Black Pencil Skirt

I made myself a black pencil skirt. I used Simplicity 2154. I've used it before and it fits really well and is easy to make. I used a black suiting fabric.

First off I cut out all the pattern pieces. There's only three its pretty basic.

Next I sewed the many darts.

Then the back seam.

Then I hemmed the slit on the back of the skirt.

I then sewed the sides of the skirt together and the waistband onto the skirt.

Next the invisible zipper.

I hand sewed the waistband shut. I also hand sewed the skirt hem.

I'm really happy with how it turned out. It fits well and is comfortable to wear.

Fall

It's been a pretty gloomy weekend here but the sun is out today at least. We got another planter built and hope to get a couple more started today. Grass is coming at the end of the week so theres lots to be done. Our trees leaves have started to turn yellow already. Summer is too short.

Deck Addition

We decided to add a small addition onto the deck for the BBQ to sit on. We made it 4 feet by 2 1/2 feet. We put the frame together before attaching it to the deck.

We put down pavers to support the leg posts.

Once we attached it to the deck we measured the legs and cut them to size.

Once the legs were attached we cut the planks to size and screwed them down.

It was a quick and easy project, it only took a couple of hours to complete. Now the BBQ isn't blocking the path out the back door.

Jelly Roll

I love a jelly roll. Haven't had it in forever so my husband made me one for my birthday. His first time making a cake.

5          eggs room temperature
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp     vanilla
3/4 cup cake flour ( we used whole wheat flour and it turned out fine)
1 tsp     baking powder
1/4 tsp  salt
1/2 tsp  lemon juice
Raspberry jam or other filling

Preheat oven to 350F. Prepare 10 x 15 inch jelly roll pan. Grease well. Line bottom with waxed paper.

Beat eggs in small mixing bowl untill frothy. Beating at high speed slowly add in sugar. Add vanilla. Continue beating untill mixture becomes thick. Transfer to larger bowl.

In a second bowl mix flour baking powder and salt together. Fold into egg mixture one third at a time untill all  is moistened. Spread into jelly roll pan. Bake in oven for 15 - 20 minutes.

Dampen a tea towel. Turn pan out immediately onto tea towel.

Carefully remove wax paper.

Trim edges.

Spread with jam.

Start at narrow end and carefully roll up onto roll untill its completely rolled up.

Transfer to plate and trim edges.