November Apron Tutorial - Kappogi - Traditional Japanese Apron

Miss Fanny and the Kappogi Aprons.

I have loved the Japanese apron for many years. My mom actually has had a pattern for it (and of course now we can’t find it.)
I love this apron because it covers everything. In honor of Thanksgiving and all the cooking we will be doing here next week (recipes to come of course), I thought I needed an apron that covered most of me so I can cook like a maniac, peel my apron off, and greet my guests in perfect cleanness.
A Sexy little apron is great when you are just heating things up for dinner or for doing the wash but when you are doing the "From Scratch Holiday Baking" that happens at Byrd house, you need a tent. Hee Hee

This apron was so easy to make. I had a ball. I hope the tutorial doesn't just mess everyone up.

The Kappogi is the tradidional Japanese "Country Style" apron. It was designed to keep your Kimono Clean. I was told that the word mean Kitchen and to wear so it is basically Kitchen ware. Funny.

My sister in law, Miyuki, let me borrow her apron to look at. I love hers but it was made for a small Japanese woman. I am not small or Japanese. My arms are just too long for it and I need it to go further around. Hee Hee. Sooooo….. I looked at hers and took many measurements and came up with something that will fit a taller, rounder, long armed Western Woman.
Here is the fairly simple tutorial (you’ve got to love Japanese simplicity.)

I started by taking my measurements and decided that the thing had to go around my widest part with some room to spare. I don’t think you need to know my numbers, (I don’t even want to know them.) I will give you my cutting measurements though.

Supplies:
2 yards fabric for the apron
1 fat quarter in a coordinating color for collar and pocket.
Some elastic for the sleeve.

Measurements:

I decided to make the apron 36” long. That puts it a mid thigh on me and I like that. You want it to be just longer than your finger tips so when you wipe your hands it goes on the apron and not your pants or dress. I decided to make the apron should be 50” round. That gives PLENTY of room. Hee Hee. If you need it narrower or wider you can adjust my measurements later. I also made the sleeves about 19” long.

Cutting instructions: (SAVE ALL YOUR SCRAPS - YOU WILL NEED THEM)

This was so simple. Here is what I did. I took the fabric and made sure it was exactly 72” long (36”x2). From that I cut 1 piece of fabric 72” x 26”. This is for the front and back. I then cut that piece in half 2(36” x 26”). One of these is the front. I took the other and cut it in half 2(13”x36”) These make the back. You need to taper the shoulders. I did this by putting my ruler along the top edge of all the shoulders together and coming down 1” from the outer shoulder edge. I cut that off.

From the remaining fabric I cut the sleeves. My fabric was 46” wide so after the front and back were cut, that left me with a piece about 20” x 72” I evened things up and ended up with a piece that was 19 ½ inches wide. Each sleeve needs to be 19” x 30” . Take the sleeve pieces and fold them in half so they measure 15” x 19”.
Now take your ruler and measure up from the bottom edge to 8.5” down from the other edge. Cut along there. This will make the sleeve taper at the cuff.

Now the detail cuts for the neck hole.
The traditional neck hole on the Kappogi is square. That was a little complicated (for a tutorial) so I went for a rounded neck. It is easy to make, tute, and then I wasn’t copying the apron exactly. You can do what ever you like.
Take your apron front and fold it in half lengthwise. From the folded edge, come in 3”, from the top edge, come down 7 inches.

I used a pen and marked a curve that fit in those dimentions (the bowl helped with the curve.) Now cut out that piece and SAVE it.

Now to make the collar, I took the coordinating scrap I had and place the folded neck cut-out on top of it for a guild.

I cut that out and then added 2 ½” all the way around. I did this by laying the ruler next to the edge and making little marks and then connecting the dots and cut it out. Now you have a big U shaped piece.

To do the back neck, I took the left over piece from the sleve and cut it so I had a short piece to go at the top for facing. I placed all these pieces together and cut them all at once. I came in 3” from the center. Then I came down 2” from the top and made a curved line. I placed the front on top of the back and made sure that the were even.

Now you need to make the pocket. For this I took the left over neck piece U from the apron and from the collar and placed them together. This will be my lined pocket.

Last of all you need to cut out the ties. They need to be 2” wide and as long as you want them about 10“-12” will do. Cut them from your scraps. You need 4 of them.

Now to SEW: Use ¼ inch seams everywhere
First sew the ties.
Fold them in half lengthwise and sew them along the side and one end. Turn and press them.

Now do the collars.
Place the contrasting U on the Front piece WRONG sides together. (yes this is backwards) Sew them together. Clip the curve and flip the collar to the outside. Press in place. Now take the outside edge of the collar and fold it under about ¼” and top stitch it down. This is actually like facing done inside out.

For the back, take the lining pieces and fold the bottom edge under ¼”. Now place the lining and the back pieces together, right sides together. Pin them in place. Be sure to add the top ties between the layers. Sew them together along the curve and side, leaving the top open.
Now to sew the front and back together.

It is a little tricky but not hard at all.
You are going to sandwich the front top between the back and the back lining. Make sure you get the neck pieces together smoothly . How I did this sandwiching was to pin the front and back pieces together (right sides together), then I folded the lining over the top of that and pinned it in place. I then sewed that top seam together. I turned and pressed the whole thing. Then I stitched the lining to the back along the folded edge. (I know my words are getting in the way here. I hope this all makes sense.)

Now sew the sleeve. Sew the sleeve seam. Fold under the edge of the sleeve and make a casing for the elastic. I cut a piece of elastic long enough to go around my wrist and then some extra. I put that inside and sewed it shut.

Now sew the side seams together. I placed the sleeve along the side of it to know where to stop sewing. When the seams are sewn together, place the sleeve inside and stitch it in place.
Now finish the apron up by hemming the edges of the back pieces. Then fold up the bottom edge and hem it. You also need to add the second ties on back about 10-12 inches from the top.
You also need to add the pocket to the front. I just put the apron on and pinned the pocket where I thought it should go.

To sew the pocket, place the two neck pieces together and stitch all the way around, leaving a hole along the top of the pocket for turning. Clip the curve, turn and press the pocket. Then fold down the top edge of the fabric showing the contrasting fabric at the top. Stitch in place on the pocket and you are DONE!

Miss Fanny is the only goat we have left right now. She is very clever and knows how to jump flat footed over her fencing. (a new place everyday too.)

She heard me in the chicken pen taking photos today and had to come and check the whole thing out. She was most interested in both the aprons. (No she didn't bite them, she was looking closely at the fabric. HONEST!)

She is a very sweet and friendly goat. Just too nimble.

The Winners Are ......

OK I have had a chance now to do the drawing and here are the winners:

For the Ozark Patchwork Stocking ......



Laura J of This is Me

For the Mama Byrd Apron ....



Michelle of Greetingarts

For the Jeans Apron #2



Em of Em and the Gang

Email me at byrdhouse1(at)windstream(dot)net and I will get this shipped off to you ASAP.
Thanks to everyone for stopping by. I had a lot of fun and am happy to send my things out to some of my blogging friends.

Happy Blog Day To Me

I have been blogging for a year now. I can't believe it. Last week was my actual blog day but I was too busy to post then.

Here is where I started.



This this post about my Halloween costuming attempts.

I have done so many things. It is amazing to look back over the year and see an actual record of what I have done. Here are some photos of my favorite things.

My first quilted post card.

My first "Not So Sock Monkey".

My Soft Baby Shoes

My first apron tutorial.

The ice storm.

Cooking with my kids.

My first Tie One On Apron.

Cloth Diapers.

A Hogwarts Birthday.

Mama Byrd Creations.

My Ipod winning Mother's Day Apron.

My first tutorial on Whip-up.

The Peg Doll Party.

The starting of Prairie Hen Day.

My recycled Jeans Apron tutorial.

Sexy Apron Day.

Four Seasons Doll Quilt Swap.

Henna Hair

and Train Love.


In Honor of my very First Blog Day I would like to give away some things to my blogging friends.

First off is one of my Ozark Patchwork Christmas Stockings.

Second is on of my Original Mama Byrd Aprons.

And third is one of my Recycled Jeans Aprons.


How Do You Get One of These??
Enter a comment telling me something new you did this year. This will get you one chance one win something. If you blog my give away and post a link to your post in a comment, your name will be entered again. (thanks Domestic Chicky for that idea).
The deadline to get your name in the drawing is Midnight Saturday November 10th. I will put all the names in a hat and draw 3 lucky winners out.

I just wanted to say to all of you that come here that I have really enjoyed blogging with you this year. I was so nervous to start. I didn't think I would have anything to say or share that anyone would want to read. I have learned so much this year and have made some really good friends. I would list them now but the list would be long and I would just die if I left someone off the list. I love you all and thank you for stopping by and brightening my day with your comments.

The Littlest Pirate

I am afraid I didn't get many photos take of the Halloween happenings this year. I meant to but kept forgetting the camera and had 101 places I had to be that day. What a bummer. They were such cute little kids.
I did manage to get this shot of the Littlest Pirate.


November 1st is his birthday. I did happen to get a couple photos of that but not many either. I had a meeting I had to go to so I made is cookie, gave it to him, gave him his gift, watched him unwrap it and squeal with delight, and then ran out the door. :o( He turned the big 2 this year.


We opted for a Train Cookie rather than a traditional cake. JEB is train obsessed right now. He was so thrilled when he saw it. What wasn't to like; trains and candy, the best! His big sisters decorated it for him.

He kept blowing his candles out before we could get a shot. We did it 3 times and gave up. He and his daddy did have fun though.


When I did get home from my meeting, JEB greeted me at the door and let me know what he thought of his present.

"Love a train!"

More train madness.

The cookie recipe used is an adaptation of the traditional sugar cookie recipe I use. I tried subbing some more healthful ingredients. We all loved it.

Flaxseed "Sugar" Cookies

Mix and set aside:

2 cups white flour

2 cups whole wheat flour

1/2 tsp. cream of tartar

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp ground nutmeg

1/4 cup ground flax seeds

In a mixing bowl cream:

1 cup butter

1 cup sucanant

1 egg

When this is fluffy, add

:1/2 cup buttermilk

1 tsp vanilla

Really mix this well and get it good and fluffy.

Add the dry ingredients and mix well. Refrigerate 2-3 hours.

*(a note on the addition of nutmeg, If you are going to bake these right away, the nutmeg flavor is a little strong so in that case I leave it out. However, if you can leave the dough in the fridge for a couple of days, the nutmeg mellows out and gives these cookies the most wonderful flavor.)

Roll the dough out on a well floured surface to about 1/4" thick. Cut as desired. Place on a baking sheet and bake at 375*F for 10 - 12 minutes.

Personally I like these cookies a little brownish. I like them crispy. Just my own personal preference.

I did frost these with the thinest bit of buttercream frosting.

Hen Day - Crepes

Ok I am really slipping behind on posting hen day. I forgot to bring my camera to hen day so I can't show you the things we did. We were working on drafting our own wrap pattern. We learned a lot about patterns and drafting. I will be using the info in the forthcoming November Apron.

We had a wrap theme and ate wrapped food. I made tortilla pinwheels that were tasty.
Vea and Jill worked on Chocolate filled crepes. They were to die for.
I made them today for my family. They are too good.



Here are the recipes:

Crepes:

1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon white sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 eggs
2 cups milk
2 tablespoons butter, melted

Sift together flour, sugar and salt; set aside. In a large bowl, beat eggs and milk together with an electric mixer. Beat in flour mixture until smooth; stir in melted butter.
Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium high heat. Pour or scoop the batter onto the griddle, using approximately 2 tablespoons for each crepe. Tip and rotate pan to spread batter as thinly as possible. Brown on both sides and serve hot.

Chocolate Filling
Mix together and set aside:
1/4 cup sweetened condensed milk
1 cup milk
In another bowl mix together:
1 pkg chocolate pudding mix (instant)
1/4 cup cocoa powder
Mix both together.
Whip 1 cup of whipping cream.
Add it to the pudding mixture and fold in.
Refrigerate to set.

Chocolate Ganache
1 cup cream
1 cup or so of dark chocolate chips

Bring the cream just to a boil. Remove from heat and stir in the chocolate. Stir until melted.

To serve the crepes, lay a crepe out flat. Add a scoop of the filling. Roll it up, folding in the sides as you go (looks like a burrito).
Put strawberries on top. Top with ganache.

Now try not to give in and eat the whole bowl.
The original recipe has you use a whole can of sweetened condensed milk mixed with 1/4 cup water. I found that was too much sugar for me. Even this way was rather sweet. I think I might leave the condensed milk out next time and just use low fat milk. It was plenty sweet.

Heavenly!

Wouldn't you just love to own this apron!!

I would!!

You can enter a chance to win it over at Apronista until Tomorrow night Midnight 11-2-07.

The apron is Holiday Hostess over at Heavenly Hostess.

Go check them out. Major Drooling!

I love you flattering her aprons seem to be. I think I must might have to get one of my own!

October Morning

I love fall! Yes I know those trees are still green in late October but there is an almost imperceptible line of color change in them. The air is finally crisp here in the morning. Time to pull out jackets and make hot cocoa. In Missouri the fall lasts for weeks. I love how nice and cool it is. I think Bryan and I are going to go out and start shopping for a wood stove. We have so much wood this year, thanks to the ice storms. If you look closely at the tree line above you can see some of the skeleton trees left from that storm.

We made hot cocoa and toast this morning in honor of the cold weather. The kids were most happy. Fresh hot cocoa and toast made from home-made, whole grain bread is just one of those things that make this life the best. The only thing that would have made it better would be to have the milk come from our own cows. (next year! maybe)

Here is my hot cocoa in one of my favorite mugs which my brother Joe made.


This is our basic cocoa recipe

6 cups milk
3/4 cup cocoa syrup

Mix and heat in a pot.

Variations:
Mexican Cocoa - add 1 tbsp cinnamon and a pinch or two of chili powder.

Flavored cocoa - add a tsp of your favorite extract like:
almond
orange,
mint
rum
etc.

Cocoa Syrup
1/2 cup sifted cocoa powder
1 cup sugar (we use sucanant and it can be cut to 3/4 cup)
1/8 tsp salt
1 cup boiling water
1 tsp vanilla

Combine the cocoa, sugar, and salt in a sauce pan. Add the water gradually, stirring until the mixture is smooth.
Cook over medium heat until it comes to a boil. Boil 1 minute and remove from heat and cool.
When it is cool, add the vanilla. This makes about 1 1/4 cups syrup.

Quick Chili

Today is the first real "Fall" weather day we have had this season.
Fall in Missouri means cold COLD rain.
I got home from work and just knew that it was a real chili day. However, I didn't soak any beans last night nor did I have time for hours of chili cooking to happen.
I whipped out my Quicky Chili recipe and it came through yet again.
I love fancy chili recipes but every now and then you just need simple home style chili with no frills. This is just that.


Quicky Chili
1 Tbsp oil
1/2 to 1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef (I have even used chopped up pork)
1/2 onion chopped
1 envelope (1 3/4 oz) chili seasoning mix (I like Williams Mix)
1/2 cup water
1 can tomatoes (sauce, diced, what ever you have) about 14 oz
1 can kidney beans (any beans you have will do, I usually double the beans)
1 Tbsp brown sugar

Brown the meat and onions together till the meat is done and the onions are soft.
Add everything else and cook for 10 minutes. (you can certainly cook this longer but 10 minutes will d0)

If it isn't thick enough for you, you can add a couple of tablespoons of corn masa to thicken it.

Date Nut Bar Recipe

Today I indulged in a Bennion Family Tradition.

My Mother's Date Nut Bars.

These are pure heaven.

Here is the recipe.

Date Nut Bars
3 eggs
1 Cup Sugar (I used Sucanant)
1 Cup Flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup chopped nuts
1 cup chopped dates

Beat the eggs well. Add the sugar and beat until it is thick.
Add the flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix in well.
Add the chopped dates and nuts. Mix in well.
Pour batter into a well buttered 9x13" cake pan.
Bake at 350* F. for 20-25 minutes.
When it is done, pour 1/4 cup melted butter over the top of the hot bars.
Dust the top with powdered sugar.

The original recipe said to take the bars from the pan, dip them in melted butter, and then roll them in powdered sugar.
My way is a little better for you. :o) You choose.
I figured that next time I would use some whole wheat flour and add some flax seeds for good measure.

The Lucy Apron

I have to share one of my recent purchases with you.

I have been coveting these aprons from afar for months. Now I have one. I was just waiting for one to scream my name. hee hee
This one did!!
The construction is wonderful. It is made of interior decorating fabric. It is nice and heavy but drapes well. I give it 2 thumbs up.
If you want to see more of her work go to Perdoozy at Etsy.

Hen Day - Book Group

I totally biffed it and didn't take any pictures at hen day. I just wasn't thinking. I had to beat it back home to get my Hannah Baby when she got off the bus all by her 5 year-old self. (I just made it before the bus turned down our dirt road.)
All is not lost thought! Jill Blogged Hen Day. We made diapers for Jill and had yummy home made Pizza. Rebecca Made the Pizza and should post the recipe on her blog!

Today I went to Book Group. I have wanted to do this for months but never got the time off to go. I don't work of Fridays now so (if I can remember to) I can go.
For today's meeting we were to read The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Orczy.

(I cannot recomend this version of the Scarlet Pimpernel. It doesn't follow the book and was so dissapointing. The old 1935 version was much better.)

I have to make one of those real life confessions here. I happen to have a learning disability.
I don't read very well. I am really slow at it and have to kinda fight my way through books. I was very fortunate to have a mother that picked up on this at a very early age. She too had the problem. She read to me as often as possible. She also purchased books on tape for me. At age 9, I could barely read Dick and Jane, however, my interest was much higher than that. My favorite books to listen to in 3rd grade were Robinson Crusoe, The Three Musketeers, The Sea Wolf, and such. Thanks to the books on tape, I was able to enjoy the literature I craved.
Anyway, my point is that I didn't have time to read the book so I looked for it in an audio form. I also didn't find out what the book was till Sunday and didn't have time to go out and buy a copy. I got lucky and stumbled on Libri Vox. It is wonderful. People all over the globe are working together to get free audio books out there. I am so thankful. I found the Scarlet Pimpernel here. I was able to down load it chapter by chapter and listen to it as I had time. My kids were so excited. Some of them have inherited forms of the reading problem and all love literature.
Today I also have the DVD arriving from Netflix. I can't wait to indulge in the romance of it all.
Next moth, the book group is coming to my house. Since it is November, I chose the Scarlet Letter. Something good and Puritanish in time for Thanks Giving.
I found a public domain recording here. You can download it chapter by chapter.

Jelly Fish Sushi

Bryan said that he would like to try some Sushi in his bento so I gave it a try.
I understand that the criteria for sushi is pretty loose.

• Basically you have to have really sticky sweet and sour rice,
• Some kind of filling,
• and some nori to wrap it in.

Soooooo..... I made him some sweet rice sushi, with jelly fish.

If you can't tell, that is

Rice crispy treats, wrapped around twizlers, and wrapped with a fruit roll up.

The sashimi is with a Swedish fish.