Design Mistakes

Ever made a design mistake or not been happy with a finished project?  I know you have! All of us creatives have done it!  Usually the project gets left in a box somewhere unfinished and unloved.

I recently made a mistake that resulted in a new way for me to produce one of the staples of my business!  Hooray for mistakes!!!!!  I mostly make aprons for wholesale clients.  One of my buyers wanted some autumn aprons.  So, when I was working on a child apron, I chose a bright yellow stripe accent fabric for a darker leaf print which highlighted the yellowing leaves.  But the mistake came when I was finishing the apron, like I usually do, with bias binding.  I have finished aprons with bias binding for a couple of years now,  instead of using a facing which adds a lot more work to the project.

Sample of my previous style - Great if you want to emphasise a certain color: (Note the edging)

But this autumn apron body just didn't work with a framing of yellow.  I didn't like the look of it!

 so I decided to rip it out! 

Then I used a simple fold over hem with a decorative stitch--Hope you can see it in this photo:
(P.S.  Don't look at the ugly underside attachment of the tie--it's ugly and I ripped it out!)

Voila!  Here is the finished apron! I think it has a cleaner more finished look and I like it much better! I have since used this finishing on other aprons and find that  I prefer it.  My new line of aprons for 2015 will all have this finished seam!  Funny how a design flaw can reap a new style!

Any thoughts?

Wordless Wednesday - Leaves

'Autumn Fruit' cake recipe

Looks like I have been doing a lot of posts about products and my process leading up to the busy holiday season.  Since I recently opened (re-opened) another shop featuring aprons I thought maybe a recipe would now be of interest my readers.   I thought, hey, it's Autumn, the perfectly natural time for baking.  Here's a recipe for an upside down pear cake that my daughter gave to me. She has a pear tree and has been giving me lots of pears.  With two of us at home, we don't eat an abundance of pears, so her recipe was just the  thing to use up several of them! This recipe can also be done with apples.

This delightful light spice cake, offsets and does not overpower the pears.  We love it warm and often eat it again cold as a breakfast cake.  Love it!  (Recipe below.) Don't forget to wear a pretty apron while you bake!

Pear cake in process

Line bottom of the lightly greased pan with pears 

I even got some muffins with the leftover batter!

finished pear cake

Served up with ice cream!  Yum!

Apple or pear cake 

1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground allspice, optional
1/2 tsp ground cloves, optional
1/2 tsp cinnamon
2/3 cup milk
3-4 apples/pears, peeled, cored, cut into slices


 1.  Cream together butter and sugar, about 4-5 min.
 2.  Add eggs and vanilla.  Mix well.
 3.  In separate bowl, whisk together flour, salt baking powder and spices.
 4.  Add flour.  Mix slowly to butter/sugar mixture.  Alternate between adding flour, then a little of the milk, until all mixed together.
5.  Grease round cake pan.  fan fruit slices onto bottom of pan, Pour batter over fruit.
6.  Bake 1 hour @ 325 degrees.
7.  When finished baking. Let stand on counter for 2-3 minutes. If needed loosen all around the edge with a knife. Then put the serving plate over the pan and flip over allowing the cake to slide out onto the plate.  Pear topped cake will be ready to enjoy
 8.  Serve warm alone or with whipped cream or ice cream!

Enjoy!

P.S. Using a few more pears, I have been known to make a pear sauce and spoon it over the ice cream!  YUM!

Santa Ornies

On Monday, I shared with you about my technique for saving time when sewing multiple pieces of a product that I was working on. (See post.) Promised to show the finished ornies!  I'm not quite finished, but progressing . . .

Will try a few other decorative differences . . . but basically . . . Santa!

Shameless Self Advertising!

Just in time for the holiday baking cycle, I have re-opened my PruittCreations shop on Etsy!

I have redesigned my shop to cater to the home chef!  Aprons, table runners, napkins, towels etc.  Be the best dressed hostess at your holiday event or family gathering!  Take a quick look at my offerings.  If you don't see what you might like, convo me -- I would love to do a special order for you!

Flirty skirt full apron

Mommy and me!

Linen hand towel

Best dressed hostess! 

Well, whatcha waitin' for?  Go on over and visit:  PruittCreations  

Thanks!!

Another project in progress

Do you do chain stitching when you are creating?

What's chain stitching?

When using the sewing machine, especially for quilting the same type of pieces over and over, sewers use a chain stitch method.  

Groupings of pieces are sewn one after the other, without cutting the thread between each one.  

Look closely:

These are a grouping of Santa ornament pieces all sewn and set for final stuffing and decoration.

Will show you the finish product later this week! Stay tuned!

Current Project

Last week I gave you a sneak peek at what I was working on.  I have completed the first few decorator stockings. Thought you might want to see them!

Most of these will be sold in my largest craft show of the season, so I need quite a few more!

Working on more . . . designing possibilities:

Set of new stocking cuffs in linen and lace

designing possibilities . . .

What are you working on?

Holiday Sneak Peek

Holiday craft shows are coming soon.  I have been thinking about my products for the holiday season.  Yesterday I started on a new line of  Holiday stockings.  Here is a sneak peek:

Also thinking of using battenburg doilies, or extra wide lace.   Watch for further news about this line . . . .

What's new with you?