#i need to put elastic in the cuffs of those trousers though .
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This cosplay gonna b So Good when it's done . the government pays me to be autistic and BOY THIS IS AUTISM
#i'm like an infinitely upgraded version of myself from 2018#i need to put elastic in the cuffs of those trousers though .#there is not a worse feeling in the world than fabric collecting around your knees in your thigh-high boots#this is why i'm learning to sew
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i treated myself to ordering a pretty pricey pair of trousers from an environmentally-friendly outdoor wear company, bc i've been looking for a pair of trousers with like, big side pockets like cargo trousers (for wheelchair purposes -- i want pockets i can access without getting up) but slimline enough that i can cycle in them on non-chair days, and with a comfy waistband situation, in a length and size that works for me as someone who is five foot four with short legs. this is not easy: i can only find those kinds of pockets in men's trousers mostly but only in brands that don't go small enough for me and often with horrible stiff fabric and chunky waistbands that don't suit a wheelchair very well
but these look like the holy grail. they have elasticated cuffs so the legs wouldn't get caught in my bike chain. they've got an elasticated waist too. big side pockets like cargo trousers. organic cotton but like, designed for doing outdoor activities so hopefully soft enough to be comfy but tough enough to last? from a company that my (better informed) sister tells me has good environmental credentials and which puts a big emphasis on sustainability
we will see. they were like. seventy quid. which is roughly twice what i've ever spent on trousers before but i'm trying to buy fewer cheap shitty clothes that need replacing five minutes later and were never really what i wanted in the first place, and instead invest in things that are actually what i want and are decent quality so they'll last. that's not easy but i'm hoping these are that, and i was ordering a fleece from their sale at the same time so i figured maybe i should treat myself. i have so many bad trousers in my life i need some good ones
and now i am very much in "pakige???" mode even though i only ordered them today. where are my trousers. i need to know if they fit. i need to put things in the big pockets
#if they don't fit i'm gonna be SO sad they would be SO perfect for several tasks in the next few weeks#evri says they've got my package!!!#so either it'll come tomorrow or i won't see it for a month#yay evri :/#personal
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10 / 20 / 24 / 31/ 61 / 92 / 96 / 102 one of those in case you wanna explore some bdsm themed stuff maybe? there's a lot for dom!laxus and sub!freed and more dom!freed content would just be really 👌🏻👌🏻 maybe youve got a specific kink for them in this set up that you can see nut havent gotten to write yet 🤔
Prompt: ‘I’m waiting’, ‘Behave’, ‘Say it’, ‘I’m not going to touch you unless you beg’, ‘I know for a fact that you can be a hell of a lot louder than that.’ Prompt List here
Pairing: Fraxus
Raiting: Explicit N S F W
Read it Elswhere: AO3, Fanfiction
Warning: Contains minor public humiliation, sadomasochism and rough sex.
"I'm not going to touch you unless you beg."
"Come on Laxus," Freed said with a smirk, tapping his finger against the table. "I'm waiting."
Laxus was blushing red, fidgeting where he stood. He was in the guildhall, surrounding by almost all of his male guildmates in various states of undress. They were holding a guy's night, and somebody – Loke – had suggested they all play strip poker. The hall was a mass of muscles and underlying sexual tension between men, which was most obvious between Laxus and Freed.
The two were the final men playing, being the best at the game. Freed had somehow managed to only remove his coat during the process, whereas Laxus had been stripped to his trousers only. The trousers he had just lost to Freed.
Which was where the issue lay. Laxus wasn't wearing his regular boxers. Or regular underwear at all.
He and Freed's schedules hadn't aligned well over the last few weeks, meaning their sex life had taken a hit. This was the first night they would have together and Laxus was going to make the most of it. To make sure it happened, when dressing himself in the morning, Laxus had swapped out his boxers for the sexiest underwear he had. He knew that Freed would be driven wild by the knowledge Laxus had been wearing them all day. He regretted that as much as he regretted being forced into playing the damn game.
But he couldn't get out of it, everyone was looking at him. They were taking the game seriously as well. Once a piece of clothing was discarded it was put in one of Freed's rune traps; Freed himself had to give his clothes to Grey so they were frozen solid. Nobody would allow him to get out of his forfeit. So he took an unsteady breath, pulled down his pants, and stood with his blush.
He was now wearing nothing but a leopard print jockstrap in front of his guildmates.
The reaction was loud and instant. Most people laughed, someone wolf whistled at his expense, and the dragon slayer was flushed completely red. He looked down at the floor to avoid anyone's eyes, hands covering the bulging pouch between his legs. His hands were pulled away, almost instantly. When he looked up, it was Freed.
"Hands behind your head," He said, authoritatively. Laxus complied. "There was a clear intention when you put this on. Tell me what it is."
"C'mon Freed," Laxus murmured, embarrassed. He couldn't deny he was turned on though.
"Say it, Laxus," Freed demanded. "Although, if you'd rather walk home dressed like this than have me teleport you home, you can remain quiet."
"I just fuckin'… I wanted to turn you on," He confessed, and again people laughed. "And I knew this would do it. And I knew you get pissed off when I wear leopard print because you think I look stupid, and that'd get you to take charge and... and dom me."
Freed was looking at him with predatory eyes, and Laxus' cock started to harden at the sight of it. He wanted to cover himself, but he didn't.
"Good day, gentlemen," Freed said. "I hope you enjoy the rest of your night."
A moment later, Freed pushed his hand against Laxus' chest. A rush or runes enveloped the both of them and a moment later Laxus saw that they were in their home, in their living room. A little overwhelmed by the teleportation, Laxus could only stand as Freed quickly cast further spells, all of which bound Laxus in place. Hands cuffed together high above his head; legs spread wide with a bar of purple magic and shackles around his ankles. He was fully trapped at Freed's mercy, exactly what he had wanted.
His cock was fully hard now, watching as Freed walked to a small chest and pulled out a long leather stick; a riding crop. The blonde's cock lurched at the sight; the crop was something Freed only brought out when he was going hard as a dom. After the last time it had been used, Laxus had been left with whip marks, a limp and wet dreams that plagued him for a week.
And Freed looked more determined now.
"I'm disappointed in you Laxus," Freed commented, gently dragging the metal tip of the crop against Laxus' bare stomach. "When you entered that game, you accepted the risk of having your little secret exposed like this. And I'm not happy with that. Because seeing you like this – flushed and horny and humiliated – is a privilege for me only."
With three quick hits of the crop to Laxus' left thigh, the blonde hissed and gritted his teeth. He could take much more than this, and both knew it.
"You, for the rest of the night, you're going to behave, correct?"
Fully knowing that it was only going to make whatever Freed had planned for him more painful, Laxus looked him directly in his eye and said nothing. Freed gritted his teeth a little in annoyance, took a step forward and pushed the crop against Laxus' bulging jock.
"I said will," He punctuated the word with a hit to Laxus' thigh.
"You," The next hit was on his stomach.
"Behave?" The final hit was to Laxus' balls.
A groan of pain left Laxus' lips as he tried to double over and protect his manhood, but the magic cuffs around his wrists didn't allow him. He breathed in heavily in an attempt to adjust to the pain settling in his gut, and Freed allowed him a moment of respite. He made sure to rub the crop over Laxus' hot skin as he did so, making sure that Laxus couldn't forget the potential for further pain if he disobeyed Freed. It was fucking indescribable how much that turned Laxus on.
Once Laxus was looking up, his balls now just radiating pain rather than stinging from it, Freed was crossing his arms. He was looking at Laxus with a patronising expression, and it sent blood to the blonde's already hard dick.
"You want me to touch you, don't you?" He demanded, and Laxus nodded.
Freed didn't say anything. But the magical bounds keeping Laxus in place started to tug at him, stretching his limbs and making an already uncomfortable position worse. Laxus gritted his teeth at the feeling and couldn't help but let out a moan. Freed really knew how to make a masochist out of Laxus.
"I'm not going to touch you, Laxus, until you're fucking begging for it."
It sent a thrill down Laxus' entire body , and he bucked his hips into the air without intending to. Freed saw this, and gave him three strikes with the crop across the chest. They all stung and Laxus let out a shuddering moan in response.
"Touch me," Laxus whimpered, voice quiet and wavering. "Please touch me. It's been weeks and I've not felt you and its been driving me mad."
So Freed did touch him, in the form of punching him hard in the gut. Laxus cock leaked with precum at the rough treatment; Freed was going so much harder than he had the last time they'd played with dom and sub roles, and Laxus was fucking enjoying it. Being able to put himself at Freed's mercy completely, with him in control of everything Laxus felt and did, was indescribable. And the pain he was in, the feeling of subservience, replaced everything.
There was no stress. There were no other worries. There was just Freed and him.
"Was that what you wanted?" Freed teased in a whisper. "Because if you want something else, be more specific."
Laxus opened his mouth, but Freed punched his stomach again. Laxus could take more and they both knew it, but Freed left his front and started to walk around the bound man. Laxus couldn't see him, but knew that he would be looking him up and down like he was a piece of meat. The degradation sent a thrill down him; only Freed could make him like this and it was hot as fuck.
"What time did you put this on," Freed demanded as he hooked his finger under the elastic waistband of the jockstrap, snapping it against Laxus' waist.
"About eight," Laxus mumbled, arms aching a little.
"So, it's been about fourteen hours of you wearing it without me knowing. Fourteen should be enough," Freed said.
Just as Laxus tried to understand what Freed was alluding to, his eyes widened. Freed had just slapped his ass hard with the palm of his hand; he had just spanked him! Laxus had never been spanked before, and the feeling was both unfamiliar and exhilarating. It sent ripples of sharp pain through his body, and to know that his lover was the one to cause it made the entire situation so much hotter. The pouch of his jockstrap was straining around his dick now, and Laxus could barely handle it.
Another slap hit his ass. Then another. Then another.
"I don't hear any begging, Laxus," Freed snapped, and the blonde moaned. "If you don't want me to touch you, I can stop and leave you here."
"No, don't stop," Laxus whined. "Please touch me. Spank me, fuck me, I don't fucking care. I just wanna feel you."
Another slap hit his ass. Then another. His ass was stinging hard now.
"Please don't stop," Laxus begged. "I just wanna feel you all over me. Hurt me, make me feel good. Do whatever the hell you want form me, just don't stop!"
"Louder," Freed demanded with another slap.
"Fucking hit me!" Laxus shouted. "Make me hurt all over. It makes me so hot and I want it so bad."
"Louder!" Freed demanded again, slapping Laxus' ass harder now. "Forget your pride, embrace your need. Because I know you can be a hell of a lot louder than that."
"Fucking spank me!" Laxus yelled at the top of voice. "Make me a hole for you to abuse. Make me full of cum. I don't give a shit what you do to me just keep fucking going."
"Count them out for me," Freed demanded.
Slap. "Nine!"
It was both exhilarating and embarrassing to follow Freed's orders. It made him feel powerless in the best way possible; he would always relinquish power to Freed.
Slap. "Ten!"
His ass was stinging hard now, and no doubt looked red as hell. It was the last thing in his mind, the constant pain was intense and brilliant.
Slap. "Eleven!"
He spoke with a quiver in his voice, and his dick was pushing against the leopard print silk covering his dick.
Slap. "Twelve."
Slap. "Thirteen."
Slap. "Fourteen."
The final three spanks had come in quick succession, and it drove Laxus over the edge. The intense pain flooding through him went straight to his dick, and an orgasm rocked him. He shot spurt after spurt of cum into his jockstrap, his weight only being carried by the magical bounds as he collapsed into them, moaning.
Freed was watching him with a raised eyebrow, and Laxus tried to recover from the hard pleasure that had overtaken him. The rune mage placed his hand on Laxus' left pec from behind, kneading his chest and toying with his nipple.
"You got more in you?" He demanded, voice hard. Laxus knew this was Freed offering him an out if he wanted it.
"I can't stop until you say so, right?" Laxus whimpered back.
That was more than enough for Freed to continue. He made a quick gesture with his hands, runes flickering around his fingers, and Laxus found himself dragged by his bounds to the floor. His knees hit the hard wood with a crack, and he winced at the pain. A band of magic formed tight around his waist, suspended from the ceiling. Laxus was now positioned on all fours, ass in the air, and his dick was already hard again.
"I wouldn't want you to spoil these further," Freed commented.
Laxus could do nothing but stay still as Freed slid the jockstrap from his crotch, drops of cum hitting the floor. Freed walked before Laxus, crouching in front of him with the cum stained jock in his hands and a smirk on his face. He tilted Laxus head up a little with his finger, forcing eye contact.
"You want me to fuck you, don't you," Freed stated. It wasn't a question.
"Yes," Laxus admitted, red. "Yes, sir."
Freed's smirk became more obvious at the use of a title. "Well, since you've been so good, I'll do just that. But if you can come that hard and scream that loud from something as little as spanking then I fear you might even break through my soundproofing runes when we get to something really intense. But I have a remedy for that. Open your mouth."
Laxus did as instructed, and his cum stained jock was forced into his mouth and tied behind his head.
He gagged a little around it. The smell of his cum mixed with the sweat of the day filled his sensitive senses, and the minor humiliation of the situation made him moan into the impromptu gag. A small slither of drool slipped out of his mouth as he looked to Freed.
His husband took a moment to admire Laxus' state. Then almost teasingly, Freed began to remove his clothing. His actions were slow and calculating, and all that was missing was music to make this a strip tease. Laxus wanted nothing more to crawl to the man and ravish him; but of course he couldn't do it. He just had to watch as Freed teased him, until he was fully naked in all his sexy, strong body.
If his mouth wasn't gagged, Laxus would have moaned at the sight.
Freed stood over him, looking down at him with a patronising smile. His dick was hard, inches from Laxus' face, and the blonde strained to feel it against his lips. The bounds kept him in place, and he blushed as Freed laughed at his neediness.
"So impatient," Freed taunted.
With a smirk, Freed lowered himself to his knees behind Laxus, positioned himself behind Laxus' reddened ass, and pushed himself in. Laxus moaned loudly into his jock, more drool leaving his lips as he was fucked doggy style. Freed was relentless with his thrusts, caring little for Laxus' comfort as he rammed his dick deep inside of him again and again.
Laxus tried to push back against Freed, but the band of magic around his waist made him completely still. But the feeling of Freed filling his tight, stinging ass was orgasmic, and Laxus' cock was quivering again. It was so overwhelming, so degrading and empowering at the same time. Laxus couldn't handle it.
Freed came first, roaring as he pushed deep inside of him
Laxus followed a second later, practically seeing stars as his eyes rolled into the back of his head. His cock shot hot streaks of cum onto the floor as he shivers in pleasure, a gurgled moan being muffled by the gag in his mouth.
Overwhelmed by the feeling, Laxus almost didn't feel himself being released by the bondage spells. He collapsed onto the floor, with Freed panting while lying above him.
"You are," Freed panted as he removed the gag. "You are categorically wearing this thing again."
"If this is what happens," Laxus grinned a horny grin. "I ain't wearing anything else again."
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So you wanna be a king (pt3)
or maybe you just wanna cosplay one.
Continuing the cosplay semi-tutorial-semi-rambling for those who love one smol bean and wish to dress as him for funsies:
Part 3: Trousers and Boots
Okay, so, at this point you’ve probably spent at least $150, and at least enough hours to watch every Game Grumps King’s Quest LP (that's three and a quarter full games) three times. Likely more.
It’s time to pull out your screencaps again, to remind yourself why we’re here.
(it’s for this cute face, with all his determination and compassion and bravery and intelligence. That’s why.)
You’ve got a jerkin (pt 2) and a cloak (pt 1) but it’s indecent to walk around without anything waist down, so let’s a’stitch some trousers. And also some boots while we’re at it.
Trousers!
When I was at the Renfest, someone asked me where I got my neat blue riding pants. Well, for starters......they’re yoga pants. And also, Goodwill. Have you noticed a trend with me yet.
This knobbly-kneed lad is definitely not pulling a Men In Tights routine--there’s too much definition and stiffness in the wrinkles. I decided on sweatpants, though, because why not? May as well be comfy. (The more accurate fabric choice would probably be like, a khaki material, but, nah). I selected two separate pairs in the colors I wanted.
Because this costume isn’t warm enough, I attached the lighter pair over the darker rather than Frankenstein-sew two chopped parts together. It’s kind of like wearing pants and a half. Because I’m the monster. And also I was concerned that long-term wear would weaken the stitching if I pulled a Frankenstein, and this costume has been time consuming enough without risking it falling apart on me.
What that means is this: I put on the darker pair, measured about how wide it looked Graham’s pants were vs on me, turned the lighter pair inside out so I could mark the width on them, and cut out a long and bizarre looking rectangle from the inner section of the light pair.
The reason why we cosplay is to get into our favorite character’s pant--no, I’m sorry, the joke’s too bad, I’ll see myself out.
I selected three inches wide on either side of the inner pant hem, so six inches wide in total, from ankle to ankle. This does mean there’s more fabric around the ankle since they naturally slim down, but the boot covers that. Since the lighter pair had an elastic stretchy cuff, I left that intact so the pants wouldn’t bunch up when walking.
Immediately after cutting out the light pair, I ran it through my sewing machine with that herringbone stitch (the zigzag triangles) to “seal” the fabric edge and prevent fraying. It gives it kind of a bubbly textured look if you look closely, but if you’re not about that life, you could cut out an extra inch and hem it back for a straight clean line.
I then carefully lined up all the hemlines, light to dark, pinning as flat and evenly as possible. Then, hand sewing. Bane of my novice cosplay life.
First I stitched hemline to hemline so it would be precisely centered, then again along the edges of the light fabric. So I sewed this thing by hand three times, paying special attention to the area where the legs intersect since that’s where the most friction from walking and picking up inventory items and the like will wear. Just sew along existing hemlines. It can be sloppy; no one will ever see your stitches--unless you turn it inside out to make a semi-tutorial for strangers on the internet, and then they’ll laugh at you.
If you feel fancy, you can add the thick patches on Graham’s trousers. I didn’t bother at the time because it felt like a bit much, but I do really like those patches. Maybe someday.
Also, you should probably handwash this piece too. Unless you trust your sloppy stitches more than I trust mine.
Boots!
I’ma tell you a secret: my absolute favorite part of all of Graham’s outfit is the boots. I love them. I want a real pair. Like, with actual metal bits, not cheap eBay boots and shoe goo and hope. The boots are at least a quarter of the reason why I made this costume in the first place.
And yet, the boots were the last thing I made, more than a year after completing the rest of the costume. I wore shin-high lace up boots in the meantime, and it was fine, but knee length is truly the ideal silhouette against your cloak. It does make a difference.
I’ve made boot covers before (Lynne, Ghost Trick, bright red), and it’s fine, but it’s also frustrating. I highkey recommend just modifying a regular boot. There are lots of gorgeous, expensive options out there, but in the end I settled for a bootleg boot from China (you know, the ones that are “fashion” but which all use the same stock image and are fake mimics for a fraction of the cost on eBay) for a grand total of...$25.00, with shipping. Ye boi.
According to the receipt this boot is an.....”American Rag Ada Round Toe Synthetic Over the Knee Boot.” Cool, deffo bootleg.
Another secret: I put gel inserts in both the toe and the heel, I wear gel-ankle socks over my regular socks, and I stuff the heels with leftover plushie-making cotton fluff. Because bootleg boots are cheap and blistery, and comic con floors are hard enough even with a nice sturdy pair of shoes, so seek every advantage you can. More cotton fluff. More! Stuff it in there! And also wear your favorite patterned socks, because it’s my tutorial and I said so.
Okay, back to the store. Get the following things: a small amount of stretchy black fabric, a small amount of gray fabric, a sheet or two of craft foam, a tube of shoe goo, and popsicle sticks or some other way to “paint” the goo. Also an audiobook to help pass the time. (can you believe no one’s recorded the King’s Quest novels into an audiobook form, how tragic.)
Using some of the boundless scrap you have from the rest of this cosplay, determine how wide you want the black pieces to be, and maybe the gray while you’re at it. That fully depends on your boot.
Cut out your black for the front and back pieces. They won’t be pure rectangles, but have a trapezoid curve to them to mimic the shoe curve. Pin and hem.
Apply shoe goo around the whole section of the boot you’re covering, as flat and even as possible, and stretch, apply, and pin your black fabric into place. Do little detail work with the popsicle sticks, and once it’s all pinned, leave to dry for a while. Ideally, overnight, so the glue can set.
Go play King’s Quest again or something while you’re waiting. It’s not like you have anything else to do, right?
This boot happened to already have a buckle on the back which I wrapped in gray fabric to mimic the silver on Graham’s heels--your boot probably doesn’t have this, so use this following method instead.
To get the silver cuffs, I cut out foam (you might have to look around for foam in a good thickness, or glue multiple sheets together--mine is, uh....the thick foam my bose headphones came in.....), and glued fabric over it. Then I glued the foam/fabric curve to the shoe, pinned it in place, and walked away again. I sure hope you like your audiobook. There’s a lot of downtime here.
This method works for the anklets too. Wrap foam entirely in black fabric. Hilariously, since it’s foam, I didn’t have any trouble pushing it through my sewing machine to add the gray on top of the black. Another secret: my anklets connect via elastic, so I can get the boots on while still having a snug anklet. No, it probably doesn’t look great if you’re walking right behind me, but there’s that 5 foot rule of cosplay that means no one should see it, and who’s staring at my heels anyway, that’s weird.
Cut thin regular plain sheet foam in the right size to fit over your toe. To achieve the curve, cut out little notches (you can just see a discarded notch in the included picture), then glue the edges together again sans notch. Bam, curve. Cover in fabric, glue to the toes of the boots like everything else, pin, and wait until dry (yes, overnight again--I did tell you about the audiobook).
And that’s that! (At least, for me: I have not done the laces on the front, or cut out the knee guard, or anything that requires actual intensive boot modification because I was in a hurry to go meet Christopher Lloyd and on a deadline and forgot to come back to it. No, for reals. Comic cons are magic places.) It’s held up for two full years at cons and renfests and even in a light rain without trouble, tho I do need to touch up some of the edges a bit.
Put the whole thing together: jerkin, cloak, cowl, trousers, boots. You’re looking fiiiine. All the cool cats are jealous of your sweet new kicks.
And with that, all the giant heavy pieces of your cosplay are done! It’s just accessories and details left. And the adventuring cap, one might argue the most important piece of all. But we’ll get there. Probably. As long as this is helping someone.
#King's Quest#kings quest#King Graham#cosplay#okay i admit i'm stalling because i don't remember how i made the hat#i'll get to it maybe#tutorial
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If you only read one post, make it this one!
so basically thought I’d do a top tip run through of my journey with a frame, starting at the hospital stay when it first went on and the challenges I faced and how I hope to help anyone else with it.
TOP TIP; take all the pain medication they give you because in the early days although it may not be hurting at that current time, when the pain does settle in it is very difficult to get rid of / overcome, so best option is to keep onto the pain meds. I’d say to carry on with the 4 x 2 paracetamol a day until you are really ready to give it up, first couple months I was on this and dihydrocodiene. I was also put on zapain and Amitriptyline for my nerve pain / sleep issues. obviously please seek doctors advice on medication as everyone is different. I was told to avoid anti-inflamitories as it can effect the bone healing process. Additionally when you’re in hospital if the physios come around to see you, trust them and your leg. I was walking with crutches around the hospital about 36 hours after the operation. when you leave the hospital, you’ve had a trauma so don’t over do it, but weight bearing is essential for bone growth when treating it this way so the more you can do it / the earlier you feel comfortable and confident to do so the better. (Took me around 3 months to really trust my leg and it’s really put a set back in my recovery)
Please don’t beat yourself up when you’re not back to “normal” straight away! we take such minor things like walking for granted, or walking with a cup in your hand. don’t think any less of yourself for asking for help. we all need it sometimes.
Physio therapy - I go weekly to a frame class which has been great both for physical rehabilitation and the mental side of the recovery, everyone at the class is at a different stage of recovery and went through the same challenges I faced so was good to have the moral support of those and the OT that comes around with goal setting activities and tips on diet / exercise / sleeping / clothing / practicalities of the frame. I also had quite a few hydrotherapy sessions which massively helped my with the confidence to put weight through the leg fully. 👩⚕️🦵💪 took me three months to trust my leg and the frame and once I started walking it wasn’t pretty but it was progress, I know I should’ve trusted it earlier and it was mind over matter. I’ll put my traditional workout at the bottom for anyone who’s interested😊
Sleeping with the frame. I really struggled to sleep at the start of this, but elevation is the key. I put my leg on two pillows and then a blanket under my foot so I wasn’t constricted to the ex-gaitor overnight, the hospital did provide me with a lug cuff to tie around the foot and attach to the frame but I didn’t get on with it. dependent on how high your frame goes and where the pins are it may be possible to sleep on your side but I’ve found that I can only sleep on my back, luckily I have a double bed that I don’t have to share so can sleep diagonally for more comfort. During the winter I adapted a pillow case to go around the frame so the metal wasn’t cold on my other leg. Doing a full body relaxation / mindfulness programme could really help settle you down for the night. additionally at the start napping is brilliant, if you’re tired and have time for a nap then do so. 😴🛏
Clothing - many different things you can do with adapting clothing, I have cut the legs of many pairs of leggings so I can minipulate bit over the frame and then use a mini skirt / scarf / pillow case to cover the frame. stretchy trousers, poppers joggers and large shorts have also been useful. Dresses were also very useful for me too. you can can the seams and Velcro or zipper the side of clothing but I didn’t have the skills to do so. Pyjama shorts / clothing are normally quite stretchy / baggy so I got myself a couple new pj sets and loungeware that have really helped. Underwear snags easily but with all clothing dress the frame leg first to reduce the snagging and always reduces the stress and frustration of getting dressed! additionally when you undress, undress the good leg first so leaves you more manoeuvre room with the frame. Keeping the frame covered does help reduce chances of infection and protects the leg as the metal is in your bones, if the frame gets too hot or too cold then it goes through. My foot was very swollen for lots of the recovery and I found that in winter my toes were very cold so ended up cutting the elastic of my socks so they could go on. For shoes I had an exgaitor shoe that attached to the frame and held my foot up, but as long as it fits under the frame you can wear trainers, flip flops, converse etc. I tended to wear a trainer on the left foot. 👟👗👚 the main issue with the clothing, bed sheets or towels is snagging, I am replacing all of the above once the frame is off! Some people found that wrapping the frame allowed clothing to go over / on easier without snagging. cling film, scarves and bandages were all mentioned by people in my group!
Showering - when your doctor clears you, nothing nicer than getting in the shower. I was washing myself from the sink for a very long time but once I invested in a shower stool it was a game changer. if you’re still unsteady on your feet, whack on swim wear and get someone to help you, I put a slip proof mat in front of the stool which was level with my bath so I could sit and then swing my legs in. I had my own towel and flannel to reduce the chances of any infection. once I dried the leg I then cleaned with the solution and wrapped any pin sites that needed wrapping. 💦🚿 on the topic of pin sites, they will ooze a bit when you start walking as they move naturally with your leg, but if you are worried about an infection, see the GP asap. I had one and the skin was red, was hot, felt unwell in myself and the pinsite was painful and very oozy. you’ll also know your body and frame better than anyone so if something changes or feels different get it checked 🦵 (drying the frame can be tricky and fiddly but a cheat I’ve used is to lightly put the hair dryer over it and get the droplets of water off that way)(not to close to the skin though as the frame does heat up really quickly)
Life in general - please don’t let the frame run your life. I had to give up work and driving but it can be very isolating. get out and about as much as you can or have family and friends over for a cup of tea / glass of wine or a pint. I had an active job so couldn’t go back for health and safety but a few people I know with the frames have gone back to office work with one on. People will point and they will stare in public, most people are lovely about it and will ask questions or try and help in any way they can. Meal prep is something that I found really helpful in my recovery, it allowed me to feel useful and do physio weight transfer exercises without thinking too much about it, for example stiring pasta sauces or cutting an onion. even things like making a drink and being able to carry it back into the room seem like such tiny things but it’s amazing. Going up and down stairs can be tricky with a frame but the physio will reach you how to use crutches to do it, either that or using the banister/wall. Coming down I found harder and my foot was at an angle due to the size of the frame. At the start I went up and down on my bottom which was cheating a bit but I didn’t have the energy to walk. a bad habit I soon had to get out of! 😂
Diet and Supplements - my surgeon had me on vitamin D supplements as well as Zinc/Magnesium. Additionally you’re told to try and take more calcium as it’s for bone strength and density. In regards to diet although you’re not doing as much during the day it’s important to keep the calorie intake at a normal rate, try eating lots of fibre, vegetables, fruit, protein etc. It’s also recommended that you lower your caffeine, fizzy drink and alcohol consumption. towards the end of my journey I was also put on vitamin C supplements but again please consult with a doctor before taking supplements 💊
Adjustments - if you have to do any adjustments my top tip would be to take your baseline medication at the same times you do your adjustments, so when I did mine it was at 8am, 12pm, 4pm and 8pm so I took my paracetamol at those times and then tended to take a stronger pain killer at about 10pm before I went to bed to ease the pain over night. The adjustments are meant to be staggered so it’s not too much in one go but I found the closer I was to the end of the programme the more it ached. Don’t worry if you hear any bone clicking, this was common for me. common side effects during the adjustments were achy pains, oozing pin sites, fatigue (napping between the 12 and 4 rotations was common for me) pins and needles and general discomfort. if you miss a turn don’t bulk do it, the programme is set for the way the bone should be, if you miss one simply postpone everything a day and start doing them a day behind when you’re meant to.
Swelling, elevation and anything else - swelling I found was really bad so elevating the foot was key, I am lucky enough to have reclining sofa’s so can now pop it out and elevate like that, but at the start I couldn’t lift my leg that high, so it started with a couple pillows on the floor and then a beanbag under it and then I worked up to the recliner. taking shoes and socks off also helped reduce the swelling. 🦶 if you have an adjustment programme then take your paracetamol baseline throughout as some days can be very painful. During the healing process your leg may feel itchy, swollen, hot, pins and needles, achy, painful. you may hear some clicking but I’ve been assured this is all normal. If The frame gets too hot or too cold then you will feel it in your bone, keep it well wrapped in the winter months and loosely covered from direct sunlight in summer. Transport is an issue for many and debating whether sitting in the back of the car with your leg across the back seats or the front and pushing the chair right back is a difficult decision. I found that the front seat is more comfortable and I felt less bumpy when sitting there than the back seats.
Mentally and Physically - as a therapist I understand how important mental health and wellbeing is. During this process there will be times where you feel low and days where you don’t want to get out of bed or wish things were different, if those feelings are becoming normal or overwhelming for you or your support system, please contact a GP about it. The journey with the frame is like a rollercoaster, you’ll be up and down, round and round. Speaking about your emotions to a support system can really help, please don’t isolate yourself! try and live day to day activities as normal as you can, adapt to life with a frame. get out the house and see your friends, staring at the same four walls isn’t healthy for you. Mental health is just as important as physical health, you won’t be able to fully recover if you’re not healthy in both mind and body. Headspace is a great app for mindfulness and relaxation techniques if this is something you think would be helpful.
So there are my top tips and experiences, can’t currently think of anything else that I haven’t mentioned somewhere in this post. Everyone will have good and bad days, the people around you are also affected by the frame and impact it has on both your and their lives.
Keep up with the medication, supplements, physio / hydro, keep your step count high and your spirit higher. Surround yourself with people who care and please don’t be afraid to ask for help or take a day off to rest. I am currently also on ultra sound machine for the break hoping to see some progress with that on the next X-ray.
I have never used a wheel chair (apart from in the hospital) to get around, always went out with crutches but know a few of the others in the group have used mobility scooters as an extra sense of security and reassurance when going out in public. Don’t be scared to ask for help or if you are walking don’t worry about being slower than people or needing frequent stops.
If you’re having a good day, do those extra 100 steps or whatever your targets are, it makes up for those down days where you barley move! 😃
General physio routine / circuit
- leg press 5 x 10 reps, single leg. I do 35kg on the frame leg and 45kg on the non frame leg. I then do 2 x 10 reps of 45kg using both legs.
- wobble board I do 5 minutes front and back and then 5 minutes side to side, also try and do a few minutes balancing it in the middle. (This is really helpful at the start of therapy as it helps weight transference.
- 10 minutes cross trainer on level 10. sometimes I have to do this is two 5 minute stints as it very hard work.
- step ups x30 left leg first, x30 right leg first. this one I have to do next to the bars as sometimes when putting the framed leg up first I want the extra support. (Try and do this on the stairs at home too)
- stairs - just go up and down a few times, at the start of the journey it was both legs onto the same step but now i try and alternate my legs. Going down is much harder to alternate and I still need the hand rails for support. (Do this at least twice a day at home)
- tip toe and heel dips, after I’ve done the stairs I remove my exgaitor shoe and do some tip top and heel dips, this is to try and gain the movement in my toes and ankles. I have to use both hand rails for support on this one. (Can do this one easily at home with the stairs too so try and do it once a day)
- trampet, on this one I also do it shoe less and it’s just about trying to increase the ankle range of movement. I either do marching / high knees or do something similar to the side to side on the wobble board rolling my foot.
- calf stretches, medicine ball squats, tightrope style walking and side steps are also part of the routine of i feel like I need them. I also like to stand on my bad leg and stretch/tap the good leg at 6-12 positions on a clock but do it slow and controlled. My physios have also tried throwing and catching making me stretch on the frame leg, we tried a game of football where I could only kick with the unframed leg. Hydrotherapy was also a big part of my road to recovery as it allowed me to get the weight transference and help my knee bends! hula hooping was also an exercise I did when I was struggling to load the frame leg, it just allows you to work on balancing yourself and the weight evenly. could be worth giving it a go if you’re able to stand unaided. Additional help for the knee bend I found was putting a plastic bag under the foot and bringing your knee back, i found it worked best on tiled/wooden flooring so I did this in my bathroom sat on the toilet. Push and pull your leg/foot forwards and backwards. this was great for the first month or so when I was really struggling.
#broken leg#external fixator#external frame#frame#ilizarov#ilizarov frame#leg#taylor spatial#taylor spatial frame#exgaitor#recovery#progress#blog#experience#help#idea#Fixator#leg frame#ex gaitor#inspiration
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I’ve been super busy getting the last of my costume orders finished for this skating season, but I really needed to take a break, so I found some time to get this Burda review up. The McCall’s Early Fall collection also just dropped, so look for my take on that coming later next week. I will be taking a break from sewing/blogging/etc. during nationals, so I may be late posting when the Burda Fall/Winter envelope collection releases in a few weeks (traditionally it comes out the last week of July), but I’ll be sure to post any developments on that front when I resume blogging in August.
With scheduling out of the way, on to the August Burda!
I’m not really sure how I feel about this issue; I think it’s going to be something of a slow burn for me. There isn’t anything that jumps out and screams “Make me naaaaoooooooow!” but there also isn’t anything that is really off-putting either. I think August is full of lots of very wearable designs that would be good for a transitional wardrobe as we head towards fall, and I expect this could be one of those “I’m so glad I have it in the stash” sorts of issues. I definitely feel like it is less of a fashion forward issue, and more of a fashionable everyday wear sort of issue. Which can also be good, but is just less exciting at first glance. Anyway, as always, there is a lot to see, so let’s take a look:
First up, the dresses:
I like this faux wrap shirt dress quite a bit. I even find it grows on me the more I look at the images. I’d consider making it with a 3/4 length sleeve as well, as the thought of wearing a full-length sleeve at the moment is ridiculous. I do very much like the design and styling of this dress though.
Another dress win for me. I love the neckline and raglan sleeves, and the overall style looks pretty comfortable.
I wouldn’t be that excited by the line drawing, but this looks so pretty on the model and in the garment photo! I think Burda’s use of an abstract graphic print does quite a bit to elevate this design.
Another dress where the line drawing isn’t doing it for me, but the print and styling really sell it. Nice to see an “interesting” sleeve treatment that isn’t a ruffle fest.
I really like the relaxed fit for the top of this dress. I’d either make it longer (as a dress) or shorter (as a tunic top) for myself because I’m not a fan of a mid-thigh length dress.
The style lines on this jumper are quite pretty, but the styling is so 80s. I mean, it is a good way to showcase a ruffle blouse, but it also looks really dated.
There aren’t many jackets this month, but the ones here have interesting features:
I’m not much of a cocoon coat girl, but I really love the softly curved details on this version. The matching lines of the sleeves and hem are a nice touch, and the garment really comes to life on the model.
Not sure what to call this western shirt/bomber jacket mash up…thing. Part of me is excited by the innovation, and part of me thinks it is a total miss. Of all the looks, this one leaves me the most conflicted.
Pretty. This makes me think of a tailored kimono, which feels oxymoronic, but there it is. I love the collar and the slightly puffed sleeve. The sleeve trend isn’t really dead yet, but it’s sort of being scaled down to reasonable levels, which is refreshing. I think this is a great jacket for fall; not too heavy but enough of a cover for when that slight chill hits the air.
These cocoon cardigans feel like they are everywhere, so I’m not surprised to see one in Burda this month. Looks like a super simple project, and really cozy style.
It’s been a while since we’ve had a vest; I like it. I mean, I’m not really that excited by the ruffle pockets, but the overall fit and use of contrast fabric on the back is quite nice.
There are a lot of tops this month:
The blouse version of the neon orange leopard dress. I like this top. I’m not sure I’d want all the dangling ties everywhere (I feel like I’d get annoyed by that), but I’ve been into a relaxed silhouette this year, especially now that it’s so warm. There’s nothing especially exciting in this pattern, but it looks like a nice casual everyday sort of shirt.
I wasn’t too excited by the line drawing, but the print version of this blouse is really grabbing my attention. Well, the model photo is anyway. The overall effect is stunning. I think this could be nice in a lighter fabric with some drape. The yellow variant just looks super stiff and uncomfortable.
A nice halter for those last days of summer. I’d totally make this to wear to a summer concert or outdoor event.
Top version of the dress from above. The sleeves are more subtle in a print, here they almost look too heavy in proportion to the rest of the outfit.
LOVE THIS TOP. Love it! I want it in all the colors and all the stripes. All of them.
Since this is the season of separates, there are lots of bottoms too:
The pocket details on this skirt are actually pretty cool. I don’t really wear skirts much, especially at this length, but I appreciate the vibe here. Plus, having somewhere to rest your hands is great.
I really like this skirt though! It looks easy to make, and nice to wear for summer.
The paperbag waist is a trend that’s been going around recently; have to say that these are some of the nicer paperbag pants I’ve seen. Enough to honor the trend, but not so much as to have the look consumed by it.
Hard to tell if it is a bow detail or a welt pocket detail, but either way, these are pretty cute capris.
Love the waistband detailing here! Might have to steal that and put it on a few other trouser styles from previous months…
The Burda Plus this month is actually really good:
Love this blazer! Single buttons are my favorite, and I love the juxtaposition of the sharp hem and soft shoulders. Very classy, and very modern. Chic.
These pants are cool! The seam details are great, and I love the added pipping. And I think they have a half-elastic waist, so they should be easy to construct pull-ons. Plus, those in seam pocket? Super cool.
Another design with subtle seaming details that as so chic.
Not my style, but the drafting on those sleeves has got to be sort of fascinating.
Really like this blouse. The very subtle sleeve detail is nice; not too over the top, and the overall simplicity of this blouse makes it great to wear with a variety of pieces. Could be a very versatile wardrobe item.
I love that the Burda Plus got a skirt that is almost identical to the regular sizes! Plus, the elastic in the back is a great way to elevate the look while still keeping the comfort a priority.
Ok, Burda went nuts in the Kids section – it’s all so cute!
The fox dress with the paws as pockets? And a freaking horse sweater? Adorable. Plus, that jacket pattern looks super useful for the school year, and having a rainbow jacket is totally something I would have loved as a kid.
And that’s it! Another month of Burda heading our way. Choosing the best and worst patterns was a real challenge this month, since so many of these styles are in the “good” but not “mind-blowingly great” category. It was hard, but in the end I decided to give Best of BS August 2018 to:
The Burda Plus pants! I’m a bit surprised I picked this pattern, but it has so many great features I felt like it had to win. Plus, Burda made pull on elastic waist trousers look super classy in a wild green print; they deserve all the props for that. It was a tough choice between this and the tailored kimono style jacket, but I really felt like the pants pattern had enough fun features to take the win.
And, finally, BWTF goes to:
The western bomber. I want to like it, but I just can’t. The neck tie just really takes it to a whole different level of costume. And the tabs on the cuffs? This jacket just feels so confused.
And that’s it! Going through it more closely, I do find that there are a fair number of patterns I really like, but I’m still lacking the impact and wow factor I had from that yellow coat in the January issue or even some of the dresses from May or June. I’m certain I’ll make patterns from this month (especially that diagonal striped top), and I know I’ll be glad to have this in the stash a bit later in the year. What do you all think? Is August maintaining the Burda momentum for 2018? Or does this month feel a little lackluster in comparison to some of the totally awesome issues we’ve had so far this year? What are your top and bottom picks for the month? How do you feel about the crazy western bomber jacket design? Feel free to discuss it all in the comments!
August 2018 BurdaStyle Magazine #sewing #fallfashion #magazine #patterns #BurdaStyle #Burda #obsession I've been super busy getting the last of my costume orders finished for this skating season, but I really needed to take a break, so I found some time to get this Burda review up.
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Why The 1950s Is The Most Stylish Decade Right Now
http://fashion-trendin.com/why-the-1950s-is-the-most-stylish-decade-right-now/
Why The 1950s Is The Most Stylish Decade Right Now
There’s a key moment in The Wild One, the 1954 youth-ploitation movie in which an outlaw biker gang runs rampant through Hicksville USA, when a starstruck girl inquires of their ringleader, an impeccably leather-jacketed, cuff-jeaned, scuff-booted, 1950s fashion icon Marlon Brando, “Hey Johnny, what are you rebelling against?”
Brando’s response, with a world-weary sigh: “What’ve you got?”
The short answer, at least in sartorial terms, was: quite a lot. The early years of the decade were a style desert, a buttoned-up hangover of rigid post-war conformity in which even the maddest of men were trapped in grey-suit lockdown; but a great loosening-up had begun to occur by the time Brando roared into town.
Rock ‘n’ roll music, Beat poetry, and the abstract expressionists were leading the countercultural charge, and fashion took its cue from their let-it-all-hang-out ethos; cuts became looser, collars lost their starch, and elements of sportswear, workwear, and military uniform began to find their way into the everyday wardrobe.
What Is 1950s Style?
This was a time when some of today’s style staples – the turtleneck, the denim jacket, the knitted polo – were starting to come into their own, worn with an air of studied nonchalance, if not a sneer at the be-hatted corporate drones. But perhaps nothing symbolised the new, rebel-yell era more potently than the elevation of the humble white T-shirt.
Formerly a military-issue undergarment, it was suddenly draped across the decade’s most iconic chests; Brando got sweaty in one in 1951’s A Streetcar Named Desire, while James Dean brooded in one in Rebel Without A Cause (1955). Even Arthur Miller was pictured in one at his writing desk. “It became a kind of visual shorthand for rebellion,” says G. Bruce Boyer, fashion historian and author of True Style: The History and Principles of Classic Menswear, who was himself a teenager in the 1950s. “It represented the appropriation of blue-collar clothing for those who refused to buy into corporate society.”
Meanwhile, rockers like Elvis Presley left more formal dress codes, well, all shook up, replacing trilbies with slick quiffs, ties with button-down shirts, and fusty flannels with featherweight fleck-linen jackets. Jack Kerouac and the Beats made a fetish of utilitarian workwear, both in their lives – in their plaid shirts and beat-up blouson jackets – and in their literature: “His dirty work clothes clung to him so gracefully, as though you couldn’t buy a better fit from a custom tailor but only earn it from the Natural Tailor of Natural Joy,” writes Kerouac of Dean Moriarty (inspired by real-life Beat hipster Neal Cassady) in 1957’s On The Road.
Leading the pack of unruly artists, Jackson Pollock sported splattered denim overalls when creating his epoch-making drip paintings: “A lot of artists in the 1930s and 1940s dressed like accountants,” says Boyer. “Jackson and his peers wanted to look like the antithesis of that.” In their decisive break with sartorial tradition, the 1950s rebels found their ultimate – and most enduring – cause. “They broke the mould,” says Boyer. “And we’re continuing to live with their legacy.”
What Does 1950s Fashion Mean Today?
“I wanted to try and push some freedom into the men’s collections,” Miuccia Prada has said, “and one of the best ways I found of doing that was to reference a time – the 1950s – when men first found the freedom to express themselves with their clothes.”
While many brands have rebooted the classic 1950s fashion – high-waisted trousers, Perfecto leather jackets, Cuban-collar shirts, penny loafers – Prada have done more than most to keep the faith while adding a modern twist; witness their recent collaboration with Mr Porter that consisted of striped bowling shirts, checked Harrington jackets, graphic knitted polos, suede blousons, and loafers in Prada’s own Spazzolato leather. “The 1950s was a time of celebration and optimism,” said Mr Porter buyer Daniel Todd, “and the collection reflects that.”
Prada x Mr Porter
Fifties styles are also increasingly relevant at a time when traditional dress codes have broken down, and a well-placed knitted polo, textured sport coat, or pair of pleated trousers will add an air of breezy insouciance and smart-casual confidence to a work-or-play outfit.
“We’re at a similar point to the 1950s themselves, in some ways,” says the tailor and designer Timothy Everest. “Separates have largely replaced suits in most offices, so people need to find different ways to stand out. A lot of the shapes and patterns that are key to that – from the wider-leg trouser to the fine-checked blouson jacket – came to prominence in that decade.”
Reiss
And other modern designers aside from Mrs Prada – Lucas Ossendrijver at Lanvin, Pier Piccioli at Valentino – have put their own spin on some of those looks, from printed satin bomber jackets to palm tree-print shirts. “The ‘50s styles laid down the marker for modern menswear,” Ossendrijver tells FashionBeans. “They can be reinvented again and again.”
But there’s another reason why 1950s fashion is imperishable; more than half a century after Marlon Brando roared his way into cinematic history, they still carry a whiff of the subversive and the ineffably cool. From Cliff Richard’s urging us to move-it-and-a-groove-it in a drape jacket in 1958 (yes, he was a hepcat once) to a bequiffed Alex Turner donning a Saint Laurent varsity jacket in the 2010s, this particular revolt into style shows no sign of burning out.
As a contemporary issue of Life magazine declared, of the newly-minted species of teenager: “They live in a jolly world of gangs, games, movies, and music. They speak a curious lingo, adore chocolate milkshakes, wear moccasins everywhere, and drive like bats out of hell.” Be honest – sixty years on, who wouldn’t want to channel at least a little bit of that?
1950s Lookbook
Key 1950s Fashion For Men
Cuban Collar Shirt
Nothing says ‘Havana blast’ more than this breezy summer staple, which can trace its history back to the 18th century in South America, where it was a kind of working-class uniform, though it really made a striped, checkered, and Polynesian-print splash in the ‘50s, where it was seen on the back of everyone from Elvis to Montgomery Clift.
With its notch lapel-like collar (also known as a camp or revere collar), short sleeves, and straight, boxy hem, you could think of it as a classier take on the Hawaiian shirt. The modern variant has a more fitted cut and tapered sleeves; wear under a blazer for an off-duty Don Draper effect or roll the sleeves for the full Gene Vincent look. Reiss has a pretty good selection, both plain and printed, or try Timothy Everest’s bold-checked or white-weaved versions.
Pleated Trousers
Those who would see the ‘50s as a bastion of flat-front uniformity in the trouser department didn’t reckon with the hepcats or the rockabillies, who were saying “pleats please” decades before Issey Miyake got in on the act. “The early rockers borrowed heavily from the zoot suits that the jazz musicians of the 1940s wore,” says G. Bruce Boyer. “It was a colourful, exaggerated take on tailoring.”
Pleated trousers create elegant lines and a full silhouette (though any maxi-pleated ‘80s-style take should be avoided, unless you’re heading to a Kid Creole & The Coconuts-themed costume party), work equally well in a formal or casual context, and have the added summertime benefit of allowing air to circulate around the pins. E.Tautz has many versions on offer – the beige cotton chinos are particularly mid-century chic – while Kent & Curwen’s come in utilitarian tan.
Penny Loafers
The classic slip-on shoe (the ‘moccasins’ referred to in Life’s breathless anatomisation of the teenager) has a chequered history – Norwegian fishermen and small-denomination coins factor in at various points – but, for our purposes, it’s enough to know that they became the classic finishing touch for the Ivy League preppy look that blossomed in the ‘50s, and that they’ve been gracing the feet of every well-dressed man since, from Paul Newman – who remains the only man to pair them with white socks and still look cool – to Tinie Tempah.
If you want to go full prep, team an original pair of Bass Weejuns with khakis, navy blazer, Oxford button-down and knit tie (no socks, natch) and avoid the ‘enhancements’ that various designers have felt moved to add in the ensuing decades – zebra print, baroque tassels, Cuban heels, backless iterations with fun-fur trim and so on.
Knitted Polo
The original polo shirt, pioneered by Rene Lacoste, was designed in the ‘20s as a breezy alternative to the heavily starched, long-sleeved whites that tennis players had hitherto laboured in; the knit polo, developed in the ‘50s in fine-knit cottons and cashmeres, was a breezy alternative to the shirt, with patterned versions conferring pizzazz and Riviera-readiness on their wearers.
For confirmation, check out Dickie Greenleaf, as played by Jude Law in The Talented Mr Ripley, all stripe-panel polos, cuffed shorts, and suede loafers, an object lesson in dressing with corniche-owning, bebop flair. Modern-day Dickies can sip their dirty proseccos in retro-futurist versions by the likes of Scott Fraser Collection (sky blue L-stripe) or Uniqlo (plain emerald green).
Blouson Jacket
Where to start with the blouson? Starting out as the Harrington jacket, the sporty, waist-length, zippered, tartan-lined, elastic-cuffed mainstay was initially produced as a lightweight rainproof golfing jacket in the UK in the 1930s (the lining came courtesy of Lord Lovat, a British commando and keen putter who gave permission for his clan check to be used), but really took off after its export to the US in the 1950s, dovetailing with the trend for flight and bomber jackets worn by pilots during World War II and the Korean War.
It was taken up by the decade’s Holy Trinity of style – Elvis, Dean, Steve McQueen – and has since been adopted by subcultures from mods to soul boys and Britpop legends (take a lightweight bow, Damon Albarn and Liam Gallagher). You could do a lot worse than investing in an original Baracuta G9, but Prada’s satin number is a little more Drive, though at an investment-piece price.
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Ravenclaw Sweater Tops The Merch Charts
Ravenclaw Sweater are a huge part of Irish heritage, notably in the Aran Islands the place the sweaters originate. For Ravenclaw Sweatshirt follow the link here.
It can be quite troublesome to get this sort of sweater to look good, and it is probably more suitable for individuals who are more nicely built. Others could by no means give sweater storage a thought and just hold sweaters within the closet with plastic hangers.
Ravenclaw Sweater;
Since the first sweater version was a bit too broad between the wings and drooped within the front, she used string to take it in for a more cosy fit-like the revised sweaters I've made. Wear a red excessive-neck sweater with a pair of white linen pants to your Saturday evening movie date. Sweaters not only serve to cover the poor, bare hens' exposed skin as a barrier from the chilly, but additionally they protect from the other chickens' pure tendency to peck away on the exposed areas of their peers. A brown vest could be matched with pinstripes or a different pattern, colors of the shirt needs to be complimentary, in fact. The sweater artesian will then take 4 to eight sweaters that blend well along with color, distinction and lots of of those beautiful sweaters even make an announcement.
You would not go exterior in the midst of winter or head out throughout rainy weather carrying just your normal garments and a pair of flip-flops, so be sure that your pet can be dressed appropriately always! If you end up putting your sweater back, you must understand that hanging them may cause dents in the shoulders or can make them pull out of form.
Knitted fabrics are typically considerably elastic and have a softer hand (feel or drape) than woven fabric, sweaters which are more tightly fitted or have a soft drape might conform effectively to the body without requiring tailoring obligatory in a woven garment corresponding to darts, flares and gores.
Some women are pear shaped with a smaller upper physique and waist than their backside and legs. I've been on the hunt for cute sweater cuffs that may make good coffee coozies :) Cherished this lens! Buying from wool sweater online store can really help folks in settling upon the very best deal and also valuing funding.
Picture this: lots of Ravenclaw Sweater, sorted by coloration and ready to be made right into a one-of-a-form sweater only for the reward recipient at Christmas. In the course of the cooler climate months when chickens are likely to molt, they lose some or (in some instances) most of their feathers.
Starting from asymmetrical sweaters to belted sweater wraps and sleeveless sweaters these woolen garments can raise one's fashion quotient up just a few notches. There are some suggestions girls have to find out about it before shopping for it to avoid misappropriates appears. This item is actually impressed by the Nightmare on Elm Road films, so it doesn't simply have a sweater. Learn that again and ponder the message you might be sending ladies along with your vibe. Principally plus measurement ladies tops are appropriate when is matched with a pair of leggings. Layering and the benefit with which it permits for temperature regulation is a significant advantage of the sweater as an article of clothing. I was recently at a craft festival the place somebody was promoting mitten produced from recycled sweaters. This merchandise has a whole lot of different stuff for guy avatars, however the sweater appears great on anyone.
Fashionistas throughout the global substratum exemplify how a trendy asymmetrical sweater wrap can rev up one's complete look. Care is taken so that the wool retains its pure oils (lanolin) which give the knitted sweaters their water-resistant high quality. Long beaded neck items or colorful scarves on a stable chilly dress could make heads turn. A warm little sweater or coat on a cold day can make being outdoors a more pleasant expertise for your tiny pooch.
Guests to Vancouver Island or the Cowichan Valley could spot these distinctive sweaters in shops across the West Coast area and they may even see locals sporting them. The grey stripe was a boy's sweater, I minimize the higher a part of the sleeve, after felting both sweaters, then I minimize the cuffs from a black cashmere ladies sweater.
With so many to choose from, to call a number of can be the Patagonian lambswool cardigan sweater which is created from super-smooth three-gauge lambswool. In addition to, we will add some trend accessories when carrying the dress resembling belts or bracelets with a purpose to create more trendy looks. My husband is into felting (all the time haunting our native thrift shops for wool sweaters) so I am going to have to indicate him this. Solutions for the office social gathering include silk blouses and skirt/trousers for ladies, smart trousers and shirt or t-shirt plus jacket for men. I'd recommend to hen owners to not depart your birds unattended while they are sporting sweaters.
In the present day, many of these sweaters are machine-made, but the handmade Aran sweaters can still be bought, though they price significantly more. Sweaters additionally serve to protect injured/rescued hens whereas they heal, they usually permit the hens to remain with their flock reasonably than being separated during the transition.
That stated, there isn't any doubt that earlier than the islanders started making what are at present known as Aran sweaters, they made the same kind of sweater. Crippled canines and cats who spend much or all of their time mendacity down can develop sore spots from sweaters which have underbelly fasteners. Sweater, when the temperature rise to 21 degrees Celsius (70 degrees Fahrenheit) or more, for men, sweater subject is very simple: don't put on. It's now a coveted piece of clothing each amongst women and men and has found a place in wardrobes of all those fashionistas. Supersoft crew neck sweaters are simple to throw on and go for a busy day, however they're good with our womens jeans for extra relaxed moments, too. If the dress has a low neckline, crew it with a thin sweater in a corresponding shade to provide you a whole new look.
This is because machines cannot reproduce lots of the intricate stitches which are seen in Ravenclaw Sweater knitted by hand. First I felted the sweater by inserting it in a pillow case tied shut and washed it with gentle soap for about 30 minutes in extremely popular water. These sweaters won't itch as much as wool sweaters and an individual ought to nonetheless feel snug whereas carrying it. Wool blend sweaters are normally much less cumbersome, however can nonetheless preserve the physique heat. Chunky bracelets and earrings are great equipment to wear with the trendy costume. Did you know that the majority girls knitters made intentional errors in their knitting, so that if a body was recovered after a sea accident, they would be able to identify the body simpler.
Machine-made sweaters are noticeably totally different as they are usually produced from finer wool and have considerably less advanced patterns. Myntra's collection of sweaters is simply what you could brighten gray winter days. They are essentially the most designed to be worn with a pair of leggings pants and every other outfit that matches it. It will depend on the colo0r of the ladies tops that tell one the colour of the pants to be worn. You possibly can add some pizazz to your look by teaming a solid coloration sweater gown with patterned or vibrant shade tights. Rolling a sweater is a much better solution and might assist you to put more of them away in a smaller space. Then seventh and the final tip is to convey your dog with you whenever you buy a dog sweater.
The federal government has designated the Cowichan sweater as an object of national historic significance. These beautiful and sturdy wool sweaters had their genesis with the West Coast Salish people. The cashmere wool has a silky and luxurious touch which makes the cashmere sweater a novel high quality and expensively priced. It isn't simply the top of wool sweaters kinds quite there's a wide variety that continues to be unexplored. So here I'll talk about just a few several types of sweaters you can buy for men.
I was within the mall, at a clothing store, about to carry out a plan to steal a sweater. If I am not busy upcycling old sweaters.. - I may be writing on Squidoo or using my motorbike. Whatever may be your style or style, a properly designed sweater can add oodles of panache to your look. Sweaters are gorgeous tops and a should have because there's at all times one for each occasion they usually come in a million completely different designs which are available in varied shades of random colours! However, many historians agree that these sweaters probably have more recent origins - only courting again to the early 1900s.
Particularly on days when a canine feels arthritic, a dog sweater or coat will provide aid to keep their our bodies at ease. It could possibly be mentioned that the Cowichan sweater tells the story of the Coast Salish knitters and their journey previous poverty and racism. The high quality woollen sweaters are available in numerous pure blends (fibres that increase the wear and tear-potential like stretching) and totally- usual interweaves. In addition to purebred dogs, there are numerous blended-breed canine whose need for sweaters is just as vital. So this means that you should purchase a canine sweater that can do this type of job for your pet. As fishing within the stormy Atlantic was typically harmful work, if a fisherman had been misplaced at sea, he could be identified by the design on his sweater.
The cashmere sweater is among the highest quality forms of sweater as it is constructed from cashmere wool which is taken from the cashmere domestic goats. Because of their bulk, sweaters are by far the most confusing and complicated accessory to retailer. This sort of sweater is nice to wear for outside actions and through raining season. Look fierce by carrying a cropped black or brown ladies's vest with a free, frilly shirt. However, you possibly can change the look of your costume by simply including some fascinating accessories. A girl's winter wardrobe is hardly equipped for the season's festivities with no fabulous sweater.
Designers have wrecked a pleasing havoc within the line of ladies's casual attire, particularly in sweaters. Men will opt for sharp and 'man about city' whereas women need attractive and glamorous. These winter coats for women are in numerous lengths and rely upon a girls taste and preferences. Strive teaming a protracted sleeved ribbed entrance open sweater with black leggings and a white shirt. The Aran islands have been residence to communities of fishermen for centuries and it was they who first wore these sweaters. The funny thing is, the emotions I felt throughout this ordeal have been the same emotions I felt after I approached ladies after I was younger. Also within the spirit of selling, these sweaters are sometimes called fishermen's sweaters to additional drive the point dwelling that Aran sweaters were worn by fishermen.
Thirdly, you'll be able to store for these dog sweaters at many native pet stores which are in your area or yow will discover these in many on-line pet shops. While the men of the Aran islands fished, their wives wove these beautiful cream-coloured sweaters to guard them from the bitter chilly of the Atlantic. Patterns similar to those used in Aran sweaters have been found on Irish megaliths as well as in pictures discovered in the Guide of Kells. The plus measurement girls tops are enticing and make somebody in them appear smart and sexy. Or perhaps a striped sweater shrug with a short costume and boots can be extra your fashion. Whereas the sweater is what we are looking at here, the item also has hair, glasses, and extra. The massive storage bags that will let you collapse things right down to a small width are a good way to retailer your total sweater collection.
Males are extra fortunate in that they can mix and match accessories with a swimsuit which is less complicated and much less time consuming. Since this discovery concerning the properties of wool, the wives of the fishermen improvised a form of sweater for their husbands. Citation wanted Sweatshirts are also almost completely casual apparel and never dressy as some other sweaters could also be. Sweatshirts might or could not have a hood, and will or might not have a zipper. For those who only wore your sweater briefly and find it is not dirty, you can deodorize it by hanging it in the sunshine briefly.
With a purpose to be more noticeable with this sweaters pair it with a straight leg pants, or a skinny jeans if you have skinny legs. A trendy black sweater dress can look professional, in addition to being simple to jazz up for after work actions.
Baja's near-perfect weather is likely one of the most desirable qualities for snow-sure and humidity-soaked explorers like yourself. A Mad Males impressed pencil skirt and designer sweater worn with pointed courtroom footwear and gold earrings will move muster as will a midi dress or a sensible trouser go well with. This legend may have its origins in advertising with the aim of creating an virtually mystical really feel surrounding the sweaters so as to sell extra sweaters. They come in all kinds made for all sorts of occasions from hanging out in the mall to attending events and what's more sweaters are made out of various kinds of supplies so you possibly can pick what fits you best for Ravenclaw Sweater.
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Building Blocks
You wouldn’t know it from this sorry old space, but I’ve been busy sewing up a storm! I suppose the difference between my sewing now and when I started this blog is that now I focus on what will get worn, rather than what would make for interesting reading or pretty photos. So these days I don’t often have anything insightful to say about what I’ve made- most things are pretty straightforward and not terribly interesting as stand-alone posts. So I’m not sharing anything groundbreaking today, but I have been thinking about a few simple little posts about the more streamlined approach I’ve taken with my sewing.
If you follow along on Instagram you’d have noticed a distinct blue flavour to my sewing of late. The thing I love about blue is that different shades of the one colour can be mixed and matched without looking too matchy-matchy. With a few exceptions, almost everything I’ve sewn in the last 6 months has been blue and it makes getting dressed in the morning so easy!
It’s a bit too cold for this first outfit (Alexandra Peg Trousers + Lou Box Top) now but one that got a fair bit of wear up till about a month ago.
Lou Box Top:
Version- straight hem with scoop neck
Made up my own size half way between xxs and xxs-s
Finished armholes with folded over 2cm cuff
Sewn in linen knit remnant bought from Tessuti a year or 2 ago
Verdict- oft worn though oft cursed for crinkliness post-wash
Alexandria Peg Trousers:
Size 36 graded to 38 at the waist
Sewn in soft lightweight denim from Spotlight
Pattern changes:
Shortened legs by 4cm at the hem
Doubled the width of the waistband & sewed channelling for 4 rows of narrow elastic
Altered back pattern piece to match my personal block
Spread back pattern piece along hipline by 1cm at centre back to nothing at the side seam
Verdict: I think a straight size 36 would have worked just fine. I got a bit carried away with the tightness of the elastic waistband and consequently they can feel a bit corset-like after a few hours. The extra-tight waistband also creates more gathers at the waist than I would like. I’d like to try and turn the elastic waistband into a non-stretch one and add darts to the top of the pants.
The second outfit (Brigitte Top, Alexandria Peg Trousers, Drop Pocket Cardigan) is still getting a few runs on warmer days like today.
Brigitte Top:
Size 8 with a 1.5cm wide shoulder adjustment (I have quite narrow shoulders & often actually do narrow shoulder adjustments so maybe give this pattern a miss if you’re a bit broader in the shoulders)
Elbow length sleeves
Sewn in a lovely warm cotton jersey from ClearIt. I used bleached beeswax for the batik pattern and dyed it with Jacquard Procion Dyes (both from Eckersleys)
Verdict: Can’t get enough of the Brigitte Top! I’ve made 6 to date and can’t promise that there won’t be more. It’s definitely my go-to t-shirt pattern. I’m also thrilled with the success of both batik & dye and every new project at the moment is a canvas for experimentation.
Alexandria Peg Trousers:
Sewed channels for 3 rows of elastic and measured it a bit longer.
Switched the original pockets for those from the Ginger Jeans and added three 1cm pleats instead of topstiching.
Sewn in hemp/ cotton chambray from The Drapery. I would be quite happy with a wardrobe sewn entirely from this deluxness!
Verdict: Quite a bit more comfortable with only the 3 rows of elastic. Really don’t want to put these away for the winter & must figure out how to make a warmer outfit with them!
Drop Pocket Cardigan:
A re-make of a worn to shreds version from a few years ago.
Size R, shortened 10cm through the body.
Curved pocket corners at centre front
Made up in merino jersey from The Fabric Store
Verdict:Gets worn about 5 days a week! I need to remember to add jelly elastic to the neckline next time to prevent stretching over my shoulders.
Well, there you have a few very useful additions to my wardrobe! While some of the sewing itself may not be the most challenging, I’ve really been enjoying putting a bit more thought into what I do. I’ll always make time for less practical sewing but there is a certain satisfaction that comes from not sewing wardrobe orphans!
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It seems hard to believe, but we are finally looking at the final Burda magazine for the year! The second half of this year has absolutely flown by; it’s hard to believe we are already looking at things for December. The holiday season is here, and I am in absolutely no way ready for it to hit. But rather than think (or do) anything on my long list of pre-holiday preparations, I’d rather look through the preview for the December Burda. It’s been a pretty good year for Burda, and I think this issue caps it off rather well. The December issue is usually fairly predictable – it’s often a mix of coats, party looks, and PJs. This year, happily, Burda skipped the PJs and gave us some more clothing options for everyone, including children and men. There is plenty to look at in this issue, so let’s get started!
The December issue is always a treasure trove for winter coats:
I really like this. Although the fabric choice hides a lot of the neckline detail, I think this could be a very pretty coat to wear to holiday parties, and it looks great in a fancier fabric.
The shorter French style jacket keeps many of the details and adds a contrasting trim. Probably not my favorite of the the little French jacket variations out there, but it would be a very classy addition to a holiday party look.
I’m so torn on this trench coat! I really like all the piped details, the collar is very unique, and the elastic waist would be very comfortable. However, I also feel like it all adds up to feeling a little cheap? It might just be the fabric choice or color combo, but something about this coat just isn’t making me fall in love with it. Not that I’m hurting for trench coat patterns; I’ve got a long list of patterns from Burda that I want to try. I just feel as though I should like this one more? What do you think? Would a different fabric or color combo help this look? Do you love it as is? How do you feel about the collar and flap details?
Wow. I’ve not been the biggest fan of the sleeve trend this year, but this jacket may make me change my mind. It’s like the perfect balance between jacket and cape, and the military details are killer. Love the way it is styled over the long sleeve shirt too. Probably not the best make if you want to have a real investment piece for a long term wardrobe, but if you are looking for a trendy jacket for the season, this should definitely be high up on the list.
I’m not usually a fan of the boxy cocoon coats either, but this one is winning me over. I think the narrow, tapered cut helps a lot, and I love the contrast collar and cuffs. Very classy details, and it looks great in the bold plaid.
Not exactly sure what craziness is happening in this photo, but the jacket is pretty cute! I’m surprised because again this jacket should read as boxy, but it doesn’t. The fabric choice is pretty cool as well. The pocket details are fun, and the sleeve tabs are a nice detail.
Burda also gives us a lot of great holiday options in the dress department this month:
I don’t think the details read well in the model photo, but the garment photo is a stunner. From the line drawing I’m getting a bit of a spiderweb vibe. Anyone want to make this up in black/white/purple/orange color combos and wear it as a Nightmare Before Christmas dress to a holiday party? Now that I’ve had that vision, I can’t unsee it. I sort of need to make it and take a photo in front of the Disneyland Haunted Mansion Holiday now.
Speaking of Disney, this dress would be perfect for a Mother Gothel Disneybound. On a more serious note, the dress really is quite pretty, and the shoulder detail would be great for a very drapey fabrics. It’s perfect for a low key holiday party – it’s dressed up, but not overdone. I could also see it working great as an everyday sort of dress in a non-velvet.
This dress is another great option for the holidays. The neckline may be a bit low as drafted, but I love the overall lines and silhouette of this dress. Very pretty and classic.
This ruffled collar dress is not my personal style, but it does have some nice details that could be fun to sew. It’s a bit sweet for me, but I do appreciate the way Burda styled it, and it definitely looks like it would belong in one of those minimalist capsule wardrobes that only have clothes in white, black, and peach.
In the plaid this dress is a bit stuffy, but I actually rather like the lines of the dress. The shoulder detail is quite nice. I might leave the bow off myself, but this could be a nice dress to add to a winter wardrobe.
This year we get quite a few tops that could be good for a holiday party:
I feel like I shouldn’t care for this at all, but I sort of love it! The sleeves are on trend, but not overdone, and the added bow in the back is an unexpected detail. What is really selling it for me is the way the garment photo is draping – it gives a much better shape to the body than I would have expected based on the line drawing.
This is one of those patterns that doesn’t look like much to begin with, but Burda picks a cool fabric and then it looks amazing. I’ll chalk it up to Burda’s superpower of making me want to wear distorted rectangles.
It’s hard to comment on this top. The crazy print hides all the potentially cool details. Or maybe the details don’t look cool, and Burda is trying to hide them on purpose. I feel like someone needs to make this in the name of science, just to see if this pattern is awesome or simply weird.
Blouse version of the plaid dress. I think I prefer it as a dress; the peplum vibe on the top isn’t my favorite. But I still like the shoulder detail.
The blouse version of the ruffle dress. I can’t decide if I think the collar detail is fussy or pretty. On me it would probably read fussy, but I think it looks great on the model.
Another top I feel as though I shouldn’t like, but I sort of do. It’s a nod to all the crazy ruffles from the year, without being over the top crazy. It’s another design I don’t know if I’d wear myself, but I find the proportion and diagonal lines of the ruffles somewhat pleasing to look at. It also looks pretty cozy to wear, which is definitely a bonus.
I wish there was a better photo of this sweater on the model, though I don’t really need a close up to know I really like this. I’d totally wear this all day every day if I made it. Looks super comfortable and warm for the winter.
The bottoms this month aren’t quite as inspiring:
I like this skirt, but we’ve had similar versions from Burda in the past. It looks great in the metallic fabric though, so that’s some great inspiration there.
Ruffle hemmed pants are clearly going to be the next big thing. Happily, on these trousers they aren’t so large, and would be easy to leave off, but this is a trend that really doesn’t need to happen.
I’m pretty sure we’ve had variations on this theme from Burda before as well, but they pair nicely with other items, so there’s that.
The Burda Plus section is all about the holiday party looks this month:
I’m torn on this jumpsuit. Although I’ve recently joined team jumpsuit, I’m not sure how I feel about the way this one looks on the model. Perhaps a different fabric for the bodice would improve my opinion somewhat, as the rest of the design looks pretty fabulous. The waistband detail is really pretty, and I could see some great beading or embellishment featured there as well.
A few party dress options. Classy, but still fairly modern with the neckline draping.
Interesting use of the sequin fabric on this top. It definitely elevates what otherwise would be a pretty basic blouse.
Because somebody had to have ruffle sleeves in this issue.
Nice slim fit trousers.
There isn’t a lot for the men, but what we do get is pretty great:
This is such a great jacket! Classic, classy, but not too formal.
Also, fake bow ties for everyone! Totally a great way to get everyone in matching fabrics for a family photo.
Even the kids selections this month are pretty great:
The dresses are a bit plain, but that trench style jacket is gorgeous! It reminds me very much of the classic Burda trench coats from back in the 2006-2009 issues. The dog coat is pretty cute too.
And that’s it! Which means we are at our final Best of BS for 2017:
Military style bell sleeved jacket! I don’t think this is the best photo of the garment; truly the details can best be appreciated by the garment photo itself:
Gorgeous, right? I mean, I feel like this style won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but it’s interesting, somewhat original, and full of great details. It’s definitely a style that feels very “now” – it probably won’t be a timeless classic with infinite life in the wardrobe, but it will definitely add a punch of drama to a winter look this year.
Choosing the BWTF for the month was a little more challenging, as nothing was truly terrible, but I’ve decided to go with:
Ruffle hem jeans. I mean, nothing about this photo makes me think, ooh, yes, gotta get me some of those. I wasn’t super excited about the ruffle trend with the sleeves, but I’m definitely not excited by the prospect of it extending into the trouser patterns as well.
And that’s our final Burda for the year! 2017, despite the madness happening in the rest of the world, has been a pretty strong season for Burda. There have been a lot of great issues this year, with a great mix of iconic looks and wardrobe basics that should give everyone plenty to add to their sewing wishlists. I’ll do my traditional year-long Burda review when we get to the final week of December, but for now I’m going to say that it’s been good, and I’m excited to have my December issue arrive in the mail. What do you all think? See anything here that you want to wear for the holidays? Or is this issue too full of ruffles and flounce to make it to your to-sew list? What do we all think about that pink trench coat? How long will we have to put up with the ruffled trouser trend? Feel free to discuss in the comments!
December 2017 BurdaStyle Magazine #sewing #BurdaStyle #magazine #Burda #patterns #holiday It seems hard to believe, but we are finally looking at the final Burda magazine for the year!
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