Details Make a Difference

Quiet moments spent with sewing in hand, can relax the body as well as the mind.
A sense of accomplishment is often the reward after many days, weeks, or months
spent in this quiet activity.

One of my favorite dress patterns is Sense and Sensibiliy's Regency Dress. I love the old classic styling in this design. It's princess seams are flattering to most people, and the diagonal dropped back shoulder seam is quite elegant. Shown here is the bodice back with skirt.


The teeny little tucks at the center back are slimming as well as beautiful. They add something special to the flow of the dress as you walk. If you make this pattern according to the directions, the center of the skirt back is actually quite a bit longer that the rest of the skirt. It is meant to flow agains the ground.


The pattern converts well for nursing purposes. Here's the tiny covered button that holds the flap in place.



See what's hidden underneath!




Here is a sweet detail from another very simple dress. Do you ever collect little pearl buttons only to find you don't have enough for an application? Try mixing them in some pleasing pattern.

The Joy of Narrow Hemming

I wonder how many of you have ever seen a sewing machine like this one? This was my Mother's 1954 Singer Featherweight. It is the only machine she ever owned, the first one I ever sewed on, and a remarkably easy machine to use. It has it's own black carrying case and sewing table. Inside the case is a little box full of "attachments" that were in common use at that time. There was a ruffler, a tucker, and a narrow hem foot. It is the narrow hem foot that I want to show you today. This neat little foot is the secret to getting those tiny little narrow hems you see in ready made clothing ~ and you can do them too! Check to see if you can get one for your machine.


First, you will press the hem under twice (fold 1/8" under once, then again) for a distance of no more that 1".

Insert the folded fabric under the foot and take two stitches to secure the thread. Bring needle up and lift the foot.

Pull the fabric back and forth to get the raw edges to feed through the little curly-cue that rolls the fabric. Put your presser foot down and begin sewing. It will roll your fabric right through, and all you have to do is keep the fabric feeding evenly.

When you're finished you have a lovely little hem!
I'm making little bags to fill with potpourri. We put these in the orders we send out as our way of saying "Thank You!"

Here is the bag all turned. The right tool makes the job a cinch!

This is lavender potpourri. It's nice to put in your linen closets to deter insects and that stale smell things can aquire.

The finished product! That narrow hem is one of those careful details that give a bit of class to your sewing projects.

A Salubrious Summer-Time Receipt

I would like to share with you one of our summer favorites. I first had Gazpacho at "Falls Cottage" in downtown Greenville, and enjoyed it so much, I just had to make it. Upon locating a receipt in a cookbook called "Perenials", we began making this a regular during the summer months. I usually serve this cold soup up with some muffins, but last night I had a real "hankerin" for egg-rolls. Now don't tell me that Italian and Oriental do not go together. They did at my house last night, and nobody complained!

GAZPACHO

1 clove garlic
1/2 small onion

1 stalk celery
1/2 small green pepper
3 larg ripe tomatoes
(use 2-1# cans if nec.)
1 medium cucumber, peeled
1-1/2 C tomato juice
3 T wine vinegar
2 T olive oil

1 1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. dried basil

Put half the ingredients in a blender or food processor. Blend until desired consistency; do not puree. Pour into large bowl. Blend the other half and do the same. Pour into bowl, cover, and refrigerate for a couple of hours to get good and cold.
Serve in colorful bowls.

The Celebration

Recently, we had the wonderful opportunity to go to the Jamestown area to take part in the only real celebration that is taking place for the 400th anniversary of the founding of Jamestown. We spent a whole week with the Vision Forum group learning about the early history or our country-beginning in 1607. We learned of the providence of God in using ordinary, and not so ordinary men to bring the Gospel of Salvation to these shores. Our great country would be an entirely different place if we did not have this uniquely
Christian heritage.

Going Into Town

One year ago, September first, the Lord fulfilled a dream we had for

many, many years. We moved to the country! He gave us 21 acres and an interesting old house. Ahhhh, country life ~ there's nothing at all like it. We marvel at his goodness to us.
Today, being town day, I decided to make a little stop at the home of my dear "Friend". I took this basket of "fresh from the garden" vegetables to her, expecting her to use it in her delicious Cuban cooking! She may have to get pretty creative with the cucumbers!
I've found a way to freeze squash so that it doesn't end up all mushy.
After washing and slicing your squash, lay on cookie sheets, or cake pans, or even single layer in a zip-lock bag. Turn your freezer down REAL low, and place your squash in the lowest level of your freezer. After it is frozen solid, you may break apart and put into freezer bags. Then do it again, until you have your bag full.

I hope it may work for you!

By Way of Introduction . . .

Hello! I'm so glad you stopped in for a visit with me! Do you love old things? I sure do. There is something romantic about "the olden days". There is something charming about the ways they used to live and do things.

I hope to share some of the things I'm learning and doing, with the hope of inspiring you to live, with a sense of the past - not because we need to "worship" the olden days, but because there are elements from the thinking of the past that we need to revisit.