Sewing: "Flirty Fiesta" Oilcloth Tablecloths

It seems just about every outdoor occassion is more fun with an oilcloth tablecloth! They are perfect for spreading over picnic tables in the park. I made a polka dot one for my first daughter's first birthday. Made some more last year. And, now I've decided I certainly can't have a fiesta without the characteristic Mexican oilcloth tablecloths.

So I have been hunting for the perfect oilcloth pattern. I wanted something in the Mexican tradition, but I also wanted a color palette that appealed to me--something flirty and fun. I found it in this fabulous Zoya pattern. I love it! I think it must be brand new because I have done a ton of oilcloth browsing over the past few years and don't remember seeing it. I found it at Mendel's, a great oilcloth resource. Could the colors be better? 

I'm using 60" round tables for the party, so these will be table toppers with tablecloths underneath. Last time I made an oilcloth splatmat I decided I really like a simple seam binding edging, and rickrack, which I love and have used in the past, seemed to 1950s for this party theme. So seam binding it is. I used turquoise, school bus yellow and orange.

This project was so quick. I had all six finished in about two hours. Just cut the oilcloth into 47" squares and used the double-fold seam binding to finish. The slowest part was mitering the corners.

So here they are: my "flirty fiesta" tablecloths. I'm excited about using them to add color to the party.

Sewing: Camo Splat Mat for a Boy

I don't know what it is, but I've always loved camouflage, even had a camo bathing suit when I was in jr. high and I still think it's great.

I found this great oilcloth at Denver Fabrics and thought it would be great for a baby boy--splat mat, bib, bag, wipe holder, etc. A good friend of mine, Jenni, just had a baby boy so I thought: splat mat!

I took some red seam binding and used it to finish the edges. I love the look! I've used oversized rick rack on oil cloth for tablecloths and I may prefer this, and it's all the better for a boy. Plus I love the red and blue contrast.

More seam binding for the "bow."

Hope they get good use out of it.

Sewing: Oilcloth Baby Bib and Checkbook Cover

The oilcloth creating continues! I've become a bit batty about the stuff. I just keep thinking of more fun things I can do with the remainder pieces from my art smocks and splat mats and tablecloths.

So here is this darling baby bib. I love pink and red together! When I was in gradeschool my mother once made me (at my request) a red velvet suit with a bubblegum pink ruffled blouse to wear underneath. It was quite the statement and very cute I thought. So here the memory resurfaces in my pink and red bib.

This little project is so easy. I traced the pattern from another similar bib I had, used seambinding to finish the top of the pocket, pinned the pocket to the bib and then bound the edges all around. I dded some squares of velcro for fasteners. My little Scarlett is a bit of an escape artist when it comes to bibs so I'll have to test this model. I wish they would make industrial strength velcro.

**NOTE 4/28/10: I just went to one of my oilcloth resources, Mendel's, and read this warning on their site about using oilcloth for children under twelve. "There is no lead in the oilcloth, but the levels of Phthalates are too high to comply with the new standards for items which are going to be sold and are intended to be used by children under 12 years old. So you can still make and sell bags and other things created with oilcloth but items like bibs and splat-mats cannot be sold." What a bummer. I haven't had much luck finding the perfect substitute in a more health and enviro-friendly form. I need to research some more!**

I don't even carry a checkbook, but if I did I would like to carry it in this cute oilcloth cover. I just happened to have some leftover pink strawberry but I also think it would be fun to make some seasonal covers to switch out. There is a darling Day of the Dead oilcloth print out that would be great for the Fall/Halloween season.

The checkbook cover suggested to me an eyeglass holder. Now that is something I would use quite a bit as I'm always tossing my glasses into my bag and scratching the lenses. Maybe I have a good gift idea for this Christmas!

RESOURCES

Oilcloth: Mendel's, Oilcloth by the Yard, Fabric.com, Doxie Shop, Denver Fabrics Rickrack for a great price at http://www.doveoriginalstrims.com/


PATTERN (Instructions)

Baby Bib (for PDF pattern, click here.)

• Yardage: less than ½ yard (1/2 yard will make 4 bibs running with selvage; 1 yard will make 9 cut perpendicular to the selvage)
• Notions: 1 package Wrights extra wide double-fold bias tape (1 package is 3 yards)
• How to: Print two copies of the PDF pattern. Tape the pages together and cut out bib from one copy and bib pocket from the other. Trace patterns on wrong side of oil cloth and cut bib and pocket (in contrast oilcloth if desired). Seam bind top edge of pocket and pin pocket to bib with wrong side of pocket touching right side of bib. Seam bind all the way around the bib, catching pocket. Sew on Velcro fastener.

Checkbook Cover

• Yardage: less than ½ yard (13”x7”) (1/2 yard would yield 6 checkbook covers)
• How to: Cut piece 13”x7”; fold in short edges 3” on either side, right sides together and pinch to mark fold. Unfold and turn under short edges wrong sides together ¼” and stitch down to finish. Fold short edges in along pinch mark right sides together and stitch down short edges with ¼” seam allowance. Turn right side out and stitch down ¼” edge between check book pockets to finish.

Sewing: Oilcloth Tablecloths

I can't get enough of these super easy table cloths. I love oilcloth. I love the bright patterns and slick texture. I love how easily they wipe clean. I don't love the fact that they're made with PVC, but I'm hoping limited exposure isn't a big deal!

So here is my pile of tablecloths. I made three of them for Audrey's first birthday party (shared with her cousin Kate): The red polka dot, the red pears & apples, and the yellow strawberry. I just made the acqua cherry with oilcloth I purchased for Audrey's preschool bag. The tablecloths are LONG (3 yards each!) to fit our long patio table and they are perfect for picnic tables in the park.

Love it!

RESOURCES

Oilcloth: Mendel's, Oilcloth by the Yard, Fabric.com, Doxie Shop, Denver Fabrics
Rickrack for a great price at http://www.doveoriginalstrims.com/

PATTERN (Instructions)

Table Cloth/ Splat mat

• Yardage: 3 yards for picnic table length; 1 ½ yards to cut to 47” square; or any desired length…
• Notions: Jumbo rick rack (5/8” wide; 1 ¼” from zig to zag) (5 ½ yards for 45” square; 9 yards for 3 yard cloth)
• How to: Cut tablecloth/splat mat to desired length (for 47” square, fold on diagonal and trim to square) and edge with rick rack (position so rick rack is centered on the edge and top stitch close to edge).

Sewing: Child's Oilcloth Artist Smocks

I'm starting a DIY co-op preschool with some women in the neighborhood, called Joy School. I'm excited about being involved with "schooling" of this type for Audrey. It's a developmental approach and from what I've seen of the curriculum so far it looks really fun. There are three other girls in the group and the moms and I are all trying to get our list of supplies ready before we start on the 14th. I volunteered to do the artists smocks, because even though it suggests an old man's shirt would work I couldn't resist using their pattern to make some cute ones out of oilcloth--I love oil cloth. I thought it woudl be fun to have some cute smocks for school. Hopefully the girls will think it's fun to wear them. (My darling niece, Kate, modeling the smock above doesn't look like she's having a super fun time but I'm chalking it up to being camera shy.)

So I selected one of the more girly patterns: this darling pink strawberry. I used red seam binding to finish them off. I love pink and red! When I was in gradeschool I had my mom make me a red velvet suit, which I wore with a bubblegum colored ruffled shirt. Pink and red just makes me feel happy.

The pattern for this smock is part of the Joy School curriculum. I modified it a bit to make the neck lower and apron shorter. One could easily make their own pattern--laid out flat this piece looks like a rounded rectangle with rabbit ears that curve out. I made mine 26" tall from bottom to neck, 23" wide along the bottom, with "rabbit ears" that are 11" tall from the neck and about 4" wide.

I thought these turned out so cute that I decided to make a couple more out of the leftover oilcloth from Audrey's preschool bag so we have some from home.

RESOURCES

Oilcloth: Mendel's, Oilcloth by the Yard, Fabric.com, Doxie Shop, Denver Fabrics Rickrack for a great price at http://www.doveoriginalstrims.com/

PATTERN (INSTRUCTIONS)

Child’s Art Smock

• Yardage: 1 yard (1 yard will do 2 child’s smocks)


• Notions: 2 packages Wrights extra wide double-fold bias tape (1 package is 3 yards) (you need about 4 yards for one smock); 5” elastic (5/8”-1” wide) for each smock


• How to: Trace the Joy School pattern (or the one you developed) on wrong side of oilcloth and cut around outline. Seam bind along entire perimeter. Pin edge of shoulder straps ("rabbit ears") to top curve of apron, forming an arm hole, and stitch shoulder straps along apron seam binding stitching line. Stitch elastic across the middle of the shoulder straps in the back.

**NOTE 4/28/10: I just went to one of my oilcloth resources, Mendel's, and read this warning on their site about using oilcloth for children under twelve. "There is no lead in the oilcloth, but the levels of Phthalates are too high to comply with the new standards for items which are going to be sold and are intended to be used by children under 12 years old. So you can still make and sell bags and other things created with oilcloth but items like bibs and splat-mats cannot be sold." What a bummer. I haven't had much luck finding the perfect substitute in a more health and enviro-friendly form. I need to research some more!**

Sewing: Oilcloth PreSchool Bag

Update: The PreSchool Bag worked just fine on the first day of school!

Audrey needs a big bag to take to preschool. Big enough to carry all her snow gear in the winter, and to bring home any projects throughout the year. The school sells such a bag but that means the whole class may have identical bags. So I thought it was the perfect opportunity to do something cute with oilcloth. Audrey and I looked at all the oilcloth patterns online and picked this cute cherry on acqua at Mendel's. Lucky for us it was even on sale! I selected a red and white gingham to coordinate because I wanted to do an oilcloth liner.

I used one of the bags the school sells as a reference to get the size right but basically figured it out as I went. Not too difficult really. I created this little zippered pouch for the inside in case I send her with something small or more valuable, added another little pocket on the outside for a fun contrast as much as anything, and bought some belt webbing to make the handles.

It was a little tricky fitting the bag under the needle to sew some of the seams because I didn't plan it perfectly but I'm thrilled with the result.

One added benefit I didn't realize is that the bag stands open on its own so that will make it easier for Audrey to pack up and unpack.

The bag is about as big as she is. Should be a pretty cute sight to see her walking into school with it.

PATTERN (Instructions)

Simple Bag (No zippered inner pocket--just outside pocket)

• Yardage: 1 yard if self lined OR 1 yard of outside and 1 yard of contrast lining
• Notions: 60” belt webbing for handles
• How to: Cut out two pieces of oilcloth 20.5"x36"(one is for the outer bag and one for the lining). Fold outside piece and lining piece in half, aligning long edges, with right sides together. Stitch. Turn outside right-side-out and place lining (which should be wrong side out) inside. Turn raw edge ¼” to the inside (toward lining) and stitch. Turn inside (toward lining) 1” and stitch down to hem finish mouth of bag. Top stitch top edge of bag. To “square” bottom, form triangles on bottom sides of bag about 5” high, fold up along side seams and stitch points down.
• If you want to add a pocket to the front as soon, cut an extra piece of contrast lining 5.5"x8". Fold under (hem) a 1/4" on long sides towards wrong side of oilcloth and stitch. Pin in position on bag so pocket is centered top to bottom and will fit under the webbing straps. Stitch along sides and bottom of pocket leaving top open.
• Cut webbing in two pieces; zig zag finish raw edge. Pin webbing to bag so finished edges align with bottom edge of the bag as shown and straps cover the edges of the front pocket (straps should be about 9" apart measuring from their centers). Top stitch straps in place.

**NOTE 4/28/10: I just went to one of my oilcloth resources, Mendel's, and read this warning on their site about using oilcloth for children under twelve. "There is no lead in the oilcloth, but the levels of Phthalates are too high to comply with the new standards for items which are going to be sold and are intended to be used by children under 12 years old. So you can still make and sell bags and other things created with oilcloth but items like bibs and splat-mats cannot be sold." What a bummer. I haven't had much luck finding the perfect substitute in a more health and enviro-friendly form. I need to research some more!**

Party: Audrey's First Birthday

I can't believe we have celebrated Audrey's first birthday already! First birthdays are such an occassion worth celebrating! Hooray, this little girl was born a year ago! Hooray, I've kept her safe and well fed and loved for the year! Hooray, she is becoming her own little person. Fun to have her little cousin-twin, Kate, to share in the celebration too. I wonder how many years they will celebrate their birthdays together?

They wore their little matching pinafores and bloomers, and I'm glad I found some long-sleeved onesies for them to wear underneath because it wasn't really warm enough to go sleeveless. At least not in my opinion when it comes to baby attire (I'm all about snuggling and covering them).

Given the age of the birthday girls this party was really more about the adults. It was fun to have our families there to celebrate with us. I love backyard gatherings with family.

I mentioned before that I was inspired by the birthday dress fabric to go with the polka dot theme for the invitations and party, and so I continued it with an oilcloth tablecloth for the serving table. I have always loved oilcloth so it was so much fun to order yards of it. I used some different fruit and floral prints for the eating tables but this polka dot is my favorite.

I found some fun, bright red melamine lunch trays at Target and decided to use them for the party guests--mostly adults mind you. Thought it would be a fun through back and remind us that this gathering was really about children. But of course I also think these will be really fun to have and use in the future for the kids--easy for backyard BBQs.

We served my mother's recipe, "Kathy's Open House Salad," which is a spinach, chicken, pasta combination, breadsticks and fresh berries...

...and of course, birthday cake! I made this gumdrop mountain cake from an old issue of Martha Stewart Baby. I always have trouble with her recipe for Swiss Meringue Buttercream and yet I keep trying it. We had to keep sticking this cake in the fridge to get it to set up a bit while applying the gumdrops so they didn't just slide down the sides! But it finally worked and no one knew the difference.

Audrey seemed entertained by the singing and blowing out of her single candle, but she wasn't really a fan of the cake. That's what I get for keeping sugar away from her this first year!

The parents and our one-year olds:

Recipe: Kathy’s Open House Salad with Spinach, Pasta and Chicken

Equal Parts:

• Fresh Spinach leaves (washed and stems removed)



• Cooked Pasta—Penne or Bow-ties (cook and rinse; cool)
  

Add to Taste:

• Poached, chopped chicken breast



• Dried cherries (you can substitute dried cranberries or blueberries)



• Toasted almonds, roughly chopped



• “The Original Vinaigrette” from Le Parisien
  
  To poach chicken breasts, place chicken in pan and cover with cold water. Place on stove and bring water to a gentle simmer. Cover and simmer for 5-10 minutes more. Remove from heat and cool in water. Remove chicken breasts and chop.
  
  To toast almonds: preheat oven to 350-degrees. Spread nuts in one layer on ungreased shallow baking sheet. Bake for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden.
  
  Combine all salad ingredients and toss with vinaigrette.