Nougat

Here it is ........my secrets out.....

White chocolate, almond and cherry nougat

4 sheets edible rice paper
460g (2 cups) caster sugar
250ml (1 cup) glucose syrup
125ml ( 1/2 cup) honey
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 egg whites
80g unsalted butter, softened
100g dried cherries
150g white chocolate, chopped
125g blanched almonds, lightly toasted
Lightly grease and line a 20cm x 30cm baking tin with 2 sheets of edible rice paper. Place the sugar, glucose, honey and vanilla in a large, heavy-based saucepan. Cook, stirring constantly, over a low heat until the sugar dissolves. Bring to the boil; boil, without stirring, brushing down the sides of the saucepan with a wet pastry brush to remove any sugar crystals that may form. Continue to cook until the mixture reaches 142C on a candy thermometer (soft crack stage). Alternatively, you can test the syrup by dropping a small teaspoon of the syrup into a bowl of iced water. It has reached soft crack stage when you are able to remove the ball of syrup and stretch it with your fingers into pliable strands.
Meanwhile, beat the egg whites, using an electric beater, in a large, clean bowl until firm peaks form. Keep beating, slowly pouring the hot syrup in a thin stream into the egg whites, until the mixture is thick and holds its shape - about 6-7 minutes. Stir in the cherries, chocolate and almonds.
Pour the mixture into the prepared tin and place a layer of rice paper over the top of the nougat. Set aside overnight, then use a hot, wet knife to cut into squares or bars.

Uptown Girl Winter Jacket Tutorial

I have been busy making up a sample of  Uptown Girl by talented Australian Designer Toni Coward of 'make it perfect' fame.

This little girls jacket is a project to make up for little girls to keep them warm in winter. This pattern comes in 2 sizes. Little Uptown Girl for 0 to 5 years and Big Uptown Girl for 6 to 10 years.

This is my first online tutorial so enjoy. If you have purchased this pattern from my shop www.braidccraft.com.au I hope you will find this tutorial helpful. The pattern has a helpful set of instructions and this tutorial provides additional information for those who are unfamiliar with some of the techniques. I hope these photos give you more idea of how to finish this jacket to make it a project to be proud of.

I made the jacket in red and pink.using Saffron Craig Fabrics in Tulip Fairies and Ginkgo Blossoms.

 
Step 1: Cutting out

This is the easy part... just follow the pattern instructions to cut out all the pieces in the two fabrics you have chosen for the jacket.....

Cut out all the pattern pieces in Vilene H630, a lightweight iron-on pellon (fusible fleece)

Then fuse the pellon onto the wrong side of each pattern piece for of one of your chosen fabrics.

Step 2: Transferring Gathering Markings and gathering

(for this step I am working on the back of the jacket where it is attached to the jacket top or yoke and on the fused fabric pieces)

Mark each point with a pin or other marking tool

The pattern has 1/2 inch seam allowance. Sew with a large stitch length each side of the stitching line which is 1/2 " from the cut edge. Wind threads at one end around the pin to stop it pulling out. You can then pull the other ends to gather softly.

Pin top to bottom, easing gathers to fit.

When matching opposing curves it is a good idea to pin vertically and close so that the edges match

 Stitch and then top stitch along the top edge of each yoke piece

Step 3: Pin and sew at shoulder, pressing seam open as you go.

Step 4: Continue following the pattern instructions, sew on the sleeves using the gathering tips above as a guide. 

Step 5: Make up 2 jackets one for the outside and one for the inside. The hood should be made separately and attached to one side of the jacket around the neckline.

 Step 6: pin and sew the two jackets together as per the pattern instructions to enclose the hood.

 Before turning out through on of the sleeves clip all corners.

 

Step 7:  Turn out through the sleeve and pin and topstitch 1/8" all the way around the jacket. 

Step 8: To hem the sleeves turn in 1/2 " press, pin and topstitch in place.Fold sleeves back 2cm to show contrast.

Step 10: Now for the buttons and buttonholes mmmm.... my sewing machine has a problem so I'll update on this step at a later date.....

 

Tah...dah...

It is finally finished....

well its been finished for a while now... 

just haven't posted the photo.