#sewing mavens

[themancorialist]

Oldham Street, Manchester.

[snakerdoodlle]

Just got such a strong urge to see Gisa teaching Maven how to sew because I feel like he’d like it/be pretty good at it

[anyroads]

Every so often I come on here to shamelessly plug my Etsy store where I make leather thimbles out of reclaimed offcuts, but today I don't have to because Bernadette Banner apparently did it?? 

Listen. Listen listen listen. I've been making these thimbles for a few years now and every time I think, oh maybe this will end up in someone's sewing bag, maybe it'll be their little sewing friend, or knitting friend, or whatever they use it for, and I will have gotten to make something that means a lot to someone. But I never know! They go out into the world and that's the last I hear of them. So to hear that someone cherishes them?? is so moving. You have no idea. And that it's Bernadette, who's such a brilliant needle maven??? I can't. Shh. I'm not crying, you're crying. 

Anyway, I'm beyond excited. If you want one, I'm linking my store below. I just restocked so I'm about to add a couple new colors, including a gorgeous hunter green that I'm doing my best not to keep all for myself.

[san-sews-seams]

Ithaca Maven just shared a tutorial on adding side seam pockets to a pair of already-constructed pants/trousers, and while it's intended for people sewing their own, I think the instructions would also mostly work for someone with sadly pocketless RTW pants, so I'm throwing a link up here.

[lucy-the-cat]

Do you have an ideas or headconnons about what the Barrow family was up to while Mare was kidnapped by Maven? How it took a mental tool on the family? I just keep replaying the part where Mare’s mom call her sweetheart and put her to bed

Gisa sewed gifts for her everyday, and Papa Barrow's leg burned worse than it did before. They would always set out an empty chair, which Bree and Tramy would fight Ruth over while Gisa and Daniel stayed silent. Ruth held out all hope that she would come back. Tramy would grieve her, certain she would die in the palace. Bree would curse her for surrendering as he held back his tears. Daniel stayed silent through it all, speaking only when spoken to. Gisa would stare at the empty bed in her room, pushing pillows beneath the sheets when the pain got bad. Bree and Tramy plotted several attempts to murder Maven, only to be shocked to learn that Gisa had drafted dozens.

[to-the-fishies]

Garment question, o thou sewing mavens and historical experts! Is there a name for a fabric belt/outside pocket? I'm envisioning something fastened on over a dress - not chained like a chatelaine, not exactly a fanny pack/utility belt/festival belt, not necessarily placed like a sporran or an apron. Is this a thing?

[imjulia-andilikecats]

Mare and Her (Not So) Hidden Talent

Mare, looking at Gisa sew pretty clothes: I wish I could be good at something.

Maven: Oh darling, you are! You have a great talent for making everything difficult.

Mare: I do? 🥺

Cal, popping out of nowhere: YES

Reference: Rear Window (1954)

[somediyprojects]

DIY Salvaged Spool Ottoman

Project by Shelly:

i know ottomans aren’t the most indispensable piece of furniture in the house, but is it criminal to say they bring me the most joy? i think upholstery maven shelly (aka ModHomeEcTeacher) would agree with me; she’s made a whole collection of smart looking ottomans using a range of found fabrics and materials. i am so excited to follow her instructions and craft an adorable plaid ottoman of my very own, just in time to welcome fall. click here to see more of shelly’s amazing work, including her tutorials on everything from upholstering with rugs to aligning atomic legs. thanks, shelly! –kate

When Lowes stopped selling the pre-cut wood circles I used to construct my ottoman frames, it was a dark day. I soon discovered that cutting perfect circles with a hand-held jigsaw wasn’t easy, or even really possible. Weeks later, while roaming the store searching for an alternative, I discovered the empty electrical spools that are routinely discarded. Two perfectly cut round pieces of 5/8” plywood with a removable cardboard cylinder in the middle? Now we’re talking. With a tiny bit of carpentry, I came up with a way to easily re-work these into frames for my upholstered ottomans. I would label this as a mid-level DIY project that you could complete in a weekend. Once you get the hang of it, you these would make fantastic handmade gifts for friends and family. –Shelly

Materials:

-1 20” diameter empty electrical wire spool (hardware stores usually throw these out, so ask about picking them up instead) -8 pre cut 1”x 2”x 6” pieces of wood (a hardware store will cut these for you) -Wood glue -32 1 ¾” screws -A piece of foam (anywhere from 3” to 6” thick and at least ½” larger all around than the wood) -Spray adhesive (Elmers makes a spray adhesive available at the craft store) -Scrap fabric ( this to attach around the ottoman frame measuring about 8” x 65”. An option would be to use a bendable piece of cardboard) -1 ½ yard of cotton or dacron batting -1 ½ yard of 54” wide fabric -¾” yard of scrap fabric to cover the bottom of the finished ottoman -Thread and straight pins -Staples -4 screw on leg plates (hardware store) -4 fabulous ottoman legs (look around for good legs on cruddy, inexpensive Goodwill furniture)

Tools:

-Big marker -Drill -3/32” drill bit and a 3/8” drill bit -Electric knife -Electric stapler -Scissors -Measuring tape -Flat head screwdriver -Pliers (crescent or needle nose) -Sewing machine

Instructions:

Making the frame:

1. Take the spool apart and make a pattern by tracing the circle on a large piece of paper, adding ½” all around for the seam allowance. The pattern will be used for cutting out the foam, batting, fabric and a dustcover for the bottom. Lay aside.

2. Glue and screw 6-8 posts evenly around the outside edge of one wooden circle, then add the other piece of wood on top of the posts and attach. Be sure to keep the wood circles aligned.

Padding:

1. Use the staple gun to attach the long piece of cotton muslin around the outside edges of the top and bottom circles. Keep fabric pulled taut. The fabric serves to fill in the open spaces between the support posts. Cut off excess fabric. (Option: use bendable cardboard)

2. Trace the pattern onto the foam and cut the foam using the electric knife. Keep the knife blades perpendicular to the foam to get a crisp, even cut.

3. Use spray adhesive to glue the foam to the top of the ottoman frame.

4. Trace the pattern onto the batting, cut out. Also, cut out a long strip of batting equal to the total height of the ottoman, from the top of the foam to the bottom edge, plus two extra inches.

5. Pin the batting strip to the batting circle, starting 1” from the short end of the strip and ending 1” from the other end. Stitch in place.

6. Remove from under the sewing machine and stitch the open seam closed and go back and complete stitching that section of the band to the batting top.

7. Trim off the excess seam allowance, turn the batting covering right side out and pull it down on top of the ottoman frame.

8. Measure and mark the batting band (all the way around the covering ) so that it will be stapled evenly from the top seam to the bottom EDGE of the frame. Do not attach the batting to the underneath side of the wood. Attach it to the edge and cut off the excess batting.

Sewing and Upholstering:

1. To make the fabric covering, which is a bit like a snug slipcover, trace the pattern onto the fabric and cut it out.  You’ll need to cut a band of fabric 3” longer than the height of the ottoman and 5” wider than the circumference. If you need to stitch two pieces together to get a long enough piece for the band, split the circumference measurement in two and add 3 extra inches to each piece.

2. To prepare the fabric covering for stitching, fold one short end of the cut fabric band over 1” with wrong sides together.  With the right side of the band to the right side of the fabric circle, patterns matching, pin and begin stitching at the folded short edge all the way around to the other short end. Overlap the excess fabric 2” past the folded short end. Cut off any excess fabric beyond the 2”. Pin and stitch the overlapping fabric to the seam.

3. Turn the fabric covering right side out and topstitch the folded seam closed from the bottom of the band to the top seam.

4. Pull the fabric covering down over the dacron covered ottoman. Adjust the fabric pattern and straighten so the pattern or plaid is aligned.

5. Pull the fabric down firmly and staple in place evenly and snugly.

Upholstery Tip: It works best to start with one section and attach with a few staples, move to the opposite side and do the same. Then repeat for the other sides. Attach the fabric between the set staples by smoothing and easing in the fabric.

Attach Legs:

1. Measure and mark the bottom of the ottoman base for leg attachment.  Place the leg plates on the marks to make sure they are equidistant from each other. Mark the center hole of the plates. Use the 3/8”drill bit to drill out the center hole. You can also do this step prior to putting the fabric on (as shown below).

2. Cut out a dustcover from scrap fabric and attach it to the bottom of the ottoman by folding the edge under ½”.

3. Locate the drilled holes, line the leg plates up, screw the leg plates on using a Phillips head screwdriver or the drill.  Attach the legs to the plates.

VOILA!

[ambiguouspuzuma]

Happy Worldbuilding Wednsday!

What is the healthcare like in Archipelago?

Happy Worldbuilding Wednesday, and thank you for the ask!

One of the Tal Elisan pillars, the Pillar of Blood, is devoted to the study of healing. All of the great cities recruit graduates from the various pillars, but there are also a good number of sawbones who learn healing as more of a trade - picking it up on the job, usually as an apprentice, rather than receiving the theoretical education first.

Some of the mavens' chapters cover the Tal Elisan side, but I will share this excerpt from Maresa's POV which illustrates the difference between the two:

Gab wasn’t the first noble she’d been called to treat. She’d made her way up through the pyramid’s tiers on a ladder built of sickbeds, improving her own lot in life as she saved theirs. Most healers were from wealthy families, some even with second names of their own, and almost all were sent to the Pillar of Blood for their training before they were allowed to practice amongst Victory’s great and good. But Maresa had never had a formal education of any kind. She couldn’t even read, except for the way her fingers could read a wound and write it a conclusion: she was simply exceptionally gifted with her hands. In another life, she might have been an artificer or an artist, a tailor of the finest robes, but in this one she had used her skills to cut and sew skin instead. She knew little of fevers and poxes and parasites, but when one of the city’s champions needed a cut patching up, they came to Maresa to do it. Her stiches were the most delicate, the quickest to heal, and left the least trace: except for when they wanted a small, fashionable scar, in which case she was able to do that as well. When it came to matters of the flesh, Victory’s luminaries eschewed their trained mavens to call for the common girl with the magic touch. Never serving as an apprentice hadn’t stopped her from becoming a master. Some of her patrons had suggested she should go to Blood and become even better, the most skilled healer in the Crown Isles, but Maresa didn’t see how years studying the dancing plagues that had once decimated Tal Luana would make her any better at treating wounds. If she came across a crowd of people dancing themselves to death in wild hysteria, she would refer them to a maven. But simple complaints usually had simple solutions, and she didn’t intend to cloud her brain with problems she could solve with her hands.

[denimbex1986]

'...Chekhov it Off the List

Don’t act like we didn’t all fall in love with actor Andrew Scott a little bit after his iconic performance as the priest in that Fleabag show. Scott catapulted himself into the consciousness of pretty much anyone with a heart, and he put that goodwill to good use for his production of Vanya last year, a take on the Chekhov classic Uncle Vanya. Previously, Scott toured the production wherein he went the one-man-show route across multiple roles. Some critics hailed the choice as daring, while others wondered why it was necessary...'

[hotel-supplies]

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To complement our bedding and toiletries, we offer a wide selection of in-room amenities. Our range includes coffee and tea makers, glassware, and hospitality trays, ensuring guests can enjoy refreshments in the comfort of their rooms. Hairdryers, irons, and ironing boards are also part of our inventory, providing the convenience that travelers expect. We supply durable, easy-to-use products that meet hotel industry standards for reliability and guest satisfaction.

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By focusing on practical, durable, and cost-efficient products, Maven Supplies ensures that hotels of all sizes have access to the supplies needed to operate smoothly and enhance guest satisfaction. With a reputation for reliability and a strong understanding of the hospitality sector, Maven Supplies is the trusted partner for hotel supplies across Australia.

[vyntheshork]

This will be a long one. Doing each question for Silvia and Ajira.

1. Silvia: Warrior, Ajira: Monk

2. Neither explicitly cast magic, with the exception of healing spells or other small-scale necessities.

3. Silvia doesn't worship anyone, Ajira worships Azurah (Khajiit manifestation of Azura)

4. Silvia would be hated most by Miridia and Stendar, being undead and all that. Ajira would be hated by Varmiina (Khajiit manifestation of Vermina) for following Azurah

5. Silvia once thought about joining the Fighters Guild in Cyrodiil, but figured it would give away her affliction after some time. Ajira belonged to a monastery of Azurah before she left her homeland.

6. Silvia is practically a social outcast. Ajira was thought of highly in her village, but not in the same league as the village elders

7. Silvia is a fighter. She would beat you up if she noticed you had a piece of her favorite food. Ajira is a lover. She strives to help as many people as she can in her journey.

8. Silvia can be too arrogant, often underestimating her jobs and opponents (she won't admit this, but that is why she hired Rests-In-Steam). Ajira is almost the opposite. She tries too hard to see the good in everyone and often is taken advantage of.

9. Silvia has Vampirism. Ajira isn't afflicted by anything other than the occasional flea

10. Silvia and I both like sweets a little too much. Ajira and I are both trans women

11. Silvia was known as Silvia, of Skingrad when she first joined the Legion. Ajira was once known as [redacted]

12. Silvia is very misanthropic, doesn't care about the Thalmor presence in the Empire, and thinks money is more important than people. Ajira thinks moon sugar is gross

13. Silvia enjoys reading, and Ajira likes fishing

14. Silvia, as a character, for me symbolizes the first steps towards dealing with trauma after ignoring it for a long time. Ajira's story is more about growing up and casting aside naivety and learning to thrive in a world that is hostile towards you.

15. Nothing that has came up yet for either character.

16. Both characters can read and speak the Empire's language. Silvia doesn't speak anything extra, and Ajira can speak her native countries language, Ta'agra

17. Silvia was tried by the Legion to fight traditionally, sword and shield, wrestling, boxing, etc. Ajira is trained in her local stylings of Claw-Dance

18. Silvia is bordering true-neutral/chaotic-neutral. Ajira is neutral-good

19. Silvia is really good at sewing. Ajira always knows what direction north is

20. Silvia: Books, loose change, candy. Ajira: Fishing lures, collapsible fishing rod, jerky

21. Silvia: Diplomatic, passive, selfish, lawless, apprehensive, indifferent. Ajira: Diplomatic, selfless, law-abiding (most of the time), trusting, caring.

22. Silvia would be best friends with Maven Black-Briar. Ajira would lose her shit whenever Maiq was spotted after hearing legends of him back home.

23. Silvia: Strength and Personality. Ajira: Agility and Luck

24. See answer 8.

TES OC Interview Game!

What class do they fall under? Anything they specialize in? (ex: Mage > Illusionist) Have they changed their class over their lifetime or stayed the same?

When they cast magic, what’s their style? Are they flamboyant or reserved? Do they wave their hands around? Do they like making a show of it? Are they verbal? 

Which Aedra or Daedra do they worship/champion?

Regardless if something happened or not, which Aedra or Daedra would hate them the most, and why?

What guild would they join, regardless of their skill? (Any guild/group from any game and any timeline) Why?

What’s their social class?

Are they a fighter or a lover?

What’s their lowest/weakest skill that could be a fatal flaw? Or what’s their biggest weakness?

Do they have any handicaps or disabilities?

Does this character have anything in common with you?

Do they have any epithets? How about aliases? 

What’s their most controversial opinion(s)?

What’s their hobbies? 

Any motifs or symbolism for this character? Flowers, animals, etc.

Tropes, tropes, tropes! Do any come into mind for this character? Or do they subvert any?

Languages! How many do they speak? Are they literate?

If they can, what’s their fighting style? If they’re a mage, how do they handle being silenced or running out of magicka?

Where do they fit on the morality chart?

Do they have any quirks or hidden talents?

If you took their bag and upended it now, what would you find in it?

Are they: Diplomatic or Violent? Passive or Instigating? Selfish or Selfless? Law abiding or Lawless? Trusting or Apprehensive? Caring or Indifferent?

Ignoring time, what Elder Scrolls NPC would they get along with the most? Or the worst?

What’s their 2 main attributes? (Strength, Endurance, Speed, Agility, Personality, Intelligence, Will Power, or Luck)

What do they believe is their biggest weakness? What do you say is their biggest weakness?

[mymyminerva]

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[lucy-the-cat]

more for wip ask game: I Am Not a Woman, I'm a God, and fierce be the flood

This is based on an idea from a person I don't speak to anymore (different from prev ask). Ordinarily I wouldn't care, but this was a full outline of two character arcs, and while I asked for permission and received it at the time (she doesn't write fanfic), I don't know if she'd be mad if I finished it now. However, I added a lot to her ideas, including a character arc for Mare, and everything below is basically my addition minus the core concept.

Mare first heard about the gods when she was five years old.  A prayer in the schoolyard, a circle of candles, her classmates clasping their hands and bowing to a picture.  She couldn’t make sense of it.

It was as if they were summoning a demon.

She asked her teacher how to stop them.  Her hands were smacked with a ruler in turn.  “They are praying to the gods.  Stop them, and they will punish you.”

The only punishment she knew were that of humans.

As she grew up, they grew more solid, Silver, boots on her neck and tremors in her spine.  It was a wilderness goddess who ruled her territory, spreading seeds across the soil to feed them all.  The hungry were unworthy of her blessing, the plentiful practically her children.

It was at fifteen that she called bullshit.  Privately, of course.  Heresy was a crime among crimes, punished severely lest the gods take vengeance themselves.  She never prayed.  She never knelt.

Her family was not so rebellious.  Gisa sewed tapestries in their honor, selling them for a premium to any Silver who would take them.  It was through her that she learned that those in the city were expected to tithe.  That Silvers would collect for their temples, as if the money went to anyone but themselves.

It was then she vowed to steal from temples, a vow she was quick to break the instant she saw their security.  If she were to steal, it would have to be from Reds.  If she were to live, she could not stand against them.

And then she fell into the arena.  And for a moment, she believed the gods were real.

Violet lightning, purple sparks, a blessing potent as broth on a sickly throat.  They grew, as did her wonder, rippling up her arms and leaving just as swiftly.  She collapsed on the ground, rubble digging against her palm.  The gods had spared her.

But Silvers were not so kind.

Metal shards whooshed past her ears, sizzling to cinders.  Her body pulsed with purpose as she stood, aching, but still standing.  Beneath her, there were lightning scars.  Beneath her, the ground had blackened.

“Enough!”  The Silver girl she’d interrupted screamed.  Pipes tore from beneath the floor and vaulted towards her, bending and creaking with each tumble.  A thunderous crack echoed as they met an electric shield, one woven of her own will and desperation.  She froze.

The other person's notes are basically just Cal and Maven having character arcs around their beliefs, not copy pasting bc they're too long. The actual religion was kinda vague and undefined. My notes are as follows:

I have a lot less for Fierce Be the Flood. I have some notes:

Mare to Cal: “When I was Maven’s prisoner, no one visited me.  I would bide the hours in uneasy silence, counting ceiling tiles and folding sheets as insanity crept nearer and nearer.”

Iris: I'm no stranger to silence.  Father would have us train against the Vides of our court, urging us to stand it longer and longer

More Iris: I scoff.  “Here to taunt me, are we?  How childish.”

Mare: “No one visited me."

Iris: In another life, I might like her.

[galaxydrcaming]

@allxthingsxglxtter

“That definitely sounds super complicated, but Cal’s the best.  His people being awful or no, he’s amazing.  And yeah, bug apocalypse.  Can’t really say how it happened cause I uh, don’t know, but bugs went from tiny to giant and mutated in some freaky murderous ways so, we had to figure out how to survive which was rough for a long time.  But, I had Boy here, and we’re alive.  In the 20s for some reason, but alive.”  Joel gave her an easy smile before paling a bit and shaking his head. “Nah, I uh, don’t think he’ll come back.  Seemed satifised with the level of threat he left.  But uh, don’t bother Cal about it okay?  I didn’t think and just…came where it was safe.  But I’ll be alright.”  Taking the pen he scribbled a quick note just letting Cal know he’d come by to say hey and was tucking it through his mail slot when Mare posed her question. “Yeah! I’ve always loved it, so, I do illustrations now.”

"Complicated would be putting it as a compliment, but sure, let’s go with that word.” Mare remarks with a playful roll of her eyes as she looks down. “He really is.” She whispers softly. “I stupidly thought he wasn’t better than a certain other person but how I couldn’t have been more wrong.” She shudders at the more visible mental image of a bug apocalypse. “Both our worlds essentially sound like hell then, that’s great, but I’m glad you and Boy are alive here, even if it’s in the 20’s.” Mare teases lightly as she hovers her hand over her burn. “That sounds about right with him, but I’m not sure if I can promise that, even with his memories gone, he deserves to know that his brother is being threatened by his…half-brother, but then again, he might think it’s a lie because I’ve made it clear that I am not a fan of Maven for valid reasons.” She responds with a shake of her head. “That’s cool, my sister can sew such beautiful fabrics, so any form of art reminds me of her.”