Peace.
I am really giving y'all blog this week.
I didn’t finish anything last night. I did like I thought I’d do. I went home and was in a deep coma-like sleep (brownie points if you know what movie that phrase was from) from 7:30 until 4 am this morning. I’m all rested up. And the DVR caught my shows. Yeah baby!
But yesterday’s post brought something to the fore front of my mind…. My inability to wear synthetic fibers. When I say I can’t wear them, I mean I can’t wear 100% of them. I had on a polyester blouse… one that I love and cannot discard…. for 5 minutes on Monday evening. (Had I worn it to the party I would have had to leave earlier) before the itchies set in. It felt like ants running up and down my arms, back and chest. That was 100%. If I wear say… 50% I feel better but not super. I can tolerate it for a short time. Enough for me to go to an event. 20% synthetic can get me through my work day. I can NOT sleep in polyester. At all; any percentage. So those silky nightgowns and teddys hurt. That was a reason I was looking to make my own lingerie. The more the fabric becomes something natural the longer I can wear said garment.
All this is a real pisser. I’m assuming that the combo of me having eczema and being a vegetarian has something to do with it. I have had eczema all my life, but I used to be able to wear what I wanted. But let’s be real, synthetics and all these mystery fabrics have changed through the years. I look at clothing labels like I/folks look at food labels. Some of this fabric I can’t even pronounce! When I was a kid, kids wore cotton. So maybe that had a lot to do with things. Even as an adult, I didn’t have a true problem wearing synthetics. And my eczema would only flare every few years. When I stopped eating flesh, I saw many changes. One was the synthetic thing. I have had to purge my wardrobe of most non-natural garments. Otherwise you can see instant inflammation on my skin. It is quick and nasty. I can’t even wear polyester headwraps.
I have noticed that the more natural and cleaner I eat, the greater the reaction to synthetics. Don’t assume all vegetarians are eating super healthy. We aren’t. McDonald’s fries are vegetarian, and BK makes a veggie Whopper. Coca Cola is vegetarian and I believe was in my baby bottle because I have an unhealthy affection for it. Bring a Pepsi in my house and I’m liable to shank you. So when I eat well, I become itchier not just to my clothes but to other environmental factors. Jewelry other than gold can only be worn is shifts. It’s just that the clothes are more intimate.
So that leaves me with pretty much cotton and rayon. Wool, some silks, and cashmere (oh the agony) cause me to itch as well. Sucks to be me. I can wear leather and other furs. My mother will buy me garments that have to be returned. She refuses to understand this. I won’t be tormented to make her happy. This combined with my control issues makes me the perfect candidate to sew my own clothes. What are you gonna do? I tried wearing undergarments to protect me from the synthetics. And that works from the inside. But what happens when my skin touches the outside of the garment? I will still itch. I don’t like to touch people because I can have reactions to the synthetics they wear. I swear I’m a canary!
The funny, no hilarious thing is…. My bras are polyester! When have you seen ones that aren’t? But I don’t have a reaction to bras. This has me thinking it’s partially mental. Because I’m a J-cup and I HAVE to wear a bra. There aren’t any other options. Hell I’m happy when I find a black bra that fits with no leakage! Yes I have deep crevices in my shoulders but no other rashes. I do get really bad eczema on my back during winter. Looks like those sores Tom Hanks had in Philadelphia. But don’t worry about Serenity. I’m good! So when you see me reviewing patterns, now you know why it’s all cotton!
Peace
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Synthetics
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
S2696
Peace.
I said yesterday that my mojo was back; well it’s all about maintenance to keep it! I meant to sew last night but…. Well…. See… what had happened was…. I went out. One of the Gods was celebrating his bornday. I NEVER hang out (I’m too old for that. Hell so is he!). And I let an Earth convince me to just go and show my face for a few minutes. That turned into 3 hours and more drinks than I was planning. I crawled home buzzed and now am operating on only 6 hours of sleep. For some that’s cool, but anything less than 8 leaves me drained and cranky. Who parties like that on a big Monday? Luckily McDonalds was giving away (literally) coffee. Anywho…. I didn’t sew last night and I probably won’t sew this evening because I will go home, cook and pass out! Maybe the last few patients of the day will cancel… A girl can hope right?
Today I’m wearing the 2nd garment I made this weekend. I was super relieved this morning. Knowing what I was going to wear allowed me to sleep a little longer this morning. And y’all know I needed it. The God said I slept like a corpse. I was happy and excited because I really like how the tunic came out. Funny observation…. When I first cut out the pattern, I was planning a sleeveless tunic. But because I waited so long to make it, I had to add sleeves to it. Hell, if I’d waited any longer, I’d have to add long sleeves to it! All in all I’m happy with how it came out. BUT…. I used cotton and now I fear it looks like a scrub top. I’m going to have to think about that. But here goes….
S2696
Description: Ladies Tunic
Size: 20
Did it look like the pattern envelope when you were done sewing it? Yes it did
Fabric: Cotton
Were the instructions easy to follow? I didn’t need them
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? It was very easy to whip up. From cut to complete took 2 hours. I dislike that it looks a little like a scrub top. But that may be my choice of fabric. Maybe if the sleeves were different….
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made? I lengthened it by 4 inches. Not because I’m tall but because I knew that I would belt it and I wanted a good showing from under the belt. Next time I make this, if I make the same sleeves, I will use a contrasting color on the inside of the sleeve.
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Yes I would. Both counts
Peace!
Monday, September 12, 2011
B5464
Peace.
You what you need to get your mojo back? Finished projects! Yes I accomplished a LOT this weekend. A lot. I finished B5464 and S2696. I found the denim for B5569 on the super low low ($20 for 5 yards!). And I found other discounted fabric for other projects.
I forgot that next month is the Allah’s Garden Chapter of Allah’s 5% Nation of Gods and Earths (I know a long name, from now on AG:NGE) and I plan on doing some vending. Which means I need to make some time to tighten up my inventory. I usually vend crowns and headwraps. I’m going to add on bags too. That’s new. Always trying to improve. I have some crowns made but they are yarn. Yarn is a bit warm. I’m going to get some pre-made beanies and add on to them. 5 Black, 5 gold and 5 white. That will be new for me. Lets see how they sell… I say all this to say my sewing this month will be abbreviated. But still here.
I’m wearing B5464 so lets get that blogged shall we?
Pattern: B5464
Description: Ladies Blouse
Size: I cut a 20
Did it look like the pattern envelope when you were done sewing it? Yes
Fabric: Cotton – Pink, on sale at Hobby Lobby for $2.75
Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
My issues with the pattern were totally my own fault. I didn’t do a FBA. That was pure laziness on my part. But it does close… It just pulls. I love the buttons I chose. But I made the button holes too big. That can be fixed. I adore pink and I adore ruffles. And the ruffles are so big they hide the problems. So, other than those 2 snafus, I’d say I love it.
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made? None. But I should have done a FBA. I know the next time.
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Yes I would. I’m keeping this. I already want one in yellow for next summer.
Tomorrow I plan on wearing S2696. And I will blog it then. Simply because I don’t have a picture of it yet. I also have a Vogue blouse cut. I am really moving forward on all this. And I’m geeked!
Peace!
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Old People Style
Peace Good People!
I see y’all… With your fall mojo running. And mine is running too. Just in neutral. I can’t seem to want to do anything when I get home from work other than cook dinner (that man needs to learn) and sit on the sofa. ***sigh***
Ok.
This morning found me opening the trunk. Yes, I have a new fangled house with a walk-in closet… But I still do the old school of moving my summer/winter clothes back and forth. I wasn’t prepared for fall to be here so quickly. I thought I still had at least a month to ease into season swapping. Apparently not. I drove to work with the heat on this morning. I need to be cute in an adult way. I keep saying that. I need to MAKE it happen rather than just keep talking about it. I am a big proponent of age-appropriateness. My wardrobe is not so bad, but I notice when I go somewhere, I don’t have that easy sophisticatedness. I look like I’m trying or that I’m wearing someone else’s clothes. And I truly need to get it together. And I’m going to. At my age hoodies look like I’m trying to be young. I will myself to figure out my own personal old people style and rock it hardcore. Yes, I’m old people.
I have come up with what I hope will be a S.W.A.P. for me. Still using my pattern plans from a previous post. Follow me now…. My plan is to fill the gaps of my current wardrobe to reflect my new old person style. So here are my haves and needs in various categories….
SKIRTS
Have
Black (2)
Beige
Gray
Blue
Need
Brown
Red
Purple
BLAZERS/CARDIGANS
Have
Black B&C
Brown C
Mustard C
Red C*
Need
Brown B*
Red B
Blue?*
BLOUSES (seasonless)
Have
Green
Need
Blue/purple
Black/white
Beige
Red*
Pink*
SHOES
Need
Black Flats
Brown Flats
Black riding boots (Bornday Gift from Mommie!!!!)
At my age, I need to come down off the stilettos. It’s tearing up my uterus. And I ain’t done with it yet. And I need to take some shoes to the shop to be polished and repaired.
In case you haven’t noticed, I don’t wear pants. Long story. And it’s here somewhere… I think. Let me know if it isn’t. I tell y’all all my business. There are still dresses that will be made. I just don’t have a clear thought of what I need outside a LBD. And I have a pattern that I want to use already.
The asterisk means I do not have the fabric for these garments. This past weekend, I took advantage of Hancock’s sale and hooked myself up! I have patterns for days. I’m at the point where I don’t buy nearly as many as I used to. I finally have a good pattern stash. As you can see, I’m good for most things on the list. I do need to get some denim for my fall coat. But $12.99/yard and needing 5 yards… is holding me back. They had this really nice denim but it was light. Like a blouse. I wanted that denim, but I don’t want to line my jacket. Me and linings aren’t good friends yet. I’m waiting on Sheila to give a tutorial…. They had heavier denim but it wasn’t classy enough. I envision my old people style to be classy. I have a hood back up store. I’m a stalk them and see what they have. Their prices are usually very low, but so is their quality. And they have mystery fabrics…. But denim is denim…. right? And I haven’t decided what color the coat stitching should be…. I’m leaning on pink and green, but I should be over that. I don’t want to be an old sorror, still wearing too much para. Haven't quite figured how that fits into my old people style.
Now I need to figure out how to post the color palates for the Collete challenge. Shawnta?
Please help!!!!
Peace
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Positive Haters
Peace….
Some things may seem like complete common sense, but I have learned that common sense is not common. I have also learned that Bloggers must put up blogs just for the glory they receive from said activity. This blog is not like that. If I post something that is incorrect, tell me… PUBLICLY!
I know that as owner of this blog, I could go out like a punk and delete your comments, or put you on blast. But I won’t. That’s uncivilized and I am a civilized person. So if I write something jenky or post a pic of something butt ugly, please fee free to tell me. I won’t get upset.
I think it’s a disservice for people to go through the energy of posting something and the only comments they get are cheers and back pats. It’s not fair to the owners and it’s not fair to the readers. As an owner, if any of you have any information/knowledge that you want to pass on that will benefit me in anyway, PLEASE DO SO. I’d hate to miss out on something. Also, I love to hear what you have to say. Inexperienced readers may look at something that is getting a bunch of shine on your blog and think that your way is the only right and exact way to cee or do something.
As a reader I have felt uncomfortable reading some pure fuckery and no one says boo about it. I have actually unsubscribed to blogs where this happens on a regular; but after I make my peace. Then when I go back and check after unsubscribing, I notice the comment has been deleted. On one blog, the owner asked a question and I gave my honest opinion. I went out of my way to NOT be mean, but did plainly state facts. I got put on blast! And that’s why I call it hate. It wasn’t the owner who went off, it was her followers. And there is a difference between followers and readers. I wouldn’t insult y’all by calling y’all followers. It’s still hate. By denying someone the truth and giving them nothing but sweetness and happy comments is positive hating. The owners will think they are walking on water when in reality they are wading in isht.
Don’t do that to me. Give me the real. And as long as you aren’t selling something or being wholly disrespectful, I won’t block it.
Peace
