I may be a genius (either that or I'm an idiot)

Yesterday I had one of those serendipity moments while putting some fabric away.  I was pulling the plastic wrap over a bolt of fabric while standing at the ironing board.  The plastic wrapper got stuck on the hot iron and my heart sank (that's the idiot part).  I couldn't find my tube of Iron Off since I have re-arranged my sewing room at least two times since the last time I used it.  I tried all sorts of dumb things to remove it.  I squirted it with cold water thinking it would turn hard and fall off.  Then I sprayed it with canned air because that air turns cold and I thought maybe that would do it.  Nope.

I started thinking about that Iron Off stuff and it occurred to me that it's just a tube of greasy goop, so that gave me an idea (here comes the genius part).  I grabbed a tube of neosporin and squirted some out on a cruddy piece of flannel then ran the hot iron over it a few times.  It worked!!  Eureka!  Clean as the day it came off the factory floor!  Look.

After doing some research I realized that neosporin isn't cheap and maybe I should look for something cheaper.  Sooooo I found a tube of vasoline and heated up the iron.  I stuck some plastic to the hot iron on purpose and then squirted a blob of Vaseline on the flannel.  It worked lickety-split too!  You know, that's probably all that's in the Iron Off anyway.  They just change the label and hike up the price I'll bet.  So I'm feeling pretty darn smart except for the part where the neosporin melted through the flannel onto my ironing board cover (idiot part here, see lower left hand corner of the picture) and left a big old greasy spot on it.  Then I remembered that I had pre-washed my fabric when I made that cover so I can just take it off and throw it in the wash (genius!).  All in all a good day.

I also had a chance to play with some of that beautiful Flirt fabric I got last week.  I've been wanting to try this new pattern I got because it looked cute and simple and was cheap because it's a See & Sew pattern by Butterick (B5009).

I changed the straps to ties (about 17 inches long each) so it's adjustable and I added ruffles to the capris (because I needed an excuse to throw some of the pink nosegay print in there).  Here's what I came up with.

I thought it was cute but still wanting something.  So I added an apron (of course!).  Cute, fast, simple and it really adds some spunk, don't you think?  They have these beautiful shell buttons at Joann and they're fairly cheap (and have a variety of soft colors) so those worked perfect for making the apron removable.

I also made this little outfit and I really like the fact that it's a summery outfit but not summery colors (kind of throws people off that way!).  I've been wanting to use that embroidered lace (on the apron part) for awhile and it looks great with these colors.  I'm trying to use some of the fabrics that aren't selling as fast just to see if they really are cute or I'm just imagining they are.

I added the little birdie so it could have just a hint of some pink.  I like it.

Now I'm going to go play with some of that Bell Bottom fabric!  Fun!

Comments

[Amy]

Those have got to be the cutest outfits ever! I especially love the Last one!!! TOO CUTE!

[Petra]

Jona, these outfits are so adorable!!! Great to see something made with the "flirt" line, and the last one is darling, too!! Love the combo!!
Can't wait to see what you come up with next... Bell bottom!! Yay!!

[Laurie]

way toooooo stinkin cute!
look at you!
I'm gawking on your blog as I am sewing away, too!

[MichelleB]

Your stuff is just so cute! And the fabric is always so lucious. Too bad my girls are too old for them. *sigh*

[Kelci-Crafty Mama]

Both outfits are FABULOUS! I'm going to try and avoid your Ebay store so I won't know the sizes. Please don't let them be a 5/6 or 2T:)

[Celaine]

a white crayon works for the iron off too!

[Michelle]

OMGosh Jona.. those are SOOOO cute!!!! I need to sew something now...

[KellyinVA]

Love the new outfits, especially the last one! It's totally kiddie couture!

I've been sewing up a storm with my new machine. I think I'm addicted and will need an intervention soon!

[Carolyn]

Cute Outfits!!!
I had an iron issue recently also. Didn't think of vasoline.....but had read somewhere to use salt. Pour a pile of salt in a shallow box and run the hot iron back and forth over the salt. It took some time, but with the scrubbing action of the salt the iron was polished like new. It was amazing, worked better then the iron cleaner and it didn't smell!!

[Tonya Richard]

Jona, you are a genius. I am going to remember the vaseline next time I put my fusible interfacing wrong side up and it sticks to my iron LOL

Both of the outfits are gorgeous, I especially love the second one. I like those colors.

[Nanette]

First of all nice to know on the iron. I'm always having problems getting it shiny and clean like that. And you are one great seamstress.

[Nanette]

First of all nice to know on the iron. I'm always having problems getting it shiny and clean like that. And you are one great seamstress.

[chanelle]

you ARE a genius!

"a problem is a chance for you to do your best." ~ duke ellington

;)

[Pam]

Whew! What a ordeal! You're one smart cookie! I'm glad you got the goop off!

Love your new outfits! Very NICE!

[Diana]

J, You're awesome! First, thanks so much for the iron tip. Mine is in need of a good cleaning & it's nice to know I can use plain old Vaseline to do the trick.

As for the outfits, well, they're just fantastic! That embroidered lace is SO pretty. And the aprons added just the right touch to both.

I can't wait until my "Flirt" fabric comes so I can start creating too. :o)

[lera]

Thanks for the Vaseline advice. I will have to remember that.

Very cute outfits, as usual.

[Cassie]

I can't wait to tell Kevin about this new use for neosporin. 'Sporn (neosporin)is his cure for everything! Got a hangnail...put some 'sporn on it. Got a burn...put some 'sporn on it. Cold sore...sporn. I hope I don't ever have a heart attack when he is around because I'm sure he'll rub some 'sporn on my chest and call it good!

I see your Heather Bailey, Amy Butler, little birdie combination. You are right. We did have a vulcan mind meld!

Very cute outfits, by the way!

[Marianne]

I absolutely love the outfits! Especially the one using Heather Bailey's fabrics. So cute for summer. Now if only I had a little girl...

[Melly]

Thanks for the genius vaseline tip!! I am going to try that right away as my craft iron has a number of things stuck on it from the last little while!! And those outfits are just to die for - so darnmed cute, I LOVE them!! Thanks for your comment on our blog and you MUST start a scrappy cabin quilt. They are so much fun!

[Elizabeth Holcombe]

Adorable outfits! And what a clever hint for cleaning the iron. I am way past due needing to do that! Now, I will!~~~XXOO, Beth

[Melissa]

Your amazing! The new fabric is so yummy! I love the outfits, sooo adorable!

[Lisa]

i totally love those outfits!! do you have your an apron pattern or do you just make your own? that apron totally made that outfit!!

[Louise]

Thanks for the tip! THe iron off stuff I got here was crap. It has bunged up all the holes in my iron and now shoots this kinda chalky powder out. Not good... Maybe me using the whole tube wasn't good?! Anyway - who wants an iron that beeps at you when it has been left on - "Hellllooooo... if you are smart enough to beep then be smart enough to turn yourself off. Otherwise shut up Mr Iron." )Note to self: Stop conversing with iron...!

Anyway Jona, as usual your stuff is just gorgeous. Post some pics of the Bell Bottom creations soon.

[Marie]

Ummm...does that second outfit come in adult sizes? It's stinkin adorable!

[Carrie S.]

Okay, first of all, genius about the vaseline. I would have never thought of that, and I am constantly ironing the wrong side of the interfacing. I know, idiot.

Second, those outfits? Hello? They are the cutest freaking things! I am amazed at people like you!