Labels

Craft shows, if nothing else, are great for networking.

One of the wonderful people I've met is Laurie Livingston, the owner of StitchWhich. Laurie recently posted on her Facebook wall that a new shipment of garment labels had come in. I cannot begin to tell you how excited I got when I saw that post! I've been toying with the idea of labels, but hadn't had the chance to investigate the matter. Perfect timing!

I commented on her post, asked her if she'd share her contact. She was generous enough to hook me up with John Laidler of Laidler Labels, who made me these:

They're exactly what I wanted. Now, the question is, how should I use them?

Any thoughts?

Tutorial: Mitred Corners

One of the things I'm most proud of is that Urban Contessa's handmade napkins have mitred corners.

It's much more time-consuming than the corners you see on mass-produced napkins, but the end-result is beautiful and, quite frankly, I'm a firm believer in "if you're going to do something, do it well". And right.

And mitred corners are right.

I brag about my corners all the time, and people who don't understand ask me to explain mitred corners. Their eyes glaze over and it's clear they have no idea. Or interest.

But people who sew, are interested. And they ask me how to sew mitred corners. In the past, I've directed them to various tutorials on the Web, but I think it's time I create my own "how-to" blog post.

A co-worker ordered eight napkins, so I took this as a sign (and the perfect opportunity) to do my tutorial.

So, here we go...

Urban Contessa's napkins are 20" x 20". To yield eight napkins of this size, you will need two and a half metres of fabric. I like to use Galaxy Twill (shown in this post), or broadcloth.

Start by cutting a 21" x 21" square.

Using a 1/2" seam allowance guide, fold over each edge and press.

Fold over the seam allowance once more and press. This leaves a nice clean edge.

Unfold the second pressed seam to the first fold.

Fold down the corner, at the point where the seams meet.
It's not very clear in this photograph, but you can use the pressed lines of the seams and line them up with the cut edge of the first seam allowance fold. Press the corner.

Open the pressed corner, then fold the corner of the napkin, right sides together, into a point. You will see the pressed line from the folded corner.

Sew along the pressed line. I like to place the napkin in the machine with the folded edge toward me.

Cut off the excess fabric.

Turn out the corner using a point turner to get the point nice and sharp.

Press again.

Close the seam with a topstitch.

Look at that. Isn't that pretty?

Press one last time.

And now we're all ready for sale.

As I said, it's time consuming, but the end result is worth it.

Now that you know how to sew mitred corners, you'll become a corner snob. Whenever you're out, and have a meal with a cloth napkin, you'll check the corners. And when you see those cheap folded-over corners, you will snort your derision.

Welcome to the Corner Snob Club. I'm the President.

House Warming Gift

A blogger friend recently moved. I asked him to send me his address, once he was settled in, so I could send a housewarming gift. He has teased me in the past about my fabric napkins, so I'm sending him some of his very own. An appropriate gift, as he's an environmentalist.

I did stipulate one thing. He couldn't blog about my napkins if he hated them. I can take criticism, but national humiliation I can't. I'm shallow that way.

I like to brag about my napkins. Each one is hand-sewn (alright...I use a machine) using heavy twill fabric. What I'm most proud of are the mitred corners. Napkins that you buy in the store have corners that are folded over. To me, it's cheating. And lazy. Mitred corners are much more time consuming--one napkin, from cut to finish, takes about forty minutes--but the result is decadent.

Here are a few highlights:


Three metres of fabric, ready for cutting. Yes, that is a pattern under there. You'd think a square product wouldn't need a pattern, but there is more information on a pattern than just the size.



Cut and ready to go. Whoever invented the self-healing cutting board and rotary cutter, should be canonized. Eight twenty-one-inch squares of fabric cut in minutes!



After pressing the seam allowance, the corners are sewn, trimmed and turned over. Then the seams are topstitched.



One final press and they're ready to go.



Sorry, my friend, but the plate and placemat stay here.


Soon, I will create a post that shows the time and care taken to create these napkins. It will explain why I charge $35 for a set of four napkins.

I also thought of a way to use the leftover fabric. There isn't enough to make full-sized napkins, but I thought of creating a set about half the size, to be used when having friends over for tea and dessert. You use delicate tea cups, and smaller flatware and china, why not have dainty napkins to go with it?

But more on that on a later post.

Living the Life

Many people ask me if I practice what I preach.

Do I actually use my placemats every day, like I say I do? Do I really just throw them in the washer and dryer, then use them without pressing? Even when I have guests?

The answer is yes. To all those questions. This is not a case of the Shoemaker's bare-footed children.

I made a turkey dinner yesterday. While the bird was baking, I set the table. It looked so nice, I thought I'd take pictures for the site.

I used my own placemats for the general shots.



We have used those placemats and hot mats for about nine years now. They are washed repeatedly and are none the worse for wear.

The other day, we made a delicious ham and corn chowder. Same mats.



And last night, after cleaning up the dishes from a fabulous turkey dinner, and taking the dog for a walk, we came home and had a little blueberry cheesecake and cappuccino.



Though Urban Contessa only makes white napkins of durable broadcloth, I really liked the decadence of linen napkins, so I indulged, and made some mocha-coloured ones for me.

It sounds lavish, but it's not. No matter what we are eating, no matter how simple it may be, those placemats come out for every meal. Even if it's Mac 'n Cheese.

It's a new year. It's time to live the life of royalty. You deserve it.

Happy New Year, everyone!

The Plan

New year.
New plan.

I'm going to expand on the Contessa Party concept and market a few products individually.

For instance ...

Real Estate agents can thank their clients by gifting them with placemats, napkins or table runners for their new home. The usual bottle of wine will be gone in a few days, so why not give something that people will use often? When their friends ask where they got the beautiful pieces, they can say they got it from their real estate agent. Which, in turn, will garner more business.

Dentists can hand out Tooth Fairy Pillows to their little patients.

I'm planning on sending out letters in the new year to a few local real estate agents and dentists specializing in children to drum up some business.

I also have plans to market rosary bracelets to Funeral Homes. As soon as I make a few more, I'll post them on our website.

Cross your fingers for me!