I’ve been commenting and chatting to people about the Named Kielo Dress I made for several months now, so I figured it was time to bite the bullet and actually blog the darn thing! This story, I believe, began back in November, when Mads suggested I try Named Patterns. She rightly assumed I would enjoy their style and draft, and I have been especially pleased with the garments I’ve made from their line, the Sointu Sleeve Tee and the Inari Tee Dress. I am equally happy with the Kielo Dress!
I’m really behind on blogging some garments – this shirt was made way back at the beginning of December. At the time, the weather was warming up and I decided I needed some new short sleeve shirts. So, armed with yet another fabric order from The Remnant Warehouse, I got to work.
Continue reading “A casual summer outfit: Burda short sleeve shirt and altered RTW pants”
Warning: mentions of sexual abuse threats, racial abuse
Reading a Facebook post by disability activist Carly Findlay got me thinking about “niceness” – in particular, the concept that minority groups such as the disabled must always be “nice” to their oppressors, lest they seem angry, ungrateful, or unworthy of accomodation. It is my contention that the idea of “niceness” is just another way to silence minority groups, and define the ways they should behave to be deemed worthy of acceptance by the prevailing majority.
I speak to this issue as a member of the disability community, though I feel it is a problem shared by many minority groups.
When my beloved Peter Alexander slippers hit the dust this summer, I decided to try my hand at making my own. My previous attempts at crafted slippers were not at all successful – I’d crocheted some slippers a few years back, which remain mostly unworn due to the pain of the crocheted fabric cutting into my foot, and the less said about my countless failed sewn slippers the better.
Warning: contains GIFs
Last time, I shared some of the unexpected things you shouldn’t say to someone with a chronic illness. Today, I’ll let you know a few favours you could do for your sick pal to show your support.
1. Stay in their lives
Continue reading “6 Things You Can Do For Your Chronically Ill Friend”
We’ve all seen these lists – 10 things not to say to your friend with a chronic illness. I figured I’d tackle the less expected quips that come up in the life of a spoonie.
1. That looks like fun!
Being in a wheelchair, that is. You know what’s also fun? Being able to fucking walk. Continue reading “7 Unexpected Things Not to Say to Your Chronically Ill Friend”
If you follow my Instagram, you may already know my penchant for writing letters to the editor. A topic of particular interest to me is climate change. Apparently it is of interest to others, as whenever I have a letter printed regarding climate change, I receive a phone call from a concerned stranger who is determined to correct my beliefs regarding the Great Global Warming Conspiracy.
Continue reading “Mysterious phone calls, Stalinist conspiracies, and Burda 7390”
When I slowly began to get back into sewing garments after my last relapse, loose-fitting tees were at the top of my list. Luckily, I’d had the Frankie Top and Dress pattern stashed away with fabric to match. The skirt is one I made a while back but only just got around to wearing because I resisted hand-sewing in a hook and eye for months!
Continue reading “Cats wearing bowties! Now that I’ve got your attention…”
Warning: contains GIFs
Hi folks! A while back, I wrote about the relapse I had encountered (in October!). I figured it was time for another health update.
At the time, I had gone from being able to drive, take myself out, go for walks, and potter around shops by myself, to not being able to walk the length of my driveway. Driving is out of the question, my body lost a huge amount of strength (which frankly, I couldn’t afford to lose) and all my activities became closely supervised.
Before my most recent relapse, I had been doing a bit of sewing here and there to earn money: alterations and costumes, mostly. I decided that an Etsy shop might be a better way to channel my craft*, so built up a stock of retro-style clothing made from vintage sheets. Unfortunately, I am now not well enough to keep up with the demands of an Etsy store**, so decided to claim one of the dresses for myself.
Continue reading “The Accidental Dress – Marimekko-Inspired Simplicity 1873”
Chronically Siobhan 