howard Steiner? Stringer? Does anyone know?



Anyway, some future tops:


 From left to right this time:

1. Alexander Henry cotton lawn in white/multi (yes I bought the same fabric in two colorways I KNOW WHAT I LIKE): Simplicity 2593, hoping I have enough to make view A with the cowl neck.

2. Random piece of thrifted cotton lawn: Pixielink designs kimono tee. Hard to beat cheap + free, am I right?

3. purple/chartreuse flowery fabric (Glacier lights by McKenna Ryan--scarfed it a while back off the remnant table): Stylish Dress Book U. Whoaaaa, yeah, probably biting off more than I can chew there.

I think these are destined to be dresses but I don't have patterns in mind yet:

1. Echino deer-in-forest print: something plain that will highlight the print.

2. Thrifted frog/lilypad/dragonfly print polyester (closeup of print below--omg thrift find of a lifetime!): a very comfy, easy to wear sundress with a smocked or elastic drop waist. I don't know, I can't quite explain what I have in mind, so that's probably why I can't find a pattern.

3. Yellow iris print polyester (also thrifted): something as close as possible to this. I mean, obviously.

Suggestions? Exceptions? Have you noticed that I've accumulated a big stash of lightweight cottons despite living in a city where such attire is weather-appropriate for approximately 3 weeks of the year? Well, that's why big black cardigans were invented, my friend.

But what should I do with that lovely voile in the top picture?

Eye Level

This probably makes me a bad mother, but this is driving me crazy:

To her, it's decoration. To me, it's visual chaos.



Seriously, that red and green striped piece of plastic got dug out of the garbage and re-hung with a fresh piece of blue painter's tape. It must be very important to her.



But then I realized, looking around at this pattern repeated all. over. the house, that all the pictures hung officially in frames on the walls probably don't do much for her. They're way too high for her to see and enjoy. I think she's telling me that she wants more visual interest at her own eye level.

Now, how to accomplish that in a way that doesn't make my eyes sore?

Lentil, Barley, & Fennel Salad with Walnut Vinaigrette

I created this salad for a potluck about a year ago, and hadn't made it again until last week. A good test of my recipe writing skills! I'm happy to say my skills passed with flying colors so here is the recipe for you.

This is a great potluck or make-ahead recipe, as a matter of fact. It's good slightly warm, room temperature, or cold, and the sturdy, chewy barley stands up well to a couple of days in the refrigerator.

The walnut oil is a key ingredient here, I think. The flavor really comes through in the dressing, and you'll lose that if you substitute a different oil. I know walnut oil is expensive, but I think it's worth it. It keeps well in the refrigerator (it can go rancid if you keep it at room temperature) and it really adds a nice touch to a lot of wintertime salads.

Lentil, Barley, and Fennel Salad with Walnut Vinaigrette

1/2 C French green lentils
1/2 C pearl barley
1 very large fennel bulb, about 10 oz.
1 Tbsp olive oil
1/2 C walnuts, roughly chopped

For the walnut vinaigrette:
2 Tbsp light vinegar (I use Trader Joe's orange muscat champagne vinegar; sherry vinegar would be another good choice)
1/4-1/2 tsp salt
pepper
1/2-1 tsp dijon mustard
1/2 Tbsp maple syrup
3 Tbsp walnut oil

Cook the lentils in 2 C water in a saucepan until they are tender but still hold their shape, about 25-30 minutes.

In another saucepan, cook the barley in 2 1/2 C water until tender, about 40-45 minutes.

When the lentils and barley are done, drain thoroughly, then transfer to a serving bowl.

Meanwhile, trim the fennel and chop it into 1/2-inch pieces. Heat the oil in a large skillet, add fennel, and saute a bit. Then cover, turn heat to low, and braise until fennel is tender but retains some texture, about 30 minutes. Stir occasionally to keep from sticking.

In a small bowl, mix together the dressing ingredients except for the oil. Then whisk in the oil.

Pour the dressing over the warm grains and toss together. Then fold in the fennel and chopped walnuts. Serve now or later.

Let your love flag fly

My Neon Valentine

As usual, I managed to decorate for a holiday roughly 24 hours ahead of time. Ah well--things are brightened up now, with a styrofoam heart shape and the brightest yarn, felt, and embroidery floss I could find.



I'm embarrassed to tell you how long it took me to figure out that the solution to covering the pointy parts of the heart with the yarn was a bit of strategically placed Elmer's glue. Now you know.

The centers of the "flowers" are straight pins--just stick them through the felt layers and into the styrofoam.



You can make a bouquet in the same way. Put the straight pin through the center of your petals, then put the end of a pipe cleaner alongside the shaft of the pin. Wrap the whole thing in floral tape left over from your wedding seven and a half years ago. The resulting flower is a little bit delicate--it cannot, for example, be waved about as a magic wand. But it will do for a bouquet in a vase.

Got the idea for a super-bright yarn-wrapped wreath from here.

Cozy

After all, who among us has not wished to trade places with a cat for a day?