Secret Identity...or why I chose underwear to define my signature style.

When I decided I wanted to participate with the Project Run & Play sew along. I had great dreams and realistic expectations of what would happen. That I've sewn along twice is amazing to me since my sewing time is so limited.

Yes, the second sew along is a pairs of panties and yes, they took me almost no time to sew. However that is part of who I am as a sewer...sewist...sewanista? My time is limited. If I add a task to my already overflowing brain it has to be something that fits into my schedule. It has to be quick and easy so my mind doesn't go into panic mode.

Sure I do make things for Wub that take days and days to sew. I love to sew things for her that are beautiful and full of wonderful details. Which brings me to the second part of who I am when I'm sewing.

Five years ago I didn't want to sew. I hated to sew. I will pin that blame squarely on my eighth grade home ec teacher. She so thoroughly spoiled the act of sewing for  me that I forgot that I ever liked it in the first place. It took twenty two years and one amazing little girl to change all that.

One day I was perusing Etsy and came across an amazing dress. There is of course no link to show you the dress but I can remember it very clearly. It was a beautiful black and white print of gorgeous pocket watches and fobs. The bottom was a wide band of deep red and it had red straps across the shoulders. I was dumb struck with longing to own it.

Or make it. I mean I may have hated to sew but in reality this dress was two rectangles with some straps and shirring. How hard could shirring be? So I looked it up on the internet. And although all I had was a $10.00 kids sewing machine that had never been out of the package I made the trip to JoAnn's for elastic thread and remnant of fabric to see if I could pull it off. I made a test dress and it worked beautifully. I couldn't wait to try it again. I made her three of those rectangle shirred dresses before my $10.00 machine couldn't take it anymore. With no sewing machine I figured that was the end of the brief sewing madness.

Then Mr. Husband Man bought me a real machine for my birthday. Boy howdy, did I make some rectangle dresses then. Including a black and white print with a red hem and ties.

I scoured the internet for tutorials on how to make clothes that didn't require a pattern. After all it was a shorts pattern that sealed my previous hatred of sewing. So I made countless elastic waistband skirts,  shirred tops and aprons. Then I came across Charity from Indietutes fantastic instructions on how to make a peasant blouse. Not quite a pattern but it broke me out of  my comfort zone. Then I discovered her Solar Dress Pattern.  and I decided it was time to sew something from a real pattern. Her directions were so clear and the process was so painless that it made me hungry for more. 

From there I haven't looked back. I still use the internet and the wonderful resources that women and men share as an inspiration daily. I wouldn't be able to sew the things I do without Dana from Made, Charity from Indietutes. Zabet from AntiCraft. Melissa from MellySews or liZ and Elizabeth  from Simple Simon. Plus countless others who share their skills and knowledge on blogs and YouTube videos across the interwebs.

Along the way I discovered two things about myself. One is I really only enjoy sewing for Wubby. I love MHM to the ends of the earth and back but I've only ever sewn him a pair of pajama pants. Two is that the things I love most about sewing are often the things that no one sees or would notice. 

That three inch deep hem on a dress? Love it! it's a special touch that says hand made not store bought. The eensy weensy rolled hem on the bottom of a shirt? Yes, it took me forever to figure out how do it but it's the perfect way to finish of a delicate piece of sewing. Binding all of her collars on with pink bias because that's her favorite color? Making pockets from a totally unexpected fabric? Lining a school jumper with a sweet surprise? These are all things I do to show my daughter how much I love her, how much I want to give her something special and unique. Because she is special and unique and I want to celebrate that. 

One of the things that I love most about my daughter is her love (okay obsession with) Spider-man. Though I'm not really big on showcasing most licensed characters on my kid's clothing. There are a few notable exceptions. Charlie and Lola, Dr. Seuss and Spider-Man. My favorite way to give in to licensed characters? Underpants. Sure no one is supposed to see them (She is five so I have no delusions that they aren't occasionally out on view.) but it gives her a way to carry a beloved character throughout the day. 

Since they don't make Spider-Man underwear for little girls I took matters into my own hands. Now she has a unique article of clothing. A happy little secret that will hopefully remind her of how much I love her.

You can read how I transformed an ordinary tee shirt into something super here.

An Open Letter to Mr. Stan Lee

Dear Mr. Stan  Lee,
  I've lived in your universe for nearly my entire life. As a child I loved Spider-Man. (still do) Not because he was innovative. Not because he was different than any other super hero. Because he spoke to my heart with his sense of humor and his humanity. He was the reallest super hero out there. To this day I attribute a portion of my wacky sense of humour to an overdose of Spider-Man quips as a child.

 As I got older my respect for you grew immensely. Your heroes are truly amazing. Your sense of the world is so fresh and different. The risks you take with the genre are astounding. A hero based on a spider? What?!? Are you crazy? People hate, HATE spiders. Yet we root for him. Super heroes with no secret identity? How's that supposed to work? But it's believable that these figures walk among us in celebrity.

 Your heroes have always been richly imagined and wonderfully detailed.Your female supers? Don't get me started. Not merely the copycat counterpoint to some "super" male figure but strong, complex characters that shine on their own. Fire Star, Jean Grey, Storm and The Invisible Woman are all characters I am pleased to let my daughter watch.

 As for that daughter, she loves Spider-Man too. So much that she dressed up like him for Halloween last year. So much that we have countless Spider-Man figurines, watch countless episodes of Amazing Friends and own no less than four pairs of Spider-Man jammies.

 Mr. Lee, you taught us that spiders can be heroes and that women aren't just the less interesting side of the same coin. You're the same man who had the courage to portray gay super heroes and even more courage to stand by and let them shine.

  With all your forward thinking and innovation I have one question for you Mr. Lee. Why is it that no matter how much my daughter loves Spidey and Marvel, she can't have the holy grail of licensed products? Why can't I buy my daughter Spider-Man underwear?

 If she was a little boy I would have a treasure trove of options. In fact when she was younger I did buy her boys underwear because she wanted them so desperately. I can remember exactly how unjust it felt thirty five years ago when my brother could have super hero underpants and I was stuck with Holly Hobby.

 So sure boy underwear worked to some extent. However, Wub, for all her love of Spidey, is still a pretty girly girl. Y fronts don't exactly fit her sense of style. She needs something just a touch more delicate and feminine and a bit less easy open fly.

  So Mr. Lee I only ask that you do what you do best. Innovate. Blaze new trails. Break down barriers. Go ahead, license Spider-Man for little girl panties. You might be surprised by the results. (But I won't be.)

Sincerely,
Kristi White
Wub's Mom and long time Spider-Man fan.

That being said...
You know the tune...

Sewing mom, sewing mom does whatever a sewing mom does. Fashions panties for a girl from a printed Spidey shirt. Makes pair out of two, too small pairs of boys pants. Because...she is a sewing mom!

Forgive the rough quality of the pictures but I wanted to show just how quickly you can fashion a new pair of undies from an old tee shirt.

You will need:
An underwear pattern.  I used a free one from Ottobre "Baby Undies". The largest size just fits Wub. You could also cut apart and trace a pair that fits your kid (or you)

A tee shirt with a cool graphic

A small amount of coordinating knit fabric with good recovery. (That means it bounces back when stretched.) This can come from the graphic tee or another tee you may have cut up for some other project.

A sewing machine with a zigzag stitch and all the stuff you 'd normally need to sew. 

You do not need a serger. You do not need a double needle. I have both of these and I chose to sew this with only zigzag because it can be done. Not having "fancy stuff" shouldn't stop you from doing something new. 

(See? One needle, set to a small zigzag)

First decide which side of the panties you want to have the graphic. I wanted it on the tushy so I could preserve as much of it as possible. Fold the graphic half of the tee in half and trace (or pin) your pattern.

Once I've got the pattern traced I like to pin the folded piece to keep it from separating when I cut it out. Now cut out it out

.Do the same with your other pattern piece. It's already starting to take shape. 

Next you are going to pin your crotch pieces right sides together (graphic on the inside) and sew them with a fairly narrow zigzag stitch. Try not to tug or stretch the fabric as goes through the machine. If your machine is struggling try increasing the size of your zigzag slightly until the fabric feeds through nicely. (You might want to practice on scraps first)

Repeat with the side seams.

Now you should have something that really resembles a pair of underwear. Turn them right sides out.

Use a tape measure to measure around the leg holes and around the waistband. Cut 2 strips of knit fabric 3 inches wide by leg hole measurement. (For me this was 3x13.5) and one strip of knit fabric 3 inches wide by waistband measurement. (for me this was 3x22)

Fold the strips in half and sew ends together to form a ring.

I'm going to admit it. I was being super lazy while I was making these so I didn't iron anything. Yes, these would be nicer if I'd taken my time and pressed a few things here and there. But they're still super cute and they were super fast. Iron if you must or just fold the tubes in  half  lenghtwise to form a double layer tube. You can either pin or just hold the legband to the outside of the leg hole. Graphic now facing out.

Using the same narrow zigzag sew the legband to the leg hole. Repeat on opposite side. 

Turn legbands down. 

Attach waistband in the same manner.

You do not need to finish the interior seams because the knit will not fray. You can if you want to though.
All told, from cutting out and taping the pattern to finished undies less than hour.
Not bad...

Tune in next time when our intrepid hero...er sewing mom shows you how to make one pair of girls underwear out of two pairs of boy underwear.

The Maggie May Dress from Shwin & Shwin

 I have to be honest I wasn't 100% sure  I liked the Maggie May Tunic/Dress when I bought the pattern. I was very on the fence. Mostly because I wasn't sure I could come up with a fabric combo I would really love.

 But there was something about the pleats that whispered to me. I know, I know but I HATE gathering stuff. It's so fiddly. Frustrates me. And ever since I made myself a pleat flipper from a Jenga block, two bamboo skewers and some scotch tape I've chosen to pleat over gather whenever practical.

 There are only three pattern pieces to the Maggie May. Two multipurpose back and front pieces and a pocket. The rest is measured rectangles. So there wasn't a lot of tape this to that and line up this with that. Considering the last pattern I cut out and put together was the W Pants by Blank Slate Patterns (a fantastic pattern by the way) this was a welcome relief.

 The directions are wee bit sparse but a confident beginner could definitely figure them out. I mostly followed the directions except I put the pleats in the skirt before I sewed the skirt pieces together. One other thing I would change the next time I sew it. (And I will definitely sew it again because it looks a-mazing on Wub.) would be to attach the contrast band to the bottom before I sewed the skirt sides together.

  Because Wub is in a size that doesn't actually exist commercially I'm pretty careful to measure her before I sew something. I sewed the size six and it was spot on for sizing.

 I managed to get this sewed over three evenings. If that sounds like a long time, take into account we get home from work between 5:30 and 6:00. We cook and eat dinner, get Wub's lunch ready, do any homework she has, bathe and sometimes we pretend we care about housework. Also if I stay up past 10:00pm that's like 4:00 am in twenty year old time. So all told maybe three and a half hours. At least a half hour of that time was me picking out the same button hole four times because I kept bleeping it up.

  As for the fabric combo? I kinda feel like I knocked that one out of the park.

The linen is a fabric remnant I got at JoAnn's for maybe a dollar fifty. The floral is from a brand new (circa 1971) Canon Blossom Festival  full size sheet that I bought on Ebay. I think I paid $14 for it. I still have several yards of it left.

The back doesn't quite line up but I'm 98% sure this was a "user" error and not the pattern itself. 

 I let Wub pick out the buttons. She had the choice of deep clear green, pale yellow or these orange ones. Even though it meant a lot of buttonholes and button sewing. I think they are the perfect choice. 

You can't see it when it's all buttoned up but the second from the top buttonhole is the one I had to pick out four times. It's actually still slightly wonky but I was afraid I was going to damage te fabric if I picked out any more stitches.

And the pockets? Love them. They are perfectly sized and perfectly placed. If pockets hadn't been included I probably would have added them in a future version.

For all the wonderful and special details the Maggie May is a pretty easy sew. I will definitely be making a couple of few more.

I have quite a bit of the Blossom Festival in the pink colorway. I think it would be GORGEOUS and on trend with a navy blue top and bottom. Maybe in maxi length.

I also picture white, red piping, black maybe more red piping and black again.

I have to say I'm a weensie bit jealous of Wub. If my pattern making skills were a little stronger I'd attempt a grown up version. Oh well maybe they'll come up with a plus size version. I'd definitely buy that.

Did I mention the pleats?

And the pockets?

Yup, we love it and would absolutely recommend it.

Surprise in the middle...

As a child this was my favorite commercial EVER.

Plus I love Tootsie Pops anyway. Sweet tangy lollipops with a delightfully chewy, chocolate center. Who can resist?

So when I read that Project and Run and Play's theme for Week 2 was candy inspired. I knew exactly what I wanted to do.

I wanted something Vanellope Von Schweetz inspired. Young, sassy, stripey, modern but still incredibly sweet. In my mind I planned a pair of candy striped leggings, a fluffy tutu embellished with candy findings and raglan tee with a freezer paper stencil of a piece of hard candy wrapping across the front and side.

What does this have to do with Tootsie Pops you ask? Not much at all.

Wub's school uniform policy is pretty easy to follow. Solid colored polos or blouses with collars and sleeves and uniform style pants, capris, shorts, skorts, skirts or jumpers in khaki, black or navy.

The one thing I don't like about the uniform policy is it makes it hard to put her in something "special". (Which I know is the point.) On picture day I made her this blouse.

The beautiful piping on the peter pan collar and triangle buttons made it extra special without  breaking any school rules. I did bend them slightly with the fabric choice. It's a white on white floral ditsy print. Technically prints are not allowed but this is so subtle it reads as white until you are right up on it.

We have a lot of uniform skirts because Wub is in a size that doesn't actually exist. Size 6 and a half waist with size 5 leg length would be the perfect size. Therefore making her uniform pants is pretty necessary.

I was at JoAnn's buying some lovely navy (My favorite on her because it plays up the pink tones in her skin.) stretch twill to make Wub some uniform pants from Blank Slate Patterns W pants pattern.  When I also discovered some wonderful fabric that threw my original idea out the window.

My brain started churning. How can I make something that's so everyday, like her uniform, special? I needed to do it so Wub wouldn't have issues but that she would know about anyway. Then I set about to sneak some candy into class.

I used a vintage pattern (Butterick 5776) I bought at Goodwill for either 50¢ or a dime and proceeded to stupidly follow the directions on the pattern instead of using my own good sense. The sewing/basting rip out took roughly 3 more hours then it should have.

 I will note here. If your pattern says "Sew skirt sides together, then make pleats and baste them down, then pick out all the basting once the dress is put together, then hem." Your pattern instructions are stupid. Hem first. Then pleats. Then sew sides together. Really The other way lies madness and we don't need that now do we?

Other than that bit it went together pretty easy and I ended up with this:

But wait...

What's that peeking out? Is it...

Wise Mr. Owl?

It is. It's the sweet surprise center of Wub's uniform jumper.















And...the world may never know.

P.S.

Masitas de Puerco

Okay I didn't take a picture. Sorry. But this is so easy and delicious I had to share.

2 pounds of boneless pork butt cut into 1 inch cubes.
1 large onion sliced.
1 1/2 cups of Goya Mojo Criollo
For my Evansvillians this is available at Aihua. Second to last aisle on the right hand side. (Away from the freezers.) This is the same aisle where you'll find the Adobo. The mojo is about halfway down on the Latin side of the aisle. Non EVV if you cant find it in a regular grocery store try Asian or Latin markets. There also loads of recipes for it. Just google it, although that does take the ridiculously easy aspect away.

Marinate the pork in the mojo for three hours. Drain off the marinade and reserve half a cup.(If you are a crazy germaphobe you can just use more from the bottle but seriously it's gonna cook for 20 minutes or so. So try not to be a nutter, ok?) Add the drained pork to a heavy bottomed pan and cover with 3 cups of water. Bring to a boil reduce heat and simmer for about 45 minutes. Water should be mostly evaporated. If it's not turn up the heat and watch carefully until water is gone. Add the onions and the reserved marinade. Cook and stir until the marinade has evaporated. Continue sauteing the pork chunks int their own rendered fat until slightly crispy and brown.

Now build yourself a soft taco or stuff into a masa cake or serve with rice an plantains just eat the stuff. YUM!

Cumin Seared Tuna with Lime Teriyaki Glaze and Chunky Guacamole

Cumin Seared Tuna with Lime Teriyaki Glaze and Chunky Guacamole. 

Tuna:
2 7-8 oz sashimi grade tuna steaks
2 Tablespoons of whole cumin seeds ground in a spice grinder or blender (reserve a pinch for the guacamole)
2 teaspoons salt

Lime Teriyaki Glaze:
1/4 cup Soy Vay or Trader Joe's Very Teriyaki Sauce
1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
3 packets True Lime (or 1/4 cup lime juice)

Chunky Guacamole:
One Envelope of pressurised guacamole (like Wholly Guacamole) or two avocados roughly mashed
1 small tomato chopped
1 green onion sliced
2 Tablespoons cilantro or parsley minced
Pinch of freshly ground cumin
(salt if using fresh avocados)

Wonton Chips (Optional):
Wonton skins or egg roll wrappers cut into triangles
Oil for frying.

About 30 minutes before you want to cook the tuna place the steaks in the freezer. Mix the freshly ground cumin and salt together in a shallow dish and set aside.

Fry your wonton chips. (if you plan on using them) If you don't know how to fry things this is not the recipe for you.

Meanwhile prepare the Lime teriyaki by mixing the lime, ginger and teriyaki together.

Combine all the guacamole ingredients and chill in the fridge.

Remove the tuna steaks from the freezer and coat with the cumin/salt mixture.

Heat a heavy skillet preferably cast iron over  high heat until smoking hot. Turn on your vent fan if you've got one. Place one tuna steak in the center of the pan and cook for 1 minute. flip and cook for 1 minute more. Remove from pan and set aside. Let pan reheat before repeating with the second tuna steak.

Slice the tuna into thin strips and fan out on a plate, (Or over a bed of Teriyaki Noodle Salad, recipe follows.) drizzle with the Lime Teriyaki and top with a scoop of the guacamole. Serve the remaining guacamole on the side.

Teriyaki Noodle Salad

8 oz fettucini or linguine noodle
4 oz button mushrooms sliced
1 cup frozen peas
1 medium carrot grated
2 green onions finely sliced
3/4 cup Soy Vay or Trader Joe's Very Teriyaki Sauce
2 Tablespoons Golden Mountain Seasoning or soy sauce
1 Tablespoon freshly grated ginger
1 7-8 oz package baby salad greens preferably asian style or arugula

Cook fettucini according to pack age directions except throw your  sliced button mushrooms into the water to cook with the pasta.

Mix all the other ingredients except the salad green together in a large bowl. Add the hot freshly drained pasta and mushrooms to the dressing/veggie mix stir to combine then fold in the salad greens.

Old lamp, new trick.

I saw this on Ikea Hackers and have been wanting to try it for years.

Make sure you are using compact flourescent  or LED bulb. I used  a lamp we bought from IKEA about seven years ago. You can use any uplighted lamp you want just make sure you are using a cool temperature bulb in it..  Starting at the top place super sticky post it notes all around rim. Curl the notes downward slightly. Add a second layer slightly below and offset by half the width. Repeat until you reach the bottom of the shade. In my case I stuck one more layer around the base to further camouflage the light shining through. Pretty awesome for a $10.00 lamp and a $1.00 package of sticky notes. 

I think this would be pretty in light pink sticky notes cut into a rounded shape ate the top and the finished  with green notes to make it even more flowery. I may do that in Wub's room with the gooseneck lamp that came with this. Ooooooh!