Baby Towel How-Tos

As promised...if a few days... or maybe a week later...Here are the simple how-to's for the baby towel.

These towels are really simple to make, use just a fluffy towel and matching wash cloth, and take less than 30 minutes to construct once you get the hang of them.  The time consuming part for this towel was all the embroidery that I did before constructing the towel.

Each 4-flower motif:




















took about 20 minutes to stitch out and there are 7 of them all together - 6 large ones for the sides of the towel and 1 smaller one for the hood of the towel.  The 20 minutes doesn't count the time to regroup and rehoop after each motif finishes.  

I drew and digitized this group of flowers with my machine when I first got it.  I'm not sure now how I did it...maybe luck?  I can't wait for summer to play with my machine again!  

My embroidery machine - a Pfaff Creative 2170 needs a bit of babysitting while embroidering.  The very moment that I step away a needle breaks or the bobbin thread runs out.  I usually use that time to plan the next project or get some ironing done if I'm feeling really ambitious (not often!).  Usually I just sit there mesmerized while the machine does the stitching! Ha!

I really love the embroidery, though so I think it is worth the time. See: 

Embroidery finished and ready to start construction.
Worth the trouble, right?

Before I had the embroidery machine, I used to stitch decorative ribbon down the front and across the washcloth hood.  That is almost as cute and takes much less time.

The next step is to make the hood from the wash cloth.  To do this I fold the wash cloth in half leaving a 1 1/2-inch border sticking out on the bottom so it is not quite truly in half.  That little sticking out flap piece will be used to connect the hood to the main part of the towel.

Next measure in 2 inches along each of the folded sides of the "hood" and pin a diagonal line down to the opening.

All pinned and ready to sew!

Sew - or serge - along the pin line.  If you are using a sewing machine, sew with a straight stitch, cut off the excess fabric and then overcast with a nice wide zigzag to stop the terry cloth from fraying.

All sewn and the excess trimmed.

Turn it right side out and it is all ready to attach.

The next step is to add a pleat to the back of the towel.  Find the center of the towel and fold it along the center line.  Put in a line of pins 3 inches from the folded edge and about 6-7 inches down the length of the towel.

Stitch with a long straight stitch following your pin line.  Don't worry about the strength of this seam, you will be reinforcing it in a minute.

Forming the back pleat...

Next, open up the sides of the towel and distribute the inside of the pleat to either side of the seam in order to form a pleat in the back inside of the towel.

Stitch down the center on the other side to secure the pleat.

Pin down the pleat along the seam so that the pleat stays evenly distributed on each side of the seam you sewed.  On the other side of the towel (the right side), use a wide zigzag and stitch down the seam that you stitched in the last step.  This will secure the pleat and the pleat seam.  Be sure to reinforce it well at the bottom so that it can endure lots of toddler baths!

Done with the pleat.  This is looking at the towel from the right side.

Now you are ready to attach the hood.  Find the center of the hood and pin the hood flap to the inside of the towel matching the center of the pleat on the inside of the towel.

Attaching the hood...See where I matched the centers?

Stitch down around the sides and bottom of the washcloth where it is touching the towel.  I use a large zigzag.  Be sure to reinforce it at the sides where it meets the towel.  That spot gets lots of wear and tear.

All stitched down.

Now... the final step... flip the towel over and stitch along the top edge of the towel where it meets the hood.  Again, I use a large zigzag. Careful not to catch the front of the hood in the stitching.

The final step!

All done!  

You could add your label here in the back to hang it with if you have a pretty one.  I usually add mine to the bottom inside of one of the front flaps.

The finished towel all ready for years of snuggling in after bath time!

I have a ga-zillion projects in my head lined up for summer...4 more weeks!

Baby Gift-Palooza

I finally managed to sneak in a little sewing time this weekend and it was a Baby-gift-palooza day!  Baby gifts...Perfect for Mother's Day weekend, right?

I have a friend who is on bed rest expecting a sweet baby girl any time now so it was definitely time to sew up some girlie-girl baby stuff.

First up was this super easy baby girl bib!
Don't cha just love the chunky rick-rack!
I got it in a grab bag at an upholstery store.

I found this pattern on pinterest and followed it to this blog - Lots of Pink.  She has a really good tutorial and a free pdf pattern.  

The pattern needed a bit of straightening where the 2 pieces
come together.  Probably because of differences in printers.  No biggie!

I didn't follow her directions exactly at all, but that is just because I didn't really need them.  If you are new to sewing, her directions are very good.  

After reading her directions, I found I did a few things differently.  

• I used a heavy weight fabric for the top piece so I didn't use any interfacing as she suggested.  
• I cut the 2 blocks out first and then sewed them together because I was trying to squeeze them out of some scraps.
• I did use lots of pins when I was sewing the two sides together - as she suggests.  Minky can have a mind of its own and tends to move around as you sew so taking charge and pinning are a must.

I just realized that I didn't take any pictures of the back which is the softest minky fabric in baby pink.  Got my girlie fix with this one for sure!

The best part?  It took about 20 minutes start to finish!

Part 2 of the baby-palooza was another baby towel.  I'm working on a mini-tutorial for my next post.  For now...Here is a sneak peak:

Embroidery for the baby girl towel

Hoping everyone had a wonderful Mother's Day Weekend and got to do a little something that makes your heart sing!

Lemon-Tarragon Crab Cakes with Arugula-Parsley Salad

I'll bet that some of you thought that I had given up blogging!  I'm still here, but...It has been a really busy Spring full of many happy events.

Sewing is at a virtual stand-still, but the dinner time keeps rolling around each night so at least I'm getting in some cooking. I did get some time to shop at a cool fabric store in Harrisonburg (Rag Time Fabrics) and was able to pick up some stretch lace so I have a new project on the horizon.  I also have a hooded baby towel and a bib to make for a baby girl that is waiting to make her appearance soon. So maybe some sewing pics soon?

On the top of the list this weekend was DD #2's graduation!

Our new college graduate!

Tonight to celebrate her first night back at home we had a yummy crab cake dinner from this month's Cooking Light Magazine.  

Lemon-Tarragon Crab Cakes with Arugula-Parsley Salad

We liked the crab cakes a lot (I mean how can you go wrong with fresh crab, lemon and tarragon!), but the surprise hit of the dinner was the salad.  It was tossed with a lemony-Dijon dressing with just a hint of sweetness from agave syrup.  I have been seeing this ingredient in a lot of recipes lately so, on impulse, I bought it the other day.  I like the flavor and, with the intense sweetness, a little goes a long way.

I think that the secret with somewhat bitter greens like arugula and parsley is to dress them a bit ahead of time so that they kind of wilt a bit and absorb the dressing flavor.  This salad had a nice bright crunch and the sweet tangy dressing finished it off perfectly!

My husband commented that this was the first time he has ever eaten parsley. Ha!  Little does he know that I go through a bunch of parsley each week and...he is definitely eating half of it!  I guess he also hasn't noticed it growing in the garden each summer.  Maybe he thinks the chipmunks eat it???  

I'm hoping that you have had a Spring time full of celebrations - every day variety celebrations and special occasions both!

Lemon-Tarragon Crab Cakes

Cooking Light Magazine 5/13

• 1 1/4 cups fresh breadcrumbs, toasted
• 1/4 cup minced shallots
• 1/4 cup chopped green onions
• 2 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted
• 1 1/2 tsp grated lemon rind
• 2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice (Juice the whole lemon and use the rest for the dressing)
• 1 tsp fresh tarragon (mine from the garden is just tall enough to harvest after the winter)
• 1/4 tsp kosher salt
• 1/8 tsp ground red pepper
• 1 pound lump crabmeat, shell pieces removed
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 1 egg white, lightly beaten
• 1 tsp olive oil

1.  Combine all ingredients except olive oil in a bowl.  Toss gently.  Divide crab mixture into 6 equal portions (about 2/3 cup each), shaping each into a 1/2 inch thick patty.  (Mine were slightly thicker)

2.  Heat a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.  Add oil to pan; swirl to coat.  Add crab cakes to pan; cook 4 minutes on each side or until lightly browned and heated through. 

Serves 6 (5 Weight Watcher Points)

Arugula Parsley Salad

Combine 2 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, 2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice, 2 tsp whole-grain dijon mustard, 1 tsp agave syrup, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper in a large bowl; stir with a whisk.  Add 5 cups baby arugula, 1 cup flat-leaf parsley leaves, and 1/2 cup vertically sliced red onion to bowl; toss well to coat.

Serves 3 (3 Weight Watcher Points)

Quick and Delicious Pork Sandwiches

Springtime.  Birds tweeting. Flowers blooming. Warmer Weather (sort of!).  The school year is starting to wrap up and I am doing some manic planning for completing the curriculum and getting kiddos ready for those dreaded state mandated tests.  The garden is coming back to life and needs my attention. We have graduations and birthdays and...life is so full and we are so blessed!

That means that dinner needs to be fast and, of course, delicious too!  Springtime is the perfect time for Cooking Light Magazine's annual quick issue - 40 meals in under 40 minutes.  This year they out did themselves with main dishes paired with some rotating and out-of-the-ordinary sides

On one of our particularly crazy nights we tried the Soy-Marinated Pork Sandwiches with the Soba Noodle salad. 

Soy-Marinated Pork Sandwiches with Soba Noodle Salad - Cooking Light 4/13

Wow!  What a lot of flavor in a short period of time!  It took less than 30 minutes to put together.  Hubby, as chief dishwasher, was especially happy with this dish because it didn't even make much of a mess.

Soba Noodle Salad

The Soba Noodle salad is chock full of veggies and has a light tasting soy dressing.  I put it into Weight Watchers and it comes up at just 4 points for a generous 3/4 cup serving.

The pork sandwiches have a quick sweet and savory marinade and are topped with colorful carrot ribbon quick pickles.
The sandwich with the carrot topping came up to 7 points - all included: bun, pork and carrot topping.

I served it with some melon and it made a delicious and filling meal.  

So Cooking Light to the rescue again!  A perfect meal for a busy Spring weeknight!

Link to the recipes here:

Soy-Marinated Pork Sandwiches

Soba Noodle Salad

Working on the "slow blouse"

Got a bit of time today and made some progress on the sleeveless blouse I cut out right before Easter. It's coming along, but still needs a few tweaks. I think the fit could still use a bit of refining but I'm learning a lot about how to fit myself again.

Here us a preview of the blouse draped over Donna the Dressform...

Southern Living Hummingbird Cake

My middle daughter and I teamed up to make this updated version of the Hummingbird cake originally published in the February 1978 issue of Southern Living.

I did the baking and she did the amazing frosting and decorating!

Southern Living's updated Hummingbird Cake - April 2013

I'll keep this post short because the recipe is long...The cake takes multiple steps over a couple of days, but no one step takes too much effort or time.  
And it is sooo worth the effort!

Since my sister is adamantly opposed to bananas,
my daughter whipped up some chocolate cupcakes
for the left over frosting.

The garnish on top is a mix of lavender from the yard that is just starting to come out of its winter sleep and some rosemary that had a few purple blooms.

My Sous Chef

My mother, the master of beautiful table settings, grew rye grass and baked bunny cookies for place cards at each setting.

Today was back to work.  It was such a nice Easter that the glow carried me all through day today!  

Happy Easter everyone!

35th Anniversary Hummingbird Cake

Southern Living Magazine April 2013

Cake:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 2 cups diced ripe bananas (about 3 medium)
• 3 large eggs, beaten
• 1 cup chopped toasted pecans
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 1 (8 oz) can crushed pineapple, undrained
• 2 tsp vanilla extract

1.  Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Stir together first 5 ingredients in a large bowl; stir in bananas and next 5 ingredients, stirring just until dry ingredients are moistened.  Pour batter into 4 greased and floured 9 inch square or round cake pans.  

2.  Bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean.  Cool in pans on wire racks 10 minutes; remove from pans to wire racks, and cool completely (at least 1 hour).

3.  Spread Cream Cheese custard filling between layers.  Spread Browned Butter Frosting on top and sides of cake.  Chill 1 hour before serving.  Store in refrigerator.

Cream Cheese Custard Filling:

• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 3 large eggs
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 1 (8oz) package cream cheese, cubed and softened
• 1 Tbsp. vanilla extract

 Whisk together first 2 ingredients in a heavy saucepan; whisk in eggs and milk until smooth.  Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, 8 to 10 minutes or until mixture reaches a chilled pudding-like thickness.  Bring to a boil, whisking constantly; boil, whisking constantly, 1 minute.  Remove from heat, and whisk in cream cheese and vanilla until cheese melts.  Cool to room temperature (about 1 hour).  Place plastic wrap directly on mixture(to prevent a film from forming), and chill 6 to 24 hours.

Browned Butter Frosting (Double the recipe if you want to do the basket weave design)

• 1 cup butter
• 1 (16 oz) package powdered sugar
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 tsp vanilla

1.  Cook butter in a small heavy saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly, 8 to 10 minutes or until butter begins to turn golden brown.  Remove pan immediately from heat and pour butter into a small bowl.  Cover and chill 1 hour or until butter is cook and begins to solidify.

2.  Beat butter at medium speed with an electric mixer until fluffy; gradually add sugar alternately with milk, beginning and ending with sugar.  Beat at low speed until well blended after each addition.  Stir in vanilla.

Easter Tables Are Sooo Much Fun!!!

All my little chicks are home in the nest for Easter so all work on the sleeveless blouse has stopped to make way for family Easter traditions.  I was a bit stressed/sad about not getting any sewing done this Spring Break, but ended up letting it go and living in the moment.  And...what a reward! First, I spent two amazing days reconnecting with one of my closest friends (my college roommate) and with my grown up daughter in Norfolk,

When I got home, I knew that I would not have the kind of uninterrupted time that I like to have for sewing so I relaxed, let it go, and ended up having great fun setting up the Easter tables, decorating, and meal planning a bit before the kiddos arrived on Friday. When the kids walked in the door, I was totally in the Easter mood and ready to just...be together.  What started as a stressor turned out to be such an Easter Blessing!

Cute little nests picked up for a song!

My roommate and I visited so many cute little shops jammed packed with adorable spring decorations!

I picked up a few little goodies and a lot of decorating inspiration and went to work on our tables here at home.

A mix of old and new Easter decorations for the Breakfast nook

I decided to go for a more monochromatic theme for the Dining Room inspired by an adorable little Country French store we visited.

Spring!

Today was a perfect Holy Saturday.  It started with a nice long walk with my oldest daughter and a family breakfast.  Then, baking with my sous-chef middle girl (cake pictures tomorrow!).  In the afternoon we had egg dying with my sister's family and my cousins on my sister's sunny deck (Did I mention that the weather was perfect!).  It ended with a delicious beef brisket dinner with all my children around the table. (I'll post the recipe and pictures the next time I make it because it was delicious!)  

Tomorrow is Easter Sunday.  I am looking forward to Easter Mass with the whole family together and another wonderful feast with the whole extended family at my parents' house. 

I felt like I sort of wandered through this lent with no real direction, then at the last moment, when I wasn't even looking, the lesson was so clear.  Take time to stop and focus on the things that really matter.  Recognize the blessings that surround you each day. The biggest blessings are often the everyday moments that can slip away without notice if you are not careful.  

Happy Easter everyone!  

Wishing each of you days full of everyday, ordinary blessings!