How to Attach a Zipper

O.K. y'all! I didn't explain how I attach a zipper in my skirt tutorial, hence the reason for this post. So here goes!
WARNING: These instructions were created by a self taught seamstress. They are not perfect by any means.

Supplies: Zipper (in correct size), pins, contrasting thread, and an item longing to have a zipper. : )

Pin your zipper into place. This may take a few tries, but an even zipper is worth it. I like to line up my material to the edge of the zipper.

Baste the zipper into place by stitching where the pins were with a straight seem. THIS DOES NOT NEED TO BE PERFECT! The stitches don't need to be too small or they will be hard to pull out later. They also don't need to be too big or your zipper will slide around.

If you have a zipper presser foot, attach it to your machine now.

Start at the top of the zipper, it is best to have it unzipped, backstitch, and continue on down the edge.

When you get to the bottom, lower the needle into the material, lift up the presser foot, and make a 90 degree turn, keeping the zipper to the right of the presser foot. Lower the presser foot and stitch along the bottom of the zipper.

Again, lower the needle, raise the presser foot and make another 90 degree angle. Stitch along the edge until the end, backstitch and trim the strings.

Now we need to remove the basting thread.

Simply pull the basting thread out.

This is what it should look like.

And then you're done! Don't forget to iron it when you are done. Just remember to take your time and practice makes perfect!

Fly with Christ!
Rachel : )

$250 Cookies

I LOVE these cookies!!!!!!!!!!!!!

They are so yummy and easy to make. *Beware* They make a large batch (I mean REALLY large). You can easily cut the recipe in half if you don't need a lot of cookies or if your mixer can't handle the load. When I asked my mom how many cookies it makes, she sarcastically said 250! It won't really make that many. This time, I baked exactly 100 cookies.   : )

$250 Cookie Recipe:
2 cups of butter
2 cups of sugar
2 cups of brown sugar
4 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
4 cups of flour
5 cups of regular rolled oats
1 tsp salt
2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp baking powder
24 oz chocolate chips (YES, the WHOLE bag! Insert large smile here!)   : D

 (((THE WHOLE BAG!)))

Anyway...

Cream the butter and sugars until fluffy.

Add the eggs and vanilla.

In a separate bowl mix all dry ingredients except the chocolate chips.

Slowly mix dry mixture into the creamed mixture.

Then add the chips. If your mixer can't handle it, you can stir in the chips by hand.

YUM! COOKIE DOUGH! You may need to let the dough sit in the fridge to get a little more firm.

Roll into balls and bake for 10 minutes at 350 degrees F. If the dough is firm, it may take closer to 15 minutes to bake. The key is to not over bake them.

Enjoy and watch them disappear!  : )

Fly with Christ!
Rachel : )

More Patches

Here are some of the newest patches that I have finished for my quilt!

Fly with Christ!
Rachel : )

Whole Wheat Bread

Here is my mom's no fail Whole Wheat Bread recipe. It is super simple. I use a standing mixer, but if you don't have one you can just knead the dough by hand. Enjoy! This recipe makes one loaf of bread. You can easily double or triple the recipe to make more loaves or other things like pizza and cinnamon rolls.

*Note* This bread will not have the same texture as store bought bread. Don't make this recipe thinking that you will produce Bunny Bread. Lecithin and wheat gluten can be added to this recipe for a lighter bread. They help with the rising and elasticity of the loaves. The original recipe calls for 1 tbsp. each of lecithin and gluten.

*Because this bread can have a heavier texture, it is wonderful when used for french toast or in a breakfast casserole.*

3 cups whole wheat flour

2 tsp. yeast

1 tsp. salt

2 tbsp. honey

2 tbsp. oil

1 cup warm water

Mix together the flour, yeast, and salt.

The water needs to be between 120 and 130 degrees F. If the water is too hot, it will kill the yeast. If the water is too cool, it won't activate the yeast. Both situations will result in flat, dense bread.

Add the water, oil, and honey to the dry ingredients.

If it is too sticky, add more flour a little at a time until it forms a soft dough .

Knead for 8 minutes until the dough is soft and elastic.

Like this.

Place the dough onto a clean, floured surface like a counter or a cutting board. If you are using an standing mixer, you might want to knead it by hand a little to get the proper texture. Shape into a loaf to fit your bread pan.

Place into the pan, cover with a towel, and let rise until doubled in bulk in a warm spot such as an oven. This step can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 1 1/2 hours.

Uncover and bake for 10 minutes at 375 degrees F. Then drop the temperature to 325 degrees and bake for 20 more minutes. If the bread starts to brown too quickly, you can place a sheet of aluminum foil over it.

Take it out of the oven and place on a cooling rack to cool. For best results, let it cool completely before cutting. (Our bread never makes it that far!) In the picture above, you can see that the bread sunk a little. This is because I moved it too much after it had risen, causing it to deflate.



Fly with Christ!
Rachel : )

New Project

This is my newest project! I am going to make a quilt!!!

I got the material from my granny back in October. Some of the pieces are from my mom and aunt's old dresses! The hardest part was matching all the material together. I will post pictures as I finish the patches.

This is the first patch that I made.

Fly with Christ!
Rachel : )

Exercise Second and Third

Exercise Second

is for gaining agility, suppleness, quickness of eye, hand, and foot. Standing as far from the wall as possible, take a common rubber hand-ball and toss it against the wall, catching it as it rebounds, and again toss it against the wall. Vary this by allowing the ball to strike the floor, catching it on the rebound; then try keeping the ball in constant motion by first using one hand and then the other as a bat for returning the ball to the wall. This exercise can also be changed by striking the ball against the floor, and on its return bound again striking it,thus keeping it in motion. You will find that activity is necessary, and the work so quick that it will keep you on the jump all through the exercises.

Exercise Third

is with a broom-handle. Saw or cut off the broom and smooth down the sharp ends of the handle, and it will be ready for use. Stand erect, heels together, toes out, chin well back and straight, so as to throw out and expand the chest. Now grasp firmly each end of the broom stick and bring it up over the head;repeat this motion six or seven times; then change by carrying the broomstick over back of the head down across the back of the shoulders; then up above the head again, repeating this, and all other motions in your calisthenics, half a dozen times. Another exercise is holding the stick down in front of you with both hands and bringing it up over the head and down back of the shoulders without stopping.

The side motion is made by grasping the broomstick at each end, holding it down in front of you, and swinging it sideways thus bringing the right hand up when the left hand is down, and vice versa. Another way is to hold the stick by both ends above your head and swing it from one side to the other, which will cause the right arm to come in contact with the right side of the head, while the left arm is extended horizontally to the left. Next carry the stick back of and against the shoulders; then swing it from right to left, which gives another side movement. Vary all the movements in as many different ways as you can think of.

Fly with Christ!

Rachel  : )

Home Gymnasium

This was taken from The American Girls Handy Book (1887), Chapter XXXII. This post includes the introduction of this chapter plus the first exercise. I will also post the other nine exercise.

"Everyone must exercise to keep healthy and strong, for life is motion and activity. It is natural to be well and healthy, and to keep so we must exercise all our muscles, as well as our moral and intellectual faculties, or they will dwindle and wither. The arm of the Hindoo devotee, not being used, at length becomes completely paralyzed, and the fish in the Mammoth Cave having no use for eyes pass their life without them; so we find that use is the foundation of all things, otherwise they would cease to exist; then, girls, it lies within your power to become stronger and more graceful each day by regular and graduated bodily exercise, which will bring life and energy to every part of the system by causing the blood to circulate freely through all the body.

There are some simple methods of carrying this into effect in the most agreeable and salutary manner, but the exercises must be very light at first, and as you advance they must be increased a little each time, but always stop before you feel fatigued, for when the calisthenics cease to give pleasure it is doubtful if they are beneficial.

The best time for exercising is in the morning after having partaken of some light refreshments, though any time will do except directly after hearty meals. Try and have a regular time set apart each day for your physical culture. Commence by exercising five or ten minutes, then for a little longer period next time, and so on until you can exercise with ease for half an hour or longer. You will feel refreshed, invigorated, and better prepared for the duties and pleasures which await you. Your clothing must not in commode the free action of the body, and it is essential that it be comfortable. What is suitable for lawn tennis is also well adapted for the gymnasium.An ordinary bathing-dress answers the purpose very well, as it is made for exercise.

The Egyptian water-carrier, with the jug of water poised so prettily on her head, and her figure so straight and beautiful, has always challenged admiration; her carriage is dignified, erect, and graceful, something worth striving for, especially when we have the certainty of success if we will only be faithful and preserving. The peasantry of foreign countries who carry all their burdens balanced on their heads have have their reward in healthy, strong, and straight figures, even in old age they do not stoop. Witness the emigrants landing at Castle Garden who carry their possessions done up in huge bundles on their heads with the utmost ease; of this class, three generations-a grandmother, mother, and grown daughter-with baggage of the same weight on their heads, were lately seen at a New York ferry, each equally upright, strong, and vigorous.

A good straight back is an excellent thing; and when the head is properly carried and all the movements are buoyant and elastic, then we may walk as it was intended we should, every step bringing a glow to the cheek and a sparkle to the eye. It requires only a few minutes' regular daily exercise for any girl to attain a carriage equal to that of the Egyptian water-carrier, and the only apparatus needed for

Exercise First

is a roll of paper. Now stand with your heels together, toes out, and shoulders well back; then place on your head the roll of paper; if your position is not perfectly erect the roll will fall off; keep your chin straight and back against your neck, for it is the chin which determines the poise of the body. You cannot stand straight unless your chin is straight; Throw out your chin and your chin will stoop forward, have your chin straight and your back will be straight; bear this in mind in all your exercises. Now walk, keeping the roll balanced on your head. Practice this walking back and forth until you can do so without the paper rolling off; then try a tin cup full to the brim with water. Walk erect or the water will wash over, down on your head, and it will feel cold as it trickles through your hair; soon, however, you will be able to carry the cup of water with ease and no danger of spilling. But do not discontinue the practice on that account; try something else in its place, until you are able to carry anything you wish on your head with no fear of it falling. The exercise affords amusement, and at the same time you will be acquiring a beautiful, dignified, and graceful carriage."

Fly with Christ!

Rachel : )

Happy New Year!

I hope that everyone stayed safe and had a grand time last night. We didn't go anywhere due to sickness, but we tried to make the most of it by watching movies and eating chips and salsa all night.

Anyway...This past weekend I went to Hancock Fabrics to purchase some new material and notions. They have some great sales going on right now ($2 per yard for solid cotton!). So I decided to make a vintage dress! I didn't take any pictures during the process with this project unlike my other tutorials.

This was the first time I have ever made a dress for myself. It was also the first time I had ever made sleeves for a real sized project. Tell me what y'all think!

 This is the material and notions that I got on sale. I got this vintage pattern from my grandmother. : )  I don't know what I am going to do with the green material yet. I might just make another dress!

And here it is...

Eleanor had to try the dress on herself.

May God bless each and every one of you in this new year!

Fly with Christ!
Rachel : )