Moda Country Fair

I've not been to many country fairs. Just one really. In 1985, I attended my first fair with my grandparents. They never missed the Polk County Fair. My grandfather was on the fair board and he was serious about the fair. Everyone must go and participate. Early in the morning my grandmother and I went out to the garden to select produce to enter. As I searched for the best tomato, my grandmother described the rules for a winning entry. The idea was to find and submit three tomatoes that were very similar in shape, color and size. One fabulous tomato just wouldn't do it.

 

My grandmother won this ribbon for her onions. Just not sure if she got 1st, 2nd or third. Isn't this ribbon a funny thing to save? I've kept this for over 26 years. The weirdest part is I knew exactly where to find it. I've kept it in my jewelry box, of all places, for these many years! Don't even ask my why I thought that was a great place to save this ribbon....must of had ESP it would be essential to me on Sept. 17, 2011. But now, I'm rather attached to this ribbon and don't want to loose it, so back into the jewelry box it will go!

Favorite country fair food?   Kettle Corn. Dave and I made some last night...I used a "Whirley Pop" and their "special mix." I'm not sure what's in the special mix. The orange stuff looks really bad for you! But we tried it out. Honestly, I have to say I don't think I would use their mix again. I was going to add the mix to today's prize....but I don't think anyone would sign up. Use the good and easy recipe that follows.

Close-up of the mix. Believe me, that's not orange sherbet in there!

Kettle Corn Ingredients

1/4 cup vegetable oil 

1/2 cup popcorn kernels 

1/4 cup sugar

 1 teaspoon coarse salt

Directions: In a large pot with a tight-fitting lid, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the popcorn. When the oils sizzles, sprinkle the sugar over the kernels. Cover and shake the pan until the popping slows down, about 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and toss with the salt. Or if you are using a Whirley Pop use the hand crank and stir the kernels until the popping slows down. Enjoy!

Guilty Pleasure? Sitting on the sofa and watching Mad Men on Netflix.

 This show makes you glad you are in the work force now instead of in the 50's and 60's!

Bucket List?    I want to ride my bike across Missouri on the Katy Trail. I did 170 miles this summer....but still haven't done the whole trail.

What inspires our work?   Nature, color, vintage prints and samplers.

Project?   You bet!

I made a huswife out of the Blueberry Crumb Cake prints. You can make one too! This fabric line will be in shops in November. But if you can't wait, any scraps that coordinate will work well.

Instructions

Cut 2 strips 4 1/2" x 18" for the front and back of the huswif.
Cut 1 piece of lightweight batting 5" x 18 1/2"
Cut 5 pockets 4 1/2" x 7 1/2"  from assorted fabrics.
Cut 1 pocket 4 1/2" x 10 1/2".

Fold the first pocket in half and press. Position it on the right side of the fabric strip. The top of my first pocket is 1 1/4" down from the top edge. Draw a line in pencil where the edge of the selvage will be positioned. Align and sew the pocket to the strip as shown in the picture above. Fold the pocket up and press.

Fold the second pocket in half and press. Position the second pocket. Draw the line where the selvage will align and sew the pocket in place. If you are using a directional print, make sure it isn't upside down when the pocket is folded up!

The pocket is folded up and pressed.

My pockets overlap 3/4"- 1".

Repeat the steps above for 5 pockets.



Fold the last and largest pocket in half. Sew it along the bottom edge using a 1/4" seam allowance.

Baste the pockets in place. Use a 1/8" seam allowance.

Quilt the top of the huswife. You can find the pattern here. After quilting trim away the excess batting.

Pin the front to the back, right sides together. Sew the top to the bottom using a 1/4" seam allowance. Leave a 3" opening along the top edge. Clip the corners and turn to the right side.

Cut a 26" piece of cording or ribbon and sew one edge to the top selvage. Fold the selvage to the inside and blind stitch the opening closed.

 Now you're ready to fill it with your favorite sewing items!

Leave a comment and you could win this bundle of Blueberry Crumb Cake. Just the right size to make your huswif!

Will use the random number generator to find a winner. Contest ends Sunday night. Winner posted on Monday morning!

Don't forget to visit Aneela tomorrow! The Country Fair blog hop continues....

September 18th Aneela Hoey

September 19th Barbara Brackman

September 20th Bonnie Olaveson

September 21st Cabbages and Roses

September 22nd Deb Strain

September 23rd Brannock and Patek

September 24th Lauren and Jessi Jung

September 25th Lily Ashbury

September 26th Cosmo Cricket

September 27th Kate Spain

September 28th Sweetwater

September 29th French General

September 30th Primitive Gatherings

October 1st Kathy Schmitz 

October 2nd Liz Scott

Until later,
Alma