RSSArchives: Arwen O'Reilly Griffith
Hawaiian Baby Quilt
I have finally finished the Hawaiian baby quilt I've been working on. It's been my back-burner project for, oh, almost four years! The baby it's intended for is now almost three and not really a baby anymore, but hopefully he'll like it anyway.
While it has certainly been a lot of work (the central portion is all hand-quilted), it's the most satisfying project I've ever worked on. The thread color isn't consistent, the applique is crooked, and I have a lot to learn about mitered corners, but I'm ready to start another, this time for my own baby. Hopefully it will be done by the time he goes to college.
Here's a closer look at the stitching on the back side.
And here it is in all its glory.
If you want to make your own (and I highly recommend it--quilting is very meditative and also a great way to pass the time when you're on the phone or chatting it up with someone), check out our Hawaiian Quilt Project from the pages of CRAFT, Volume 02.
Posted by Arwen O'Reilly Griffith |
Nov 13, 2009 02:00 PM
Babies, Quilting, Sewing, Sewing Machines |
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Winners of the Jane Austen's Sewing Box Giveaway
Congratulations to Alice in Seattle, Wash., and Laurel in Boulder, Colo., for each winning a copy of Jane Austen's Sewing Box. (That's right, there are two winners; there were so many passionate responses one extra lucky person is getting my ever-so-gently-used review copy.) Thanks to everyone who commented! I loved reading each and every response, and there were an overwhelming number. It warmed the cockles of my heart to think of the impact Miss Austen has had on so many of us.
For those of you who would like your own copy, Jennifer Forest pointed me to the book's listing on Amazon UK, where it seems to be easier to get your hands on it.
And for those of you on the east coast, be sure to check out the Jane Austen exhibit at the Morgan Library in New York City. I wish I could go! A Woman's Wit: Jane Austen's Life and Legacy sounds like an incredible show for any Austen fan.
Posted by Arwen O'Reilly Griffith |
Nov 12, 2009 10:00 PM
Books and Magazines, Reviews |
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Baking with Persimmons
Persimmons just shout "autumn" to me. Just the sight of those stark branches against the sky dotted with bright fruit sends me straight into cozy mode. Aran over at Cannelle et Vanille has not one but two amazing-sounding recipes for persimmon fans, as well as some fun recollections of the role persimmons played in her childhood. (I have similar memories of raw hachiya persimmons literally sucking the life out of my mouth; it took me a while before I was brave enough to fall in love with the sweetness of a raw fuyu persimmon in a winter salad.) I'm always a sucker for olive oil cake, and while I have never heard of a verrine before, it uses mascarpone, so I'm sold!
Posted by Arwen O'Reilly Griffith |
Nov 10, 2009 02:00 PM
Food, Recipe |
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Baby Pants Snap Mod
Most of the baby clothes my son wears are hand-me-downs or flea market finds, but my very favorites are usually the vintage ones. They don't look like all the other baby outfits you see running (crawling?) around and they're usually better made, too.
The drawback is that they don't always have snaps in the legs. I loved this pair of 80s overalls, but there's no way I am putting on or taking off overalls more than once a day. It was an easy fix, though! I ripped out the old seam, made a new one along the edges of the legs, and sewed on six snaps. Now diaper changing will be a (dare I say it?) snap.
I turned the seam under for the length of the legs, but left the cuffs folded over so they weren't too bulky. If the pants you're modding are thinner, go ahead and turn the seam under all the way.
When sewing the snaps on, make sure to use strong thread and stitch a little more than you think you need to. You don't want those things popping off and ending up in your little one's mouth!
Here are all six snaps sewn on. Learn from my mistake and make sure you have the two sides of the snap in the right order (I accidentally sewed on two backs)!
NOTE: a kind reader suggested snap tape, which would definitely make this an even easier project!
Posted by Arwen O'Reilly Griffith |
Nov 6, 2009 02:00 PM
Babies, Sewing |
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Sweet Potato Gnocchi Recipe
I have a story to share. The other day, I bought some pumpkin gnocchi, and last night I decided to make it with sage fried in brown butter to cheer up my sick husband. I checked my trusty copy of How to Cook Everything for the cooking time (they're done one minute after they rise to the surface), and put the water on to boil. Now, as the book said, the gnocchi rose to the surface, bubbling merrily away. It was 7:46 pm. I'll just give it an extra minute, I said to myself, to make sure they're really done. At 7:48, I reached for the pot to drain it into my colander, and all that was left was pumpkin water. (We had angel hair pasta with sage and brown butter sauce and it was delicious, thank you very much.)
So, this is all to say that despite my disastrous relationship with gnocchi, this sweet potato gnocchi recipe over at Sassy Radish looks good enough to tempt me to not just get back on the horse and cook gnocchi again, but to make it from scratch! But don't worry, I'll be watching that clock like a hawk.
Posted by Arwen O'Reilly Griffith |
Nov 3, 2009 02:00 PM
Food, Recipe |
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Howtoons Halloween Costume Contest
Howtoons is having a Halloween costume contest! The winning homemade costume will be immortalized in a Howtoon explaining how to make it for future generations. So dig up those photos of your fantastic costume and send them in by November 4th! (And, since it's always cool to dress in costume, check out their special Homemade Hero and Jet Pack costume Toons.)
Posted by Arwen O'Reilly Griffith |
Nov 2, 2009 08:30 PM
Halloween, Kids |
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Book Review + Giveaway: Jane Austen's Sewing Box
I probably reread at least one of Jane Austen's novels a year, picking the title to suit my mood: Persuasion when I'm feeling pensive on a frosty fall morning, Pride and Prejudice when I need a bit of a pick-me-up, Emma when I have a jones for some juicy gossip. So I was delighted to hear about Jennifer Forest's Jane Austen's Sewing Box, a book that manages to simultaneously be a craft history, literary analysis, and how-to.
It's a seriously nerdy book, in the best possible way. Hefty, with beautiful reproductions of period paintings, furniture and housewares, it starts off grounding the reader in Jane Austen's world, bringing a little background to her work. Forest explains the role of women's "work" in the 19th century (by which was meant needlework, sewing, knitting, painting, etc.) and sprinkles quotes from Austen's novels liberally throughout.
Then we get into the good stuff! There are 18 step-by-step projects for crafts mentioned in the novels. Some are perhaps a little too period (although it's cool to know how to make a gorgeous silk bonnet, I am unlikely to wear it), but most would look as well in a crafty hipster's apartment as in Fanny Price's hands. The beautiful linen pillowcases would add class to any bed, and who doesn't need an embroidered work bag or quilted huswife to hold projects in-progress? The netted purse is perfect for going out, and would look smashing with a faux-fur muff and tippet. And I think cravats should definitely make a comeback for women or men (there's even a handy illustration showing how to tie the most popular Regency styles).
I loved thumbing through this gorgeous book, and if you have even the faintest yearning for bygone days, you probably will, too.
NOTE: I just heard from the author, who pointed me to Amazon in the UK, which has a much better price than the one in the US. Apparently shipping takes about a week. Enjoy!
Book Giveaway Time!
We are giving away a copy of Jane Austen's Sewing Box. Just leave a comment in this post and tell us why you want this book. Please make sure you include your email address in the comment form field (won't be published). All comments will be closed by Noon PST on Wednesday, November 4th. The lucky winner will be announced on the site. Good luck!
Posted by Arwen O'Reilly Griffith |
Nov 2, 2009 11:00 AM
Books and Magazines, Reviews |
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Easy Mermaid Tail Costume
When I was a little girl, I spent hours dreaming I was a mermaid. Every time I got near a pool or pond, I practiced swimming like one, and Splash was by far my favorite movie.
So imagine how lucky I thought my niece was when my sister-in-law sewed up a dozen mermaid tails for her birthday party this year! Now, Selena is as close to Superwoman as anyone I know (she's a design professor at the University of New South Wales, runs Griffin Kiteboarding with her husband, and has two amazing--and amazingly active--kids), so I wasn't surprised. I was surprised when she showed me how easy it was to make up a pattern and sew the tail (although making a dozen is a different story). It's easy to customize if your little boy doesn't want to be a merman, or your little girl prefers dinosaurs, and would make the perfect last-minute Halloween costume. It uses fabric remnants, and even I was able to sew one up in about an hour. Here's how.
Read full story
Posted by Arwen O'Reilly Griffith |
Oct 21, 2009 11:00 AM
Kids, Patterns, Sewing |
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Baby Tuxedo Onesie
I had a number of formal weddings to go to this summer (and a few more to go!), and at first I wasn't quite sure what to put my then-four-month-old in. A quick search on Etsy brought up some adorable tuxedo onesies. I couldn't resist this one, although it would be fairly simple to whip one up yourself: just applique the bow tie and stitch some quick ruffles down the front with T-shirt material. (On the other hand, if you're a new mom whose crafting time is much more limited these days, check out Corduroy's Closet!)
Posted by Arwen O'Reilly Griffith |
Oct 5, 2009 06:00 PM
Babies, Refashion, Sewing |
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Olive Oil, Rye, and Stone Fruit Cake
I have documented my obsession with olive oil cake on this blog before, but this olive oil cake recipe from Kitchen Sidecar takes it to a new level by adding rye flour and stone fruit, another passion of mine (the stone fruit, not the rye, although I love the weighty taste that must add to the whole business). I love Katie's attitude: taking a classic recipe and throwing in other ingredients to tweak the flavor. Next in the oven? "I am so positively floured up on this cake, I may try sweet corn, brown butter, and polenta," says she. Yum!
Posted by Arwen O'Reilly Griffith |
Oct 2, 2009 06:00 PM
Food, Recipe |
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