OCR Text |
Show t It Makes Cents Dear Vi: If you keep raisins in an airtight plastic container in the refrigerator (or freezer) they will stay soft. So much easier than taking time to soften them when you suddenly decide to stir up cookies or something calling for raisins. White vinegar and warm water Is the best thing I've run onto to get "bug juice" off the windshield and front grill of a car. Everyone probably knows already that it's also great for polishing windows. One more good use for vinegar. Our list keeps growing. Dear Vi: If you are interested in a low-fat diet, when making gravy from the drippings from a roast or other meat, pour a try of ice cubes into the liquid. The fat will instantly adhere to the cubes, which can then be lifted or strained out. Frankie Christensen, Monroe, Ut I suggest refrigerating chicken broth, however, so that you can take off and use the fat that solidifies on top for baking or frying. The Jewish people, by the way, consider chicken fat a delicacy. Here are some hints to simplify sewing and mending: To match snaps perfectly, sew on the part with the knob first, then rub some chalk on the knob and press it in its proper position on the other side of the garment. Pin net material with bobby pins Instead of straight pins, which fall out or slide through. To strengthen thread for quilting and to keep it from knotting or snarling, let the spools stand in hot paraffin for a few minutes until completely soaked through. Quickly make a pin cushion by covering a wad of plain (not soaped) steel wool or cotton (steel wool is best because it sharpens pins and needles) with a circle of fabric held in place between the disc and ring of a canning lid. A lace edge may be added if desired. Sharpen a sewing machine needle enough to finish the job you're working on by holding the needle shank almost parallel to a piece of fine sandpaper or emery board. Draw the needle along the paper, turning it as you go until the point is sharp. When hubby's work shirts pull apart between the sleeve and shoulder, patch the spot with a stretchable patch cut from the ribbing of a discarded work sock. The upper part of a pair of old black socks make neat elbow patches. Apply with a zigzag stitch. Store matching buttons cut from old garments between two strips of clear plastic tape. Saves looking for buttons that match, and you can snip off any number you want. If you feel awkward using a thimble, protect the end of the finger you push with by wrapping it with two layers of adhesive tape. When embroidering, color the pattern with crayons or colored pencils so that you can tell at a glance what color thread to use. Sew a small piece of material to an inside seam of any washable garments you make so that it will fade to match in case you need a patch. This is especially useful for children's clothing. |