Wardrobe Basics -- Turtleneck

The temps here on the east coast are in the high 70's! I am finishing a black turtle neck!!! Well, it is one of the "Wardrobe basics". The fabric I used is a ITY from Fabric.com. I bought it last year. ITY is light weight, so this turtleneck can still be worn on a cool day.

The pattern I used is an old (very old) pamphlet I bought at JoAnns. The instructions are very easy. The whole top can be sewn on a serger. I used a narrow zig zag stitch. I also used a twin needle for the hems.

No alterations were needed. My sleeves do not have a separate band at the bottom.

This is such an easy top to make. Everything goes together nicely.
When I hem a knit, I first press the hem allowance up using a fusible tape. Next, I use my twin needle and the stretchy serger thread in the bobbin. This time I used two different color threads. In one needle I had black thread and in the other, I had beige. Due to the deeper hem pressed on the sleeves, I did a twin hem two times. I like the effect.
Here are a few ways I would style this top. I have it paired with the camel skirt and black long sweater cardi. Chunky gold necklace gives a pop of color.
The blue cashmere cardi is paired with the camel skirt and pearls finish the outfit.
I replaced the skirt with off-white pants. I think I might wear this to work on Monday if the temps cool down.
This is a fall style. I would wear this during November and December. I really like the combo of the turtleneck and the red cardi.
Next up is a white shirt. I am using this KS pattern. I know it is an older pattern, but I like it. The fabric I will be using is a stretch cotton. I still need to get buttons, but the pattern pieces are traced. I want to make a muslin to test the fit.
I have really enjoyed participating in the "Wardrobe Basics" sew along. I only made two pieces, but it kept me motivated to keep sewing through the daily stuff that comes into each day. I appreciate Lori and Lynne for leading those of us involved. Both of these ladies are great sewers!

What is happening in DHARMAVILLE

1. DD is leaving in two days for Indonesia. I would appreciate prayers for her safe travel and protection.

2. We just got back from Disney World. It was a wonderful family trip filled with many memories.

3. DS finally picked a college to attend in the fall. He will be playing on the lacrosse team.

4. DH has added baking to his interests. He has been making bagels!!

Until I post again----take care!

Wardrobe Basics -- Skirt

I joined Lori's "Wardrobe Basics Sew a long". One of the pieces that was suggested was a camel/kakhi colored skirt. Well, I already had one cut out ready to sew. The pattern is New Look 6843.

The fabric has a herringbone type of texture. It is a fall/ winter fabric, but it is light weight. I think I can wear it into spring. It is a very easy pattern and the instructions are clear. I am not as pleased with the zipper application. I know what I need to do different the next time.
This was the first time I added lining to a skirt that did not call for lining. I am please with how the lining turned out. It really makes a difference in how the skirt hangs on my body. I will definitely be adding lining to all my skirts. I used lace hem tape to give it a finished look.
I love having my dress form. I enjoy styling outfits on it!!
Here is the skirt with the S2850. I wore this combo today. Brown tights and loafer high heels finished the style.
This cardigan is from Lands End. It is a great pop of color. I really love white tee-shirts. I have many long and short sleeve ones in my closet.
Here I added a giraffe scarf.
And now without the cardi.

I love wearing what I have sewed. First of all I know that it fits well. And second I enjoy the accomplishment of what I made.

News in Dharma-ville for February:

We had a going away party for my DD. Here on the east coast the weather has been like spring.

Temps have been in the 60's. We rented a tent room that had portable heaters. Well the date we

picked was the one day that the weather was windy and 30 some degrees!!

Everyone was eating with their coats on!!! We still has a great evening. My DD enjoyed seeing

college friends and family.

DD has a few more weeks before departing to Indonesia. I am trying to stay strong. It is hard. I

will miss her very very much.

A special thanks to Lori for organizing the Sew a long! Visit her blog to see what the other participants have accomplished.

Welcome Back to Me!

Well it has been a couple of months, but I have been sewing. One of my resolutions for the New Year is to work on my "tech" skills. I want to post more without needing any help from my family. If something happens to the computer it is always blamed on me!! The next couple of months are busy due to the fact my DD is leaving in early April for Indonesia for 27 months. DD was accepted into the Peace Corp. She will be teaching English as a second language to middle school students. If anyone has any experience with the Peace Corp or Indonesia, please contact me. I would love to share the information with DD.

Ok on to sewing. I have had Simplicity 2850 cut for over a year. I decided to finish it in December.

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One of the issues I have had since I started sewing, is that I did not have a good idea of how to understand inspiration. I know that might sound funny, but I would look at magazines, patterns, and all the finished clothes that fellow sews have blogged about and get totally over whelmed. While watching the last season of Project Runway, Michael Kors asked a contestant "Who is this woman?" Some thing clicked. I needed to ask myself a question or two when I viewed "inspiration". So the question I began to think about as I looked at magazines was "Am I this woman?" From there I made two inspiration posters.
I know that there is pinterst, but I needed to cut and paste. I put the posters in my sewing room. This helped my organize ideas. I really enjoyed this process. Most of the pictures are clothes that I would wear. Others are colors I love or shoes that I would like to purchase!
I started to make a camel colored skirt in December. I have made this pattern before, but I did not line it. So since I will be wearing this in the winter, I needed to learn how to add a lining to a skirt pattern. I really love this book. I like photos to go alone with text. This book delivers.
I put in a centered zipper. I used fusible tape and I also hand basted the zipper.

The pattern I used is New Look 6843. This is a very easy pattern.
Does this fabric look familar. A few bloggers used it to make tops. Well this is S2850. The problem I had with it was that the neck band stood away from the body. I am not sure if it was because the neck band is wide or if I stretched out the fabric as I sewed. I put the band in twice.
My solution was to gather the band right in the center front. I really like how it turned out. Also, I used sleeves from another pattern. I did not want the gathered puffy sleeve.
This post was a good beginning to a New Year!!!!

Service Project, Hurricane and Earthquake

Every year I like to work on a service project with my students. Last year we made 100 lunches for a shelter near our school. This year we made burp cloths/pads for a pregnancy center. I wanted the students to sew on a machine because very few get that opportunity. Also, I wanted the students to learn that they can serve others even though they are only in elementary school. As I thought through what the project should look like, I considered bibs. Bibs would require sewing around curve and would take more finishing steps. The burp cloth is just a rectangle. Rectangles are easy to sew and with using steams a seam to close the opening the whole piece can be finished on the machine! The above is sets of fabric before they were sewn.
We made over 40 burp cloths. Each student picked the fabric they wanted and sewed under the instruction of a parent or myself. Many of the students sewed on my Singer Featherweight. They really liked sewing on the Featherweight! It was a special time to sit, teach, sew and chat. The students picked out a piece of ribbon which they attached by machine to the front. Top stitching completed the cloth.
I explained to the students that the cloths would be given to "Moms to Be" that might not get anything new for their baby. The pregnancy center gives a gift bag to new moms with items for their babies and themselves. The center asked the students to make cards for the moms. Our students designed cards on the computer. The cards were so sweet.

I was very pleased with this project. The students served using their own two hands.

Final Thoughts

This has been a week to remember! An earthquake and a hurricane in one week. So far we have missed two days of school due to power outages. I did not have any power outage, but did not have internet service for a day. Many neighborhoods have trees in the roads and power lines down. What an interesting way to start off the school year!!

New Look 6901

During vacation at the beach, I bought a few ITY knits from Fabrics.com. This is the first top I sewed. It is a cowl neck top.

I was a little concerned about the large scale design in the fabric,but I wanted to take a chance on something different. The construction was easy and the only question I had was a back neck facing. The facing was a 1 1/2 wide. You folded it in half and attached it to the back neck edge, then you had to fold it to the inside and top-stitch it on the right side. The back neck edge is quite thick. I am assuming the reason for this procedure was to give strength to the back edge since the cowl neck would be draping in the front.

The side seams are curved to give a nice contour. How do you like the necklace? I found it at the beach!
I use a twin needle to hem all my knits. First I press a desired hem and then I use Steam- a-seam to hold my hem. Next I hand stitch a placement line exactly where I want to top stitch with my twin needle. I read about this procedure from Sew Passionista.
The sleeves needed some ease stitching. I found a great idea from Pattern Review's "1,000 Clever Sewing Shortcuts & Tips. The tip was from Jennifer Shaw. You hold your index finger behind the presser foot as you sew a 1/2 inch from the edge of the sleeve cap. When you move your finger, the sleeve cap is eased.

This is another picture of the back neck facing before I folded it to the inside.
Here you can see the thickness once the facing is turned to the inside. Any ideas on a better way to handle the neck facing?
Parting shots. While at the beach, my DS's friends came down for the day. Our favorite dinner to have on the deck is fondue. We had shrimp, chicken, beef, potatoes and mushrooms cooking in chicken broth seasoned with some great spices.

Everyone had a great time. There was plenty of laughter. Most of the guys have been together since kindergarten. They represented six varsity sports from their high school. Dessert was a chocolate fondue with strawberries,rice crispy treats,oreos, and marshmallows.

Happy 25th Anniversary!

Yes twenty five years of marriage!!!

I am married to my best friend and love

of my life.

We are blessed!!!

I am BACK with PHOTOS

Well this is what I have been watching this spring! Yes, Maryland is a BIG lacrosse state! My son is the goalie for the varsity team. This picture was taken during pre-season. We are almost to the play offs for our conference. As a "goalie mom" I am usually on the side lines pacing back and forth. Lacrosse is much faster than football!

My DS wants to play lax in college. Most division I colleges have already picked their goalies for the year he would enter as a freshman (2112-2113). It is very different looking for colleges when sports are involved.
I have been sewing. These are a pair of pj pants made in flannel. The flannel is from JoAnn's.
The pattern is Simplicity 3696. It has a night gown, robe, tee-shirt, shorts and pants included. Very easy to follow. I want to make a few pants up in cotton for the summer.
A Parting Thank You:

I need to give a shout out to my DS. He is my tech helper. He is a patient soul who I love dearly!