#hell you don't even need a new one. look at your local swap groups or flea markets and you too can get cheap cast iron

[killbaned]

YOU THERE, are you a depressed 20 something with uncontrollable Mental Eels?

do you feel like your life lacks meaning and that you need something to care for, to feel like you’re putting love into at least one thing in your life? are you bad at caring for plants? are you unable to have pets?

then DO I HAVE just the thing for you.

[boredzillenial]

Stargazing

Local ghost stories turn out to be true when a stranger joins you in the creek.

Themes: Western AU, Marc, F!reader (described with short hair), mentions of nudity

Wordcount: 1.7k

A.N.: Really letting my southern roots take over on this one so if you don't like reading southern accents this fic won't be for you. But for the rest of ya, save a horse, ride a cowboy 🤠

It'd been a long few days out on the dusty road looking for a new contract. You and your brothers, the five of y'all, had been doing your best to protect herds of cattle that roamed. Bandits, Cattle rustlers, and the occasional coyote or big cat usually kept things interesting.

Y’all hopped from job to job, herd to herd to keep busy. To keep you hidden as a man under layers of rough cotton, leather, and a wide-brimmed hat atop short cropped hair.

This kind of life, a mans life, suited the needs you and your brothers had to earn a living and keep you safe. Safe from y’all’s past, safe from the hands of abusive and grubby men who tried to cage you. The men who wanted a quiet little wife to birth their children and cook their meals.

Y'all made a pact. You, the brains of the operation, kept them out of trouble, found the jobs and set the terms of workin' agreements. Your brothers were your voice, the rough hands to close deals, the beards and hard stares who made sure to seal those deals you meticulously created.

Although the deal with this most recent family seemed particularly easy. Too good pay for too few head of cattle. A quick trip into the closest town told you why. You’d caught locals swapping ghost stories, and while you usually paid no mind to stuff like that these particular stories caught your attention.

There’d been trouble brewing a year or so ago here. Young bucks coming in to take what wasn’t theirs. Be it money, liquor, or even women. But one night, locals say something changed. That The White Rider rolled into town and beat the hell outta the first group of punks that happened to be tryin to snatch a woman on her way back home.

In the nights that followed out in the pastures you could’ve sworn, way out in the distance, that you’d seen a flash of white here and there. That you’d heard the distinctive sound of hoofbeats and hoots of bandits but they’d disappear with nary a scream in the night.

Once, you and one of your brothers plucked up the nerve to check out where the noise came from the next morning. Only to find an empty camp, and riderless horses.

Tonight however, was like most, one of your brothers stood watch over camp and the cattle grazing nearby while you made your way to the river. How long had it been since you bathed? Since you'd inhabited a lick of feminity? You couldn't quite remember.

You sighed contentedly as you went from the wide open field of camp to the dense brush and trees surrounding the water. Privacy, security to finally take off the layers of leather, dust and grit you called armor. To finally bathe and let your muscles go slack.

You carefully checked the brush and gazed at the opposite bank while crickets chirped around you. Their chorus fueled your confidence to strip down on the bank and wade into the water. A shiver shot through you at the sensation of the cool mud under your feet. Wading further into the mud and stone lined river, the tepid water lapped at your skin. You looked up and caught your breath. A blanket of stars dotted the night sky, accompanied by the thin crescent moon.

The last of your paranoia melted as you glanced around and heard the continued cricket song. You dunked under water. As you came up the cool night air wafted across your skin setting it to goose flesh. You leaned back and ruffled your short crop of hair to loosen the dirt and sweat.

A grin spread across your face as you relaxed and floated, staring up at the stars above. Here in this moment alone, you could just be you. Not a for-hire ranch hand, not a leader keeping your brothers out of trouble, not a woman keeping her identity a secret to protect herself, just you.

You stayed that way for awhile, floating on your back and staring at the stars. Your face and breasts poking out from the surface of the calm water. This was your domain, your safe place to quietly contemplate.

Quiet.... In a rush you realized you'd lost track of your melodic look outs. You sunk with a splash until the water reached your chin, franticly looking around to find what silenced them. Nothin, you couldn't see anyone or anything around. Shit.

You glanced at the bank where your dusty clothes still laid in a heap. If it was a coyote or puma you didn't want to get out of the water, naked and open to attack. If it was someone hidden in the brush.... If they've somehow slipped past your brothers... If they’d seen you strip bare���

You were frozen with indecision, unsure of what to do till a voice called out from the opposite bank behind you.

“Beautiful night ain’t it?”

You whipped around, keeping the water level to your chin. The man you saw before you confused you. He was clad in white, from his cattleman hat all the way down to his boots, turned offwhite from dirt and dust.

You backed away, careful to keep the dark waters around your shoulders as he took off his hat. Black curls fell to just above his collar, catching the sliver of moonlight. His face was, handsome to say the least. Tanned skin stood out against the white fabric.

Panic scrambled your thoughts, “Sure.” A pitiful attempt to throw your voice low.

“You don’t gotta do that ya know.” He chuckled as he took off the long white duster coat and set it across a large boulder next to his hat.

You squinted and tried again “Do what.” You snapped.

“I know whatcha are, I’m not gonna hurt you.” He chuckled, removing layer after layer until he was barefoot in just his pants and a thin white shirt. “Quite the opposite.”

“Opposite?” You growled.

“Well, I’ve been keeping an eye on y’all. Keeping bandits off your back. It’s nice what you’re doing for your brothers.” He shimmied on a rock and dipped his feet in the water, a warm smile spread across his face.

“Why… who hired you?” You said, eying him suspiciously.

“You wouldn’t know ‘em.” He paused for a moment and glared up at the slash of moon. “And I hope you never do.” His dark tone sent off alarms in your mind as his gaze returned to you.

“How enlightenin’…” You grumbled as you watch him. He scratched his head for a moment, then pulled his shirt over his head to reveal his broad, muscular chest.

“The hell you think you’re doin?!” You snap.

“Same as you, the road’s been long and I need a wash.” He smirks, dropping his pants.

Heat rose to your face as you took in his naked form standing on the bank. It took just a little too long before you averted your gaze, “Can’t you do that further off, down the river?” You grumbled.

“When there’s such great company right here?” He teased, “I’m alone most days, save for my own… brothers. Would love the company if you’ll indulge me.”

“Guess I don’t have much of a choice…” You sink up to your chin, watching him make his way further in. Seeing this man, naked under the moonlight as he came toward you…. It set something alight that you thought’d died.

“You ah, usually strip naked around strangers?” You try to awkwardly break the tension.

“I’d hardly call us strangers after savin’ your hide a few times now. But your right we could get better acquainted.“ He waded closer and held out his hand. “Marc Spector.” Your eyes flickered to his hand then back to his face, trying to gauge his motives. “I don’t bite, I mean I do if ya ask nicely but it’s a bit early for that.” He laughed.

You rolled your eyes and took another step back, “ugh men think they’re so funny.”

“And women think they’re so clever.” He smirked, withdrawing his hand as he dipped underwater. He popped back up with a smile and shook his hair out. “That’s better.” He sighed. “So, what’s got you hidin’ amongst your brothers and cattle huh?” He quirked up a brow.

“Take a wild guess.” You rolled your eyes and backed away further, treading water over a deeper part of the creek.

“Parents died young, your brothers aren’t the brightest so you take care of ‘em, and most men probably aren’t to you’re likin’. Am I close?” He ran a hand through his dark curls and rubbed the dirt off his face.

“Close enough.” You shrugged. In reality you parents were alive, but both of them were mean drunks and your brothers had planned their escape and dragged you with them.

“Ahh, you don’t like any men?” His voice lilted as he leaned back again and began to float. “I’ll never get used to how beautiful the stars are.” He sighed.

Your eyes ran across his smooth chest and stomach as it peeked out of the water, crosscrossed with long jagged scars and old bullet wounds. “I didn’t say that.” You said softly.

His gaze shifted to you, a soft grin played at the edge of his lips. “Really now?”

“You’re right, I don’t like most men. Their cruel, ugly, and most of ‘em don’t have much of anything happenin’ between their ears.” You smirk back at him.

“See that’s where you’re in luck. I’m not like most men.” He winked, his gaze shifted back up to the stars above.

This time you held your ground and narrowed your gaze. “Yeah right….”

“Don’t believe me huh?” He chuckled and shifted, swimming back to the bank he came from. Water sluiced down as he waded out of the water, down his shoulders, his back… You bit your lip as your gaze lingered across his ass, then down his legs. He turned to look over his shoulder, “How ‘bout I show ya?” He said with a smirk, and with a blink his eyes turned to a glowing white.

————————

Moon Knight Bingo Masterlist

Taglist: @moonknight-events @melodygatesauthor @my-secret-shame-but-fanfiction @ominoose @romana-after-dark @lunar-ghoulie @flowercrownonapegion @howellatme @mooksmouse @ahookedheroespureheart @beezusvreeland @auntiegigi @moonkxit @faretheeoscar

[chloeunitfive]

Slow fashion

Slow fashion is a fashion industry movement that pushes for environmental and social justice. Its distinguishing feature is that it focuses on the problem of overproduction and overconsumption. Slow fashion emerged in tandem with the "slow food" trend. Kate Fletcher, a fashion and sustainability writer and researcher, coined the word in a 2007 piece for The Ecologist. She defined fast fashion as more about greed than speed, about "selling more" and "making more money." Slow fashion, on the other hand, "is about designing, producing, consuming, and living better." “Slow” – she added – “is not the opposite of fast – there is no dualism – but a different approach in which designers, buyers, retailers, and consumers are more aware of the impacts of products on workers, communities, and ecosystems”.

When customers support the unsustainable rapid fashion manufacturing paradigm, the situation worsens. Slow fashion is equally concerned with responsible consumption. We purchase with the knowledge that our consumption has an influence on climate change.

Slow fashion's core concepts include:

A shift from quantity to quality, both in production and consumption. It’s not hell-bent on constant growth or accumulating more.

Manufacturing that respects the environment by using low-waste processes and avoiding harmful chemicals.

Providing workers a living wage and healthy working conditions. 

Producing collections in small batches or on a pre-order basis to avoid unsold inventory.

An uncomplicated supply chain where raw materials and labour aren’t scattered across the globe. It uses local materials and employs local workers as much as possible.

Transparency and honesty in its supply chain and practices. A great example is ethical jeans brand HNST, which has a “Hall of Fail” page that showcases its challenges and failures.

Using natural fibres, deadstock fabrics, or old textiles for upcycling.

The fashion industry's problems are becoming more widely known, but there is still more work to be done. According to a ThredUp poll from 2021, 74% of buyers are aware that their purchase patterns have a big influence on the earth, and 50% feel that rapid fashion is damaging to the environment. Despite this understanding, 72% of people continue to buy fast fashion because of the ease and low pricing. It might be tough to deviate from the norm and fully change your buying habits. The good news is that becoming involved in the slow fashion movement is simple, and you don't even need to buy anything new to get started!

1. Repair and Take Care of Your Clothes

Extend the life of your clothes by following care instructions. Machine wash on the lowest heat setting if you can and hang to dry to save on energy. For jeans, Levi’s even recommends washing once every 10 years to maintain the fit and fabric.

Learning basic sewing and de-staining techniques is also a great way to get more wear out of your clothes. If you don’t have time, take them to a professional or find out if there’s a repair café (a free pop-up event where volunteers and other visitors get together to repair various items) in your town or city.

2. Wear Second-hand Clothing

We have finally bid good riddance to the stigma of wearing second-hand clothes. Today, thrifting is so widespread that it is even covered on the pages of glossy high-fashion magazines, something unimaginable until not even two decades ago. 

There are many options for getting second-hand clothes. You can borrow from your family or friends’ closets for one-off events. You can also do clothing swaps or offer your own unused clothing to someone you know will love it.

Freecycling groups are also a goldmine for “new” old clothes. These are online sharing groups where people can donate or request free items. It facilitates gift-giving and communication among members of a local community because the exchange is often done in person. It has become increasingly popular as people are looking for ways to donate their stuff without having to go to charity centres. Unfortunately, statistics show that up to 80% of donations end up either incinerated, in landfills, or sent overseas to be sold. Search for a Facebook freecycling group in your area or check out websites like FreeCycle.org or Trash Nothing.

Looking for the thrill of the hunt? There are always one-of-a-kind and stylish pieces from thrift and vintage stores. Online thrifting is easier today thanks to platforms like Poshmark, Depop, Etsy, or Vestiaire Collective; there is something for everyone’s tastes and price points. 

3. Shop Mindfully

In Europe, the United Kingdom, and the United States, somewhere between 50%- 80% of people’s wardrobes are unused. A closet bursting with clothes you only semi-love or never wear is also a sign of constant impulse shopping. The next time you feel the itch to shop, check your closet first. Do you really need a fifth new dress/pair of pants/crop top in your closet? Chances are you don’t. Your overfull closet will thank you, and so will the planet. 

If you absolutely need to shop, support local creators in your country. Choose high-quality fabrics that last longer, single-composition fabrics that can be easily recycled, or natural fibres that biodegrade easier.

Shopping mindfully also means being aware of companies’ greenwashing tactics. Slapping an “eco-friendly” tag isn’t proof that an item is sustainable. Do some background research on a brand by Googling or checking on the Good on You app. For unbiased and educational sustainable fashion content, websites like Fashion Revolution and Fashion Takes Action are great sources.

Remember that expensive price tags don’t always guarantee better quality and practices. Brands like Versace, Prada, Nike, and Adidas were implicated in a Clean Clothes Campaign paper that reported on these companies’ below-legal worker wages and terrible working conditions in their Eastern European factories.

Reference:

RASHMILA MAITI. (2023). Slow Fashion[Online]. earth.org. Last Updated: 21 May 2023. Available at: https://earth.org/what-is-slow-fashion/[Accessed 6 November 2023].

[lilies-of-the-fields]

lots of folks have made really great suggestions, but I'm surprised I didn't see any about a few common resources that are just. totally invaluable.

the library!!! i saw library books mentioned a few times, but many library systems offer free public workshops and/or Libraries of Things (as in you can borrow tools, wifi hotspots, etc -- sometimes this includes things like sewing machines!!!!)

thrift stores -- not just for old fabric but also for sewing patterns! patterns can get pretty $$$ new, and it's totally unneccessary. like many other hobbyists, it's pretty common for affluent and even working class folk to get excited about new projects and accumulate extra supplies. inevitably when folks move or someone passes on, these get tossed or donated. depending on where you live, if you're lucky there might be reuse infrastructure of some kind, and you can find fabric (scraps and by the yard) or patterns or other sewing notions secondhand for crazy cheap. check out online resources like Freecycle, too.

this is kinda in between thrift stores and sewing guilds -- fabric/clothes swaps! again, depends on where you live, but these are usually free and OVERFLOWING with resources. sometimes organizers will ask for a donation, but often sliding scale when this occurs. and I personally don't worry about coming empty handed to clothes swaps -- every swap I've organized or attended ends with the hosts having leftovers. there's truly so much material out there and you really don't need to spend money as a beginner.

SEWING GUILDS!!!!! SEWING GUILDS!!!!!!! these are basically social/skills exchange groups of folks who love their craft. there's quilting guilds, embroidery, you name it. again, this'll depend on where you live, but if you can find one and attend, guaranteed there are elderly folk who are itching to share years of experience. depending on how chill n lovely the group is (in my experience, usually v supportive environments), folks might just GIVE YOU materials. like, "here ya go!!! i have way too much and i never really liked this fabric anyway but it's good material for practicing" kind of deal.

not a resource but important if you're interested in machine sewing of any kind -- older machines are often much, much sturdier and easier to repair. I used to work in reuse and we had a wonderful volunteer who repaired sewing machines for the hell of it (she actually used to just purchase them from us, fix em up, then resell them, just cause she loved to work on them so much. Pretty much any machines that came in from the 2000s onward, (and sometimes even as old as the 80's or 90s) she'd rattle off a list of all the plastic parts in them and how quick they were to break or how difficult they were to reach if they did break, because the machines are no longer being built to last. meanwhile we would literally get 100 year old machines that needed some grease and a new belt and they'd be good to go. Of course, newer machines often have lovely bells and whistles, but for a beginner what you really wanna look for is straight stitch, reverse, zigzag, and a spool winder (this is very boring and time consuming to do by hand, but not a deal breaker imo). Those will serve you well as a beginner. Straight stitch is just fine for many fabrics, zigzag is good for materials that may be under a lot of stress and for stretchy fabrics.

your friends and family! ask if they have clothes they've been meaning to get rid of. 99 times out of 100 the answer is yes. costs $0 and you will probably get some cool fabric from your friends.

local punks/punk hangouts. see somebody with a cool back patch on their jacket? ask to do a work trade! alternatively, if there's a bar/library/3rd space frequented by lefties in your area, they might have resources they can recc to you :)

ALSO, if you've got pets or friends with pets, any project that you really despise with a passion or can't fathom how to transform into something else -- can usually be turned into stuffing for pet beds or dog/cat toys. like other folks said, mending/creating cleaning stuff is a great way to practice stitches and not need to care about the final results.

sorry for the very long ramble! i got excited. good luck learning!!

I really want to learn how to sew, but I'm very overwhelmed. I'm afraid of practicing on most things for fear of messing them up and wasting them. I'm really the kind of person who needs someone teaching me and available to answer my questions, but I don't have anyone for that and there's several reasons I'm apprehensive about finding a class (the most rational of which are my lack of income and COVID, but social anxiety is also a factor).

I know there's guides and videos online, but I always get so overwhelmed and usually don't know where to start because all my ideas are abstract, abstract to me specifically (because I don't know how fabric construction works), or difficult and/or risky enough to scare and/or confuse me out of wanting to do it.

Does anyone have tips for teaching yourself to sew? How do I practice without being wasteful?