Summer in a Jar

Earlier this week I came across this recipe for Sunshine Tomatoes (which I like to call Summer in a Jar).  This technique could not be easier, and the results could not be tastier.  If you like fresh, summertime tomatoes, you will love this dish.

Start with a selection of tomatoes.  You can use all one type or mix and match as I did.  Roughly chop them and place in a glass jar.  Add garlic (chopped or pressed), minced basil, olive oil, salt and pepper.  The proportions are pretty flexible (see the original recipe here if you need specifics).  Once all of the ingredients are collected in the jar, give it a good stir and then cover (with the jar lid or plastic wrap).  Place in the sun for at least 2 hours. 

The flavors will marry together and you will be left with a delectable concoction that you can use in any number of ways:  mixed with pasta, over fish or chicken or topping grilled bread as bruschetta.  Today I prepared the latter, spreading butter on sliced sourdough bread and toasting on my gas grill until browned.

My tomatoes are just starting to produce despite the late date we got them planted.  This year we are once again using the Earthtainers that I posted about last year.  We get the most exuberant plants using this method!  I suggested this to a friend who tells me that this year's tomatoes are the best she has ever grown.

So, yay for summer and tomatoes!  Try this recipe and you'll be making it all summer long.

Corset, Chanin style

I have finally completed a project that I’ve wanted to try ever since I bought Natalie Chanin’s first book Alabama Stitch.  One of Alabama Chanin’s best-selling and most-beloved designs, the corset, “is designed to show off a woman’s best assets and enhance her natural curves. It is cut low in the front, the neckline and armholes are bound, and the back hem (measuring approximately 22 1/2” from the center back neck) is slightly longer than the front hem.”  The pattern and instructions are included in the book.

I started with four sleeveless white t-shirts that I picked up at the thrift store.  White shirts are difficult – even if just gently worn they often show stains – so try and find ones that are new.  I was lucky and found four identical white men’s t-shirts that had never been worn.

I cut two layers of each pattern piece from the tees as well as binding for the neck and armholes.  The entire top is sewn by hand.  Each seam is hand sewn and then hand felled.  The binding is also sewn on by hand using the Cretan stitch.

I made the top exactly by the pattern since it was my first rendition.  It needs a few tweaks to perfect the fit, changes I made on the paper pattern for next time.  I will also raise the neckline just a bit.

I love how this garment feels when it’s on.  It is super comfortable, and there is something about the double layer of fabric that gives it stability and hugs your body in a different way than a standard t-shirt.  Someone asked me how long it took to make this, and they were surprised when I told them eight hours.  Sure, it’s not the 1-hour tee that you can whip up on your serger, but for a completely hand-crafted garment, eight hours is not that much time to commit to.

I encourage you to try this (or another) garment inspired by the folks at Alabama Chanin.  I think you will love the way they fit, feel and flatter.

Creating at the Workhouse

A few weeks ago I took a class at Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton, VA.  My friend Joyce was signed up for a machine felting class, and I looked forward to spending the morning with her.  This was my first trip to Workhouse and I found it to be a wonderful space to create.  The center has an interesting history.  The buildings and grounds formerly housed the Lorton Prison.  When the prison closed in 2001, the facility was re-purposed in a number of ways.  The historic buildings were transformed into artist studios, galleries and public spaces. The center is now home to more than 100 professional artists and offers over 150 classes and workshops each quarter in a wide range of artistic disciplines.

The class consisted of three students and one teacher.  We had the opportunity to use the various materials provided to create felted pieces using our own felting machines.  The class was very unstructured, and we were encouraged to play and create as we wished.  The classroom where I worked shared space with a number of fiber artist studios, and the artists came and went during the time I was there, often stopping in to see what we were working on. 

I really enjoyed the space at this center.  It was very easy to get to, parking was directly outside the studio, and the grounds are beautiful.  The classrooms are full of natural light and the inspiring architecture of an older building.  This would be a great place to hold a workshop or special event.  This fall I plan to take advantage of some of the other available courses.