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February 14, 2019
Happy Valentines - hope you get something special from your lover, and if no lover, then hope you are doing something special for yourself!
So somewhere along the way there's the saying, "If you can read a recipe, you can sew!" I think that was Sarah Gunn with "Goodbye Valentino" - it sounds like something she would say. At any rate I'd like to modify it just a little to say, "Treat your patterns like you do your recipe!"
So let me explain. I have this killer great recipe given to me by a friend, White Bean and Chicken Chili (here's the original version) and yes, I'll include it later and I love it. But I've made some adjustments to it because how it came out at the very beginning is a little too toasty for me. It still has all the flavor and all the parts I like lots in it, but it's simply not hot enough to remove asphalt. In addition, I love having the chicken in there so I sorta add way more than what the recipe calls for.
After I've made it over and over, it's developed into my own version. Additionally, I have no problems making the recipe over and over and don't consider it old-fashioned or out-of-fashion. Every time a cold front comes through with some cold rain or other cold precipitation, I crank out that recipe and every time I make it, it warms my heart and innards!
This is exactly the same way we should look at patterns. You get a pattern and you make a muslin, try it out, and make some adjustments to work for you, cause the real truth is that recipes and patterns always benefit with a few alterations -- ALWAYS. And the more you tailor them to your likes and dislikes, the better it will be.
Additionally, after you've made all those customized, personal changes, using the recipe and pattern over and over again, isn't wrong - doesn't mean they are out of style, or worse, you don't have to make something up new again, simply because it's new! Take advantage of all that customization you did on that pattern, and use it again. Who knows, you may find another customization you want to add or even better, think of a great variation to the pattern to make it more special.
The same way I add a really spiced up version of Monterey Jack to the chili, is the same way I would add another collar type to my favorite knit top core pattern. And the same way that I write down the changes to my recipe, I make notes all over my patterns so the next time I pull it out to use it, I have all that valuable information right where I need it.
Now, I personally can't take much heat in my soups, but I adore green chilies. I think they have one of the majorly great flavors in the world. So I dunk my chili with green chilies, leave out the jalapenos, use none of the cayenne and half of that Tabasco stuff and voilá I have a most excellent chili that is perfect for me!
In the same way I nip in the knit top a little above the waist, let it hang and drape straight from there, and it hits about mid-thigh or a little lower and voilá I have the perfect length and look for my fabulous top. I may add a ruffle neck, or a cowl neck, I need to try a turtleneck, have done a jewel neck and a classic v-neck. So I have lots of variations with much the same knit top and
have made the top about 15 times, while I've made the recipe about every time a cold front comes through.
Thinking of your patterns in terms of a a place to start rather than the pattern is a finished product, make for so fewer headaches, neuroses and pain in your life. And don't begrudge the pattern-makers out there. Having a pattern like this
really is a shortcut, because the alternative is for you to draft from scratch from a horizontal line and a vertical line, and you want to talk about something that takes a lot of time - drafting a pattern from scratch is a long dude to work up. Purchasing a pattern means you don't have to do that, and all you have to do is make some changes and boom, you're done!
So patterns really are shortcuts!
Use 'em and love 'em - more than once!
So as promised, here's my version of the White Bean and Chicken Chili with one last change. I use the garlic you buy in the bottle in the produce dept cause it keeps longer and I'm not throwing away half-used whole garlic. Here it is in
pdf, and it prints out on half a page, cause my recipe book is that size, but here it is whole page.
Enjoy have a very HOT Valentines!!!
This new year will bring a new look and lots of new things added to the sewingartistry.com to the site. In the meantime, things will be placed a little different, and if you can't find something that you liked or would like to find, just let me know. It's easy as pie - you can simply respond to this email and I'll get it. I get all these emails and I read all of them. so let me know if something seems awry for you or out of place.
We're working on simplifying it and changing it to a more functional and easier place to get around.
If there's something you liked from before and don't see, LMK.
If there's something you've never seen, but would like, LMK.
And of course if there's something that seems haywire or good, LMK!
You all will be the first to know when it's more settled, but for right now we're still moving the furniture around!
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February 10, 2020
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January 24, 2020
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January 21, 2020
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January 14, 2020
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January 1, 2020
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December 29, 2019
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