TaylorMade

DIY, Home Decor & Sewing

California BLT and Homemade Potato Salad

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Did you know if you add avocado to something you can put the word “California” in it’s title? It’s true. So this is the California BLT with my Homemade Potato Salad.
 
For the California BLT:
peppered bacon
Boston Bibb lettuce
tomato
avocado (or we can’t call it California)
hoagie rolls or croissants (toasted)
light mayo or butter 
sprouts
 
Potato Salad:
6 yukon gold potatoes – quarter and boil for 25 mins. Drain and cool.
1/2 c mayo
1/2 c mustard
4 tsp relish
4 celery stalks chopped
3 green scallions
1/2 red bell pepper
1/2 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp celery salt
dash of paprika




Lingerie Bag (Clean & Dirty)

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I can finally share my Clean and Dirty Lingerie Bag that I made my sister for her birthday. We saw a (much more expensive and less exciting) lingerie bag a few years ago and we loved it so I thought I would improve it :) I call it a Lingerie Bag because it’s catchy but it is really perfect for traveling, gym bags, diaper bags etc… The bag has two compartments “Clean” and “Dirty” but share a zipper which makes this a very simple project!
 
All you need is:
1/4 yard of outer fabric
1/4 yard of inner fabric
22″ zipper
about 10″ of either a third fabric or extra from the inner fabric for the Clean and Dirty square
 
 
Step 1: Cut 2 pieces of inner fabric and 2 pieces of outer fabric to 9″ x  24″.


Step 2: Make your background squares for the names “clean” and “dirty”. I used a completely different fabric because my inner fabric was so busy. They need to be 4″ x 5″. Fold and iron all the way around then sew them both on one of the outer fabric panels.

 



*Here is where I messed up. I kept on making the bag BUT I should have embroidered at this point! I had a friend embroider the words “clean” and “dirty” on after I was totally done but it was really hard for her because of the bag’s shape. Also, some of you might just want to sew a “C” or a “D” on it. Either way, it will look better if you do it now because you wont see the back.*


Step 3:  Layer one side of the bag in this order; inner fabric right side up, zipper lined up with the top of the fabric and then the outer fabric wrong side up. Sew along the top line making sure to sew all the way to the end.

 



Step 4: Flip the fabric around so that the wrong sides are together. Repeat the same order on the other side of the zipper. Sew across the top line in the same way. 
Step 5: Unzip the zipper half-way ( a crucial part or you will not be able to flip your bag. Now sew the outer fabric together (right sides together). Then sew the inner fabric panels together leaving a 2″ opening on one of the sides. Flip the bag inside out. Sew the 2″ hole closed. You should now have a lined zipper bag, but we wont stop now….



Step 6: Now you will sew a line right down the middle of the bag to make two individual compartments. Measure to the center of the bag and mark with pins. I used a decorative stitch because it will be seen anyway. I also went over it 3 times to make sure it is good and stable. Across the top, (parallel to the zipper but right under it) sew about 1″ long.



Step 7: Get your lovely friend to embroider the works on for you. However, if you do not have that option, there are many other cute things you can do! You could sew the letter “C” and “D” on it. You could use an iron-on. You could paint or silk screen… the possibilities are endless. Here is my finished product…

 

Happy lingerie bag making!!

 

Eggplant Parmesan

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… don’t mind if I do! The homemade Eggplant Parmesan turned out so yummy, so I will share my recipe… (note: please say the word “ish” after reading each ingredient)

 
2 medium-large eggplants
1 1/2 cups shredded or fresh mozzarella cheese
2 cups Italian breadcrumbs
1 cup flour
2 eggs
olive oil
salt and pepper
optional: Italian seasoning such as oregano, parsley, red pepper…
angel hair pasta
1 jar marinara sauce
 
Directions:
1. Wash and slice eggplant (3/4″ slices)
 
 
2. THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT STEP because nobody likes mushy eggplant! Place the eggplant on a few paper towels and sprinkle with salt (this will be rubbed off). The salt will help draw out more moisture. Layer more paper towels on top. Cover with a cutting board or cookie sheet and some weight. I used a stack of plates. Leave them like this for 1-2 hours.
 
 
3. Pat the eggplant dry and rub off excess salt.
4. In a shallow bowl, beat your 2 eggs. In another shallow bowl, mix breadcrumbs, flour, a little salt and pepper and whatever extra seasoning you want to use.
5. Cover the bottom of a pan with about 1/4″ olive oil over medium heat.
6. Now let the eggplant fun begin… wash each one in the egg bath and drip dry. Dredge in the breadcrumb mixture, coating both sides evenly then place in the pan.
7. Cook for 2 minutes on each side and transfer to a plate. Continue until all eggplant is cooked (it took me 3 batches).
 
 
8. Martha Stewart if you are reading this (which I know you are, don’t read this part)… Instead of making some homemade pasta sauce, I used a jar. Very Sandra Lee:Semi-Homemade of me but it was really good! I used Bertolli Organic Marinara. Pour about 1/4th of the jar into the bottom of an oven-safe baking dish. Layer the eggplant on top. Pour remaining sauce over eggplant .Lastly cover the top with your mozzarella.
 
 
*If you are serving this over pasta, now would be the time to cook your angel hair.
9. Bake eggplant at 375 for about 15 minutes. For the last 5-6 minutes uncover and place under broiler to brown the cheese.
10. Enjoy with family, friends, a glass of wine or all of the above!




 

Super easy Midi Apron

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I made my 1st Hobby Lobby run (for the blog) with my Mom today. I could have put something in the cart from every aisle but, I stopped myself!
I have a few full length aprons but I wanted to make a “Midi Apron” too! You can not only use it for cooking but it is perfect for crafting or gardening too. I made this for under $6.00 and in about an hour!

All you need is:
-2 contrasting fabrics (5/8 yd of each)
-2 yards on ribbon (for top strap)

-1 yard of ribbon for accent piece
-quilt binding

Start with your 2 contrasting fabrics. They should be about 24″ each. Pin and sew right sides together but on one side, leave a 2″ opening (just like you would if you were sewing a pillow).

Turn the apron inside-out (really right side-out) by pushing all of the fabric through the opening. Once apron has been all turned out, put your finger inside to push out the corners. Iron the apron flat (and pretty!)

Now you need to add the accent ribbon. Measure (or don’t) about 5″ from the bottom of the apron. Pin the accent ribbon and sew it on. Don’t worry about the edges because you will finish it with the quilting binding.

Time for pleats. I learned a bunch of “fancy” ways to pleat in college but, sorry Prof. Hargrove… Just find the center of the apron. Pull about 2-2.5″ back, fold fabric in to meet in the middle then then lay the sides down to make little “doors” on the fabric.

Do this 2 more times… measure about 4-5 inches on both sides of the middle to make a total of 3 pleats.

Almost done… pin your quilt binding on the 2 sides and the bottom (not the top!). When you come to the corners, fold them under and down like you are making the corner of a bed.

Lastly, time to pin the ribbon (which will be the wait-tie) onto the apron. You will sew it right onto the front. I pinned mine from the back because with my ribbon it was easier from the back to line up and sew a straight line.

Fold the ends of the ribbon and sew to prevent fraying…. and voila! A Midi apron!

 

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