Simplicity 3835 – Take 1

Previously I mentioned snagging several copies of Simplicity 3835. But despite my elation at finding a discontinued pattern, I was rather apprehensive about actually cutting it and trying to make something for myself. You see, in the past, every time I’ve ever tried to make an article of clothing for myself it came out way. too. BIG. No matter how much I measured before starting.

I knew I would make a muslin before I started cutting good fabric, but I didn’t want to be discouraged that the muslin would be completely off in size as well. So….. I decided to do some research. And from what I’ve read, Simplicity patterns tend to run big, so going down a size seems to work well for most people.

I ended up cutting out a 12, and this is the result. The pattern itself is super simple (except for the casing around the neck, because, really, trying to fold and iron curves like that is a major pain in the ass), it doesn’t use yards and yards of fabric, and comes together really quickly. I also don’t know if it’s me being more experienced, or me having the new machine, but this time all the hems came out straight with no wrinkling or gapping, and all the seams matched up perfectly. I’m pretty sure it’s the new machine… It actually sews in straight lines without me having to wrestle the fabric.

Overall, I really like the shirt. Though, it sometimes feels as if I have it on backward because I think the neck in back dips a little lower than in front. It’s also hard to get off. I can totally see where a zipper in back or a button or something would be super helpful. Or even just making the whole thing in a stretchier fabric. I’ve considered trying making it with fabric cut on the bias (lots of waste), or out of an old button down shirt so that the front unbuttons. What do you think?

Next up is going to be either the dress or mini-dress (tunic) from the same pattern using a gorgeous echino fabric in birdsong blue. Thankfully those both have zips up the back, so will be easier to wriggle into and out of.

Jul

13

Wordless Wednesday

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Jul

12

Lucky — or the one with all the italics

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You ever have one of those days where everything is going so well that you feel like you should go buy a lottery ticket? I had one of those during the 4th of July weekend.

I had planned to go shoe shopping for me — gasp! — on Saturday, but other stuff kept popping up. I was happy to be getting all the little things on our list done, but was totally bummed because I’d been looking forward to shopping alone for a while. (As an aside, we should note that I hate shoe shopping… I buy a new pair of shoes about once every ten years, but I was inspired by the shoes in this tutorial for a gorgeous skirt.)

Anyway, Sunday I didn’t make it out to the stores for shoes either, but I did manage to get to Hancock Fabrics for their 4th of July sale. I needed to buy some fabric for Alexis’ birthday dress, and I wanted to look at patterns for myself as well. I just ordered this gorgeous fabric from Anna Maria Horner’s Loulouthi line and couldn’t wait to cut into it. For me. Actually, when I ordered it, I had planned to use the Built by Wendy Simplicity 3835 pattern that everyone is using these days. Unfortunately I did not know that it seems to have evaporated into thin air. Seriously, the only copy I could find was on Etsy and listed for like $35. Um. no.

It’s just as well, because when I got the fabric I decided that wasn’t the pattern for it after all. So I was on the hunt. I found several that I thought might work, and then, for kicks, decided I’d check for the Simplicity 3835 pattern. They had five. I can’t tell you how long I stood there debating buying all of them and selling them on Etsy for a tidy profit. In the end, my conscious won out and I only bought two extras. To give away. Did I mention that all Simplicity patterns were on sale for $1.99? Yeah. I know… but it gets better.

So now I’m wandering the store enjoying the peace and quiet… or at least the lack of noise from my children. I found the fabrics I needed for Alexis’ dress (on sale). Then found a couple of fabrics for new jammies for each kid, and I might have put a few bolts in my cart just because they were pretty… Just sayin’.

All this time I’m watching the line to the cutting table snake all the way back to the bathroom. Seriously, who has a big sale and only schedules three people to work? Those poor ladies, they were busting their butts. Anyway, I decide to go search for notions in hopes that the line would die down. And guess what? When I put the last set of pins that I could possibly ever need in my cart, I notice that the line is gone. Poof.

I hightailed it over there just in time because the poor woman was one bolt into my cart full when the line began expanding again… longer and longer and longer… and here I am with my 13 fabrics waiting to be cut. Awkward.

Now here comes the really good part… When she got down to the quilting fabrics I was buying just because I can, the cutting lady shoots the barcode on the end and informs me that TWO of these lovelys were on sale for… wait for it… $1 per yard. I bought the rest of both bolts.

Sadly, I did end up waiting in the mile long line at the register (one cashier, really?) and so I got home about an hour later. And sadder still, no one at home was sharing my enthusiasm at finding multiple copies of a “discontinued” pattern, and super cheap super cute quilting fabric, too. It might have something to do with the fact that I am supposed to be paring down my fabric stash so I can move it into the loft. Boo.

I’m still giddy over the success of it all, but my luck didn’t last…

P.S. — bonus points (for what I don’t know) to anyone who gets the reference in the title.

Jun

30

Alexis’ Texas Personal PeachBerry Pies

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In honor of the impending holiday, I give to you Alexis’ recipe for Peachberry Pie. It may not be as American as apple pie, but it is definitely Texan with its peaches from Fredricksburg. (BTW, if you are in central Texas and eating those cheap peaches from Georgia, you don’t know what you are missing… so carry on, more for me.)

Obviously she had some help with the recipe, but the idea was mostly her own. She dreams these things up and Daddy helps make it real. Quite a team those two. (I think they should have a cooking blog!)

I love the personal version, but then I just love crust… They are also very tidy where traditional pies are really not. Perfect for a summer camp lunch box.

Crust

2/3 C. Shortening
2 C. All Purpose Flour
1/4 tsp Salt
4-6 Tbsp Cold Water

Mix flour and salt in a medium sized bowl, cut in the shortening to the flour mix until evenly distributed. Add water 1 tablespoon at a time until the dough just comes together. Cover and refrigerate the dough.

Filling

2 C. Fresh Texas Peaches peeled and 1/2 inch diced
2 C. Frozen mixed berries (Strawberry, Blueberry, Blackberry)
3 Tbsp Flour
3 Tbsp Sugar
2 Tbsp Dry Tapioca

Mix all the ingredients above in a bowl, allow the filling to come to room temperature.

For personal pies divide the dough into 9-10 balls and roll each ball out into a 6″ circle. Place each circle in the cup of a muffin tin, Fill with 3-4 tablespoons of filling, fold and pinch the dough edges above the filling creating little bundles.

Bake in a 350 degree oven for 20-25 minutes.

For family size pie divide the dough in half, rolling out 1 to line a 9 inch pie pan, spoon the filling into the pan, and roll out and cover with the remaining pie dough.

Bake in a 350 degree oven for 30-35 minutes.