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January 29, 2008
Lost In The Land Of Box Bags
I got a new sewing machine for Christmas - well, I got money to pick out a new sewing machine, which I did a couple of weeks ago. And since then, I've been lost in the wonders of sewing. I have been obsessed with making box bags some of which I'm going to make for the LYS and some of which I think I'll put on Etsy. I'm still in the development stage and every one I make helps me get closer to the "it" bag. I went and bought some cute cottons at the local quilt shop and this is my first cube bag:
So, I need to make another one and incorporate the changes I want to make and see how it turns out. Who knew bags could be so technical?
I finished the Rocktober socks and wore them without taking a picture, so as soon as I wash them and get a picture, I'll blog about that. I'm terrible. I know, and can't seem to help myself. Ugh.
And other than sewing too much and knitting not enough, I've been baking bread. I recently bought The Bread Baker's Apprentice, which was on my wish list for at least a year, and I love it. I love the variety of recipes and the way he explains the entire process. I've learned a lot about making bread and figure out that I wasn't kneading my bread nearly enough. So far I've made 2 batches of one of his white sandwich bread and it's wonderful.
Comments
Oh lord, I'm a sucker for bread. I'm glad you don't live close!
Posted by: yaiAnn at January 29, 2008 10:55 PM
The bags look great, they are hard to make, I gave up! I can almost smell that bread!
Posted by: Lin at January 30, 2008 12:58 AM
Damn, that bread looks good. I wish I could smell it! As for the bag, it's adorable and I'd love to buy one once you're ready to sell them.
Posted by: Carole at January 30, 2008 5:17 AM
I've been wondering where you were. The bag looks fabulous. I predict you'll be the queen of the machine soon.
Posted by: margene at January 30, 2008 5:50 AM
Years ago I read about kneading bread to Mozart. Pachelbell's Canon works well, too. The secret is something to take your mind off the fact that you must knead the bread for ten or fifteen minutes to get the finest texture.
Posted by: Connie at January 30, 2008 7:52 AM
wow, that bread looks scrumptious! i love homemade bread, mmmmmm.
Posted by: gleek at January 30, 2008 8:36 AM
Cute cute bag! The bread looks delicious, and I wish I could smell it too.
Posted by: caitlyn at January 30, 2008 9:56 AM
Cute cute bag! The bread looks delicious, and I wish I could smell it too.
Posted by: caitlyn at January 30, 2008 9:58 AM
I love his brioche recipes--the names alone are really cute. Are you going to try any of the longer-fermenting recipes? I'd love to but it requires a lot of planning...
Posted by: Sara at January 30, 2008 10:06 AM
I don't know why I check your blog so close to lunch time! I should know better by now. That bread looks scrumptious!
Posted by: JenBrenneman at January 30, 2008 10:33 AM
Gorgeous looking bread!
Posted by: Knittripps at January 30, 2008 3:44 PM
mmmm....bread. I can practically smell it!
The bag is cute, too, but I can't think about anything but bread right now! ;o)
Posted by: JessaLu at January 30, 2008 10:14 PM
Wow, that bread looks amazing! I wish I could taste it!
The cube bag also looks terrific. Nice straight seams and cute fabric!
Posted by: seedless grape at January 31, 2008 8:14 AM
When you're kneading bread, turn on some music or the radio to take your mind off the passage of time. No matter what the recipe says, you should knead for at least ten minutes to get the fine grain you want. That's ten minutes by hand in addition to whatever machine kneading you do.
I once read that Mozart is the right tempo for kneading but if that's not your taste, find another.
Pie in the Sky by Susan Purdy, a high-altitude baking book, suggests three rises improves the bread texture at altitude. If it's good for me here in Fort Collins at 5,000 feet, it's surely good for you at 7,500 feet.
Posted by: Connie at April 22, 2008 4:29 PM
