Taking Another Run at Sewing

 I was watching AmyBeth and her joy over her new overalls the other day.  It was the idea of using contrast fabric as facings that got me. So I bought the pattern. And their Stasia and Ashland dress patterns as well.  Apparently the '90's vibe was too much for me to resist.  (I also may not have tried very hard to stop myself, they would all look smashing with my Docs)

Just the idea of using fabrics that maybe aren't entirely expected to be used for clothing?  Glow in the dark celestial patterned overalls with silver metallic facings?  Yes please!  Sensible, plain black overalls with woodland garden themed facings?  Woohoo!  Add in some colorful hedgehog fabric to make a 1910 cycling skirt, along with black satin patterned with roses and you have my latest fabric order arrival. (Though I honestly am not certain what I am going to do with the satin, but my goth heart needed it.)

I also have fabric for a cream/tan pair of overalls, but the floral print I bought for the facings hasn't gotten here yet.  As well as a black background floral jersey for an aforementioned Stasia dress.

There has been the ironing of many, many yards of muslin so I can make mock ups of the cycling skirt, a self-drafted v-neck tee shirt with 3/4 sleeves, and the ladies shirtwaist from 1917.

For a bit, I sincerely worried over clashing decades; would it limit how the pieces worked together, should I have chosen more visually or historically "appropriate" fabrics, were these articles of clothing I would actually wear?

Mostly, the pieces go together surprisingly well, all are practical, easily styled pieces that have been worn (in some variation, and store bought) repeatedly by me for many moons, as well as meshing nicely with my knitwear.  As for the fabrics, they make me happy.  They are inoffensive, albeit a bit twee, and paired with solid color pieces, they become less dramatic, but still fun.

Admittedly, any large enough left over fabric bits will likely be made into ballet flats to match.  This is a feature, not a bug.  I may have started adding a little extra to fabric totals so I have the option to make matching shoes.

I am more properly excited about sewing than I have been in ages (I am actually willing to clean out my closet to make sure there is room for all the new pieces).  Allowing  myself to mix the old and new, a bit ridiculous looking, yet entirely practical, feels amazing!  

Fashion be damned.  I'd rather have style (that I made up).

Some People

 

Husband and I were out doing some grocery shopping yesterday for the Boise State food pantry, (they've been closed since mid February due to lack of supplies).  We wear respirators when out amongst other people, especially lately, since the local mask mandate has been dropped, (larger stores still require masks).

We had finished our shopping and were walking over to grab a snack (to-go) from the food court, (this particular grocery store also has it's own pub).  I notice a pair of couples not far behind us, two masked, two not.  As soon as I was not looking, there was a fake sneeze, (from the unmasked woman) and a host of giggles.

I went back to picking my sushi.  

The group got two steps past us, another faux sneeze out of Ms. Maskless.  More giggles, faces turned round to see our response.

Apparently, our response was...less than friendly, even with the masks over our faces, and not what they expected.  We stayed quiet, we kept track of the hazard.  They seemed unnerved.

I was livid.

I had already been a bit irked after two old men wearing token face shields in line at Costco felt need to comment about how the respirators were, " a bit much" paired with eye rolling and snorts of laughter.

Husband specializes in biological and chemical hazards.  My personal interest lies in biology and genetics.  I keep a book (now two) with death tolls, daily case numbers, and news tidbits.  Yes it's a bit morbid, but this history needs to be remembered as it is.

Is it a bit paranoid?  Hells yes!  Is it unreasonable, in the current situation, to wear the best protection we can get our hands on?  Fuck no.

It's been a year...

Miss Zoe's pandemic routine appears oddly similar to her pre-pandemic one.

There was a mask burning on the Idaho State capitol steps last weekend.  They put out a list of businesses you could go to and they wouldn't make you wear a face covering or social distance.  Awful lot of people seemed to think it was a good idea, made it a family outing.

We didn't leave the house all weekend.  I still haven't.  Husband had to for the internship. (Yay, graduation requirements.)

Mostly, I've been watching the masses take up hobbies: gardening, baking, needlework of all sorts.  Welcome to the club!  Woohoo! (yelled from the top of my project stash that will keep me busy for the next decade)

I took up basic brewing. We tested my first test batch of apple cider yesterday.  The result was good, but not quite where I wanted it to be, so I futzed with it and am letting it sit again.  Obviously not in it for a quick boozy item as it's a bit of a time sink.  Really just wanted to see if I could do it.

The group complaints about burnout, cooking and otherwise, I whole-heartedly understand.  A year is a long time!

But I don't feel like I can participate. This is not the first time I've had to stay home for extended amounts of time;  either courtesy of lack of funds, location or small children.

So I retreat.  Without any sort of miraculous way to make it easier;  I make stuff.  I frequent social media even less than before, mainly to avoid other peoples keening lament for "when things go back to normal"  or discussions about day or evening pajamas.  (Put on clothes you can work in, not leaving the house does not mean sits on ass all day).  I pick up my phone when I absolutely must (frequently forgetting where the damned thing is) and vent my issues, quietly, to less than a handful of people in a tiny corner of the internet where it will mostly go unseen.

Then, I go back to drinking my tea, eating homemade trail mix and working through my personal Project Mountain, while waiting for outdoor gardening weather and a chance to get vaccinated.

Things Done in February

 

The Ripple Crop Top in Blue Moon Fiber Arts Ravencroft color.  

A pair of less than pretty, but super comfy and useful slippers.

Most of my sweatshirt (Night Owl), once again, one sleeve short of a finished sweater.

Up to most of Clue 4, (the final clue to it comes out today) for the Goddess MKAL.

I may have also cast on the Indulgence Bed Jacket as well.

While I am still working, slowly, through the applied edging on my Tearmann shawl.

Yarn and patterns have been pulled out for warm weather items.  I've even swatched for three of the patterns.  Which is why I cast on the Catbells Cardigan?  In my defense, spring here is cold and wet, so a worsted weight, garter stitch lace, long cardigan with pockets sounds pretty amazing right now.

I still need to start the Deeds Not Words MKAL.  Which is probably why I am contemplating swatching for Hope Springs Eternal.