#diy experiments

[misscromwellsmonocle]

Experimenting with Headphones (2024) by Nicole McLaughlin

[our-trans-punk-experience]

THE BATTLE JACKET MASTERPOST

FINALLY PUNKS IT'S HERE

a battle jacket (also called battle vest, cut-off, punk jacket, patch jacket, and probably other stuff) is a jacket (duh) usually made from denim or leather with DIY additions of patches, studs, flags, painted panels, chains, and other bonuses, used to signify subculture. Punk, metal, and biker scenes all use patch jackets, but I'll only go into specifics about how they're used in the punk scene. Metalheads, I think, almost solely personalise with music/band shit. Bikers use them to signifying which club you're riding with. Punks started using them in the 70s and they've remained a staple of the subculture's style since. They're good for signalling your politics, bands you like, and other information you might want to get across. They also look cool.

HOW TO START

If you're here I assume you wanna learn how to make your own so I'll cut the history lesson short and get on to the practicals.

1: first you're going to want to get a plain jacket, probably denim or leather, but you could get a canvas jacket if you're nervous and new to the scene because it's way easier to stitch canvas, so you could experiment with that as you're building confidence. The jacket should be at least a bit oversized because with all the stitching and painting or whatever you'll be doing, you could run into fit issues with a very form fitting jacket. also, this jacket might frequently be worn over other jackets or layers so that will help with that too

2: start making choices. namely whether you want to keep the sleeves. obviously you can remove or reattatch the sleeves later but I think making that big mod first is a good starting point to help you feel like it's a work in progress. so if you're going to chop the sleeves I say do it now

3: brainstorm. I know, I know, coming up with your own ideas is hard, but this is your own totally literally unique piece, so think about what sorta look you want

4: you don't have to brainstorm alone though. search tumblr or pinterest for punk jackets, punk patches, punk clothes ect for inspiration. you might get a good idea for an individual patch, or for a broader layout

PATCHES

1: the big deal. this is what will make your jacket into a battle jacket. there are some unofficial rules/sayings in the scene about what sort of patches you should put on your jacket. some people get dickish sometimes about if you put a non-punk band on your jacket? however i think that is bollocks and you should do whatever you want forever. one saying i do personally mostly stick to is "politics up front, bands on the back" with the idea you stick your politics on your front so you can see the punches coming

2: where do you get the patches? you make them yourself. You can buy ofc but don't get shit off amazon or shein or whatever the fuck. If your fav band or small artist is selling patches go for it though. You will have the most choice if you make your own patches. Do you have scrap fabric (maybe the sleeves of the jacket, which is where i got a lot of my patch material)? Do you have paint and paintbrush? good. you can make a patch

3: how do you do that? well depends on whether you stencil or freehand. stencil means you cut out an outline, of say a band logo, out of card, and use that as a stencil. freehand means you paint whatever tf you like

4: paint?? yes paint. messy as you like. start maybe with simple slogans or symbols often found in the punk scene like "ACAB" or "eat the rich". maybe an anarchy symbol. i also like to paint a layer of mod podge over my designs to waterproof them.

5: great, you've got a patch, what are you going to do with it? sew it onto the jacket. unless ofc you bought an iron-on in step 2, in which case iron that shit on and be careful punks. most likely though, you're sewing it on. a lot of punks use tooth floss to sew on because its cheaper, easier to find, readily waxed and waterproof, and does a better job sewing shit down onto heavy duty material like leather or denim. I use a combined running stitch and whip stitch personally

STUDS n SPIKES

1: all those punks you've seen have metal sticking out their jacket eh? yeah, theres a whole lot of options here. spikes of many different sizes and shapes, which within that can be stitch on, screwback, or have fold down prongs on the back of them

2: where do you put them? probably the front or top of the jacket. you can put them on the back but that might be uncomfortable, or rip up someone's upholstery

3: where do you get them? you can still DIY these by cutting up a metal drinks can [whole other post] but BE CAREFUL. i suggest checking out the internet for these, same buying rules as patches though. no shein. no amazon.

OTHER SHIT??

1: go wild

2: other common additions would be chains, lighter caps, badges, and can tabs

HAVE FUN PLS ASK ME QUESTIONS AND SHARE IF YOU START A BATTLE JACKET

[chrissy-kaos]

So I’ve been getting a lot of messages about HRT and the surgeries I’ve had. Please continue asking! I’m happy to answer any questions you have!

First and foremost I’ve been on HRT for 4 years. I’m on estradiol injections, spiro and progesterone.

So the number one question I get is are my boobs real? The answer is yes and no. I had grown about a B cup. I wasn’t satisfied with that. So I chose to get breast augmentation. I got 440cc cohesive gel implants under the muscle. With my previous growth that put me at a D cup. I highly recommend breast augmentation for any one struggling with chest dysphoria. It works wonders.

The second question I get is where did I get FFS(facial feminization surgery) and what did I get done. The answer to this nothing. I have not had FFS. This is my natural face. Take it or leave it. I might possibly get it in the future but rn I have no plans.

Third is if I’ve had bottom surgery or not. The answer to that is no. I keep getting ask how do I get so flat in the front without having bottom surgery. I’m just really good at tucking. I try very hard to keep it flat. I have an astronomical amount of bottom dysphoria so for me I have to be tucked always. But hopefully by the end of this year I should have bottom surgery and I’ll be a very happy girl!

With that said everything else is natural besides my boobs. I have not had any other surgeries. I just work hard and put max effort into my appearance and body.

Your transition is what you make it. The effort you put in will determine the results. Tho keep in mind everyone is different. There is no right way or wrong way to transition.

I hope this clears up some of the confusion and answers some questions! I just want to thank everyone for your support and you all mean so much to me! 🖤

[tero-ga]

This is just Torbek stuck in a box, because I want him to stuck in a box

[lettherebetboys]

what they don’t tell you about HRT is that you might really like even the most unpleasant and scary of effects

i smile every time my voice cracks. it really does spark joy. why does that happen? i was terrified of my voice changing, and it hurts, and it’s embarrassing, so why does it make me so happy??????

i think it’s that even the “”bad”” (completely subjective btw) effects remind me of what i’m doing. i’m finally on HRT and it’s wonderful and i love it, so why would i not find joy in my voice cracking or gaining a bit of weight or my hair getting a little thinner?

change is beautiful and gut-wrenching and terrifying and wonderful, and this is the most alive i’ve ever felt. it’s scary but it’s good scary, like watching a horror movie and cuddling your friends. it’s rollercoaster scary, or haunted house scary. it’s the kind of fear you choose to feel, and would choose again in a heartbeat. it’s not the fear i’m used to, the slow horror of life passing by before your eyes, the kind of fear that makes you want to crawl out of your own skin.

HRT is good scary. i hope the takeaway from this is ‘do it scared’

[gazinginmagenta]

I AM NOT MY THOUGHTS (Dec. 31, 2024)

[draculiza]

recently finished knitting project ☆ ˎˊ˗

[robinspinknest]

i will be making one of these soon. i must.

[maxii-star]

Crafting crafting craftinnnnggg !!

((Shoutout to me forgetting you have to carve the design backwards and just having a silly backwards stamp))

[our-trans-punk-experience]

I need a butt ton of ideas for political/controversial patches if you would be so kind, throw shit at me >:)

Anything pro trans/lgbtq+ related, anti SA, human rights, mental health, wrecking shit up, etc would be great! Anything works tho

ok im just gonna rattle off mine

hands off trans bodies

no uterus no opinion

black lives matter

eat the rich

tories out

defy tory rule

queer love is revolutionary

rEVOLution with the EVOL turned the wrong way so it reads rLOVEution

up with trees, down with capitalism

punch facists

feminism shouldn't be exclusionary

not just another cog in the murder machine

fast fashion is kiling earth

trans rights are human rights

no-one is illegal

give no fucks, take no orders, smash the prisons and the borders

no nations, no borders

anarchy symbols everywhere

trans anarchy like my pfp

burn it all

no war but the class war

a molotov

no cops at pride

acab

1312

stop bombs falling

dead men don't rape

ok theres loads more but thats a long post

[antisocialxconstruct]

You'll never believe what time it is again

I was experimenting with a few things, mainly adapting my kitten body pattern into a full plush. The proportions are bonkers but it's very pleasingly bean shaped nonetheless. But I think I like the head shape of the last dog better 🤔 the middle gusset never holds the right shape for me.

[beginnerlife]

Inspire Award Project | 5 Top New Science Project Ideas for School! Comp...

[lettherebetboys]

TWO MONTHS ON T 🎈🎉🎁‼️‼️‼️

i can’t believe it’s been two months already, this is insane!! here are some updates on all the changes that have been happening:

dosage: i’ve been at 25mg/week, but i dropped down to 20mg a few weeks ago! (that’s .1ml of 200mg/ml T)!

voice: i'm DEFINITELY cracking more! more so when i speak, a little less when i sing. i think my tonal center is shifting a bit lower already, so i’m gonna have to figure out how to speak so that it resonates lower in my chest, because talking high pitched like i normally do is starting to wear my voice out. it’s nice, honestly! even the cracks :-)

i haven’t lost or gained any range, and i’ve been working my belting voice a lot more and it feels the same as usual. my high classical register has been getting more tired more easily though. i have noticed that i have more radical ‘good singing days’ and ‘bad singing days’. i always did but it’s more noticeably one or the other than before

physical changes: bottom growth has slowed down a liiiiittle but is still definitely happening. Rapidly. i have decided i like it a lot!!!!!! it’s really cool and makes me feel really good about something that used to make me very dysphoric!!!

the peach fuzz on my upper lip has gotten slightly darker and thicker, and there are sparse dark hairs sprouting on my chin. nothing noticeable when i’m not looking closely in the mirror, but they’re there! i don’t know how to feel yet, i’m gonna wait and see if they start to fill out more.

my skin is actually getting softer instead of rougher like it should, especially on my face, but i think that’s cause i got a new skin cream and moisturizer. similarly, i’m noticing the same amount/a little less acne than usual, but i’ve recently started washing my face twice a day and using skincare and stuff so that’s likely why.

still working out and eating protein and stuff. chronic pain is painful but i’ve also been exerting myself a lot so it’s a reasonable amount for the circumstances. i’d like to lose a little bit of weight, just so that i can gain it back in the right places faster, instead of waiting for my existing fat to redistribute, so i’m gonna work on that!

also my cheeks are a little puffier! apparently a normal thing in the first few months of T. i don’t dislike it but i’m definitely excited for them to slim back down into a more defined cheekbone.

orientation stuff: yes i absolutely like girls. i’ve come to the conclusion that i previously did like girls, just had a really strong preference for boys, and now T has shifted me towards the center

also, i may not be asexual. i’m…probably not asexual. i don’t really know. at the very least, i know for sure i’m leaning more positive as opposed to how i was before (more negative/repulsed). it is possible that some of my dysphoria being alleviated has something to do with this. hm. we’ll figure that out later!

mental health: i’ve felt pretty good recently!!! i feel a lot more comfortable and confident in my body and it’s definitely influencing my behavior. i’m more comfortable dressing how i want, and presenting more femininely when i want, and it brings me euphoria even in public. i’ve always loved being fem every now and then, and T is helping me find the most happiness in that.

i can’t really tell cause no emotional permanence, but i think i’ve been less anxious and depressed lately. which is always great!!!

it still feels unreal that i’m on T, but lately it’s started to sink in just a little bit more. it’s crazy and i LOVE it!! i love it i love it i love it!!!!! even the changes i was really worried about are bringing me joy!!!

it’s scary sometimes, changing so much so fast. it’s scary looking in the mirror and not fully recognizing who you are anymore. but it’s not in a bad way. it’s like how you look in the mirror after getting a really good haircut for the first time in a while:

oh! there you are!

[eventuallycompost]

i dont really consider myself to be punk or grunge or goth or whatever. just a vague alternative soup. but ive never felt myself more comfortable or fitting into subculture than when i started realizing i did not have to spend a ton of money to 'look the part.'

a good 85% of my wardrobe is shit i got at thrift stores. i've started making my own jewelry. the base of my battle jacket (a sturdy, oversized denim jacket) i got for free cuz it was (accidentally) stolen. the only time i really shell out any decent money is for good shoes and handmade patches/jewelry from people on etsy.

diy can take time and resources but i guarantee the stuff you make will look far more "punk" than any pre-patched $200 jacket you buy on torrid. also its fun.

[ibijau]

me every time someone has the smallest complaint about their hairdresser: did you know that hair cutting tools are legit SUPER CHEAP to buy? Like, the cheap stuff is less than going to the hairdresser once, and it'll last you very long. Same for an electric razor. And cutting your own hair is easier than you think, especially for maintenance/simple styles. Did you know that? Did you?

[jasperthehatchet]

Some recycled bottle cap pins I made :)

The string ones were from some old thrifted curtains

[Image ID: 8 homemade pins. Five of them are bottle cap pins. One is a large green pin woh a white spiral, one is a large darker green pin with a sunflower, one is a smaller anarchy symbol, one is a red one with they/them pronouns written on it, and the fifth one is a skull with eyes. The last three pins are string tassels attached to safety pins. End ID]