Tina Davis (1)

I'm a sucker for retro, and that's why I love this book, and the companion volumes on sewing and gardening. Somewhere in the 1960-something of my mind, mothers teach daughters wholesome family skills in an immaculate kitchen while wearing handmade aprons given to them by their grandmothers. Then they sit in the beautiful garden and eat the warm cookies they've just baked, with a tall glass of cold milk.

I don't think this was child or beginner tested. Instructions are often confusing. First project is not easiest. Some of the information is only for advanced sewers. Washing & preshrinking the fabric is only suggested sometimes, when really it's important always. Also, many pages at the end were just different typefaces for monograms, and then pages for the owner of the book to add notes (as if there's not enough blank space on each spread to add notes in the places where relevant).

A book to show more browse if your library has it. I did learn a couple of things, so I'm glad that I spotted it. Linen is absorbent and dries quickly, making it good for hot summers. (Invest now as climate change is warming us all up!) I also learned that thread looks lighter when stitched, so use one shade darker than the fabric.

And it's confusing, but there's something about making a shank for a 2- or 4- hole button so it doesn't pucker the fabric and lies flat. They also show a heavy pin (or use darning needle or toothpick) to give the button just a little flex, which would ease the pucker. That is to say, lay the pin across the location of the holes, on the inside of the fabric, and stitch around it; then knot and remove the pin, and the stitches will be that little bit looser.

August 2022 show less

Although this cookbook was originally purchased for my daughter Melyssa, the classic recipes presented are so easy to make (and so tasty!) that we often find ourselves referring back to them. The presentation behind working in the kitchen (preparation, utensils, etc) along with the layout of the dishes has definitely helped encourage us to take this book off the shelves regularly and to cook and bake together as a family :)