and_sew_forth

Survived!

2006-07-29T14:39:53Z

Last night at 11:30 I finally took the last stitch on the pirate frock coat. I've been working on this ensemble for more than a week! Huge order from a chiropractor in Pennsylvania.

Not a bad result from a commerical costume pattern either (Simplicity 4923). Though I made some changes. First, I put lacing panels in the back of the waistcoat. All they had was a tie that you'd knot. That didn't look very period, and it didn't look comfy!

On the frock, I put real pockets under the pocket flaps, and made a lining that buttoons in and can be taken out (as per customer request). It took forever and a day to put all that trim on, but the result was worth it.

My son wants one of those coats--I let him try it on. lol Though what he really wants is to be the V for Vendetta guy. We'll see.

This weekend I have an order from a bridegroom to do--five pairs of knee breeches and five vests. It'll be a lot of work, but not scary like the frock coat was. It's always a little scary making something like that when it's a new thing and you're working with expensive fabric. That crushed velvet was sweet to work with though.

OK, I'm off to work! But first I take the pirate gear to the post office. It'll be about the only exercise I've gotten all week! Eeek!

Posting

2006-07-21T02:35:29Z

I am boring.

It's true, and if you read this blog at all, you know it. I sew. Yep...I sew. I do little else.

I pay attention to politics and get all worked up about them all the time. I hate the GOP. Bush is an imbecile with his finger on the damn button, he's Karl Rove's ventriloquist doll. So what? There are tons of people who blog about politics.

I am a Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings fan. So what. There is no real news from any of those fronts.

When I was younger, I had adventures. I went places. I got laid. I was a naughty girl. It was fun. But now I sew, so I never get out of the damn house, and I never meet anyone. I'm afraid to look online because the last two guys I was with I met online. One was a user, one a user and a stalker. That kind of 'love' I do not need. It led to my current reclusive state.

But...I am feeling better. It's why I'm feeling so discontented with my life.

I need a new hobby. Sewing is my profession now. Maybe I should look into exercise? I need to get off my butt! Because I am boring. I don't think I'll be writing in here for awhile, what's the point? Nothing ever happens.

Nope, not quite dead...

2006-07-16T23:43:53Z

The blog has been, but not me! Business is good! I think it was the new "Pirates of the Caribbean" movie. Suddenly everyone and his Uncle Bob wants pirate gear. So I'm up to my armpits in pirate pants. And a Full pirate outfit for the Pennsylvania chiropractor, and breeches and vests for five men for a wedding. Oooof.

It's hotter than blue blazes in South Dakota lately--and no rain. It threatens, but never comes. I am glad to be a 'modern woman' with modern air-conditioning. My poor ex-husband works in a non-air conditioned factory and sweats to death all summer. It sure made him lose his pot belly though!

My sis called. Her son's wedding at his home in Henderson, Minnesota, went well, even though the pig they roasted smelled funny and tasted horrid, even though both his step-dad and his brother got drunk as skunks (it's their typical modus operandi). I've medicated my PMS with alcohol for four straight days until today. I could never be a real alcoholic. My body gets totally fed up and grossed out after a few days. I wish it would do that with rich food. ;-)

I have not read the sewing clubs in forever, nor Purple Squirrel's latest adventures. I need to catch up. Please someone, help me dig out from under the piles of fabric! No don't...it feels safe down here. lol

The Trip to Sioux Falls

2006-06-22T15:50:21Z

Ah, what a waste of time...

The car rental place has now informed me that even though they sell insurance, I have to also carry my own for the vehicle I have that does not run. So, I cough up $50 a month for liability or I go nowhere. I opt for going nowhere. From now on, my customers will have to accept that I either get their fabrics in town at the only store there is (the evil Wal-fart), or I order them online. I explained the situation to John and Jan (my east coast guys who are getting special things) and they were totally cool with it.

The seamstress in this case, is more valuable than the fabrics. :-) And I will prove I can prevail without a car! *Beats chest--ouch, my boobs!*

Not to say I wasn't totally bummed out by the experience. I went home, feeling like a total loser for not having a running car and not having $3,000 to get mine fixed, tagged, tired, and insured...my son told me we were going to a movie instead of sitting around moping, so we did. "Omen 666." *Bows down at the altar of Thewlis*

And I ordered in some insanely expensive fabrics that I never would have otherwise, but which still cost less in the end than the $65 I would have spent on the car plus the fabric in Sioux Falls.

God, I hate cars.

Me Tired!

2006-06-20T06:37:56Z

I'm almost done with a four-piece order, but tomorrow I rent a car and go to the "Big City" (Sioux Falls, population 170,000) to buy fabrics I can't get here.

Sioux Falls...lol...I hate driving on 41st street. I've become such a traffic wuss since moving to SD. I used to blast around Minneapolis/St. Paul, saying "He who hesitates, waits." If you had the chance to move and didn't take it, the other drivers would take it for you. Now, I think it's horrid if there are more than two lanes going the same way. Traffic wuss!

I'd be excited about this trip, but for the sheer volume of fabric I need to buy. It'll take all my damn money. Emphasis on the word "need." What about all the fabric I don't need but will want? No money for that is cruel and unusual punishment!

Though my son is coming with me and we hope to see a movie, if I can still scrounge a few dollars after the orgy of fabric shopping. I hope the cheapie theatre still has "V for Vendetta" because I haven't seen it yet.

I need black crushed velvet, blue brocade, more blue brocade, gold brocade, fabrics for shirts and pants...I hope I can please my customers--both New Jersey guys who have high expectations that I'm going to find the perfect fabric. Maybe if I was still fighting the traffic in Minneapolis and it's suburbs, I could. Maybe if we had a damned S.R. Harris here, I could.

One thing you get used to in SD, is a lack of choices. There just isn't the population needed. This state doesn't even have a million people--when I last lived there, Minneapolis/St. Paul and the surrounding suburban area, had seven million.

You get inventive here--you order online. You look for something special so when it comes in you can snag it.

Sioux Falls has three main fabric stores, and the evil Wal-fart. About SIX evil Wal-farts.

Pray for me...I better find that brocade! I think I will...Sioux Falls is small, but it isn't the ass-end of the world!

Long Time No Post!

2006-06-19T04:06:54Z

It's been awhile, but it isn't as if my life is that exciting, other than when the celebrity sycophants are on the prowl, but it looks like that shit's over with.

I finished a bunch of stuff--and the New Jersey chiropractor has commissioned a whole pirate out fit set. Too cool. Must rent a car and go to the big city on Tuesday for the right fabrics, he's a fuss-budget.

Recently made this fun cloak for the nice guy from California:

Close-up:

It was fun and he was a real sweetheart. I have to make 35 hats for the Boy Scouts of America soon--all black with wine-colored bands and fancy trim. Should be fun.

I've decided it isn't enough to just sew through two movies a day--I have to put in an 8 hour day, 6 days a week. If I'm still nt making Jack Shite for money I have to get a real job. I'm sick of having all kinds of work and no money!

Stoopid!

2006-06-01T14:41:56Z

I wasn't even drunk last night, I only had one beer! But the orneriness was real--and an hour later I got my period. (rolls eyes) I'll be so glad when that's all over for good!nI hate the way it screws with my mood.

I never did cut out the cloak. I will today. At least cloaks go nice and fast, well, usually. Matthew is excitedly awaiting the results--he has an event to wear them to in a week.

And Tina's still a cow. But as long as I don't have to put up with her cud-chewing, I don't much care. lol

The internet is for porn...lol. My son found that flash on albinoblacksheep.com. So weird. It's from the Broadway puppet show, but they grafted Howard Stern's head onto the cookie monster's shoulders...Avenue Q was great--always saying all those things people know but don't like to say.

Don't Want To!

2006-06-01T00:24:17Z

Something about having a beer that takes all ambition right out of me, and adds all the ornery piss-n-vinegar back in.

Despite having the gray pirate set done and out of here, and having a good start on the black with electric blue Celtic ribbon set, I don't want to! One Leinenkugel's and I just want to sit in front of the computer and be a total waste of bumwipe.

What I really would like to do is tell Tina she's a cow. But a week later, it seems rather pointless.

Here is the burning question of the day--can I cut out a cloak while intoxicated, and not make a hash of it?

Sunday...

2006-05-29T05:06:13Z

The day before Memorial Day in America.

My son about died in the hot weather today, loading groceries into people's cars. The scheduler had also assumed (wrongly) that grocery-buying traffic would be light today, owing to graduation parties, etc. So they were really overworked. He showered as soon as he got home, slammed down an OCC soda and disappeared into his room to conquer China on his Playstation.

I don't blame him. I went with him when he went to work, to pick up a few things and promptly fell asleep for two hours afterwards. Needless to say, the gray pirate shirt isn't quite done yet. ;-) I transferred some craft book listings to ebay from half.com. I want to eventually sell everything off through the store. Things sit a long time on half.com, and I just don't feel like finding room for it all anymore. My freakin' business has already swallowed about half this apartment!

Not much to say about the sewing today. Not much to say about anything. Which is nice, really. A very lazy just-before-Memorial-Day-day.

I don't know if anyone is even reading this, but if you are, I hope you have a nice day! Eeeew...that sounds trite! Hey, why does the little smilie under 'lazy' look depressed? I may be lazy but I'm far from depressed!

Saturday

2006-05-28T02:59:41Z

And fruitful too!

Finished the gray pants, but not in time for the post. Cut out the shirt and am progressing on that. Won another ebay auction for VHS movies. What's my obsession with obsolete technology? lol I love VHS and old cassettes.

Well, part of it is that I watch a lot of movies. Last year, I got work done, but I always felt like I wasn't working enough, and I very well may not have. But since I worked in fits and starts, and didn't want to obsess enough to time it, I never knew for sure.

Now, I sew through 2 movies per day, except Saturdays. I figure that gives me 3-5 hours of solid sewing time. This doesn't count the other aspects of my business, like packaging, customer contact and negotiation, purchasing of supplies, pre-shrinking, cutting, book keeping, and everything. All together, it pretty much assures that 6 days a week I'm puting in 6-8 hours. I figure that's healthy.

I'm behind now, but catching up. The emotional turmoil of earlier in the week made it really hard to concentrate, so I got behind a couple of days.

Today I finished up "Little Women" and "The Low Life." I sewed through "Victor/Victoria," and am now on "The Crow." Blood, guts, vengeance...some days, that suits me to a T.

It's 10 at night but I'm going back to work now...

Work, work, work...

2006-05-26T17:52:45Z

Well, struggling to get by for a week has paid off, as people ordered like mad yesterday, so once again I'm flush. This is a good thing. I am trying to raise the rent, pay back $250 to a Bridezilla who ordered 10 pairs of pirate pants from me, waited 2 weeks for me to order in supplies, then cancelled the order, PLUS my best friend's daughter is getting married on the ninth and they want us to come--$40 a day to rent a car, plus gas, plus lodging, plus food....*cringe* I want to go, I just don't know if I can do all this.

I want to see my friend's "Titanic" -era Mother-of-the-Bride gown. I helped her fit it when she was here, it would be nice to see her in it. She's not one to dress up.

Working on gray pirate gear today--I'd like to get the pants in the mail tomorrow and the rest on its way on Monday. I'm out of heavy interfacing again...*sigh* It's always something. Wouldn't be such a big deal if I had a vehicle.

On a positive note, though, I don't spend too much time thinking about those friends who dumped me. I know part of it is that I didn't really give a shit about any of them anymore, but part of it is that they can't do a thing to really hurt me, so there it is. Fuck 'em. Glad all that rubbish is over with. Lying jerks--even Mr. Famous, who in the time-honored tradition of his family, has dumped me without so much as a farewell and here's why.

Wow...that didn't sound all that positive, really, did it? lol

I'm so full! My son and I had lunch out today. I signed up for a cooking class going from 10-12 on the seventh--how to make salads and roll-ups. I love those roll-ups!

My fanfic's chapter 18 is about done so I hope to get that posted tonight.

Hope anyone who may read this has a good Memorial Day weekend. I'll do what I do do on most holidays...work. No rest for the self-employed--every day is a work day...unless there's a wedding to go to. :-)

Rain?

2006-05-24T23:17:59Z

Today was a red-letter day for this homebound seamstress--I had to go to the Post Office! I had a package to send to England, which necessitates going to a real Post Office...not the post office at the drug store one block away, since they won't deal with the paperwork. That's cool though--I have a half.com book to send, and a pair of adult pirate pants (yep, finished 'em!) that have to be mailed to the buyer's brother instead of to her, so I can't print up a mailing label through Paypal anyway.

I thought it looked too weird (greyish and windy)outside to ride my bike, so decided to take the bus. Just as well, since I also planned to take a gander 'round the Goodwill. I love other people's old junk--you never know what you'll find and the price is usually affordable. But trying to get home on one's bike with 6 bags full of Goodwill finds looks rather ridiculous--"Hey dad, how come that bag lady can afford a Trek Beach Cruiser?"

So I sat outside my building long enough to get to know the son of some elderly neighbors from downstairs. Turns out the nice old man has Alzheimer's and his son has come up from Kansas City to help look after him. Nice guy, cute. Smokes though. That's too bad. Ah well, I was just saying last night I don't need men in my life! lol

Ron is my driver today. He usually ignores his passengers but I think I kinda grew on him over the last couple of years because I never forced him to make small talk. He usually just wants to listen to his golden oldies on the radio. But he hired me to put zippers in 2 jackets of his last year and even though I DESPISE alterations, I did them, so now he loves me.

:-) He's thrilled to be getting vacation soon--plans to go down to Louisville and see the Kentucky Derby and the Sluggers. I think he'll have fun. It's a pretty area from what I hear. We talked about the race horse that broke his leg, said we hope he recovers.

We stop to let off a lady in a wheelchair, then to pick up a lady with a basket, then to drop off the lady with the basket...the sky is growing ever-darker and I find myself really glad I took the bus. I finally am let off at the Post Office, where I find that the Englishman paid me only half of what it will cost to send this damn package...ggrrrrrr..... and I finish my business and turn around to leave, and...it's raining. POURING.

I stand in the foyer for a mo', say, "Aw, fuck it." and venture out to walk the block and some to the Goodwill. I get there, totally drenched, and spend a half-hour or so walking around, looking at stuff, and shaking my hair like a wet dog. Finally I try on some shirts and keep one on, putting my own on the hanger so I don't forget to pay for the other one!

I buy a butter dish, some books, some shelf paper, some shirts, and some sleeveless tops to make dresses out of. And this is where sewing comes in.

My body is weird. I'm super short-waisted and my hips sit at about the same level as my waist. I love gauze peasant skirts, but they never, EVER fit right--they always start drooping in the front. So, I've taken to cutting the waistbands off them, cutting the hem off a sleeveless top, then sewing the skirt to the top. That way, the skirt hangs from the shoulders and sits gracefully, and horizontally, in place. I throw a tee or tunic over the top and voila! Looks like a skirt and shirt set. I'm so fucking clever it's unreal. (roll eyes here)

I got home and put on one of my comfort clothes items--a totally ratty flannel nightgown I bought about 9 years ago. I curl up in bed with one of my new books, and my new copy of Mother Earth News, to read about cabin-building. I'd love a cabin. I'd love the country, instead of a 3rd-floor apartment in a small college town. We'll see if that ever happens on what I live on. (roll eyes again)

Tonight I will prepare the fabrics for the gray pirate set and get going on that. It'll be fun. I get so bloody tired of black, black, black...

Thoughts of Artistry and Peace

2006-05-24T01:18:49Z

I may not have long to write tonight--there are dark, stormy clouds sweeping across the sky; the wind is whipping the branches of the trees about...I feel bad for any chicks trying to stay in nests tonight.

I left LJ last night, feeling good for having found a sewer's group, and being able to offer advice to someone who wants to sew for her summer job.

But it didn't last. I was unable to work yesterday, unable to sleep last night. Thoughts of my friends were weighing down my vitality like lead on a leaf.

I wronged a friend, once. But after running it through my head over and over, I realized she had been doing the same thing to me. We were both selling each other out to keep the affection of another friend--one we both valued more. Whatever it was that she did, however, does not lessen the way I myself behaved. It should have been beneath me, but I sank to the level of my greedy dark side--one I suppose we all have, and pretend only others have. Once in awhile, we are forced to face it, and it's quite upsetting.

There was another discovery in this, too. For once, I really understand that I'm not just a seamstress, but an artist. My emotions feed into my work--feed into my creativity. When my emotions are in turmoil, I cannot create. And now that my livelihood depends on my creativity, I can't play with situations that could create problems emotionally. I have to seek peace.

This may mean that I will never seek another lover. I've not had one now for 2-1/2 years, and the longer I go without, the more at peace I am. It is strange, but true. Men cause a lot of problems--I've never had a love who actually made things easier or better for me. It's sad. But maybe I am supposed to be living this way for a long time, and that may be why I'm so comfortable with it.

I finally slept this afternoon, once I'd made peace with my dark side. It went cheefully into hiding again, and when I woke up, I was able to work. I finished the child's pirate pants and am now about halfway through the adult pair. I'm going to be fine. :-)

The lights flashed a couple of times already, and I hear thunder, so I'd best close and shut down. Catch you later, LJ!

Sewing Group!

2006-05-23T07:17:59Z

There's a group for stitchers on here! This LJ is pretty cool. :-)

I think I'll read some more of this group and stop being so crabby about stupid people I used to know! lol

Time to move on...leave the past behind...is that a song?

Tomorrow I MUST finish the child-size pirate pants and hopefully the adult-size pirate pants for a New Jersey guy's hand-fasting, and this week I should also finish a three-piece Pirate set in shades of gray, as well as pants, cloak, and hat for sweet Matthew in California! Black, with royal blue Celtic ribbon, just like my LJ picture.

It's a lot of work and I better get it done before my clients freak! So no more whining about stupid people, girl, get down with it!

Not Much Today--

2006-05-23T05:43:43Z

--was done in the way of sewing, just a couple of half-hearted attempts on a pair of children's pirate pants.

That's what happens to my work when I'm upset--I find it hard to concentrate. And why am I upset?

A few years ago, I became friends with a guy who was friends with someone famous, and eventually I got to meet that famous guy too, but only online, so maybe it doesn't count. But now, I've got three friends plotting, backstabbing, and ruining it. Not sure what for, really. I think they think there's more to it than there is, and one of them just thinks I'm lying. He's the original guy I talked with, who has been lying about listening to the lies. Now how junior high is that?

The famous guy and I have little in common. We're from different generations, different countries, have different interests. We're not really friends in that sense of being with someone who really 'gets' you. Who can blame him? He's never met me, so why would he tell me anything personal? The tabloids have a field day with the guy as it is. But frankly, even though he's a nice guy, this friendship isn't going anywhere. He's just not that interesting to me.

It seems so strange to me that, now that I know that is the case, that these people from the past are stepping in to villify me, playing good-cop, bad-cop with me, all this stupid, cloak & dagger bullshit. One of them accused me of shit that I don't remember doing, like stealing towels from her! I'm like, WTF? And apparently there was this ratty old towel that got in my stuff when I stayed with her and ended up in my bathroom, and she saw it and thought "She stole that!" and thought I probably felt really guilty about it...I don't remember whose towel that was! Jesus! I was breaking up with an emotionally abusive boyfriend, trying to move, trying to deal with the university who wouldn't release my loans, and she's freaking over a fucking towel.

And she wrote me twice today! I had to tell her three times to fuck off, or I'd call the police! Loony cyber-stalker!

What she's really angry about is that I told the famous guy she was a manipulative bitch and he dumped talking to her. It couldn't be his decision, based on what I said--it had to be that I LIED. Which I didn't, she IS a manipulative bitch! lol

So, I got no work done today and I'm pissed. I had to block four email addresses too. At least there will be no stupid emails tomorrow and maybe I can feel cheerful enough to create. I hope so! I need to take care of business!

Why this?

2006-05-21T00:45:44Z

I'm not sure! It's just that I felt like it. :-)

How are you? I'm a seamstress for people who do reenacting, Renaissance Faires, mostly. I work at home, sewing, but often goofing off. There's always enough money--there's never extra money. If there's extra money I buy extra fabric. Such is life.

It's a weird life, very unlike the one most people live. I get up when I want to, work when I want to, go to sleep when I want to. I don't have a boss, except the inner voice that proclaims it's time to get off my azz and do something.

Sometimes I read political blogs. Sometimes I write fanfics. Sometimes I screw off. I should be lonely--days and even weeks go by without me seeing anyone who means beans to me. My best friend lives 4 hours away. The two friends I had here were rather pathetic and they thankfully moved away and promptly forgot all about me. I think that's OK.

I guess I am a loner. I wasn't always. I live with my teenage son in South Dakota, where not much happens of any importance. I don't fit in, but I am used to that as well. I mind my own business. The old people in my building make me laugh--gossiping, spying. How pathetic to have nothing better to do than fuss over one's neighbors.

So anyway, I'm going to blog about my life. Perhaps to the rest of the world, it will seem a boring life. I'm almost never bored though--and almost never lonely, and I wonder how I manage that when so many people don't. Some people would rather be with someone who makes them miserable than to be alone...I'll give you a nickel's worth of free advice, if you do that...it's stupid.