Orzzz: The funny thing in this world is people assume because they own something, do something or deal with stuff...every person on earth does it too. I am a Luddite. I avoid as much of the modern world as I can. Much of it I view as a waster of time. Growing up on a farm back in the dark ages, tech consisted of a land line and antenna TV that got 4 channels. Mom had her radio/record player stereo console. I had my transistor radio. And my Sears record player. Still have them all. lol. Still have 8 tracks, cassettes, VHS tapes and did upgrade to a DVD player cause my guy gave it to me. Never watch it. I read books. Or craft. The old rotary phones are still hooked up and can answer calls on them. Have to call out on the push button one. Desktop computer runs XP still. Works the little I use it. People today cant exist without a cell phone they carry around like a pet. The things are so big they wont fit nicely in a pocket. They have smartphones that cost them a fortune every month so they can instantly check into the trivial garbage others are doing. They text, they talk, they take photos of their lunch, the cat, cars, stores, shopping..and once in awhile something actually that someone else might care about. They drive in a car that has a distracting screen instead of gauges that might alert you to your engine lunching out. Maps are out of date..use GPS to you can get lost high tech. No movie, actor, concert, game, event or restaurant goes under the radar. They are IN THE KNOW! I do none of it. I carry a small flip cell phone that can text. 3G so cant send photos anymore. It is for emergencies or someone to get hold of me when I am outside. We are on our way, do you have a...Handy is if my car breaks down. Or I get trampled in the barnyard..I've fallen and I can't get up...cause there is a mule sitting on me!! It can not retrieve 1gig or whatever they are messages. I tell the neighbor do NOT send me emojis because I have no idea what those rectangles I get are. I dont do apps. Nor things like hangup or Twitter or Facebook or any of those things. No way I want to waste time on trivial stuff. I have a landline for a phone and except local, it all is extra costs. My cell is 3 months for double minutes of 60. So I get 120 to use. I am ahead so end up spending maybe $3 a month. TV is still antenna. No cable, internet is through phone line, no streaming, no subscriptions to anything. No credit cards, no charges.My car is a 2002 and trunk is a 1976. Put maybe 200 miles on them a year. No theaters, no restaurants and minimal shopping. You would be out if your mind..I am a happy recluse happiest in the 19th century.
I think we are exactly alike. I do not know if that scares me or exites me!
jac_the_gripper: I like hand driven, cast iron sewing machines, but I gave my collection to a religious organsation when I moved. They recondition them and export them to Africa enabling women to set up their own businesses.
That's how I started my tailoring business.
My treddle machine needs a bit of renovation. I'm nt sure when I'm going to get round to that, mind.
I have wood stove envy, btw.
My mother was the family seamsress as in the south of Spain there were not clothes shops everything had to me hand or machine sewn including suits, men's shirts, girls and women's skirts and dresses and tops. They had to walk miles to the nearest town to buy the materials. She taught me some of her skills like making a pattern from scratch and making/sewing different garments but I have a lot of respect for tailors and their amazing skills :bow:
jac_the_gripper: I'd only need a wee wood stove that needs a wee bit of filling...oh yeah, and somebody to chop the wood given I can barely chop carrots at the moment.
I'm not listening to you anymore, Orzz.
I have the wood delivered all chopped reasy to use. I only need piling up skills in my basement and carry a few logs up at the time. Mind you even so, after piling up a whole delivery i'm no longer cold
Selenite: My mother was the family seamsress as in the south of Spain there were not clothes shops everything had to me hand or machine sewn including suits, men's shirts, girls and women's skirts and dresses and tops. They had to walk miles to the nearest town to buy the materials. She taught me some of her skills like making a pattern from scratch and making/sewing different garments but I have a lot of respect for tailors and their amazing skills :bow:
I wish your mum had taught me!
I learned the hard way, unpicking old clothes, grovelling around on the floor with baking paper, knees covered in tailor's chalk and a lot of trial and error.
Mind, that's how they teach in at least one top London university.
Selenite: I have the wood delivered all chopped reasy to use. I only need piling up skills in my basement and carry a few logs up at the time. Mind you even so, after piling up a whole delivery i'm no longer cold
I learned the hard way, unpicking old clothes, grovelling around on the floor with baking paper, knees covered in tailor's chalk and a lot of trial and error.
Mind, that's how they teach in at least one top London university.
Unpicking clothes is actually one of the ways of reproducing the exact same garment Good on the university! when you work things out by yourself you're less likely to forget ...
When I was a teenager my mother used to make our winter coats because they were maxi length and the nice ones cost a fortune. Ours looked so good my sister and me were called liars by our friends when we'd say our Mum had made it She was good! And she still transforms the clothes she buys when they don't fit properly. She'll be 89 this month ...
jac_the_gripper: I'd only need a wee wood stove that needs a wee bit of filling...oh yeah, and somebody to chop the wood given I can barely chop carrots at the moment.
I'm not listening to you anymore, Orzz.
Besides the firewood ... I enjoy a helper for the morning wood.
Selenite: Unpicking clothes is actually one of the ways of reproducing the exact same garment Good on the university! when you work things out by yourself you're less likely to forget ...
When I was a teenager my mother used to make our winter coats because they were maxi length and the nice ones cost a fortune. Ours looked so good my sister and me were called liars by our friends when we'd say our Mum had made it She was good! And she still transforms the clothes she buys when they don't fit properly. She'll be 89 this month ...
I used to make a lot of my daughter's clothes because she was s small it was dificult t get age appropriate garments, like without nappy room when she was five.
I got a bit creative with school uniform requirements. One glance at 'red and white check' and my imagination went off on one. I had to stop in the end because the jealousy and discrimination became nasty, even from adults.
Unpicking clothes can be the base for designing something different, too. I'm not sure I was ever as skilled as your mum, mind.
I have an innate ability for creating, or not creating illusion, though. That got me a lot of work. The greatest joy was, no matter how much a customer felt like a sack of spuds when they arrived, they left feeling like were the business.
jac_the_gripper: I used to make a lot of my daughter's clothes because she was s small it was dificult t get age appropriate garments, like without nappy room when she was five.
I got a bit creative with school uniform requirements. One glance at 'red and white check' and my imagination went off on one. I had to stop in the end because the jealousy and discrimination became nasty, even from adults.
Unpicking clothes can be the base for designing something different, too. I'm not sure I was ever as skilled as your mum, mind.
I have an innate ability for creating, or not creating illusion, though. That got me a lot of work. The greatest joy was, no matter how much a customer felt like a sack of spuds when they arrived, they left feeling like were the business.
What a pity your creativity, inspiration and love for your daughter wasn't valued by your daughter's friends and staff. It reminds me of the song Coat of many colours by Dolly Parton.
What a beautiful gift to have to transform how your customers felt about themselves
Selenite: What a pity your creativity, inspiration and love for your daughter wasn't valued by your daughter's friends and staff. It reminds me of the song Coat of many colours by Dolly Parton.
What a beautiful gift to have to transform how your customers felt about themselves
You bahstard, Sel. I've just wept inconsolably at a Dolly Parton song.
I wonder how my daughter remembers that now. I still remember the riches of making her things because I enjoyed pouring my love for her into it so much.
She came home from school one day with a letter announcing that World Book Day was going to be combined with a 'book character' costume competition.
"I want to be Blackavar from Watership Down!" she declared in her childish squeak. <--- me
That was made from any scraps I could lay my hands on in my workshop, including the padding it took to make her skinny, 8 year old self look rabbit shaped. I think the letter was in the bottom of her bag for a few days as well, so it was a couple of consecutive night shifts, fitting my customers' commissions in durng the day. I may, or may not have cursed her a little.
She won the competition anyway, and certainly enjoyed the dragon, daffodil and other costumes I made her for St.David's day and school plays. I hope she remembers the joy over the jealousy and that no one stole her riches from her for long.
I remember a friend telling me that her eldest son always wanted material things, like more and more expensive technlogy. She was fully aware that it was about him never forgiving her for the existence of his two younger siblings who he viewed as imposters. She asked him if he thought my daughter (his friend) was deprived because she had nothing like that. He gave a flat 'no' without hesitation. It was actually undivided attention he longed for, not stuff. I think being allowed to adopt a cat of his very own and giving the moggy his undivided attention resolved that.
When my daughter was 13, I got her a small decorative storage box for Christmas (the size of a large shoe, or small boot box) and packed it with CD's, make-up, nice undies, perfume - things I thought were appealing to a tiny teenager who struggled to get age appropriate clothing and not be treated like an 8 year old. A couple of days after Christmas I treated her to a trip to the local chippy. We stepped out into the street to find all the local kids playing and they swarmed around us announcing their Christmas gifts.
I was like, "I got a phone and a bike and a play station and..." It wasn't like one got a phone and one got a bike, it was like they all got everything. I quietly died inside, mortified that my daughter was listening to this in comparison to her lower budget gifts.
When we were being served in the chippy, the man (who was unlikely to be Christian) asked if she'd had a nice Christmas and if she'd had lots of nice presents. Her eyes sparkled, she beamed at him and breathed, "Yes! I had loads!" like she was the richest person on Earth. <--- me again
Even the young man in the chippy picked up on her spirit and beamed back at her.
No, we don't all have...but I'm more than grateful for the the deal I got on the exchange rate.
I learned to sew and knit at a young age. I made my daughter's baby clothes before she was born and after she went to college I would send something that I made for her.
I also made most of my clothes and when my father retired my parents liked to go out on Saturday night and hit the hot spots for dancing. Back in those days people dressed up when they went out so I made some of my mother's evening gowns.
My biggest accomplishment was making my sister's wedding dress which turned out beautiful with French lace.
Knitting was another thing that interested me and I made many sweaters for people in my circle in addition to knitting a lot of baby blankets some of them 50x60 inches for the crib.
It was normal to find me in front of a sewing machine or with a pair of knitting needles in my hand. I had an old fashioned black Singer sewing machine but when the first digital Singer sewing machine came out back in the 70's I bought it. I still have that sewing machine and every size knitting needle you can think of. I can't knit anymore because of carpal tunnel syndrome.
Making clothes and knitting were a good way to challenge my skills. It was fun to see all those stiches come together in a finished project whether it be sewn or knitted.
jac_the_gripper: You bahstard, Sel. I've just wept inconsolably at a Dolly Parton song.
I wonder how my daughter remembers that now. I still remember the riches of making her things because I enjoyed pouring my love for her into it so much.
She came home from school one day with a letter announcing that World Book Day was going to be combined with a 'book character' costume competition.
"I want to be Blackavar from Watership Down!" she declared in her childish squeak. <--- me
That was made from any scraps I could lay my hands on in my workshop, including the padding it took to make her skinny, 8 year old self look rabbit shaped. I think the letter was in the bottom of her bag for a few days as well, so it was a couple of consecutive night shifts, fitting my customers' commissions in durng the day. I may, or may not have cursed her a little.
She won the competition anyway, and certainly enjoyed the dragon, daffodil and other costumes I made her for St.David's day and school plays. I hope she remembers the joy over the jealousy and that no one stole her riches from her for long.
..../...
When my daughter was 13, I got her a small decorative storage box for Christmas (the size of a large shoe, or small boot box) and packed it with CD's, make-up, nice undies, perfume - things I thought were appealing to a tiny teenager who struggled to get age appropriate clothing and not be treated like an 8 year old. A couple of days after Christmas I treated her to a trip to the local chippy. We stepped out into the street to find all the local kids playing and they swarmed around us announcing their Christmas gifts.
I was like, "I got a phone and a bike and a play station and..." It wasn't like one got a phone and one got a bike, it was like they all got everything. I quietly died inside, mortified that my daughter was listening to this in comparison to her lower budget gifts.
When we were being served in the chippy, the man (who was unlikely to be Christian) asked if she'd had a nice Christmas and if she'd had lots of nice presents. Her eyes sparkled, she beamed at him and breathed, "Yes! I had loads!" like she was the richest person on Earth. <--- me again
Even the young man in the chippy picked up on her spirit and beamed back at her.
No, we don't all have...but I'm more than grateful for the the deal I got on the exchange rate.
I didn't post the link to the song for that reason. A bit too close to home for me too. Spanish squishy hug whether you like it or not!
Yes it would be interesting to find out what memories your daughter has of those times. I think that feeling loved is always more important than material things even if at the time we/they feel so different from friends who have lots of material gifts.
The Blackavar costume sounds impressive!! The letter at the bottom of the bag and your quick crafting of that amazing costume happened to me with my son but I got 2 minute notice as we're waling out of the door to take him to school. I was also working s a teacher in a different school. Just as we're going out he saus to me with tears in his eyes "oh no Mum! It's Victorian day today and we have to wear Victorian clothes and I forgot to tell you!" Immediately I imagined my son the only one in his school uniform amongst his classmates all looking fabulous I couldn't let it happen so I quickly put together an outfit with a shirt my Mother had given me (handmade ancient), a waistcoat, checked trousers that were way too short, a bow I cut off from a pair of suede shoes of mine and a gavroche style cap of mine!!! I had to call my colleagues to ask they cover for me as I'd be a few minutes late. The day started with assembly so I didn't miss any teaching and I dropped off my son at his school with my love cup full
Sparkling eyes on children are a source of regeneration ...
secretagent09: I learned to sew and knit at a young age. I made my daughter's baby clothes before she was born and after she went to college I would send something that I made for her.
I also made most of my clothes and when my father retired my parents liked to go out on Saturday night and hit the hot spots for dancing. Back in those days people dressed up when they went out so I made some of my mother's evening gowns.
My biggest accomplishment was making my sister's wedding dress which turned out beautiful with French lace.
Knitting was another thing that interested me and I made many sweaters for people in my circle in addition to knitting a lot of baby blankets some of them 50x60 inches for the crib.
It was normal to find me in front of a sewing machine or with a pair of knitting needles in my hand. I had an old fashioned black Singer sewing machine but when the first digital Singer sewing machine came out back in the 70's I bought it. I still have that sewing machine and every size knitting needle you can think of. I can't knit anymore because of carpal tunnel syndrome.
Making clothes and knitting were a good way to challenge my skills. It was fun to see all those stiches come together in a finished project whether it be sewn or knitted.
Evening gowns and wedding dresses sounds wonderful! Love French lace!
Did you knit classic type sweaters of did you like to get creative with colours and shapes?
Orzzz: The funny thing in this world is people assume because they own something, do something or deal with stuff...every person on earth does it too. I am a Luddite. I avoid as much of the modern world as I can. Much of it I view as a waster of time. Growing up on a farm back in the dark ages, tech consisted of a land line and antenna TV that got 4 channels. Mom had her radio/record player stereo console. I had my transistor radio. And my Sears record player. Still have them all. lol. Still have 8 tracks, cassettes, VHS tapes and did upgrade to a DVD player cause my guy gave it to me. Never watch it. I read books. Or craft. The old rotary phones are still hooked up and can answer calls on them. Have to call out on the push button one. Desktop computer runs XP still. Works the little I use it. People today cant exist without a cell phone they carry around like a pet. The things are so big they wont fit nicely in a pocket. They have smartphones that cost them a fortune every month so they can instantly check into the trivial garbage others are doing. They text, they talk, they take photos of their lunch, the cat, cars, stores, shopping..and once in awhile something actually that someone else might care about. They drive in a car that has a distracting screen instead of gauges that might alert you to your engine lunching out. Maps are out of date..use GPS to you can get lost high tech. No movie, actor, concert, game, event or restaurant goes under the radar. They are IN THE KNOW! I do none of it. I carry a small flip cell phone that can text. 3G so cant send photos anymore. It is for emergencies or someone to get hold of me when I am outside. We are on our way, do you have a...Handy is if my car breaks down. Or I get trampled in the barnyard..I've fallen and I can't get up...cause there is a mule sitting on me!! It can not retrieve 1gig or whatever they are messages. I tell the neighbor do NOT send me emojis because I have no idea what those rectangles I get are. I dont do apps. Nor things like hangup or Twitter or Facebook or any of those things. No way I want to waste time on trivial stuff. I have a landline for a phone and except local, it all is extra costs. My cell is 3 months for double minutes of 60. So I get 120 to use. I am ahead so end up spending maybe $3 a month. TV is still antenna. No cable, internet is through phone line, no streaming, no subscriptions to anything. No credit cards, no charges.My car is a 2002 and trunk is a 1976. Put maybe 200 miles on them a year. No theaters, no restaurants and minimal shopping. You would be out if your mind..I am a happy recluse happiest in the 19th century.
I'm with you on most things. I use my phone for communication and pics only and GPS as I have no sense of direction. Not even sure what it is capable of. Every time I get a new phone, my daughter has to set it up for me...lol. I'm a moron with electronics. I do love the internet for information and research, reading. I have no cable subscriptions, Youtube and some other platforms provide all the entertainment I need. I never do social media, hate mainstream news and TV programming. I don't have a dishwasher, the most useless appliance and most new appliances seem to require a technical degree to operate. The worst thing about this day and age are cars! Too many electronic gadgets installed! I grew up in the 60-70s when cars were all mechanical and....distinctive. I wouldn't own a new car. too much to go wrong and expensive to fix. I have a 2006 Ford f-150 Triton, no gadgets, basic, not even power windows. My daughter sews as a hobby. Her supposedly sophisticated "Brother" machine keeps breaking down so now she uses my mother's old Pfaff machine. It must be more than 80 years old and still works great! If XP quits working for you, look to a Linux distro, free, easy to use, they run great on old computers!
Selenite: I didn't post the link to the song for that reason. A bit too close to home for me too. Spanish squishy hug whether you like it or not!
Yes it would be interesting to find out what memories your daughter has of those times. I think that feeling loved is always more important than material things even if at the time we/they feel so different from friends who have lots of material gifts.
The Blackavar costume sounds impressive!! The letter at the bottom of the bag and your quick crafting of that amazing costume happened to me with my son but I got 2 minute notice as we're waling out of the door to take him to school. I was also working s a teacher in a different school. Just as we're going out he saus to me with tears in his eyes "oh no Mum! It's Victorian day today and we have to wear Victorian clothes and I forgot to tell you!" Immediately I imagined my son the only one in his school uniform amongst his classmates all looking fabulous I couldn't let it happen so I quickly put together an outfit with a shirt my Mother had given me (handmade ancient), a waistcoat, checked trousers that were way too short, a bow I cut off from a pair of suede shoes of mine and a gavroche style cap of mine!!! I had to call my colleagues to ask they cover for me as I'd be a few minutes late. The day started with assembly so I didn't miss any teaching and I dropped off my son at his school with my love cup full
Sparkling eyes on children are a source of regeneration ...
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