Burda 7991 Young Fashion Teen View C - Pants

Here is the trial run of the View C pants from Burda 7991. We found success with the earlier View B 7991 cropped pants, and L needed long khaki pants for summer volunteering. This surprisingly nice green, tan, cream stripe fabric was stash from the Wal-Mart $1 table (moment to sigh and reflect those days gone by). The selvedges had a fringe and I used it to trim one of the left side pockets. L loved them! It seems to me Burda's commercial patterns tend to run short in the tops and long in the bottoms -- These are with only 1" added (!) I'll have to trim the khaki pair an inch shorter for the hospital. The View C's also have the same nice back yoke seaming as the other views and L decided to skip the back patch pockets again. They are just placed oddly, under the tushie?!

Update 6-4-08 -- I finished the khaki pair less than 12 hours before she needed to wear them!

Burda 7966 View C - Shorts

Here are the shorts from Burda 7966. As I mentioned in my earlier post, these are closely fitted and you may want to add some extra to the sides for fitting insurance. I just went up two sizes for L since they have an elastic waist and she wanted a looser fit. They have the same waistband as the 7965 split skirt, but L didn't want a real drawstring, so I just cut a piece of elastic the needed length, used a scrap to make a bow tie and sewed it over the the casing opening. The shorts aren't short-short, but I added an extra inch in length just in case. There's good back coverage, as it is very slightly longer than the front.

(The Viking F card star stitch to secure the side seam slit) --->

These will probably be sleep shorts, as it was the leftover fabric from the Burda 7789 skirt. I sure got a lot of bang for my fabric buck with that Red Tag sale!

German-Style Hamburgers

German-Style Hamburgers from the November/December 2004 issue of Quick Cooking. In fact, the recipe is from the same person who made the Cherry Cheesecake Cookies (Cream Cheese Delights)

Yes, you can tell I am still clearing out years of Taste of Home, Quick Cooking and Light and Tasty magazines. Seriously, I cannot just donate to the library en masse, I'm finding a bunch of good ones to try first. I truly think the recipes and the variety were so much better than the current issue offerings. I'm discovering at least 10 from each issue instead of just 2-3 or even none from the recent ones.

My 25 cent (!) hamburgers (from the $1/pound Target special!) turned out great! I cooked them on my Cuisinart Griddler. At first, the family was skeptical as was I - shredded hash browns? But you can hardly tell they are in there, and the blondes even split the fourth one.

Today's Favorite iPod Workout Song

Fergie, "Labels or Love" 3:50
Sex and the City Original Movie Soundtrack
This was the closing song from the Sex and the City movie...

Sex and the City Movie - Huh?!

L and I went to see the Sex and the City movie this morning -- $5 tickets for showings before Noon. I thought it was very good until just about halfway through (and it was an almost 2 1/2 hour movie) and all of a sudden:

• What is Jennifer Hudson doing in Carrie's apartment?
• Why is Carrie's hair brown?

The easy answer (and the one that will not give away the plot) -- the projectionist had a section OUT OF ORDER!!! He or she just let it play through and then we go back in movie time and get the rest of the story - which gave the answers to the above-referenced questions. Jennifer Hudson was great in her role, by the way.

As we left the theater, the AMC employees were giving out Re-Admit Passes and apologies.

Additionally on the positive side, I would love to buy the movie when it comes out on DVD (in time for Christmas?) -- loved the clothes!!, and I already downloaded the soundtrack CD from iTunes -- loved the music!!

Upcoming Jo-Ann's Pattern Sales

Three day sales:
June 5/7 - McCall's $1.99
June 12/14 - Butterick $1.99

New installment of Laura Bennett's Case Clothed

Click here for the newest episode, "The Case of the Harrowing Heel Height"!

Netflix Stars - Lars and the Real Girl

3.33/5 stars Unlike Mad Money, this has an excellent cast, bringing to life a very original movie. Watch to enjoy the story, acting and scenery, and quit worrying about how they will wrap it up.

Penzeys Adobo Seasoning Code

In the current issue of Penzeys One magazine, there's a coupon for a free jar of Adobo Seasoning. If you order online, the code is 10137C, expiring June 15. In addition to Mexican food recipes, I like to add some to my tuna fish.

US flag Hello Kitty fabric!

$8.99/yard on the patriotic red, white and blue rounder at Jo-Ann's, on sale now for 30% off. It will probably be discounted further closer to July 4, if there is any left!

What's on my brand-new, humongous sewing table today?

Burda 7966 - the shorts for L first, then the pants/capris for me. It's a mother-daughter pattern! Note to the wise, make a trial run, literally if you do run and have well-developed quadriceps. Making L's usual size, she found them a little tight and pulling across the upper thigh. They are surprisingly closely fitted. I cut another pair two sizes up and they felt and looked much better on her. If you look at the photo, even on the model they look a little tight. They have the same waistband and pockets as Burda 7965.

Cherry Cheesecake Cookies

Actually, they are called "Cream Cheese Delights"

But they taste just like cherry cheesecake in a cookie! I made a few changes from the original recipe published in the November/December 2004 issue of Quick Cooking. I didn't have butter-flavored shortening, so I used Smart Balance with 1/4 teaspoon Adams Imitation Butter Flavoring. Ditto for the maraschino cherries (and I'm not too thrilled with all that red dye anyways), so I tried both dried cherries-the four smaller ones in the left lower side photo...and fresh cherries. The fresh cherries were the best! I also substituted the Neufchatel reduced fat cream cheese for regular cream cheese.

Here is my modified version:

1/2 cup Smart Balance shortening...1/4 teaspoon imitation butter flavoring...3 ounces Neufchatel (reduced fat) cream cheese...1/2 cup sugar...1 egg yolk...1 teaspoon vanilla extract...1 cup flour...1 teaspoon salt...fresh de-pitted halved cherries

Cream shortening, cream cheese, butter flavoring and sugar. Beat in egg yolk and vanilla. Combine flour and salt, add to creamed mixture. Drop by teaspoonfuls 2" apart on greased or parchment lined baking sheets. Top each with a cherry half. Bake at 350 for 12-15 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool for 1 minute before removing from sheet. Yield: 2 dozen

Today's Favorite iPod Workout Song

Republica, "Ready To Go" 5:00
This was the closing song played during the "Ugly Betty" season finale last week...

Netflix Stars - Mad Money

0/5! We didn't even finish watching it! Everyone seemed miscast, with the exception of Queen Latifah. At least she looked like she was having fun in her role.

Burda 8076 View A - Top

I know, first glance at 8076 and you're immediately picturing the Dillard's ad - "Now on sale, Ladies Patio Dresses!" Well, just avert your eyes from View B - unless you are in need of a Patio dress, and look instead at View A. This crinkled Russian matryoshka nesting doll print abandoned in the Red Tag Jo-Ann section for $2/yard seemed adaptable for a trial run. The top took just a little less than 1 yard 22 inches, the size of my remnant piece. I extended the pattern piece 2 5/8" below the View B ruffle attachment cut line. Because I decided to work with the fabric instead of against, I used the leftover embroidered linen from Burda 7804 for a nice contrast look. There was no way the crinkle was going to interface or behave enough to make nice bands. The result - a really fun top, destined to be worn a lot this summer! I love how the front and back are different. The back goes into a lower but not too low V, the versatility of the bands easily lend themselves to contrast or embellishment, the bra straps miraculously stay covered, and this funky crinkle just somehow is a perfect match for the pattern style. Check if any is lurking at your Jo-Ann's.

Finally! A new sewing table!

I've retired the old cardboard Sew/Fit table to the garbage can and got this one. This style (Venture/Horizon/Spartak 1141 or 1142) is sold all over the Internet, I actually found mine and the best deal through Target Decor. Which is not part of Target Target. There was about a one month delay in its arrival because of backorders at the manufacturing plant. But be forewarned, it was a time-consuming PITA to put together. My husband did not even attempt it, and it took my handyman almost two hours. His advice - use the hand-turn screwdriver, not the power one. I love it because it can fold just one side or both - thereby not overtaking my precious sewing room space, is very sturdy (heavy!) and it is actually bigger (longer and wider) than the Sew/Fit. A Texas-sized sewing table!

Update 5-30-08: Here's a photo opened all the way. You can see the difference with the cutting mat from the Sew/Fit table.

Light Cinnamon Coffee Cake

This is from the January/February 2001 Taste of Home Quick Cooking magazine - Fast, Delicious and Nutritious - page 47. What I like -- the whole wheat flour, the addition of walnuts in the topping and the small amount of butter/margarine and oil. It was a hit here!

LIGHT CINNAMON COFFEE CAKE

1/2 cup fat-free milk
1/4 cup canola oil
1/4 cup egg substitute
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt

Topping:
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon Penzeys Cake Spice*
1 teaspoon melted margarine

In a mixing bowl, beat milk, oil and egg substitute. Combine the dry ingredients; add to milk mixture and beat until smooth. Spoon into 8-in. square baking pan coated with nonstick cooking spray. Combine the topping ingredients; sprinkle over batter. Bake at 375 degrees F for 25-28 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. (Check at 20 minutes, mine was done at 22 minutes) Cool on a wire rack. 16 servings.
Nutritional Analysis: One serving equals 155 calories, 6 g fat (trace saturated fat), trace cholesterol, 118 mg sodium, 23 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 3 g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 fat, 1/2 starch.

*I like to add 1/2 teaspoon of Penzeys Cake Spice when I bake goodies with cinnamon. It gives it an extra boost of yummy.

Starring patriotism

Found these in the Target Dollar Spot. . .I've got a galaxy of them in the tree.

$1 per pound ground beef at Super Target

And it's the 93% lean, too! I stocked up with three packages this afternoon.

Update 5-25: This may have been a one day sale. When we were in Target yesterday, the price was $2.25. Still a great deal, though!

Burda 7965 View A

Burda 7965 turned out OK! Sewn in a black silk linen blend from Jo-Ann's (surprise!), it gave it enough weight and the right color for a good result. It's different and a little more fun than the ubiquitous suburban mom cropped pants uniform of summer. While I probably wouldn't wear them for dressing to impress, I think they are good enough to wear around the house or out for quick errands without social embarrassment.

There were some good and some huh? things with this pattern. . .

First - the elastic measurement. It's up to you to figure out how much elastic you need if you fall in the middle of the size range. Seven sizes, with a 6" range from small to large. Not being a math whiz and with the assistance of a calculator and measuring tape, I figured each size was about 1 3/8" difference give or take. And it's a waistband elastic, rather forgiving and close enough. Second - the elastic width. The pattern calls for 5/8" - I used 3/8" instead and just squeeked it through the casing.

But the good - I loved that casing, which you will also find on the pants from 7966. Very high-detailed RTW look. You fold under the finished edge along the seam allowance and then place the casing band 3/8" below the folded edge and edgestitch the band, catching the finished edge. Nice! And fun if you are using a print and want a contrast effect with another fabric. Because of the way the grainline is placed, the resulting folds make it look more like a skirt than just wide short pant legs. You could also seize the opportunity to use your embroidery machine to add a pretty edge or some trim.

One of these is probably enough for me, but if you would like to try something different for summer, give Burda 7965 a try.

Update 5-23 -- Perhaps I'll rethink this as an only child. I'm wearing it today and it is so cool and comfortable (legs too sore from yoga today to even think about keeping knees pressed together!), and with the temp and humidity combined it's about 100 bajillion right now. This is only the beginning of a long, hot summer. . .