Stuff and Moonshine

Pictured below is my partially-completed Darwin-quote cross-stitch, pattern from shitpostsamplers. Should I:

1. Complete the full pattern as written, with a wide border of flowers and leaves around the framed quote?

2. Finish the quote and the rectangular frame, then cut it out as a patch to sew onto a t-shirt or something?

3. Not do another stitch, and cut it out with the unfinished corner deliberately shredded, as a patch to sew onto a t-shirt or something?

 I took Friday as a vacation day, and will take Monday and Tuesday. So far:

The right-wing groups who announced a demo for Saturday in Nathan Phillips Square mostly backed out, but we and another few hundred people showed up for the counter-demo anyway. I also wrote some gratuitous (gratuitous to the plot, anyway) nazi-punching into a recent ongoing fic.

I bought some cheap fabric to try out an idea I have for a ‘twenties-style dress.

Andrew told me about a dream he had last week: he went to talk to the late Steve Ditko, who wouldn’t come out of his apartment but who did slide a note under the door, which turned out to be a recipe for “Mr. A’s Absolute Cookies.” They were one-half chocolate and one-half vanilla, and there were detailed, illustrated instructions not only on how to make them, but the proper way to eat them.

Today we went to The Monkey’s Paw, a used bookstore. Andrew found The Last Days of Pompeii (a tie-in edition to the 1935 movie) and I found the 1960 paperback of Peg Bracken’s The I Hate to Cook Book. I may even try some of the recipes. It has at least given me another possible explanation for the prevalence of paprika in mid-century North American cooking (to make beige dishes appear less boring).

ETA — I’m beginning to think there were two schools of thought on paprika — recipes invented/brought by actual Europeans immigrants call for at least two tablespoons of the stuff; and then there’s the “use a quarter teaspoon as a garnish” trick that Bracken references. (Unfortunately my mother used the latter in a chicken recipe she’d make when tired, with the result of turning me against paprika for decades).
Further ETA — so that’s what paprika tastes like? It tastes kind of... burnt. But Andrew seemed to like it, so I shall continue to explore it. I think tonight’s supper could have used less paprika and more garlic. type="_moz" />

Last night's dreams were about geckos. Small flying geckos, in my apartment. They were harmless, as far as I could tell, but I couldn't figure out where they were coming from.

Anyway, I've finished another dress. This is a modification of the 1930s self-draft nightgown pattern that I first used with the purple dress. I changed the neckline and once again added patch pockets.

Having sewn a couple of vintage-y halter tops of late, I found I need to pad the cups out a bit; there are several patterns online for bra pads, but to get the slightly conical 1950s shape, I have devised my own pattern which is mine, and which I have dubbed the "Titrahedron."

From the cloth of your choice (satin is nice) cut an equilateral triangle, three to four inches along each side (depending on the desired size). Right sides together (if applicable), fold the three corners up to meet each other and sew three short seams. Obviously you will not do the last seam until you have turned the shape right-side out and stuffed it. Repeat for second pad. Place inside bra or halter top, one corner pointing into the depths of each cup, and secure in place with a few stitches.

Self-drafted rockabilly halter top. Adapted from this bra pattern and this beach top.

Skirt has been attached. I ran low on fabric, so it's a couple of inches shorter than called for in the original pattern. Looking at the photo again I see my waist seam is a bit crooked. May get lazy and just hide that with the belt and make sure the skirt comes out even when I hem it.

I am also going to omit the pocket this go-round as the fabric print is already a bit busy.

Like most dresses I've made from vintage patterns, it's very comfortable to wear, but the close fit and non-stretchy fabric make getting it on and off the hard part.