tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78774506235958316682024-03-08T11:51:02.807-06:00Dang and Blast!I make things -- books, knitted items, crocheted angels, and anything else I can find to make. Here I will write about my adventures in creating.DangAndBlast!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11204540335903358779noreply@blogger.comBlogger198125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7877450623595831668.post-69010816282561471162014-07-24T07:50:00.001-05:002014-07-24T07:50:29.115-05:00Frozen dress!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I really like the movie Frozen. The Broadway-style songs are great, and it's an interesting change that there's no real "bad guy" (well, there is towards the end, but that's almost an aside). My kidlet loves it, and so does every other child, it seems. Mine thankfully wants Anna's dress (thanks, <a href="http://www.spoonflower.com/fabric/2619585" target="_blank">Spoonflower</a>!) - pleated cotton and embroidered suedette I can happily do. All the other kids, however, want Elsa's snow queen dress. I've had three orders for one, and made a fourth for trial of fabrics and patterns.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--fVboPYksSY/U9D9N2CWsBI/AAAAAAAAc3c/Z_TgRmkhQf4/s1600/IMG_20140723_171007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--fVboPYksSY/U9D9N2CWsBI/AAAAAAAAc3c/Z_TgRmkhQf4/s1600/IMG_20140723_171007.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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You must pose with a crown if you're a queen.</div>
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JoAnn's wisely has all the ice-blue shiny fabrics pulled on a display table.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GUmZi8-wm5c/U9D9N-LorQI/AAAAAAAAc3c/DfdPoC_EG0M/s1600/IMG_20140723_171006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GUmZi8-wm5c/U9D9N-LorQI/AAAAAAAAc3c/DfdPoC_EG0M/s1600/IMG_20140723_171006.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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Size 3-4 is a bit large on a toddler.</div>
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Simplicity gets the Disney contracts, but McCall's made the pattern first, so it's called "Winter Princess," delightfully. Other unofficial Frozen-inspired products from other companies also have silly names to avoid trademark issues - at <a href="http://sparkleskirts.com/collections/accessories-and-gifts/products/character-cape-littlesister" target="_blank">Sparkle Skirts</a> it's "big sister" and "little sister".</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FQp8-D77rEg/U9D9N_BT6cI/AAAAAAAAc3c/SKmYp8Ea6Zo/s1600/IMG_20140723_171005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FQp8-D77rEg/U9D9N_BT6cI/AAAAAAAAc3c/SKmYp8Ea6Zo/s1600/IMG_20140723_171005.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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The odd underarm cape certainly met with her approval.</div>
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Hadn't made an attached cape from the yoke (rather than neck) before, and I rather like it - it doesn't pull at the neckline at all, especially as it attaches around past the arms (as in the movie, though I'll likely move it a little further out - this pattern comes perhaps a bit too far in).</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UrmrLFbGgjE/U9D9N2_w9KI/AAAAAAAAc3c/4CODA7GMqhw/s1600/IMG_20140722_161845.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UrmrLFbGgjE/U9D9N2_w9KI/AAAAAAAAc3c/4CODA7GMqhw/s1600/IMG_20140722_161845.jpg" height="320" width="191" /></a></div>
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The finished product, ready for <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/197310312/frozen-elsa-costume-snow-queen-dress" target="_blank">Etsy</a> if anyone wants it - if nobody wants it in a year, kidlet will have grown into it!</div>
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Made with spangly stretchy stuff, costume satin skirt, shiny organza cape, and a nice chiffon for the sleeves.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rPa-7CpXoSE/U9D9N6Tw3TI/AAAAAAAAc3c/tO-0b4iKnrA/s1600/IMG_20140722_161812.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rPa-7CpXoSE/U9D9N6Tw3TI/AAAAAAAAc3c/tO-0b4iKnrA/s1600/IMG_20140722_161812.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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I'm glad I did the trial run - these spangles are all glued on and it did a number on my machine - needles get gummy, thread won't glide along gummy needles... I've got a metallic crinkle overlay for the other dresses!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2TqElTTdGqo/U9D9N0TrtZI/AAAAAAAAc3c/1nRUXVKrtl0/s1600/IMG_20140722_120722.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2TqElTTdGqo/U9D9N0TrtZI/AAAAAAAAc3c/1nRUXVKrtl0/s1600/IMG_20140722_120722.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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Zipper and big placket in the back. I may alter the placket a bit for the subsequent dresses.</div>
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One round of fray-y shiny sparkles down, three to go!</div>
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Available <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/197310312/frozen-elsa-costume-snow-queen-dress" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
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DangAndBlast!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11204540335903358779noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7877450623595831668.post-27477167388998801422014-07-06T15:51:00.000-05:002014-07-06T15:51:48.429-05:00Anna dressIn progress: at the request of the kidlet, Princess Anna's coronation dress from Frozen. Better that - cottons and fake suede - than Elsa's ice queen dress, all stretch sparkles! <br />
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A trip to Spoonflower (once I decided my fabric painting skills are nonexistent) and to Etsy for embroidery files and I'm good to go - a mannequin makes drafting so much easier!<br />
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<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-HddetzuPJmY/U7djHTG0CJI/AAAAAAAAckk/QXScbEd5rlw/s2560/1404527364567.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-HddetzuPJmY/U7djHTG0CJI/AAAAAAAAckk/QXScbEd5rlw/s350/1404527364567.jpeg" border="0" /></a>DangAndBlast!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11204540335903358779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7877450623595831668.post-48134015855178489112014-05-30T20:45:00.001-05:002014-05-30T20:56:00.740-05:00Cinderella!<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Lg5bPEzWaGQ/U4k0D12hwVI/AAAAAAAAbnA/a8T9P10N5i8/s2560/1401500675905.jpeg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Lg5bPEzWaGQ/U4k0D12hwVI/AAAAAAAAbnA/a8T9P10N5i8/s350/1401500675905.jpeg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;"></a><span style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, 'sans serif'; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16.5px; background-color: rgb(246, 233, 206);">I didn't like the Simplicity Cinderella pattern, so I modified the "generic princess" view of Butterick 4320 for this pattern instead. I used a very nice rayon crepe to line the bodice and an old silk-poly blend sari for the main dress, and poly organza for the puffs. </span><br style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, 'sans serif'; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16.5px; background-color: rgb(246, 233, 206);"><br style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, 'sans serif'; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16.5px; background-color: rgb(246, 233, 206);"><span style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, 'sans serif'; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16.5px; background-color: rgb(246, 233, 206);">Modifications: in the bodice, just buttons instead of zipper and for the sleeve puffs (instead of a full puffed sleeve where you can see the elastic through the organza), I sewed the sleeve seam, then gathered both "top" and "bottom" together and set them into the sleeve opening (to the bodice fabric), hand-stitching the lining down on top to cover the exposed edges. (If I make this again, I'll just free-hand more movie-accurate puffs. The ladies at Disney World have just regular puffs in white satin, I think, but I like the movie's version!)</span><br style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, 'sans serif'; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16.5px; background-color: rgb(246, 233, 206);"><br style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, 'sans serif'; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16.5px; background-color: rgb(246, 233, 206);"><span style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, 'sans serif'; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16.5px; background-color: rgb(246, 233, 206);">For the skirt, as I was using a bordered fabric, I ignored the pattern pieces and instead gathered the fabric (folded double with a tulle petticoat in-between) and sewed it onto the bodice, again hand-sewing the lining over it. (Dress form very useful for that exercise, as I wanted to keep the point at the bodice front, so sewing straight wasn't an option!) (If I make this again, I'll just use the pattern pieces - the fabric was the only reason I didn't, and it sure would have been easier.)</span><br style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, 'sans serif'; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16.5px; background-color: rgb(246, 233, 206);"><br style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, 'sans serif'; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16.5px; background-color: rgb(246, 233, 206);"><span style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, 'sans serif'; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16.5px; background-color: rgb(246, 233, 206);">For the pannier-things, I cut a large organza circle (30" or so), folded it in half, and gathered the edges (two layers together), then pinned and attached as I attached the skirt. </span><br style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, 'sans serif'; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16.5px; background-color: rgb(246, 233, 206);"><br style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, 'sans serif'; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16.5px; background-color: rgb(246, 233, 206);"><span style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, 'sans serif'; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16.5px; background-color: rgb(246, 233, 206);">I'm very pleased with this, as it looks more like the "real" Cinderella than the official patterns! Kidlet liked it too.</span><br>
<a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/--u6L2apid9w/U4k0HG6MR0I/AAAAAAAAbnI/bxf_CYElRkk/s2560/1401500692274.jpeg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/--u6L2apid9w/U4k0HG6MR0I/AAAAAAAAbnI/bxf_CYElRkk/s350/1401500692274.jpeg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;"></a>(Dress form, which kidlet has named Leonard, is a bit thicker in the waist than she is. But you can see the buttons.)<br>
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<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-DBjbQcsvB2g/U4k0H1ZnhQI/AAAAAAAAbnQ/blHvUKgMoro/s2560/1401500700863.jpeg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-DBjbQcsvB2g/U4k0H1ZnhQI/AAAAAAAAbnQ/blHvUKgMoro/s350/1401500700863.jpeg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;"></a></div><div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Frowny hot party-weary toddler approved!</div>DangAndBlast!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11204540335903358779noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7877450623595831668.post-1706109797122881722014-05-29T14:07:00.001-05:002014-05-29T14:07:14.003-05:00Old notions<p dir="ltr">Always entertained by old notions - you got a lot more for a lot less back then! </p>
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Back when she was tiny, I made the kidlet (now 2!) Chery Williams' Baby Square Yoke dress in a 6 month size. My first dress on my mother's Bernina that she kindly gave me, with sweet decorative stitches on the collar and lots of exciting work with the edgestitch and rolled hem feet. My first attempt at heirloom sewing.<br />
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It was quite big (though she wore it much of her second spring and summer, just after turning 1), and very long (especially for a crawler), so I put in a big tuck that made the dress look even cuter.</div>
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Going through clothes to put away as too small, I found this one still fits, so out came the seam ripper, out comes three inches of growth tuck, and my kidlet's wearing a size 6 month dress comfortably into her second year!</div>
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(Now where'd I put that iron?)</div>
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DangAndBlast!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11204540335903358779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7877450623595831668.post-17487409363045610022014-02-14T17:00:00.002-06:002014-02-14T17:00:38.494-06:00Happy Valentine's Day!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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In honor of the day, here's two cute views from a 1956 Simplicity pattern I picked up at the Quilt Show! 1950s kids' clothes are excellent.</div>
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And it's a size 4 (back when patterns came in one size), and my monkey wears a 1, so I have lots of time to get around to making it!</div>
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DangAndBlast!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11204540335903358779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7877450623595831668.post-65158065236736973552013-11-07T22:23:00.001-06:002013-11-07T22:23:50.873-06:00Finished!<p dir=ltr>Well, except for tearing out the Bs in the corner, as the boy this was originally for is now big and our cousin just found out she's having a boy! But in general quilted and bound. Used thread to match the top, so the back looks fun. Real non cellphone camera photos coming once I get them off the camera!</p>
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Last year the preview night for the quilt festival was Halloween, in downtown Houston, so I skipped it, just going in a frenzied pace the following day. </div>
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This year, I went on preview night - SO MUCH FUN! </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dEqCvYg4FVA/UjDWuKxCGYI/AAAAAAAAT-s/tapJtHknmBQ/s1600/2012-11-02+13.14.58.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dEqCvYg4FVA/UjDWuKxCGYI/AAAAAAAAT-s/tapJtHknmBQ/s320/2012-11-02+13.14.58.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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(One of my favorite quilts from last year - couldn't take a straight-on photo.)</div>
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Just hit up the vendor room last night, but going back tomorrow - and seeing if a class I'm interested in is open. So excited!</div>
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This was my favorite quilt last year - love the background, love the variety, love the triangles (I like triangles), love the whole thing. It's been my phone lock screen wallpaper for a year.</div>
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Vendors last night, quilt displays tomorrow - so excited!</div>
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DangAndBlast!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11204540335903358779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7877450623595831668.post-40754476851068142082013-10-26T15:54:00.001-05:002013-10-26T15:54:49.793-05:00Sleep sack<p dir=ltr>My monkey sleep-crawls, so blankets are a ways off still, but she's outgrown her sleep sack. Easy enough to make a new one, though.</p>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-HEi50nt9yLE/UmaQlQ4_wqI/AAAAAAAAVls/Gwyo6_H4sHc/s1600/20131022_094817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-HEi50nt9yLE/UmaQlQ4_wqI/AAAAAAAAVls/Gwyo6_H4sHc/s640/20131022_094817.jpg"> </a> </div>DangAndBlast!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11204540335903358779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7877450623595831668.post-16033124976269880182013-10-09T21:51:00.001-05:002013-10-09T21:51:37.619-05:00Wise men<p dir=ltr>Well, progress on one at least!</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-r7dHLiUTrjU/UlYWNmRda0I/AAAAAAAAVGM/wvXrH3c-GAg/s1600/20131009_215007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-r7dHLiUTrjU/UlYWNmRda0I/AAAAAAAAVGM/wvXrH3c-GAg/s640/20131009_215007.jpg"> </a> </div>DangAndBlast!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11204540335903358779noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7877450623595831668.post-24424511172731370362013-10-01T13:13:00.001-05:002013-10-01T13:15:11.142-05:00Fabric books<p dir="ltr">I love making the fabric books from panels. I recently made these four (holidays from Joann, Pooh from Etsy) for my little nephew. Drool? Washing machine! My kidlet still loves the Rudolph and Night Before Christmas ones I made her. And there is something new on the market: <a href="http://redbikestudio.blogspot.com/2013/08/hugabook-tm.html">http://redbikestudio.blogspot.com/2013/08/hugabook-tm.</a><u><a href="http://redbikestudio.blogspot.com/2013/08/hugabook-tm.html">html</a></u><br>
Book with matching soft toy! Have to try that out soon.<br>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-bpnzwQ9v-HI/UiiLvt8wfSI/AAAAAAAATbw/CJZq4N0dtKo/s1600/20130905_084703.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-bpnzwQ9v-HI/UiiLvt8wfSI/AAAAAAAATbw/CJZq4N0dtKo/s640/20130905_084703.jpg"> </a> </div>DangAndBlast!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11204540335903358779noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7877450623595831668.post-81984592024311724882013-09-04T14:57:00.000-05:002013-09-04T14:57:27.172-05:00Simple skirt tutorial<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Greetings! Recently I was rushing to make some skirts for the kidlet and her "twin cousin" (born eight hours later), during the last naptime before going to visit them. It struck me that I could make a skirt the same way a pillowcase can be made, so I took a few photos to share the process:</div>
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Step 1 (not pictured) - get some fabric (remnants work for a toddler skirt - width of fabric x the length you want the skirt); get some knit for the waistband (about six inches wide x the circumference of the baby's belly when not really stretched (this leaves room for a seam as well as some growing)).<br />
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Step 2: take up a few pleats in the skirt to make it as wide as the waistband fabric <em>when the waistband is stretched out</em>. Pin them and then tack across the top on your regular sewing machine.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a9iDBb9EjKE/UieOjQL0x_I/AAAAAAAATbA/EEdcs361eHc/s1600/DSC_0836.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a9iDBb9EjKE/UieOjQL0x_I/AAAAAAAATbA/EEdcs361eHc/s320/DSC_0836.JPG" /></a><br />
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Step 3: oddly, no clear picture of the pinning - likely because it was a bear to do - but it's the same method shown for the <a href="http://www.coles-corner-and-creations.com/2010/09/sausage-pillowcase-quick-picture.html" target="_blank">basic sausage pillowcase here</a> - roll up the skirt, pinning the waistband around the skirt-sausage; to be safe, I recommend pinning the skirt down away from the edge of the waistband, as shown here. Then serge along the seam:<br />
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Step 4: remove pins and tug the skirt out of the waistband, turning it right-side out.</div>
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Step 5: ta-da! A very wrinkled skirt! Serge up the back seam and finish the hem.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DjSm9gOOCW4/UieOi6dcGbI/AAAAAAAATa0/5nQ5iwsCpXM/s1600/DSC_0830.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DjSm9gOOCW4/UieOi6dcGbI/AAAAAAAATa0/5nQ5iwsCpXM/s320/DSC_0830.JPG" /></a></div>
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Step 6: I used a rolled hem, added rick-rack, and added lace. (On one of the two I serged the seam first, on the other I added the trim first. Personal preference.)<br />
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Hooray, a very very fast (except for nasty pinning) stretch-waisted skirt!</div>
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(Sorry, no ironing - had to get it into the suitcase!</div>
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DangAndBlast!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11204540335903358779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7877450623595831668.post-34798486032555418132013-07-15T19:33:00.001-05:002013-07-15T19:33:25.880-05:00Dinner<p dir=ltr>Pork fajitas with apple avocado salsa from cooking light - pretty and tasty!</p>
<div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='http://lh5.ggpht.com/-QKPu6tY9Cb4/UeSU00ZBHgI/AAAAAAAASQ0/5E70RAPviiM/s1600/20130715_175857.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='http://lh5.ggpht.com/-QKPu6tY9Cb4/UeSU00ZBHgI/AAAAAAAASQ0/5E70RAPviiM/s640/20130715_175857.jpg' /> </a> </div>DangAndBlast!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11204540335903358779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7877450623595831668.post-82823351066673262212013-07-11T14:16:00.001-05:002013-07-11T14:16:11.437-05:00And now something for me<p dir=ltr>From Vogue Knitting</p>
<div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='http://lh5.ggpht.com/-qvG_N5WVNZM/Ud8EeAq5bTI/AAAAAAAASLk/TdBg3RlNegc/s1600/20130711_141505.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='http://lh5.ggpht.com/-qvG_N5WVNZM/Ud8EeAq5bTI/AAAAAAAASLk/TdBg3RlNegc/s640/20130711_141505.jpg' /> </a> </div>DangAndBlast!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11204540335903358779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7877450623595831668.post-31125671792061322702013-07-06T15:27:00.001-05:002013-07-06T15:27:51.873-05:00Bonnets<p dir=ltr>Today I: put snaps on the last homemade diaper (sorry, no photos -it's functional, not cute!), made my sister an adorable Jon-Jon and forgot to take photos before putting it in a box, and made two bonnets (and snapped photos on my phone while fending off a kid). Productive nap time! </p>
<div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='http://lh4.ggpht.com/-A2QoMfub2nY/Udh9wW8eXSI/AAAAAAAASEA/TWq1kqUXD6M/s1600/20130706_152237.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='http://lh4.ggpht.com/-A2QoMfub2nY/Udh9wW8eXSI/AAAAAAAASEA/TWq1kqUXD6M/s640/20130706_152237.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='http://lh5.ggpht.com/-30HONOtCeXQ/Udh9xrx6SaI/AAAAAAAASEI/6k2i51udGN4/s1600/20130706_152407.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='http://lh5.ggpht.com/-30HONOtCeXQ/Udh9xrx6SaI/AAAAAAAASEI/6k2i51udGN4/s640/20130706_152407.jpg' /> </a> </div>DangAndBlast!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11204540335903358779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7877450623595831668.post-61910523054082561502013-06-17T12:17:00.001-05:002013-06-17T12:17:52.992-05:00Wooden sorting toys<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Made these toys yesterday, following the idea at <a href="http://verdantbents.blogspot.com/2013/05/diy-easy-wood-waldorf-inspired-toys.html" target="_blank">Verdant Bents here</a>.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drying out</td></tr>
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Six little men, six little cups, a six-color non-toxic paint pot set.</div>
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Of course accompanied by my (now rather beat up) canteen.</div>
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The kidlet immediately knew what to do with them, sorted them by color nicely. She's not big enough to play with them unaccompanied (small men and toddler mouths...), but this was easy and fun!</div>
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DangAndBlast!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11204540335903358779noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7877450623595831668.post-42412544882128296272013-06-17T12:13:00.003-05:002013-06-17T12:13:57.730-05:00A note on heirloom dress sizes<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Baby clothes sizes are unpredictable. Simplicity patterns for babies are sized by weight, which seems pretty accurate. My monkey's at the smaller end of things, so in the "month" sizes of basic storebought clothes (Gap, Carter's, etc.) she's generally one size back (seventeen months now, and mostly wearing 12mo sizes, though she's starting to be too tall for the footed ones).<br />
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In Indian clothes, she's right on the mark. Our lovely pediatrician, of Vietnamese heritage, understands genetic differences and didn't say a thing when the baby showed up at the 5th percentile for weight - when her "twin cousin" (eight hours younger, also "windy") was called underweight at over a pound heavier by a doctor unfamiliar with the concept of naturally-skinny Asian babies. And the beautifully-fitted off-the-rack clothes we get from India bear that out (in beautiful silks and soft cottons I can't buy here... and so poorly sewn!).<br />
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The clothes from <a href="http://www.creationsbymichie.com/" target="_blank">Creations by MichiƩ</a> must also run skinny (and looking at how nicely they fit on her non-chubby granddaughter, that may well be the case). Because I made the <a href="http://www.creationsbymichie.com/sailordress.htm" target="_blank">Sailor Dress #106</a> in the 18 months size and it's a perfect fit:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sailor Dress upside-down</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Dhg7Ir1cooI/Ub8_-eRnx7I/AAAAAAAARHA/wC-5XoSIX4g/s1600/20130602_151404.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Creations by Michie Sailor Dress #106" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Dhg7Ir1cooI/Ub8_-eRnx7I/AAAAAAAARHA/wC-5XoSIX4g/s320/20130602_151404.jpg" title="Creations by Michie Sailor Dress #106" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sailor Dress in motion</td></tr>
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Well, you can't really tell, because she's reached the stage of constant motion. <div>
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The fagoting on the collar was a challenge (never done embroidery or much free handwork), but it really makes the dress. </div>
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I have another cut out, same size, in a lovely blue plaid. I like her patterns - easy to make (for heirloom), very clear instructions, and an excellent finished product. Of the three I've tried (Chery Williams, Creations by MichiƩ, and Ginger Snaps), I like these the best.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W5kyHZKQT48/Ub9AKpOYUfI/AAAAAAAARHI/d31ruJZaOoY/s1600/20130616_153817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W5kyHZKQT48/Ub9AKpOYUfI/AAAAAAAARHI/d31ruJZaOoY/s320/20130616_153817.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
This dress, however, <a href="http://www.marthasheirlooms.com/chery_williams.htm" target="_blank">Chery Williams' baby square yoke</a>, in the six month size, still fits just fine at seventeen months. Heirloom patterns in general run large, I've heard (perhaps so slow seamstresses don't find the kid's outgrown it before it's finished, or so it can be worn longer - I do like the four inch hems - the extra tuck I added in this dress still hasn't been taken out), so Michie may be the exception.<br />
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(And it's also a lovely pattern that I'll use several times - and already have used three times - but it's perhaps *too* well made - a fabulous lined bodice isn't necessary in Houston's heat! I'll just finish my seams and call it a day with only one layer of thin cotton!)</div>
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DangAndBlast!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11204540335903358779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7877450623595831668.post-41100864345246445902013-05-21T21:16:00.001-05:002013-05-21T21:16:07.245-05:00Old notions<p dir=ltr>Borrowed from my mother: bias tape she's had as long as I've been alive.</p>
<div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='http://lh3.ggpht.com/-oWosEmXTfy8/UZwqY5HfcuI/AAAAAAAAQRg/5ovgQzyemts/s1600/20130521_211433.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='http://lh3.ggpht.com/-oWosEmXTfy8/UZwqY5HfcuI/AAAAAAAAQRg/5ovgQzyemts/s640/20130521_211433.jpg' /> </a> </div>DangAndBlast!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11204540335903358779noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7877450623595831668.post-46820836839981864332013-05-06T16:19:00.002-05:002013-05-06T16:19:54.307-05:00Giveaway day? Oops!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
To anyone clicking over from a comment... I'm a month behind in my blog feed reader, and either they didn't announce the giveaway day far enough in advance or I missed it! So, no giveaways this time around. Sorry, and come back next time!</div>
DangAndBlast!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11204540335903358779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7877450623595831668.post-76091818815983946542013-04-10T20:52:00.001-05:002013-04-10T20:52:09.662-05:00Overalls<p dir=ltr>I believe a yellow duck is necessary, don't you?</p>
<div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='http://lh3.ggpht.com/-XlozS18UKwE/UWYXRiKWV8I/AAAAAAAAPFY/PZpjYUxCUaI/s1600/20130410_205029-1.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='http://lh3.ggpht.com/-XlozS18UKwE/UWYXRiKWV8I/AAAAAAAAPFY/PZpjYUxCUaI/s640/20130410_205029-1.jpg' /> </a> </div>DangAndBlast!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11204540335903358779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7877450623595831668.post-28778313993394137622013-04-10T19:24:00.001-05:002013-04-10T19:24:21.433-05:00Chew guard<p dir=ltr>The baby turned into a badger and started chewing on her crib when she got teeth. It's a mini crib, and the rail in question is thick and round, so the plastic protector things wouldn't work. On a friend's suggestion, I simply took a length of fleece, about eight inches wide (from my mother's sewing room trash can, actually - left over from making a sleep sack for my upcoming Boston nephew), snipped it all along, and tied it around the rail. Cute! </p>
<p dir=ltr>(And yes, that is a sleeping baby in the photo - took a big risk snapping that picture!)</p>
<div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='http://lh4.ggpht.com/-QGy47lDo5ds/UWYCsgH_77I/AAAAAAAAPEs/Slt0O4KUok4/s1600/20130410_191834.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='http://lh4.ggpht.com/-QGy47lDo5ds/UWYCsgH_77I/AAAAAAAAPEs/Slt0O4KUok4/s640/20130410_191834.jpg' /> </a> </div>DangAndBlast!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11204540335903358779noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7877450623595831668.post-73290950696615762362013-04-02T21:10:00.000-05:002013-04-02T21:10:01.109-05:00Young Gadabout Baby Set<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I finally took some better pictures of the <a href="http://dangandblast.blogspot.com/2013/02/young-gadabout-baby-coatdress.html" target="_blank">Young Gadabout Baby Set</a>. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4g2L1t__dWY/UVT3_Wqss3I/AAAAAAAAOMs/fVizN49inYU/s1600/DSC_0351.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4g2L1t__dWY/UVT3_Wqss3I/AAAAAAAAOMs/fVizN49inYU/s320/DSC_0351.JPG" /></a><br />
I made the hat as well, which I didn't see in other people's project photos. It's hilarious, pointy, and the baby doesn't try to take it off (she normally hates hats, but this one doesn't bother her).</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tyuu3FHGlJY/UVT4AFSfSHI/AAAAAAAAOM4/PvydZQNA7aM/s1600/DSC_0354.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tyuu3FHGlJY/UVT4AFSfSHI/AAAAAAAAOM4/PvydZQNA7aM/s320/DSC_0354.JPG" /></a><br />
Doesn't keep her from exploring, though.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NSqAN9TaSwo/UVT4AiSqRpI/AAAAAAAAONE/JlDAh9ihDAY/s1600/DSC_0209.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NSqAN9TaSwo/UVT4AiSqRpI/AAAAAAAAONE/JlDAh9ihDAY/s320/DSC_0209.JPG" /></a><br />
Or posing.</div>
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On <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/DangAndBlast/young-gadabout-baby-set-3159" target="_blank">Ravelry here</a>.</div>
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DangAndBlast!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11204540335903358779noreply@blogger.com2