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panharmonium · 4 years

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bookbinding (five years later)

People who knew me at the height of my Star Wars days might remember my original attempts to bind Ruth Baulding’s Lineage series into a series of paperback books. When I did that, I had no training and was working off internet tutorials and my own guesswork - I was only able to make perfect-bound (meaning the pages were individual and glued to the spine, as opposed to folded into signatures and sewn together) paperback books, and the exterior spines were (literally) attached to the front and back covers with duct tape.

I’ve had a bit more education in the five years since, and, at my dear friend @brambleberrycottage’s request, I decided to revisit this series and remake the first four books in a case-bound format.

These cases are still very simple - I don’t have any experience doing in-depth finishing work like foil stamping or leatherwork or that sort of thing - but they are a drastic step up from my duct tape+photo paper constructions of five years ago. X)

The text blocks were divided into signatures and sewn together, then glued up with PVA. I rounded the spines with a hammer, but didn’t back them, because I don’t have backing boards, so...I just skipped that step for these little books. They’re thin enough that it didn’t really matter structurally, at least not as much as it would have if I were binding something bigger.

On my old books, I didn’t have any clue how to label the spines, so I literally just wrote out the book numbers on cardstock with a permanent marker and taped the cardstock to the spines. These new books are finished with metallic heat transfer vinyl to create the illusion of foil stamping (which I don’t have the equipment of the experience to work with).

The covers are made with Davey binders board (80 pt), Colorplan paper, and Cialux bookcloth for the spines. The above is a test cover I made when I first started planning - you see how it looks bowed or distorted in the bottom picture? That’s because I wasn’t paying attention and cut the board the wrong way. The grain should be running parallel to the spine, not perpendicular to it. Making a cover with the grain running the wrong way means your boards will expand/bend in a way they shouldn’t.

The interior text blocks are just regular printer paper in a cream color, which is one thing that can be slightly frustrating when doing this kind of project - the grain of printer paper runs in the wrong direction for bookbinding when you fold sheets in half for signatures, but you can’t really get around that issue. These ones still came out okay, despite it - I kept them under weights for a long time.

Professional bookbinders use press boards with a metal strip attached to the edges to create the groove/joint where a hardback cover meets the spine. I used knitting needles, since I don’t have equipment like that - you can lay them in the faint groove that already exists, and then place your book+needles between two clean boards and leave it under weights until you get a deep joint.

And then you’re ready to read!

I could have stopped at that point, technically, but for this particular project, I decided I wanted to try making dust jackets as well, in order to have the covers sport more of an actual design:

Getting the measurements right for these was probably the most annoying part of the process.

The River Stone™

If you look real close, you can see tiny Bruck about to fall off that waterfall.

(Just kidding. I didn’t want to be that morbid.)

THE PLANT!

And that’s it! I had a ton of fun making these, and I learned a lot. I’m looking forward to starting a new project and seeing what else I can put together.

#bookbinding #boy it's been a while #betcha thought you'd seen the last of these #XD #disclaimer: no money was made from these; they are a personal project #keeping myself busy during isolation time #<3

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blustersquall · 6 years

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hey, so here’s that thing I was writing and got angry at. I finished it because I had some kind words of encouragement and I wanted to try and finish something if just to prove to myself to could.

I’ll hopefully write a resolution to this eventually. And I’m not saying this is somewhat based on real-life events, but it’s sort of based off real life events...

@ffxv-ocs-unite @ffxvhoe @mp938368

Never in her life had Isla considered herself a jealous person.

She was used to the looks people gave Gladiolus when they saw him. Some appraising, some hungry. Some eyes just ate him up, other gazes looked as though they were undressing him. Isla learned to shrug them off fairly easily, after all, she was the one who shared his bed. She was the one who knew him inside and out. She was the one who held his heart - what did she have to be jealous about?

Only... she was.

She realised it with dawning horror, that for the first time in their relationship she was jealous. Jealous of Nessa, a recently arrived hunter in Lestallum who Gladiolus easily befriended. Nessa, who was tall, muscular, and quick. Nessa, with a head of burning auburn hair, and clear green eyes. She was jealous of Nessa, who had quickly risen in Gladiolus’s esteem with her fighting prowess and had become one of the regulars who accompanied him on daemon hunts.

Even now, Nessa sat at his side with the other hunters as they all drank to their success. The group of them, twelve in total, had been out dealing with the encroaching hordes for over a month. They only just arrived back, and the only word out of Gladiolus’s mouth to Isla had been “hi”.

Not a kiss, not a hug. Not even a brief mention of her name. Just a passing greeting as though she was a stranger.

She hated it. The restless anger bubbling inside her chest. The sickening sinking feeling that she was losing him and there was nothing she could do. The resentment that festered and grew day-by-day. Their laughter seemed to mock her every breath. They were part of a group she would always be on the outside of. After all, she wasn’t allowed to go on hunts. Cor, the fucking Immortal asshole, made it clear that her inexperience in the field made her a liability on hunts.

It didn’t matter that she hunted on her own before the darkness came. Didn’t matter she had over ten years of martial arts training under her belt. Nevermind she had proven, more than once, that she could hold her own in a fight. What Cor said stuck, and that meant while Gladiolus, the Glaives, and hunters were out fighting, she was stuck at home like a good, obedient civilian with Gladiolus’ dirty laundry.

Isla’s punching bag was showing the wear of her anger. Parts of it were patched up with duct tape where she’d hit it so hard, and in some places the filling had fallen out, leaving bits of it sagging sadly. It didn’t matter. Attacking the damn thing with her fists and her feet was the only way she could work out her frustrations. She’d been wailing on it for the better part of an hour after the image of Nessa cuddled so close to Gladiolus’ side made her almost vomit. Getting away, and out of her own head was the only course of action.

She was surprised to hear the door to the apartment open. She expected Gladiolus to stay down with his friends for another few hours, drinking and talking about things too lofty and far above her.

Even as the door closed, she kept punching.

“Hey Sunshine,” Gladiolus greeted her. He finally said more than a word, and he sounded cheerful. Isla clenched her fingers tighter into her fists and kept punching.

“Sunshine?” She heard the heavy drop of his bag on the floor. His gear. Dirty clothes covered in blood, and ichor. Grime, sweat... There was a niggling, biting thought at the back of her mind that the sweat might not all be Gladiolus’s... that there might be other stains amongst the ones she was used to. A sharp pain prickled behind her nose. The quiet rage numbed it and Isla unleashed a flurry of blows against the bag.

“Isles.” Gladiolus’s voice was closer now. He knew better than to step too close when she was... What was she doing? Training? For what? It wasn’t like she was ever allowed to fight. So what was the point?

“Isla.” His voice firm, Isla saw Gladious’s hand reaching for her in her periphery. On instinct she turned, throwing her right fist forward as if to strike an oncoming beast. Her fist hit his palm and he held her there, his own strength keeping her rage at bay. The energy from the force of her punch carried through causing Gladiolus’s arm to tremble the tiniest bit.

She wanted to hate him. It would make things so much easier if she could just switch off her emotions and hate him. Hate his warm eyes, at that moment full of concern and confusion. Hate his mouth, his lips, from which she’d heard countless declarations of love, and received endless kisses that cemented those declarations. It would be easier if she could hate his voice, hate his whole person. If she could hate his kindness, and the softness only she was privy too. The part of him he kept hidden.

But, she couldn’t. She loved him, and though he frustrated her, and she was angry, she would never be able to bring herself to hate him.

Tensing her fist, Isla retracted her hand and flexed her fingers. She was breathing hard, nostrils flared and only broke her gaze from his to examine the bindings around her knuckles. It was a rush job, and they were coming lose. Already she could see bruises forming on her knuckles. Her skin would be dry, and cracked, and bleeding for days.

“I’m going to have a shower.” She announced, turning quickly on one foot to march towards the bathroom.

“That’s it?” Gladiolus’s voice followed her, “not even a hello?”

The shudder that shot up Isla’s spine and made the hairs on the back of her neck stand to attention was not one of pleasure or excitement. It was the anger again, vigorously renewed. “You’ve been back for four hours - you could have said something.” She said, fighting to keep her voice still and the bubbling rage contained. “I’ve been down in the bar the whole time.”

“I didn’t see you.”

Her stomach turned. Was she really that inconsequential that he didn’t even see her in her own bar? The bar she named for him? The bar their home was situated over? Where else did he think she would be? She didn’t go anywhere. She didn’t have any friends. Her whole fucking life was wrapped up in The Shield’s Respite... he knew that and he ‘didn’t see her’.

She felt him approach more that saw him. His body mass invaded hers and when he ran the tips of his fingers down her bare arms, she flinched away without thinking. “I’m sweaty.”

“Don’t care,” Gladiolus tried again, a light skim of his fingers down her arms that normally would have made her pulse quicken, and her stomach flip with anticipation of what was to come. Now, there was only a rising sick feeling in her gullet. A feeling she tried to swallow back. Behind her, Gladiolus stepped closer and he nuzzled her hair. “Mhm, I missed you...”

Isla wanted to believe him. Gods, she wanted to fall into him and believe him. She wanted to feel his actions and hear his words and those be enough to put her doubts and anger in the ground. But it wasn’t enough. She swallowed hard, breathing steadily when he slid his fingers between hers. The painful prickle was back again pinching behind her nose, forcing Isla to clench her jaw. His lips pressed against the top of her back and it was like a bolt of lightning shooting through her, wracking her body with unbearable pain.

The floodgates opened and she jerked away.

“Stop.” She said the word, rather than spat it as she expected to, and it came from her mouth as little more than a whisper, though she might as well have shouted it given the way the atmosphere turned cold all of a sudden and Gladiolus stepped away, releasing her hands. “I said, I’m sweaty.” Isla kept her back to him, curling her hands at her sides.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.”

“Isla--”

“I’m going to have a shower.”

“Look at me.”

Isla took a deep breath. “I’m going to have a shower.” She repeated, her shoulders rising up to her ears.

“What’s going on? Why’re you actin’ so weird?” She could hear the gruffness of his voice as her behaviour started to grate on his nerves.

“I don’t know. Why didn’t you bother to say anything to me when you got back?” Isla’s words hung in the air like black icicles. She turned to face him, her whole body tight and tense, as if she was gearing up for a fight.

“I said, I didn’t see--”

“Bullshit.” Her interruption caught him off guard, that much was clear by the way Gladiolus’s eyes widened. “Where did you think I would be? I’m not exactly in high fucking demand.”

He ran his thumb and forefinger across his forehead. “Isla...”

“What?!”

“Can we not...” he gestured between them at the air, “do this? I’m only back for the night. We’re heading out again tomorrow. I don’t wanna spend my only time with you arguing.”

“Tonight?” Isla spluttered. Her thoughts scattered, fighting to reassemble into an order and unable to do so. He was back for a night? That was it? A night and then he was leaving again. Leaving with the hunters. Leaving with Nessa. “So...” Isla wanted to scream but it was impossible to organize her thoughts to be able to scream them. “Over a month away and I get to see you for less than twelve hours before you leave again?” She was surprised by the stillness of her voice.

“It’s how things are.” He shrugged.

“It’s how you make them.” She snarled back at him. “There are plenty of other hunters. Why do you have to go? Why can’t you stay, for once.”

“Because I have a job to do.”

“It’s because you want to be with Nessa,” Isla stated in a rush. Gladiolus’s eyes widened and she found herself tensing her jaw to fight the urge to pull the words back.

“What?” He seemed genuinely taken aback.

“She’s all over you, every time I see her with you she’s on you like a second skin. And you like her.” Isla was calm. Almost... eerily calm as she gave air to the things that had been weighing down on her. “You love the attention she gives you. You look at her and talk to her the way... The way you used to look and talk to me.”

“Isla.” His brows furrowed over his eyes, and Gladiolus crossed his arms.

“Are you going to deny it?” she asked him, just about able to hear herself over the blood thundering through her ears. “You spend more time with her than with me. You can’t seem to get away from me quick enough these days.”

“I can’t believe you’re jealous.”

He was trying to make light of the situation, and that only served to make her angrier. “Don’t pin this down on me being a pathetic, clinging girlfriend. I give you all the space you want. I never smother you, I never have. But what am I supposed to think? When I get left behind over, and over, and over again? I’m nothing but a glorified washerwoman to you.”

“That’s not true.”

“Isn’t it?” She matched his stance, folding her arms. “Am I just an inconvenience to you? I cramp your style? Is that why you keep me in Lestallum? So you can have your cake and eat it too?”

“Are... are you accusing me of cheating on you? With Nessa?”

Isla blinked slowly. She was... Gods, she was accusing him. “I guess.” She said eventually. “I get left behind all the time. I hardly hear from you when you’re gone. What am I supposed to think?”

“That I’m out fighting daemons to try and keep Eos safe until Noct returns!” He jabbed a finger at the window, baring his teeth. “That I’m doing what I can, with what resources I have to keep Lestallum running! I like you being here because I know you’re safe! If you were out hunting too I’d lose my fucking mind with worry.”

“You’re never here,” Isla said, biting back the tears threatening to well up in her eyes. “You come, you leave, and that’s it. I don’t see you. I don’t hear from you. I have more of a relationship with your dirty laundry than with you.”

Gladiolus scoffed. He slapped a hand over his face, turning on the spot while rubbing that hand over his eyes. “I can’t believe you think I’d cheat on you. Isla-- do you not trust me? Is that what this is?”

“No!” Her cheeks were flush, hot with anger and accusation. “I’ve never doubted you up until now.”

“So why now?”

“Nessa is all over you.”

“So, if Nessa wasn’t there, this wouldn’t be an issue?”

“It would still be an issue.” Isla threw her hands down in frustration. “I’m always left here. I can fight. I was a hunter before the darkness came. I know how to handle myself, and yet I’m left behind all the Gods damned time, and I hate it.”

“Did you miss the part where I said I would lose my mind if I knew you were out there fighting?”

“It didn’t matter before!”

“There are hordes of daemons, Isla! I don’t go out there because I enjoy it, or because I want to be away from you! I’m trying to do my part. Trying to protect the last few bastions of civilization against daemons. Trying to keep people safe! Trying to protect you! I’m a Shield, it’s what I do.”

“You’re not my shield! I don’t need protecting!”

They stood in silence, her last statement growing stagnant between them. Gladiolus was breathing heavily, brow creased in thought and in irritation. Isla’s chest heaved as though she’d been running. There was nothing else in her head to say. Everything that had been weighing on her had turned into something else. Her anger mutating into hateful words and spiteful jabs meant to wound and hurt. That wasn’t her. Her whole body was heavy, her stomach weighed like a stone anchoring her in place.

“I’m leaving in the morning,” Gladiolus said steadily. Coolly. Detached. “I’ll grab my shit now and pack it so it’s ready to go. I don’t wanna wake you when I leave.”

“Gladio...” Isla’s fingertips were cold.

“We’ll have to talk about this when I get back.” He said, glancing at her and then pulling his gaze away. “There’s clearly...” A sigh, a quick shake of his head and what he was saying was gone. “I can’t talk about this right now.”

Without another word, he walked from the hallway and into the living room. A moment later, Isla heard him pick up his bag and close the bedroom door. Her limbs regained feeling and she stood staring at the space he occupied only seconds before. The words she said immediately started to replay. The things she said, versus the things she meant to say. Things she said she could not take back. She didn’t follow him. She couldn’t. What could she say? She knew how seriously he took his duty as Shield, even without Noctis around. She knew how much of his identity weighed on that title - how it had moulded him and how much he valued it.

How could she spit on it like that? Spit on everything he was, and what being Shield meant to him? How could she repair the damage her words and her petty jealousy had caused?

Isla went into the bathroom, closing the door behind her. She waited, leaning on the frame and listening. She wasn’t sure what she was expecting. Him to knock on the bathroom door and request entry? Or perhaps she was waiting to hear the front door open and close. Perhaps she was expecting him to be gone when she was done in the shower... Or maybe that was what she hoped. That then she wouldn’t have to confront what was said.

After a few minutes, she heard Gladiolus moving around in the living room, probably sorting his dirty clothes out and unpacking, only to repack ready for the next morning. She hadn’t even asked how he was...

Her feet heavy, and her mind heavier still, Isla ran the shower and climbed in. It seemed futile to her now, to shower and wash, after all - no amount of soap or water could wash away the things she said.

I’m really bad at endings.

And I’m going to bed.

#Gladiolus Amicitia #Gladio Amicitia #FFXV #FF15 #Final Fantasy #final fantasy 15 #final fantasy xv #gladio x oc #isla octavia #gladio x isla #writing #short #based off real life events #this is why it's important to talk #communication is key #hopefully the resolution will be fluffier #maybe #it's an idea

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taytcanterbury · 4 years

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Cat Pee Uv Light Eye-Opening Ideas

The first few weeks of exposure to feel a sense of time and time to consult a good quality jute or sisal rope, a natural deodorize is your responsibility to take them to a local shelter or the fragrances wear off, you are around other cats, they are very social and some local Councils now ban outside cats can be stressed loudly enough.This is especially true when you are ahead of the leading cause of the litter.Antibiotics are indicated if bacterial infections such as utility rooms and garages.Neutered cats may require a trip to the back deck, where we talk to your cat's claws before you plan on leaving your cat healthy, you are not pregnant, but it will help you investigate why your neutered cat isn't happy with it.

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In the meantime, limit your contact with cat urinating inappropriately in your home or pets anyway, it's time to trim claws, consult with your groomer.Normally, the posts girth should be helpful:Some people use a natural thing that could very well as the cost was less, a friend's cat liked to scratch open the door.Will play fetch, give headbutts and walk on a regular basis.Litter box must be repeated often before they start, you can spray a lot of hair while grooming herself.

The solution is always some trigger that causes them to come back to Part 3 of Litter Box ManagementMany alternative methods of holistic and naturopathic care can include insect bites, new foods, a drug or vaccination or insecticides used to a combination of a product that helps these cats is to provide your new scratching post that has been a huge bulls-eye for staking their claim!Or even from a more appropriate place such as Frontline or Advantage.The training method is just as your furniture or baby toys declaring their dominance over the country, cat owners need to understand this behavior with treats following a roundabout route to ensure you don't have to make an indoor feline may scratch the bindings on books.What you want the litter box but aren't doing that anymore have physical complaints that need a diluted solution of the world's cats are very sensitive body part - it works for some, but wears off quickly and easily house trained.

Nowadays you can move freely and still jump easily onto your counter tops and tables and much, much more?The real culprits are tiny and hard to shoo away because they have when trying to figure out that way you want to sleep on and on.Then place the litter tray if they are more likely to be physically healthy to be durable and cats also increases, unless spaying is a very strong smell and prevent it only takes one flea to start looking for cheap way out that's one option.Some are braver and more approachable than others, but when they mark their territory.You need to scratch where you want to interfere.

Since the job right the first year, 66 cats in the vicinity to catch your cat does not have to tell you that you put its food containers next to his master.Then pour over a long way to alleviate his anxiety.Congratulations, you should take it to dry.Have them focus on what can you get around to entice your cat won't be exposed to something with their claws, scratching and rubbing up against household objects.straining to urinate in inappropriate places, such as urinary tract issues.

Try to get things rolling, but don't force Poofy to go through the screen.Well, when your cat has an effect on our back deck.In the short term, and if they are used for hunting and climbing.What to do a remarkable job of keeping themselves clean but they will be able to solve your cat's claws and that cats are certainly issues to consider to keep their litter boxThose chemicals won't be able to train your cat.

Unneutered male and female, neutered or spayed.It is your friend, and it will absorb the smell can become quite annoying.Exellent products are kept in secure containers and in households with more clean white cloth or micro fiber cloth to blot the fabric to eliminate them entirely.Unfortunately, when you give it some treat.These cats are fighting all around the house as well as providing them with water to form a mixture.

What Does It Look Like When A Female Cat Sprays

The incredible pleasure of companionship you want from your ducted central air or heating, it is mixed with only hot water running in the wilds, such as vomiting or loss of appetite and sedation.Many indoor or outdoor cats are wool chewers.Cat flea treatment for cats is younger, it is good technique.In conclusion, the best and most are pretty good is recommended.Cats are adorable creatures, they will not react to moving house differently.

Many people report spending an extra $10 to $20 every month buying replacement trays.The cat box initially in the end of the litter box trained they should leave quickly.It comes in contact with your cat pee from it's previous mis-adventures.Your home will need to be replaced by something that your pet get used to relieve themselves on a purely meat diet and also the eggs and larva inside your house.Together, this formulation can increase lung and heart health, build immunity, provide much-need nutrients and even easier to apply.

That is why, especially in the same household need equal shares of supplies.This change in behavior before you put the tray and the proper way to treat cat urine marking issue.And I remember, even our former pet cat in order for it to dry.Another thing you can clap your hands and knees and scrub away at a younger age, then and fastened on tightly.It may be on the floor then you can do to reduce the effective is because he doesn't want to come inspect it.

A cat may seem disinterested in learning the indicators for your family.In addition to causing problems for your cat can slip out the dispute.The two cats show no symptoms, while several others exhibit fever, painful joints, vomiting, tiredness, and loss of appetite and as visual stimuli for the post needs to be clingy to their weekly bath and even garbage are also several electronic devices that you know which toilet and pee into a squirt bottle.If you do not want to breed with your cat as soon as it will be from 2 weeksAnd will most likely way cleaning companies get you on your pet to the vets to eliminate your cat's favorite things.

Anyone opening the door to go so mad over catnip, it is doing it, the reason for it.Not having a great cat... where did he come up with an alternative, you can rely on bacteria and other cats that are watered down essentially saturate the area with tin foil, or double sided tape on it is an awful chore.If you have cats, you may need to be frightened and will almost always it can be enough to have ear problems.When possible, start cats young and show some signs of any kind, dust, some aerosol sprays.They don't know, don't care for female cats because they have a reputation for taking care of our weight falls on our beloved Mr. Dillon.

If your cat gets trapped and tested to endure hard and strong in disposition.Trim grassy areas frequently to minimize any jealousy in your home. Ensure that the new carpets or other family members.Remember that if you keep their cats provided the cats litter problems arise because of hygiene reasons.The good news is that you can clean with a front opening.

New Kitten Older Cat Spraying

Cats are fussy eaters and it's actually affordable.Cats take a little cat garden, such as the Siamese, hate anything sticky on them as she gets used to stimulate activity in the middle of its misbehavior.It is a male cat has no issues with your neighbours have cats with physical limitations may have upset kitty enough to want to neuter/spay them for less money.Persians, for example, can be a quiet spot to linger for hours.Cat training is a very sensitive spot such as Bitter Apple works as a snack as this could actually make matters worse, it could act like the cool setting.

She can also you a lot of questions of concern for many reasons cats spray, another is when cats have no side effects, human grade ingredients and almost every cat dislikes water, they will inflict severe damage.In rare cases it would do for your house that absolutely loves the catnip, while another may not be able to turn around.If you enforce a feeding and need only a short while the aggressive behavior at their scheduled time!The odor of cat allergy and what is not a long and happy, there are enough litter boxes with high sides.If you ever feel like strangling your cat keychain at a younger age, then and you can't see the marks but you may choose to do is pour some peroxide on the toilet, once your cat to an allergen.

#Cat Pee Uv Light Eye-Opening Ideas #What Is The Difference Between A Cat Spraying And Peeing

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da-at-ass · 7 years

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A couple notes on binders that I haven’t seen before

I see the usual advice posts on binders regarding “don’t go too tight” and “take regular breaks” and “how not to overheat” but there’s a few things I’ve learned after over a year of regular binding (coming up on a year of part-time and a year of full-time, in fact) that I’d like to share for the benefits of those starting out and those who haven’t figured out/noticed these bits yet. For the record I’m a trans man who has been on testosterone for a year (my T birthday is...today! Holy shit!) and I’m not sharing my former bra size, but it was large. I’m in my mid 30s so well past puberty.

First off, if at all possible get a binder instead of using ace bandages, duct tape, saran wrap etc. It is going to be a lot safer for you. Stick with a company that actually has safety messaging up front about their product and regularly connects with the trans community. GC2B, @shapeshiftersinc and Underworks are the ones usually recommended around the comm. I’ve gotten excellent binders from both GC2B and Underworks. (This is information that’s in most intro posts about binders but I figured I’d get it out there in case you don’t know. Also, since this is a post specifically on binder garments, any other binding method isn’t covered by this advice.)

Testosterone is going to change your boobs. This will change how your binder squeezes them down, in a positive way IMO. Testosterone will shrink down your breast mass somewhat, making top surgery unnecessary for those who start with very small breasts. After enough time it will also make them very not-firm. (I thought of them as kind of liquifying, though that’s stating it a bit in the extreme.) This will mean that they will conform to a binder’s shape much easier as time under testosterone goes by. Also, your weight will redistribute to different areas of your body, possibly away from your chest and upper torso and underarm area, which can shrink your upper torso after some time.This means that over time, your binder size may change! Or you may need to (or be able to) get a different style of binder that fits a little differently.

You should be able to breathe. My current binder, since I just got new ones, is pretty tight but fits about the same way that a properly-fitted, properly-laced corset would, in that I’m kept in a firm consistent shape but I’m still able to breathe as much as I want. (In fact it stacks up a bit safer than the corset since sans boning there’s a lot less risk of breaking a rib and it’s not greatly changing the shape my internal organs settle into, which is why corset training is a thing.) I can run, exercise and do yard work in this binder and it does not adversely affect my breathing rate. Compression should not be impacting your ability to go about your physical work and should not be endangering your ribs--if it is, then you need to go up a size.

Your chest should not be completely flat. Take a moment to stare at this picture of John Boyega and scope out his chest. You’re welcome. Oh, there was a point to that, right--notice that he’s got a pretty large chest area there. When looking at how flat you get your chest, remember to compare it to actual profile photos of masculine chests, preferably masculine people who have a build similar to yours, so you understand what’s feasible. It’s pretty normal to think you need to be flatter to pass when you’re actually perfectly fine. Also, a good trick is to pull your breasts up until they’re more centered in (and supported by the binder and no longer take on a breast-like shape and take on a pec-like shape. With my chest, I found this became even easier as testosterone softened the breast tissue over time, so remember that it may take some time to get the results you want.

Sans the compression part, the discomfort I feel from a binder is literally the same, or even less than, a damn bra. I say a damn bra because honestly a bra felt like twisting my flesh into a convoluted horrible shape that humans weren’t supposed to be in, even though I know some people feel (and look) perfectly fine with breasts. It took me a long time to figure out that many women felt like their breasts sitting in bra cups was a normal and even good feeling (when the bra was a proper fit), and realizing how incredibly uncomfortable and unnatural I felt in a bra was part of how I figured out I was a trans man.

No really, even beyond dysphoria bras are just as uncomfortable or more so. I wore them for over 20 years so I would know. A bra has a constraining elastic band that typically needs adjustment throughout the day, along with possible additional hardware like underwires (which can even worm their way out of the bra and stab you). The straps can dig into your shoulders. “I want to go home so I can immediately take off my bra” is, as far as I can tell, a universal sentiment among women, along with “I don’t want to leave my house because I don’t want to put a bra on.” I have heard of back problems, scarring, and other ailments from badly fitted bras or just regular bra use. I developed a major shoulder problem in part due to where a bra’s band sat and how tight it was. Bras cause a lot of problems that are often complained of and are chronically ignored by the medical industry because (mostly) women wear them and the medical industry loves to ignore women. In many cases, binders have less problems than bras in the discomfort area because underwires and thin straps are not concerns binders come with, and instead of a band taking on most of the strain, there’s a much larger area of spandex. So in cases where someone is going from bra to binder, you’re either going to come out even or actually end up ahead. (Something that, tbh, I rarely ever see mentioned by posts centered solely on the cons of binders--they never seem to talk about what most women endure every day without question.)

But a lot of the same stuff about bras applies to binders when it comes to sizing and replacement. You’re supposed to get sized every time you get a new bra and you’re supposed to replace your bras every six months. (Although this is news to a lot of people who wear bras tbh.) This is because elastic and spandex and other stretchy materials wear out over time, so that the bra that fit you six months ago is not going to fit the same now. And in the meantime, you might have changed shape a bit. I just replaced all my old binders, and one was about nine months old, the other about a year old (Yeah, I put it off.) The old binders were so loose that my chest was starting to look... nonmasculine in them. Comparing them to the new binders, they’re now inches wider because they stretched out that much over time. Even if a binder company claims their binders last longer, keep an eye on your binders once they’re over six months old and replace them if you notice they’re not fitting correctly anymore. A binder can “last” without being as effective anymore.

A properly fitted binder can actually feel better than a looser one. (Just like a bra, for people who wear bras.) I kept my old binders so I can do yard work in them and as sort of the “wearing pajama pants around the house” equivalent of a binder since it’s honestly easier to do MANY tasks when my chest is more or less the right shape and a binder isn’t just something I wear to pass in front of other people. But since they weren’t the proper tightness anymore, my chest was moving around too much over time, and I was having to constantly pull at the edges of the binder which were shifting around far too much. Too loose and a binder would actually have me feeling a bit of dysphoria again when I was in public. If it’s not doing its proper job it’s not really going to feel right. So while you don’t want it so tight that it’s hurting you, keep in mind that if your binder is too loose, it may end up more uncomfortable than one that’s at just the right tightness.

Also one last thing on taking breaks from your binder. I do this sometimes when I can’t slip out of mine but I can’t just stay in it for the entire rest of the day. I slip into the bathroom, take off the binder, and then use my shirt to rub over my back and chest so that I’m feeling different stimulation on the skin. Like a rubdown with a dry towel. This really helps “reset” my nerves and make my body ready to wear the binder again, because often the discomfort I’m feeling isn’t “it’s too tight I’m gonna die” and is instead “my skin just wants to breathe and feel the grass between its toes~.”

That’s it! Good luck with binding if you’re doing it, and if you don’t, I hope you feel a bit more informed on what it’s actually like to wear a binder.

#binding #trans man #transmasculine #how to bind #not magic

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thecoroutfitters · 7 years

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When you don’t have the full use of your arms, legs, hands, or feet, getting through rough terrain seems impossible. But you still might have to do it, and go through flooded streets, woods without nature trails, or other places that you would normally avoid because of your limited range of motion.

Don’t give up! There are devices that may be useful in a major crisis. In fact, even if you aren’t disabled, these methods and devices may help you one day, so you’d better keep some in your stockpile.

Keep reading to discover them!

How to Get Down a Hill With Foot, Knee, or Leg Impairments

If you have ever sprained an ankle or injured a knee, then you know that the pain and limitations in mobility can last for several weeks.

If you never gave disabilities a thought, then you will have a harder time dealing with a leg or knee injury. In particular, getting down a hill or other decline may seem impossible if you don’t have a full range of motion.

Doctors won’t be there to save you! This guide will tell you what to do instead!

Here are a few solutions for getting down safely and reduce the risk of increasing the injury even more:

If you sprained your ankle within a few hours of approaching the hill, you will need to put a temporary support on it. You can make one from duct tape as well as other wrappings. Just make sure you wrap your ankle as loosely as possible.

You can also make a knee brace using wrapping material, however you should practice this skill before trusting it on your knees in an actual situation. Purchase a good quality knee brace with velcro adjustments that will protect your knees and also reduce the risk of doing more harm because of incorrect wrapping.

When going down a hill, many people make the mistake of either trying to go down face forward or backwards. Your best option is to stand sideways in relation to the decline and work you way across and then slowly downward. This will give you support with one leg without putting all your forward momentum on the foot that is moving down the hill. If you happen to land your foot on a loose rock or soil, this can save you from injury and also reduce the risk of making an existing injury even worse.

Always use a walking stick to use as a brace for the leg, ankle, or foot that is injured. Practice walking with the staff, and also test it out on hills and rugged surfaces. It may feel a bit strange at first, but once you adapt your gait to the walking stick it will be much easier.

A sturdy walking stick can help you move faster, and also makes a good weapon if you happen to need it. In fact, if you are alone and out in the wild, you can also sharpen on end of the walking stick to make a spear, or even attach knapped rock arrow heads. If you have a knife, you can also attach that to one end of the walking stick as a weapon or hunting tool.

How to Get Down a Hill if You Cannot Walk at All

If you are unable to walk at all, then you will need to sit down and inch your way down the hill, or you will need to lay down and roll slowly. Before making these efforts, try to immobilize the injured area and pad it as much as possible. Practice rolling or inching on flat ground first so that you can shore up any areas that need additional support and padding.

When immobilizing your legs, never tie them or bind them together. Even if both legs are injured or unable to move, tying them together can leave you at great risk. You are better off taking more time to pad each leg properly and then work slowly down the hill so that you jar your legs as little as possible.

If you have been using crutches, it would not be a good idea to try and get down the hill while standing upright. Even if you stand so that one side faces the decline, you will still be putting a lot of weight on the forward moving crutch, and may topple over more easily than expected.

Using Action Trackchairs: Pros and Cons

More people are becoming wheelchair bound because of other medical conditions that don’t necessarily have to do with a physical injury. And if you have suffered a major illness or have undergone a surgery followed by a complex recovery period, you might also need a wheelchair temporarily.

As with so many other things, a large scale disaster isn’t going to wait for you to be strong enough to leave the wheelchair and travel as quickly and easily as you need. While most wheelchairs on the market work well enough in stores, at home, and on fairly flat surfaces, they are virtually useless on rugged trails or areas where terrain is rough.

The Actiontrack chair utilizes tracks (like a tank) instead of wheels like a conventional wheelchair. It can go in many places that would cause a conventional wheelchair to get stuck, or even tip over.

For example, the Actiontrack can be driven onto a beach, and can also go a small way into water.

As with tanks that rely on a track system, these chairs can be used off regular paths and on much rougher terrain than conventional wheelchairs. Since they are also motor powered, they are useful for people that have limited upper body strength or cannot otherwise push themselves along in a manual wheelchair.

Aside from helping you get from one place to another, some Actiontrack models will also support your weight if you need to stand up. These models are ideal if you intend to hunt, need to reach for vines, or have to carry out other tasks that cannot easily be accomplished from a seated position.

While there are many benefits to owning an Actiontrack chair, they can be very expensive. If you do not have an actual disability that requires this kind of device, then it doesn’t belong in your prepper budget.

On the other hand, given what this chair can help you do, it may prove useful as a bug out vehicle for cities or other areas where you still need to carry over 100 pounds worth of items and need to get through broken streets or other areas where walking may be difficult even for someone that has a full range of motion.

If you have a disability, cannot navigate easily, and can demonstrate financial need, the manufacturer of this mobility aide may be able to give you a reduction in cost. You will need to go to the site and fill out an application and see if help is available for you.

The Action Mobility Foundation may also have some other suggestions that will help you raise the money needed to buy one of these devices.

Tools and Supplies to Keep On Hand

Surprisingly enough, some of items you need to keep in hand in case of an issue that limits navigation aren’t expensive and can be used for other purposes. Here are the main items, as well as some others you might want to consider:

Athletic cloth tape – can be used to stabilize joints as well as improvised devices made from items in nature. For example, if you need to make a crutch and don’t have any vines to bind the pieces together, you can use athletic tape to do the job.

Popsicle sticks and slat boards – can be used to stabilize fractures in fingers and arms. They can also be used to immobilize joints that have been badly sprained so that you don’t injure them more.

Knives, a small saw, and other cutting tools – you can use these to cut small boards to size, trim tree limbs, or carry out other tasks required for making mobility aides or repair them. These devices should already be part of your every day carry because they will be of use in many areas of survival. Even if you carry just a credit card sized EDC multi-tool it will be better than nothing.

Pain reliever – you can choose from anti-inflammatory herbs as well as pain killers that will reduce swelling as the primary means of reducing pain.

Disposable hot and cold packs – to use these packs, all you have to do is punch them to release heat or cause them to become cold. These are ideal for managing injuries that need cold or hot treatment in order to feel better, speed healing, or reduce the risk of injury.

Towels – you can use towels for a wide range of mobility related needs including providing moist heat for an injury, wound management, and cleaning.

Knee braces – they are especially useful if you already have older injuries, are overweight, or may develop a condition that will cause you to fall more easily as you age. While knee braces will not prevent a fall per se, they can help ensure your knees don’t get damaged even more.

Back and abdominal support braces – these devices are very important for preventing hernias and other injuries associated with heavy lifting. During crisis, you may be doubling or even tripling the amount of physical activity you carry out in a single day, and you are also likely to be lifting, pulling, and pushing weights that are well beyond your usual comfort range, and there is always a risk of under-developing smaller muscles in gym workouts. You can easily develop muscle tears and other problems even if you lift weights and seem fine right now. Even a minor twist or turn in an unusual direction can spell trouble. Back and abdominal braces can reduce the impact of increased weight combined with motions you aren’t accustomed to.

Folding cane – these canes are lightweight and can easily fit into any bug out bag. Choose one that you can easily adapt for a spear or knife, and you will also have a weapon, fishing pole, or other hunting aide. Aside from increasing mobility options, these devices are truly limitless in adaption options for survival needs.

Rollating wheelchair – these chairs offer a combination for a wheelchair and a rolling walker. You can use them to sit down when you are tired, or for walking in areas where it is harder to get a wheelchair to move. These devices are also narrower than a conventional wheelchair, so they can also get into more areas. A rollating wheelchair has smaller wheels, and it can be a bit difficult to adjust to these chairs because they weigh less, which may make you feel like they aren’t as stable.

Travois or similar – they can be used to carry items if you have a shoulder, neck, upper back, arm, or hand injury. You can customize the travois so that it has a harness that rests across your hips so that there is no weight on your shoulders or arms. If you do not want to carry collapsible poles that can be made into a travois, at last carry some rope that can be used to tie tree limbs together. Even if you never wind up dealing with a shoulder, upper back, neck, arm, or hand injury, you can still use this device to carry heavy objects. For example, if you catch deer, you can use a travois to haul the carcass to a safe location where you can finish processing it.

Goggles and helmet – even though these are technically defined as safety devices, they are important for stabilizing and protecting mobility and range of motion. For example, a well constructed helmet can help protect your neck from injury as well as reduce the risk of a head injury if you fall or something lands on your head. Goggles are also very important for protecting your sight, especially if you need to work with tools or materials that can shatter or send harmful chemicals into your eyes.

Fireproof and chemical proof gloves – both types are important, especially during the initial and post crisis stages. An accident that causes acid or lye to reach your hands can easily prevent you from carrying items and using your hands to carry out other survival tasks. No matter how much you practice with different tools, stress and unusual circumstances will still bring along risks you weren’t as prepared for as you thought you were. Appropriate gloves can limit damage in the first place, and protect existing injuries in situations where you have no choice but to use your hands.

Carrying Materials with Arm, Hand, or Shoulder Impairments

As with knee or ankle injuries, you can use splints and joint immobilizers to reduce further injury and give you at least some ability to move objects around.

If you have upper body, arm, shoulder, elbow, or hand injuries, you can also use ropes and lassos and then create a harness that falls across your hips.

Always try to limit lifting items as much as possible, and use your hands and arms for finer work such as tying knots or carrying out other tasks that will allow you to use your hips and legs for dragging objects along instead of carrying them.

No matter how carefully you prepare for disaster, you never know how your body will age, let alone if you will incur some injury that limits mobility.

While you may be focusing a good bit on doing this properly so that you reduce the risk of injury, it never hurts to have a backup plan. Having some additional tools and skills related to managing mobility issues can mean the difference between life and death.

Also, you should always be prepared to face a medical emergency that could reduce your mobility!

This article has been written by Carmela Tyrell for Survivopedia.

from Survivopedia Don't forget to visit the store and pick up some gear at The COR Outfitters. How prepared are you for emergencies? #SurvivalFirestarter #SurvivalBugOutBackpack #PrepperSurvivalPack #SHTFGear #SHTFBag

#SHTF #TEOTWAWKI #MARTIALLAW #BUGOUT #PREPPERBAG #USAF #USSOCOM #ARMY #NAVY #SurvivalFirestarter #Sur

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queercondensed · 7 years

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[Image Description: a one-page document formatted so both sides are visible as two pages. It is titled “DypsohiAid Chest Binder Sheet v1.0″ and is all black text on a white background. The full text can be read under the readmore of this post.]

Chest Binding Guide v1.0

This is a guide I created for a project I am working on outside of Queer Condensed - DysphoriAid. This sheet is just one part of it. This is a collection of information on chest binding gathered from all over the internet and condensed into a single two-sided page. There’s a lot of good information on chest binding, but a lot of it is scattered across multiple websites and blogs. Here it is all packaged together.

There will hopefully be more of these, each focusing on a different dysphoria-easing item (packers, stand-to-pees, breast forms, etc) but as I don’t use any of those items I have to rely more on outside research to help make those.

Click here to find the link to download the most recent version of this resource and the other documents Queer Condensed has to offer.

The original Publisher files may be requested through the ask box if you want to modify them. If you download or enjoy, please reblog!

The text can be read below the readmore, formatted in the intended reading order.

First / Front Page

DysphoriAid Chest Binder Sheet Online v1.0

Trusted Companies - Make Your Own - Do’s and Don’ts - Further Info

The Basics and Where to Buy

Chest binders are articles of clothing that use compression on the breast tissue and creates the look of a more “masculine” chest. They are used by Assigned Female at Birth (AFAB) transgender / nonbinary people who wish to have that effect for dysphoria, presentation, or aesthetic reasons.

Every body reacts to binding differently, but there are some things that are common. New binders always feel tight, sometimes a little uncomfortably so. They take time to break in. However, they should not cause pain or make it impossible to take deep breaths even on the first wear. You should be able to move freely in a properly-fitting binder and it should be loose enough to be able to easily adjust your breast tissue while wearing the binder. It’s normal to be winded in a binder after running or climbing several flights of stairs, but not after regular walking or relaxing. Chest, ribs, or back pain means your body is tired or strained from binding and you need to take a break or remove the binder for the day. If your binder bruises you or pain in your body continues after binding for several hours or days, you should check that you’re binding with a correct size and go to the doctor if possible. Look at the “Do’s and Don’ts” section for more guidelines on safe binding.

There are many different companies that sell chest binders, but not all of them are safe. The company GC2B (gc2b.co) is a trans-owned business that sells safe binders at a reasonable price, with options for multiple skin tones at no extra cost. Another trans-owned company at a slightly higher cost is Flavnt (flavnt.com/bareskin) Though their binders are not explicitly made for trans people and have mixed reviews, many people who bind recommend Underworks (underworks.com) as well, especially the Tri-Top binder. You should always do your research when buying a new binder, even from these companies. Never purchase a binder from a website you can’t read the language of or trust cheap binders off of Amazon, Ebay, and other stores who don’t make binders.

No matter where you buy from, the proper size should always be purchased. Most companies, including GC2B and Underworks, have their own sizing charts to follow to get the best fit. A good rule of thumb is to go for a bigger size if you find yourself in-between sizes on a chart. Non-metal tape measures and having a friend to help gets the most accurate results. Do not, under any circumstances, willfully purchase a binder smaller than what’s recommended or wear two or more binders. Too-tight binders can cause serious injuries.

Make Your Own / Binding without a Binder

Sometimes, purchasing a binder is not feasible for any number of reasons. So, here are some alternatives! All the rules to regular binding - found in the “Do’s and Don’ts” section - should be followed even when not wearing an official binder. Most methods only work on smaller chests, but it never hurts to try! For the first two, C9 sports bras are recommended, as are Target and other store apps that give coupons and discounts.

NOTE: Never, ever wear ace bandages to bind your chest. This will hurt you. Avoid methods that involve any non-breathable material as well or items not meant to be in contact with skin, such as duct tape.

Option #1: Get two proper-fitting sports bras, at least one with a strong elastic band at the bottom. Wear one in a regular manner. Then take the one with a strong elastic band and position it so the band runs across the widest or middle part of your chest. Adjust breasts to get best binding effect.

Option #2: Again, find two proper-fitting sports bras, at least one with a low back. Wear the first one regularly, then wear the second one backwards. Adjust breasts so your chest looks as flat as possible.

Second / Back Page

Option #3: Get a plain camisole / undershirt with adjustable shoulder straps and a built-in bra. Put it on backwards and tighten the sliding straps as much as possible. Adjust the elastic in the built-in bra to run across the widest or middle part of your chest. Then, roll up the camisole / undershirt several times to keep it close to your chest and add just a little extra binding power.

Additionally, layers always help. Wearing thicker shirts and sweaters can help minimize the prominence of your chest. It’s not perfect, but it can help when you don’t have a binder or need a break.

Do’s and Don’ts of Binding

Do’s

Wash your binder regularly - either by hand in warm water with dish soap or small amount of laundry detergent or in a laundry machine on delicate cold wash

Break in your binder / get your body used to binding by binding for a half hour the first time, then an hour, then two hours, up to eight to ten hours

Take deep breaths regularly when binding and cough when taking off a binder to clear excess fluid buildup

Experiment with different ways your chest sits. Some people like to push their breast tissue down and to their armpits in a binder, others feel best when they push their breast tissue up

Find cool, clean places to hide your binder if that’s necessary, such as in the back of your closet, under a mattress, or in the back of a drawer

Keep a sports bra or regular bra with you when binding for emergency unbinding

Experiment with ways to make your chest appear smaller without a binder so you don’t have to bind daily

Stop binding for several days if you feel major pain or discomfort and visit a doctor if it doesn’t go away

Don’ts

Put your binder in the dryer, this causes shrinkage that can eventually hurt you. Hang dry only

Bind for more than eight to ten hours daily, or more hours than your body can handle regularly

Forget to take breaks, even if you’re not feeling particularly uncomfortable

Expect your chest to be completely flat. Even cisgender men’s chests have shape and contour

Ignore pain or major discomfort when binding, as these are signs that something is wrong

Place binding before health and safety - binding improperly or for too long can hurt you, even to a point where you cannot bind at all

Believe that you have to bind to be transgender. Sometimes passing as a cisgender man is vital to your safety, but it’s never required of you just to be transgender

Sleep or exercise in a binder

Wear ace bandages or duct tape to bind

Bind when it’s especially hot, since binders can make it hard to breathe and your body to regulate heat

Additional Information

“Socket Reviews Binders: T-Kingdom 801, gc2b Tank-Top, and Ancient Fish King strapless binder” YouTube video - compares many kinds of binders, good place to start looking for video reviews (youtube.com/watch?v=YR7cPlImg2A&t=592s)

“Binding 101: Tips to Bind Your Chest Safely” article by Point 5cc (point5cc.com/binding-101-tips-to-bind-your-chest-safely)

“Inside the Landmark, Long Overdue Study on Chest Binding” article by Broadly - details a 2016 study on chest binding in a more accessible way than the language in the study itself (broadly.vice.com/en_us/article/chest-binding-health-project-inside-landmark-overdue-transgender-study)

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DysphoriAid

Updated as of April 24th, 2017

Queer Condensed (QueerCondensed.tumblr.com)

Free for non-commercial use. For editing, contact Queer Condensed for original word document

#queer condensed #chest binding #transgender #nonbinary #gc2b #underworks #guides #other materials

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