Finally blogging again ...

After like ages I'll start posting again. In the last weeks I've finished some nice sewing projects I would like to share. I just have to get my camera and take pictures of everything.


I made 2 little baggies ( like for cosmetics or cellphones)
1 small messenger bag in cow print for Daniel
2 duffel bags (one bigger, one smaller one) - I'll try to post a tutorial for that
1 little softy animal - an exaggerated version on a bunny probably from Japanese craft book
my newest project that I just finished yesterday night: a short nice fitting pleated skirt in 2 colors - also for this one I am going to post a tutorial. This one not only came out super cute but was not that difficult to sew. I just took time to plan and understand everything. But the second one I probably could sew in a few hours.

Giant Sumo Beanbag

Yesterday I finished the Birthday present for my Dovi. I decided to make him a giant pillow beanbag. The idea I got from one of the web pages that sell them. It is basically a pillow shaped beanbag. But you can form various sitting arrangements with it. They called it the 10 in 1. You not only can lie on it but shake it up and arrange a different position and sit and lounge on it. It is really great. For the fabric I chose a brown cow print. Something I guessed Dovi would like.

If you are afraid it might take to much space, just shake it and stand it up in a corner.

The measurements are: 5.4' x 5.5' which is 150 x 165 cm. (Plus add seam allowance)

To make it is really simple:

I bought about 4m of fabric. It has to be as wide or wider than the shortest side. Then you just measure 150 x (2 x 165) 330.
Now you only have one piece and need to sew right sides together two sides. Then turn it inside out and attach the zipper to it. Finish off the last side with the zipper in.

one of the sitting positions that support the back and neck really well

I have several tips for you:
* Try to sew all sides with double stitching. (You can use a twin needle for it)
* I also made an inside bag with about the same dimensions or larger. Then you easily can change the cover and put it in the laundry. And in case a seam rips you the polyester beans don't spill on the floor.
* Try to get a very strong quite long zipper. Mine was 1m in length.

In one of the shops we have here in the area I have seen that they use some kind of stretchy cotton fabric. (Moms probably know this one from the "natural" baby carriers that is made out of only one piece of long stretchy fabric...)
Next time I get to Tel Aviv I have a look if I find something similar.

Also I saw a banana like design on the Internet. Maybe I'll try that soon too.

Stripey Long Tote

On Monday I went to Tel Aviv to go to my doctor. I always use that opportunity to drive by the fabric street on Nachal Binjamin. There they have everything from fabrics, buttons, interfacing, sewing machine supply, sewing supply, .... I got some nice fabrics and decided yesterday to make a long tote bag out of one of them:

The raw measurements are:
body of bag: 37x31 cm; 14x12 in
pockets inside: 19x31 cm; 7x12 in
pocket outside: 17x17 cm; 7x7 in
straps: 7x71 cm; 2 3/4 x 28 in
bottom corners of bag sewn in: 2 1/4 in
zipper fabric: 28x7 cm - take care that it is slightly less long than the bag is wide...
zipper: 28 cm long - if you have a slightly longer one just trim it

I cut all the pieces stripes horizontal except for the outside pocket and the straps. These two I cut out the other way.
I used off white linen fabric for lining.
I used heavy fuse able interfacing on the body of fabric and lining.

Interface all 4 body pieces (with hot iron and a lot of pressing).

The basic rule for making a bag is: Start doing the pockets first: Sewing pockets fabric and lining (right sides inside) on three sides together - leave the other one for turning inside out. Turn and sew the last side. Then attach the pockets to its place: eigther the outside body or the inside one. Take care about the direction of the stripes on the outside one. The inside one I divided into two.

Hem the zipper fabric from both length sides. Sew in the zipper, secure and shorten it if necessary.

Sew the fabric body on the three sides (right sides inside) together. Fold the bottom "ears" and mark at 2 1/4 in with a line. Sew it.
Repeat for the lining.

Attach the zipper fabric with its zipper sewn in to the lining fabric.

Make the straps: Right sides inside, sew two long sides and one short side together. Turn inside out. Sew 1/4 in all the long way on both sides.

Put the bag together for final sewing:
Outside fabric - on the outside - right side inside - left side outside
Inside lining - on the inside - right side outside - left side inside
Put the straps inside the bag accordingly so that only a tiny bit looks out. Take care not to mess up with which part will be worn at the end inside (if you used different fabrics)
Pin in place and sew all around except for one place between the handles for turning. Turn and sew that last bit.

Finished!!!

Humus

Today's recipe I want to share is Humus. Not only is Humus very delicious but also very healthy - especially compared to all the bought ones you get. They contain not only preservatives but also to add more weight a lot of fat. Enough of the small talk, let's get going:

1. Take about 500 gr of dry Chickpeas and let them soak in plenty of water for about 24 hours. Every now and then you change the water in which they soak.
2. After that you put them in a pressure cooker, add one whole pealed onion and fill the pot until the marking of your pot with water. (Take care not to fill too much!)
3. Let that cook for about 1 1/2 to 2 hours. If you are unsure at the first time just open the pot after the 1 1/2 hours and check if the peas are soft. They should easily squash in your fingers. If not put them back for another half hour.
4. After the are soft (by that time they will have soaked up almost all of the water) take them out and put them in the Food Processor. Add 2 - 3 cloves of freshly minced garlic, about 1/2 cup or more of Techina (Sesame Paste - liquidity - also used to make Techina for eating), 2 or more ladles of the water the Humus was cooked in, 2 TB parve (not meaty) Chicken Soup Powder, 3 TB Olive Oil, some Tabasco, 1 TB ground Cumin and if you want 1/2 TB Curry Powder. Let it all process until its smooth.
5. Serve with some of the leftover Chickpeas and some Olive Oil. Best to eat when it's just freshly made and still warm.

Now some tips:

Because it takes a lot of time of soaking (24 hours) you can soak more in advance. Cook it all and before you put in the other ingredients just put in bags and store in the freezer. Like this you can just defrost a portion in a few minutes and have the Humus ready in no time! This is specially recommended if you have inpatient toddlers who suddenly demand Humus. They don't understand that it takes 24 hours to soak and another 2 hours to cook ;-) ....

The original way is without the Curry Powder. So if you don't like it this way just omit it.

The ready made Humus stores in the fridge for a few days. By then you probably have eaten it already...

Bete Avon! - Enjoy the meal in Hebrew...

My Pillow Quilt

I want to show you my first Quilt Project I made about half a year ago.



It's made out of 3 different cotton quilt fabrics and 1 dark blue corduroy fabric.
At the same time I made 3 more - they are almost finished. I should really finish them completely. Maybe soon.

But my plans for my next project I want to start today is a simple Baby Quilt. I'll keep you posted on my progress.

Header Image in Blogger

Recently I found out how to put a Header Image into a Blogger Blog. I'll show you exactly how:
(by the way, I am using the new version of Blogger)

Before you start changing anything on the template, please make a copy!

First you have to find this kind of code:
/* Header

In between the line that begins with border ends with the curly brackets you copy:
background-image: url(http://www.photobucket.com/albums/xxx/xxx.jpg)
Instead of the demo link I provided you enter the web page where your picture is stored.

Have a look:

#header-wrapper { width:660px; height:250px; margin:0 auto 10px; border:none; background-image: url(http://www.photobucket.com/albums/xxx/xxx.jpg) }

#header { margin: 5px; border: none text-align: center; color:$pagetitlecolor;}

I also adjusted the dimensions and set the border to none.

Save it and you should be done.

Please leave a comment if you find a different way.

Move out the Family Section

I decided to move my Family section to another blog to keep it more private. The previous post explains why. This way I will be able to enjoy both topics and don't have to regret somethings I post.