Ruffled Skirt Take 2

I had another bash at the ruffled skirt for Princess S since the first was way too small for her. I guess I'm not used to estimating how big a 3 year old is since I don't have any kids and I was in such a hurry to make it I didn't have time to go to the shops and work it out from there.


As you can see I changed the colours up a little bit. Apparently when she got the last one in the mail she wanted to put it on immediately *yay* but it obviously didn't fit *booooo* so I'm hoping this one does or I'll be going for a Take 3 on this one.

Toad Cakes

Well, that's a literal transalation of 'kuih kodok', or as we called it in my family 'goreng kodok' (fried toads), which is a something my Aunty Catherine used to cook up when I was a lot younger. It is also known as 'cekodok' and 'cokodok' and probably a whole bunch of other variation that I haven't heard of. It's actually a type of fried banana fritter where the banana is mashed up instead of being cooked whole. The only thing it has to do with toads however is the fact that the finished product ends up shaped a little like the amphibian so you can stop feeling a little grossed out :)

After buying a big bunch of bananas and having too many slices of birthday cake recently in the office (I don't know why half my team was born in February) I found myself stuck with 4 large bananas that were at least half black on the outside. Half black = a lot sweeter than normal, but too mushy to eat. I refused to throw them away and decided to 'recycle' them into something else yummy to eat. The standard banana muffins/bread/cake wasn't appealing to me, and for some reason I suddenly got hit with a craving for some goreng kodok.

Unfortunately I had a couple of things going against me:
1) No recipe
2) No ingredients (other than the bananas)
3) No deep-frying experience (and slightly scarred from seeing the results of a wok of oil overturning on someone - eek!)

Armed with just my blackened bananas, I did some research online (I so love technology and my iPhone) and found a few recipes (seasaltwithfood, Best Recipes, Foods and Travel, ptitchef) that looked like they might work. After a bit of umming and ahhing, I put together a trial recipe using the least amount of ingredients possible and a little extra sugar (I find Australian bananas nowhere near as sweet as the ones I ate growing up in the tropics).

I also made sure that I bought an appropriate oil for deep frying (sunflower in this case) and sussed out the dos and don'ts of deep-frying for safety reasons. One of the things I learned was that pouring the leftover oil down the kitchen sink was a no-no. Good thing I looked this up - last thing I need is a clogged sink!


The mixed batter


Sizzling away


The finished product - YUM

I thought they turned out pretty well for a first effort - I'm glad I put in a little extra sugar to compensate for the slightly less sweet Australian bananas.

I got four thumbs up from my two guinea pigs so I'm happy :)


Here's the recipe for those of you who are interested:

SuBoo's Goreng Kodok
Makes approx 12-15

Ingredients
* 4 big ripe bananas, peeled and mashed up
* 1 1/2 cup plain flour
* 2 1/2 tbs caster sugar
* 1 egg
* Sunflower oil

Method
1. Place all the ingredient (except the oil) into a mixing bowl and mix until well blended
2. Heat up a wok and add in the sunflower oil for deep frying.
3. When the oil is appropriately hot, take a heaped tablespoon of batter and place into the wok - try to keep the batter together so that it makes a flat oval 'patty'
4. Fry until golden brown, turning the patty evenly.
5. Once fried, use a slatted ladle to lift the kodok out from the wok onto a plate lined with paper towelling.
6. Dab the tops of the kodok with paper towelling to remove access oil.
7. Serve warm or at room temperature.

It's arrived!

After seeing several mentions of this book being released, I decided that I needed to get it ASAP. I found the other two Built By Wendy books very clear and easy to read (and I can finally put the 2nd one to use now that I have my overlocker *hurrah*) so I ended up placing an order from The Book Depository a week ago.

Here it is freshly opened from its cardboard packaging.

I know what I'll be doing this lunchbreak.

Simplicity 2884: My new summer dress

Based on both online and offline comments about my previous blog post on which summer dress to make, I decided on the girly Simplicity 2884. I have to admit I was leaning towards that design so everyone's feedback just reinforced that I had made the right decision.

Here's what I found:*

Material
100% cotton voile for the outside, with some soft white cotton to line the entire dress. Lining was a must for this dress since the voile is fairly transparent.

I also used a 14" dress zip in an off-white colour and a hook and eyelet to ensure the zip can be done up easily.


Pattern (Simplicity 2884: View B with View A halter-tie)
I chose to make View B with the gathers and shorter skirt, but used the halter tie on the neck as I wanted to have a bit more give and flexibility on where the tie would occur - the button halter neck measurements might not have been exactly the correct length for my torso and I'm too lazy to have to revisit and adjust it multiple times.

The pattern was overall not too difficult to follow, however there was a moment of confusion for me when I had to line the bodice section to ensure all the internal seams were hidden. After re-reading the step several times over, analysing the diagram and then making use of my many pins, I managed to work it out.

I decided to forgo using any boning in the dress, as I thought it might be a little restrictive and unnecessary for a casual summer dress. This may have resulted in the bodice now crinkling up a little when I breathe in (yes, it's not holding me in - eep!) but it isn't too noticable.

I also understitched the top of the dress, which was not part of the pattern, but I find that it nicely finishes off lined garments.

The last alteration I made was to cut a slightly larger width bodice front and back to cater for my wide rib-cage. I have to say that that was the best thing I did with the dress since it now just fits me.

I have to say though for an 'It's So Easy' pattern from Simplicity, I didn't think it was particularly easy compared to some other patterns I've looked at.


Would I do it again?
I really like the femininity of the gathered skirt. I'd be interested to see how the pleated version would turn out, and also how this would work in a more flashy fabric, but I do have some reservations about how long it took me to sew this up - from start to finish it took me over 2 days.


I'm pretty happy with how it turned out, considering lazy me didn't create a muslin and didn't really do much in the way of measuring myself. I also think I really need to work on my zips - the zip on the dress eventually worked out but I wouldn't want anyone to look too closely at the stitching ;)

* I'm experimenting with my iPhone camera a bit so apologies if the photos are a bit grainy.

And the winner is...

Using random.org to pick a comment number:

The lucky entrant is paula_lemos who stated:

"So cute! I would start with the dress pattern for my daughter.
Thanks for the giveaway!"

Congrats Paula, I hope you get great use out of the pattern. I've sent you an email for you contact details so I can post your prize to you.

Many thanks to everyone who participated in my first giveaway - it's been fun seeing what you've all written in your comments :)

Giveaway reminder

Just a note to remind you that my giveaway ends in one day so if you haven't already entered and are interested in a free sewing pattern, get in quick!

Good luck!

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPhone]

Get Creative 4006: Little Girls Top

Using one of the many patterns I purchased from Spotlight's Get Creative range (win one here), I decided it was time to try my hand at making something for Little Miss SY2. I hadn't realised that I had patterns for 6-month-olds so I was very happy to come across this one. After umming and ahhing a bit I decided to try my hand at a little top for her.

Material
I used some very cute quilting cotton from Japan. The squirrels and hedgehogs on the pale pink background were perfect for a garment for a little girl.
Plain white thread was used for the stitching.

Pattern (Get Creative 4006 : View C)
The pattern was very straightforward and easy to follow. The only difference I made is that I didn't finish the bottom up with lace or ric-rac as the material was busy enough. I also omitted the bow for the same reason. I think if I made this up in a plain material a contrasting trim would be ideal.

Would I do it again?
Unfortunately I don't have Little Miss M around to test the fit, but I am quite confident she'll be able to wear this. I'm keen to try this out in a couple of other colours once I'm sure that the straps are the correct length (the design said adjust length to fit)

Hoping she'll like it.

My first giveaway!

A couple of months ago I stopped by a Spotlight that I don't regularly frequent - I just happened to be in the neighbourhood and needed to get a denim patch for someone. As usual, I decided to have a bit of a browse around, and couldn't believe my luck when I came across a whole bunch of patterns that were on sale - some for $2 each!

Needless to say, I got rather excited and bought quite a few - after all, it's always handy to have some easy patterns on hand when you suddenly get struck with the need to sew something up!

I eventually worked out once I got home that the pattern instructions are faded in some areas, however the writing is still legible so there are no complaints from me about my bargain buys. The only thing is that in my excitement, I ended up buying 2 of the same pattern. Silly me but lucky you - because as a result I've decided to host my first giveaway.

The item is a Get Creative pattern 4008 from Spotlight. The pattern is one of a range that Spotlight seems to have released, and is a pattern for Toddler Casual Wear for boys and girls as can be seen from the picture below.



The rules are pretty simple:

- For one chance to win, leave a comment on this blog post
- For a second chance, become a follower of my blog and leave a comment stating you have done so (those of you already following me can just comment saying that you already are)
- For yet another chance, create a blog post about this giveaway and leave a comment stating you have done so with a link to the blog post

The giveaway closes one week from now (Saturday 30 January Australian EST) with the winner chosen using a random number selector.

Entry is open to everyone - happy to post to international entrants as well :)

Good luck!

** EDIT - The giveaway is now closed - thanks to everyone who entered! **

Flower Girl in action

I just wanted to share a snap of Cheeky Miss C all dressed up in the flower girl dress I sewed up awhile back. The bride chose the light coloured waist ribbon to match the bridal party colour scheme and the gorgeous little shoes really complete the outfit.


Based on the pics I stole from her Mummy of her dancing around, I think she had fun that night :)

Overlocker bargain

I've often thought that having an overlocker would be handy - yes a standard sewing machine can do the job - but I personally have found working with stretch materials a bit of a pain on the normal machine. Finishing of the seams is a real pain, and call me lazy, but sewing a narrow double hem seems to take me forever (and I'm already very slow at sewing as it is!)

Maybe I'm just making excuses but when a girlfriend of mine (thanks Linda!) told me that there was a Singer Overlocker on sale for half the RRP, my ears pricked up. *Hmm... this could be interesting...* She was lovely enough to even call Harris Scarfe to put one on hold for me and it's a good thing she did - the rest sold out after 2 days on sale!

So now I am the proud new owner of a Singer 14T5545 overlocker *HURRAH*

More booties

It seems these days that there has been a bit of a baby explosion around people I know. Everywhere I look, I see expectant mums or a beautiful new bub (or two) so I decided that it was time to make a few more pairs of baby booties. Seeing as it has been super warm recently and one of the bubs I had in mind for pair lives in a tropical country, I decided to ditch the flannel and try them out in a lighter material - muslin.

I found some gorgeous pink and baby blue material, as well as some cheery yellow fabric with ducks to play around with and these are the results:


I'm very pleased with how they turned out, but I did at one point wonder if I had made a mistake in selecting muslin due to it being so thin. When I was sewing the elastic onto the inside of the bootie for the first time I was worried that the reinforcing stitches I was putting in were going to rip the fabric, but with a bit of care I managed to make it work.

Hope they are warm enough for teeny tiny feet!

Books!

2 new purchases - Amy Karol's book "Bend-The-Rules Sewing"


and Kelly Doust's book "The Crafty Minx"


Both of them are gorgeously presented and after having read "Bend-The-Rules Sewing" from cover to cover I am absolutely loving it. I suspect from flicking through "The Crafty Minx", it will probably serve more as inspiration than an out-right instructional book as it seems to have fewer diagrams/patterns than a lot of sewing books I have come across.

Hopefully I'll have something of note to show from these soon!

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPhone]

First for 2010 - Inspired Ruffled Skirt

Happy New Year everyone!

As the title says, this is the first project of mine for 2010 - a ruffled skirt inspired by this post on Dixie Mango. The 2 skirts up there were so cute, I decided I needed to have a bash at it as well.

After umm-ing and ahh-ing over what materials I had in my stash to use, I followed the steps listed in the recommended online tutorial and came up with this:

The gingham print is actually a pinky-purple on white, which hasn't come up too well in the photo but you get the gist.

Hopefully it fits Princess S!

Flower girl dress complete (I hope)

After spending a day or so sewing away in the sweltering heat (Melbourne's hottest November in 100 years), the dress is complete!

Well complete as far as I am concerned - the only thing is I hope Cheeky Miss C can fit into it! She currently wears 18-24 month old clothing, and I unfortunately was armed with a pattern for 4-6 year olds so I decided to be logical about it and just size down the pattern proportionally. Then I realised that little kiddies tend to have different proportions to older ones. Hmm. Let's just say my fingers are crossed that there are no alterations required.

Here are pictures of the finished product - it required a metre of Ivory satin-polyester from Cleg's, a lot of thread, a 10-inch cream coloured zip and a heck of a lot of sweat. Like I said, it was hot!

Front

Back
I took creative liberties by adding a black ribbon sash to the dress - I don't actually know what colour ribbon the bride has in mind for it. I'm quite pleased with the result though - I hope the bride and groom are as well!

PS I forgot to add - this took such a long time to do because I am ridiculously slow at this and there was a fair bit (for me anyway) of hand-stitching involved... and boy do I hate hand-stitching...

Slack

That's me. Still not much sewing going on but when it does, I am too lazy/busy (pick one) to take photos and blog.

So in an effort to keep up to speed with blogging since there is no way I am going to be back tracking and blogging like some other persistent people have done (Hai Frannie!) here's a quick run down of my bits and pieces:

- I went to Sri Lanka. It rocked. I came back with 4m of cotton in blue and turquoise, 5m in coral, and an orange silk sari. The plan is to cut the latter up but we'll see how we go with that one. I have included a random Sri Lankan pic since I don't have any pics of the fabric... elephants!!


- Borders had 30% off up to 3 books recently - so I purchased Cath Kidson's Sew and Make, and also a sewing reference book for a birthday present for someone. I now think that I may return Make - not a huge amount in there that interests me and it also seems like the reviewers on Amazon agree. I am yet to decide about Sew but I do like the fact that you get the materials in there to make the bag on the cover!

- Lincraft is having 30% off everything for 3 days - as usual just after I had forked out for some materials for the baby bootie making fest that I will be undertaking soon - but I managed to use the discount on some tracksuit material and a Singer dressmaker dummy *hurrah* I had had my eye on one for ages - so I managed to save a whopping $75 :D

- I think it is pretty obvious that I didn't make a Chanel jacket. I really was all set to do it but work got crazy, I had a week and a half overseas and I was rushing a present for Princess S, so yeah... no jacket...

I think that is it for me with regards to sewing-related items of note for now... all I can say is I will *try* to get better...?

hehe

xx

Canton Village Giveaway

No no, it's not a little town in China... Ma emailed me to tell me about a giveaway at Canton Village Quilt Works - I thought I'd try my luck but I have to say that there are over 1000 comments so far... still, you gotta be in it to win it! :)

Singapore purchases

I think this is becoming an addiction but seeing as I am in Singapore and have a Kinokuniya within Takashimaya within close proximity, I couldn't help myself...

Behold my new purchases - Girls Style Book and Girlwear on Holiday.


I also managed to scarf down some sushi, durian crepes and an Auntie Anne's cinnamon pretzel with caramel dipping sauce during today's outing.

Yummo.

Not quite the perfect fit....

Methinks the dress is just a tad small.

Top marks to Princess S for cramming herself into it though! For that, she gets a new one in a larger size :)

Girly Style Wardrobe: Pattern C

Princess S is getting a new dress posted to her tomorrow - a belated birthday present made using a pattern from Girly Style Wardrobe (ISBN 978-4-579-11132-9), a Japanese pattern book for girl's clothing that I purchased recently.

This was my first attempt at using a pattern from one of these books, and it was only after I started putting the pieces of the dress together did I realise that something was amiss. Some of the pieces didn't seem to fit together too well - so I was left wondering what I had done wrong. The pieces were from the correct pattern. The fabric was cut accurately. Why was there a huge lot of fabric left over-hanging on the back neck section??

I dealt with it with the usual *shrug*, lopped off the extra fabric and went about on my merry way. The result is as per below, which isn't too bad considering I realised later that I hadn't added any seam allowances to my pattern pieces! I thought they were all included in the patterns but further research showed me that that was not the case. Duly noted for next time.


I just hope it fits!

Lilydale and Vintage finds

Ma and I moseyed along to Lilydale this weekend to check out some fabric she had her eye on in Textile Offcuts. It was my first time to Textile Offcuts - and come to think of it probably my first time to Lilydale ever. I guess it's a good enough reason as any to see a bit more of Victoria.

Ma was in quilter's heaven in the shop - she found a whole array of black, yellow and white cotton fabrics and also got into a deep conversation with a lovely random lady about the best place to get fabric bargains. I eavesdropped while rummaging and came away with a couple of lengths of cotton that I am hoping to make little girl dresses out of using designs from some of the Japanese craft books I recently purchased.

I was also after some plain black material for a skirt and came away a bit disappointed - but that was all to change when we went up the road and round the corner to R & L Knight, which I suspect isn't actually the name of the shop. It has a giant 'Fabric' sign above the shopfront but then again, that could be regarded as a descriptor of some sort. Anyhoo, I managed to get 5 metres of black lining for the sumly price of $5 and also some great fabric for the actual skirt at a bargain price.

I was a happy camper and thought I was done with shopping for the day. Lunch was next on the cards and then we were going to head home - but there was a change of plan when I saw a charity shop next to the lunch venue. 15 minutes later I walked out with a bunch of old sewing patterns and bits and bobs that made me very happy.

Some of the patterns I picked up - a few are a bit dated but I think I could have fun with them.

Inspired by this, I decided to also stop by the local and newly renovated Salvos store on the way home and found more vintage patterns. It was like all my Christmases had come at once! (Is that a bit sad? I don't know, but I *was* very happy at that point in time)

I am sure some of the patterns are going to be missing bits or won't quite fit but I figure that the whole lot was cheaper than one brand new pattern so I can't lose :)

I am so so happy with these gorgeous vintage patterns for little girls - there were some for boys too which I didn't buy since no nephews are in the works at this stage.

So for less than $10, I managed to get my grubby little hands on 14 vintage patterns, several zips and a metre of patterned flannel. HURRAH!