#i really need to get a good sewing machine soon

[rawwithlove]

✨to die 4✨

🕷️🪦💀

[obstinatecondolement]

Toying with the idea of getting my own sewing machine so that I don't have to ask to use my mother's if I want to do machine sewing.

[be-good-to-bugs]

im switching bedrooms tomorrow im so excited!!!

[jewshboy]

who knew a week off of work would fix my mental illness

[zyonsay]

Hello! Could i ask for some super niche things about max's relationshoip w his bf? Thankl you so much :DD

Niche Relationship Hcs MV1

Fem aligned people may read but not f3tishize my work!!

Summary: The title!

Reader: Male/Genderneutral

Warnings: None

Now playing: 'Salvatore' by Lana del Rey

AN: Hey anon! Sorry for taking so long to make this... I try to do request in order they were sent in and i got really busy in the last few weeks! I hope you like it nevertheless <3

Max’s schedule is annoyingly busy, he’d rather be with you than having to attend press conferences and PR related appointments. But, no matter how busy he gets, he will always leave you a small note on your bedside table or on the fridge door. ‘Hey baby! Hope you have a great day, can’t wait to see you in the evening!’, along with a scribbly smiley and a few hearts.

I’ve mentioned this in all the Hcs I’ve ever written about him, BUT: He’ll always be touching you in some way. They are light, innocent touches like a hand on your back while you’re walking through a crowded area or his head on your shoulder while you’re cooking him some soup while he’s sick.

THE shirt. On your very first date, Max had worn a light blue dress shirt, which accentuated the blue hues in his eyes perfectly. Sadly, at the end of the night he accidentally spilled red wine on it. The Bordeaux red liquid left terrible stains on the light fabric, the only thing he could do was throw it in the bin, but this was THE shirt he wore on his first date with you, he could never throw it away! This snowballed into a running joke and to this day, the shirt remains in a picture frame on the wall. Whenever you have guests over, they’ll ask about it and Max loves an excuse to talk about you guys’ first date.

The dutch definitely likes to spoil you, so loads of gifts come naturally when dating him. But it’s not in a show-off type of way, he doesn’t just randomly buy you a sports car or another 4’000-dollar Bengal cat. It’s smaller, more practical gifts. Your favorite perfume is empty? He picked up another bottle of it when he went grocery shopping. You lost your favorite pen? Not even a day after there’s a new pack of the same ones on your desk, doesn’t matter if you’ve already found the ‘lost’ pen, which actually just rolled under your bed. Max loves seeing that shy little grin on your face when you tell him that he didn’t need to buy it.

A sort of ritual you and Max began was playing Mario Kart. Yes, when you get bored you two play on the switch together, but it’s become a tradition to play it the night before the Quali race. It’s some good old lighthearted fun, to settle down and relax before the stressful weekend began.

Even if Max himself isn’t a great cook himself, he loves to create dishes with you. If you know a lot of things about cooking (or maybe you’re a chef), he’ll ask many questions and try to get better. Believe it or not, this man couldn’t cook an egg when you two first got together!

Max travels often, either for Races or different press conferences, there’s always something up. He likes travelling by plane, but usually he sleeps through the flight. But there’s a very specific reason for that! The dutch likes to sew, he used to watch his mother sew his karting suits together when he tore it. You on the other hand, struggled with it. You never knew how long the thread had to be, or which setting you needed to use on the sewing machine. But, Max gladly helped you and with your new set of skills you had sewn him a pillow, as a small gift. It was a tiny bit wonky, but it came from your heart and he appreciated that. Before every flight, especially when you can’t accompany him on it, he’ll spray a little bit of your perfume on the pillow. As soon as he rests his head against it while gazing at the clowds, he sinks in your sweet scent. He’ll fall asleep swiftly, with a gentle smile on his face.

[introverted-scribblings]

The RFA w/ MC who loves sewing

What? A post? From me? You're crazy, there's no way that's happening.

I'm trying to get back into writing for this blog and recently started replaying Mystic Messenger because I want poor sleep 💕 Basically I'm letting my fixation fuel my writing because... the sentence ends there.

Enjoy these headcanons! I thought they turned out really cute~

(FYI: I used fem!MC for these headcanons; girlfriend/wife/etc.)

Yoosung:

He found out in the RFA chatroom when the two of you were talking about games and hobbies.

Yoosung had been excitedly telling you about the armor set he had gotten in his latest LOLOL binge, sending a picture and saying how he wishes he could wear cool armor in real life.

“I can make it for you”

“MC… what???”

And this is where he discovered your passion for sewing and your side-hobby of cosplay

He had a little experience with sewing, he could sew on a button and fix small tears thanks to his high school “home ec” classes, but you’re talking about making entire outfits and costumes from scratch.

THAT’S. SO. COOL.

He is amazed and thoroughly impressed by your talents, even moreso after you send some pictures of your completed works.

It’s amazing that you can make your own clothes, but he’s definitely super impressed with your cosplays. They’re insanely detailed, matching perfectly with the source material. He often says that your cosplays look better than the source material. They’re true works of art in his eyes.

Praises your talents nonstop.

Talks about it all the time to everyone. Every one of his friends knows how skilled his girlfriend is. And the other RFA members know tenfold.

After hearing you talk about your projects, Yoosung decided to join the sewing club at school in the hopes that he could help you with your amazing work! (Not that you need help, he really just wants to participate in something you love)

What ends up happening though is him sitting beside you at the sewing machine and getting lost in your working rhythm. (“Yoosung, are you paying attention? I thought you wanted me to give you tips?” “S-sorry, MC!! You’re just… really good at this… Like magic!”)

There’s no way he’ll be able to catch up with your skill anytime soon, so you compromise with him. You’ll make the costumes, but he has to cosplay with you~

(I have a short fic continuation of this! You can read it here)

Zen:

He found out just before one of his performances.

The costume he was wearing was a bit snug but worked fine in all the dress rehearsals, so he didn’t think much of it at the time.

You were backstage with him before opening night, ready to tell him to break a leg and give the audience a show to remember, when you saw the rip in his jacket.

It was a seam rip behind his left shoulder. Not the worst, but clearly noticeable.

Curtain was in ten minutes.

“Hyun, take off your costume.”

“Jagyia, I know I’m irresistible, but can you wait until after the show?”

“Not like that!!!” >////<

You pulled a flat black case from your purse and opened it, revealing a small sewing kit. You had everything you needed for a sewing emergency. Pins, buttons, snaps, scissors, an assortment of colored thread. And needles, of course.

You fixed the rip and strengthened the seam with four minutes to spare.

Zen asks you about it after the show (which went perfectly, thanks to you) and you explain your sewing hobby to him. Mentioning that you always have your little sewing kit with you for emergencies like tonight.

You show him pictures of the projects you’ve made and entire outfits you’ve designed and created from scratch. A good chunk of your wardrobe are pieces you’ve made yourself.

Of course he supports you! He’s so impressed and is constantly gushing about how talented you are in the chatroom.

Though nothing could prepare him for the moment you said you wanted to make something for him. Looking up at him with big hopeful eyes as you asked if he’d let you design him an outfit. His heart nearly burst.

You poured hours of time and effort into these pieces for him, determined to make this your best project yet. Your magnum opus. (You also sent concept sketches and fabric swatches to Jaehee for her “professional fan opinion”)

When he put it on for the first time, he was speechless. Everything fit perfectly, there wasn’t a part of the outfit that was uncomfortable in the slightest.

And he may be a bit of a narcissist, but he swore that the clothes you crafted made him more handsome than he thought possible. He looked good but never this good.

Your heart was filled with sunshine and warmth when he decided to wear it to an interview.

“My outfit? It’s custom-made. My girlfriend is a very talented seamstress and this was a gift from her~”

Jaehee:

She found out when she called you to complain about the c-fur she was still cleaning up around her apartment.

“Ugh, I’m sorry, Jaehee. I know how bad that can get. I took care of my friend’s cat for a weekend once and I spent an entire month cleaning fur off all my fabric.”

Your fabric?? “What fabric, MC?”

The fabric for your projects of course! Once she got you started, you happily explained your passion to her and how you’ve been making your own clothes for a while now too.

She is also very impressed with your skill and also impressed with how handy it is. You very generously offered to mend her favorite blazer when one of the seams split. You also fixed the two loose buttons you found.

When you two open up the cafe together, you made Jaehee a custom apron to wear. Even going so far as to embroider her name on it along with some decorative coffee beans.

It’s her favorite apron and the one she wears the most while working. (until it has to be cleaned, but then it’s right back in the cafe for her to use)

It gets a lot of compliments too and you’ve actually had a few customers commission you from Jaehee’s (unintentional) promoting.

You since made more clothes for her, even an entire sundress similar to one she had been looking at while you both were out shopping. (You didn’t think the one sold was her color, so you made one yourself that would highlight her best~)

The only issue is the thread and fabric scraps that tend to scatter just as bad as the c-fur… but hey, at lease the end result is more useful! And she can always count on you to tidy your mess when you’re finished~

Jumin:

You mentioned it offhand. Simply mentioning the stitching quality on one of his ties and how you hadn’t made a tie before.

He followed up asking why you would want to make a tie, to which you explained that you often made your own clothes but would love to give yourself a little challenge with something you hadn’t done before.

Initially, he didn’t quite understand. He could easily have any outfit you desired tailored specifically for you, there wasn’t the need to go through all the hassle of making it.

You had to explain that it was your hobby. That, while time consuming and occasionally tedious, you truly enjoyed making your own clothes, and showed him some examples from your closet.

“I’m quite impressed, MC. I’ve only seen this kind of quality come out of trained professionals.”

“I’ll take that compliment. Thank you, love~”

He gives you an entire studio for your projects. While you insist that he doesn’t need to give you so many elaborate gifts, you have to admit that the space is very nice. Much better than working in cramped conditions or on the floor.

While Jumin doesn’t have an interest in joining your craftiness, your husband is more than willing to encourage your hobby monetarily with machine repairs and high quality materials.

Whatever you want, you can have. You’re his darling wife after all.

He even gifted you an antique sewing machine, a vintage 1902 Singer Treadle. You don’t “use” it, but you learned how to just for fun. It’s a lovely decoration of your hobby at the least.

And, yes, you did make a tie for him. Two actually, but you only gave him the second one, insisting that the first was practice only.

It quickly becomes his favorite and he always wears it to important meetings. It’s like having you right there with him for support.

It also becomes quite the talking piece at one of the RFA parties when a member of the Cultured Citizens asks about the brand and price.

“This tie was handmade by my wife and is certainly priceless.”

707:

He already knew because of course he did.

He would often send you (jokingly) ridiculous “orders” with impossible time frames, including:

An iridescent “Statue of Liberty” costume - 3 days

Twenty-seven onesies for ducks - 4 days

A prom dress made of pasta - 3 days

An overnight yeti costume

The two of you would banter about it in the chatroom until someone told you guys to knock it off, it was never not fun.

Whenever you finished a new piece or outfit for yourself, you would try it on and call him while standing in front of the camera in the apartment, asking for his opinion.

The cat-themed overall skirt was the one that broke him. You were just so cute with all the decorated pockets~! And the buttons looked like little cats too! You’re just too precious~

After the dust of the first party settled and Saeyoung had his brother back, you took it upon yourself to make Saeran some new clothes. He was going to be your brother-in-law, after all, you wanted to make him feel welcome.

Of course, it then turned into making both boys some new clothes as you kept thinking of new ideas. Not that you minded, this was your passion after all.

I think Saeyoung would also give you your own room/studio in the bunker. A place where you could spread out without worry. (Vanderwood was just grateful he didn’t have to keep cleaning up thread)

Saeyoung was also happy to help with any repairs your sewing machine needed, or he’d just make you a new one… or three… with some—interesting—added features.

“Saeyoung, dear, I don’t think my machine needs a Ph.D Pepper dispenser.”

“But what if my honey gets thirsty while she works?!”

“...But won’t the sewing shake up all the carbonation? It would explode on my pretty clothes T^T”

“OMG! I’m so sorry!! I’ll take it out right away!!”

This kind of conversation happens regularly.

Eventually, there was one top-secret project that you were working on… one that you made Saeyoung swear not to snoop through. Even going so far as to have Saeran keep an eye out to make sure his brother stayed true to his word. (He did but he whined about it)

The project took a long time and you had to have Saeran help you order the materials in secret.

Saeyoung didn’t like being kept in the dark, it made him uneasy. You assured him it was okay and that you just didn’t want the surprise to be ruined.

He was still uneasy, but he trusted you.

And it was all worth it in the end…

When you walked down the aisle in your handmade wedding dress, glittering and shining like stars in the night sky you both loved so much.

[singeart]

Okayy we got a Voyager science officer cosplay to make, here(wa)s the plan:

Using an existing pattern I found on etsy, I made adjustments based on vibes reference pictures of Janeway from Night and seeing what other people have made before (shout out to thresholdbb I was Looking at their past cosplays).

Treksona presentation to illustrate the changes I made~

Half the battle was decoding what the vintage pattern instructions were trying to tell me 🤡 but eventually with the help of the internet and my mom on call I figured out each step!

Oh and I had to learn how to iron and how the whole dang sewing machine worked, oiling it, threading the bobbin and needle, I even took apart the foot pedal at one point because I thought it wasn't working lol.

The mockups below, I made one out of Swedish tracing paper and the next one out of cotton (curtains I thrifted) after confirming that it would probably fit:

Turned out pretty good but I decided to move the front seams over just a bit...

Laying out the final pattern:

Cutting out the final pieces was really exciting it was starting to look like something!!

Detail shots below... I didn't feel like I could get the crispness I wanted for the shoulder points with the machine so I did it by hand :')

The shoulder pads were very exciting to put in as well!! I asked the person at JoAnn what the difference was between the two different shoulder pads I had picked up and they said one was more 80s power suit-- that was definitely the one I wanted for this jacket hehe

The final jacket below with a top I found on ebay (also found boots from there)!!! I ended up putting the sleeves in with a machine and ummm there's some puckering I'm trying not to be annoyed about h a h a. I may go back and fix that eventually I don't know... The invisible zipper I got didn't work either so I need to replace that somehow too hrm.

Anyway, I thrifted pants because I didn't want to tackle a whole other piece; I just added fabric to the bottom because they were a smidge short and then cut the iconic vent.

Here's the jacket on me, taken with a weird camera angle so the shoulders are a bit wonky at the edges haha but look!! I lined everything up so well!!

(comm badge and pips from etsy)

I felt ready to go hop on a ship sign me up for first contact I'm ready 🫡

Awright Lessons I Learned:

sewing projects take much much longer than anticipated (I went to stsf and was sewing licherally the night before and morning of. I know it's the convention experience but I was a tad stressed lol)

hand sewing in particular takes forever but I enjoyed it!

people are right to complain about setting in sleeves what da hell was that

flannel (what I used for the black part because it matched the pants the best) was great to work with

linen (the best teal they had in the store) was not!! doesn't iron well, doesn't sew well I don't want to use it ever again <3

this was my first sewing project Ever and I still was pretty hard on myself e h e..........much to think about...

Final words of wisdom from my mom:

Back to the Scully blouse soon!! After a little break :) Thanks for reading!

[sea-of-dust]

Joker,Akechi,Futaba,Haru x GN!Reader

You made a doll out of them, time to make them think they're one with it

N: I need those idv skins bro every ask is 5 bucks/heavy j. This post shall multiply my luck by 10 fold no 100 fold!!! I WILL GET FUTABA I WILL GET HARU I WILL GET FUTABA I WILL GET HARU RAAAAA

"That doesn't look like me" you pick up the doll and widen it's arms "where my hug at?" Imatating his voice, he goes to wipe his eyes, hitting his glasses, yet still doing the gesture. "Son?"

He would smush his face, twiddle with its hair, all the gestures you'd do to him. "Is my face really this smushable?" He pinches the cheeks of the doll. "Yea" you pinch his actual cheeks

He'd actually treat it like his son. "Why are you doing his laundry?" The doll stares at you with a towels wrapped around its head and waist it's clothes swashing around in a small kids washing machine. "Where did you even get that?" "A friend sent me an address on where to find em" it's silent as you watch the washing machine whirr. "Sooo" "soon I'll teach how to do it himself" he goes to wipe his eyes, only to hit his glasses again and still going through with the gesture.

Don't make him new clothes...either of them. His first thoughts when you show him the dolls new outfit is ask where to find the human sized versions. "It's just clothes you already have" you put headphones around the dolls neck "I don't have those" you find them instantly showing them to him. ".." "you can match with him" he would send you pictures of him smiling wider than a cartoon character with a matching outfit to the doll

Morgana would accidently talk to the poor doll instead of him. "He's so werid right mini joker?" The doll stares into oblivion "I know right" he'd have deep conversations with that doll, you accidently made Morgana a ride or die partner

"How amusing" you show him the doll holding it up by its hands. "It's you" "it isn't it dosent have any physical resemblance to me" you look at the doll and look back at him. "I think this is your long lost good twin"

He'd stare at it if you weren't in the room. It's soulful little eyes it's little smile. "Akechi why are you in a roll of tape?" He turns thinking your speaking to him only to see you pull his imposter out of the tape.

He'd wouldn't interact with it much besides tying it to celling fans, eventually he did examine it. The attention to detail was top notch, the parting of his hair the details on his clothes. He caught himself smiling at these features. "I see you're growing fond of him" he almost throws it but instead hides it behind his back. "I don't know what you're talking about"

You can't be away from minikechi, the life sized one would bring pictures of you three. Either to use as proof as you mearly breathing near the doll, or because he misses you and the doll was just in frame. "I wasn't touching him" he smirks "really now?" "Yea really" he pulls out a picture of the doll falling on your face. "He fell on me that's gravity"

He's gonna open a seam at one point. Maybe a lot depending on the saw traps he gets put through. He takes this as an opportunity to try and learn how to sew. "Okay wear this" you place a thumb cap over his finger. "What's this?" "It's so you don't poke yourself" he'd take what he's learned from you fixing the doll and minor clothing repairs to "pay you back" by fixing torn things that could be fixed via stich. Would complain after and that's how you know he did it. "That took too long for just a few stitches" "don't use a whole wingspan worth of string next time"

"NOOOOOOO" her scream of anguish would have vibrated the house "I KNEW HE WAS RIGHT" "right about what?" "REN SAID YOU CAME INTO HIS ROOM AT MIDNIGHT TO STEAL MY HAIR AND PUT IT IN A DOLL" "I wasn't there for your hair" "oh" "I was there for answers he forgot to send them to me so I put whipped cream on his hand"

She loves it, convinced to make it a tiny ufo. She'd look up a little too many paper 3d sites to make one, finally finding one and barely able to put it together, she had to call the one person she knew!! "INARI!!" "I'm a painter, I'm afraid I may only be able to help with design and not overall structure" he still comes over to help tho

UFO SET UP, mini futaba put in! Yusuke praising it to God, and the mini futaba totally not being held up by string so she doesn't stress out the paper (suggested by you) "it's cute" your famous last few words before seeing a white spot on the ufo "oh you missed a spot-" "INARI NO"

She'd try to make her own doll of you. "3d printing y/n!!" She giggles to herself as she stitches carefully around the dolls head, she's continue to hype herself up, and then come to leblank like a zombie

The doll replaces her at video calls. Sojiro calling? "Dolltaba speaking!" "Can you tell Ren to get up" "Okey doki!" Sojiro had to get used to it, not like he could tell her to stop either she just went harder taping a printed paper with her face onto the doll so she could keep using it for Webcams.

"Really?" Her eyes widen when the doll looks at her. Touching its features. As long as she doesn't look down you can convince her the doll and her share consciousness

You'd catch her trying to tone her skills with it. "Haru?" "Yes?" "Why are you glaring at the doll like that?" "To practice my skills" she stares even harder at the mini haru. "You're gonna pop a vein" "all in a days work" without a secound of hesitation you speak up once again "are you trying to explode her with your mind?" Her eyes widen, her head nearly snapping to you and back at the doll staring even harder. "Alright that's enough no mind explosions" "but y/n!" "You don't have powers"

"Would you like tea?" The dolls 1000 yard stare answered for it l, you pouring it pretend tea. "Truely a spleaded tea party" "indeed" you both extend your pinkeys to a painful degree. You two would enjoy actual snacks while leaving nothing for a doll, this would sadden her. "We should buy doll food" "Haru her mouth is string how is she gonna eat?" "Are you familiar with the plastic food for kids toys?" Finally the doll could join in being an estimened guest

There's hair matienece..for both. At the same time. "You have more curls than a lala loopsey doll" you carefully comb its hair "I should stop using yarn" finish it up with a plastic hairclip that totally wasn't from a discount store and she'd nearly instantly ask for the same thing. She'd come to school with a diffrent sweater to match the hair pieces making Ryuji think she had been switched with ghost

The only person with a near perfect condition doll. Because she keeps mini haru in a case. "Haru I appreciate the fact you care to keep her clean, but she's being held hostage" "your right.." You sigh, thinking she's agreed with you. "I'll need to buy her a home!" Your eyes shoot open, too late now you're already assembling mini Haru her own home. Atleast she lives rent-free

[maddipoof]

This is the steddie fic i've been promising for months but always forgetting to write and I know my thing is Steddie midnight thoughts, but i don't want to stay up that late or schedule it because I'm lazy and whatever it's midnight somewhere probably (i lied, i did stay up that late)

Anyway, I love Steddie people, Steddie people love me, we all love Steddie

Steve Harrington knows how to sew. Eddie can mend things, he can fix a button, he can sew a patch, but he's not good at it. It's very messy, very visible, he doesn't care he just needs it to get the job done.

Steve cares a lot. He needs it to look good but more importantly he needs it to look right. If he's going to do something, he's doing it right. He makes sure the thread matches the fabric, he always makes sure to wear his glasses so that he can keep his stitches very straight and tiny (Eddie loves it cus he looks like "a hot Rick Moranis" often accompanied by "Honey, you could shrink my kids." "What the fuck does that even mean?!" And he does not know).

It's not like he's really making anything, he doesn't have projects lined up. He keeps his grandma's sewing machine up in the attic, and gets it down if he ever needs it. All the fabric he has is either scraps or he just reuses things that were beyond repair or just didn't fit anymore. He likes fixing things more than he likes making them. His grandma taught him how, how to make things fit right, take seams in, let them out. He's a master of hems, jeans, skirts, dresses, you name it. It's at the point that Max doesn't even go straight home from shopping, she'll go to his and Eddie's house first so he can hem all her jeans.

You know who went prom dress shopping together? I promise you it was Steve, Joyce, Will, Max, and El who went prom shopping together (maybe nancy too) But I will tell you they found nothing! These are 3 of the most wonderful kids on the planet, there is no way in hell that he or Joyce are letting them look anything less than absolutely perfect. So of course they go to the fabric store instead and they find the most perfect patterns and "Ooh, I like the skirt on that one, but I really like the top of this one" AND THEY MAKE THEM LIKE THE SCRAPPY LITTLE GREAT DEPression children they are.

Now I know what you're thinking, where is the Steddie, I see no Steddie, patience patience (my wifi literally died and there is no service at my house, the universe will forever be against the steddie midnight thoughts).

So, Eddie really wants to go to a renaissance faire. It's been long enough since everyone thought he was a satanic killer, and no one really recognized him unless they were saying hi, so he invites begs Steve to go with him. But this is like as soon as he hears about it, so like a few months in advance.

"What am I supposed to wear?"

"Whatever you want. You could do like this if you wanted."

"But aren't you supposed to get into costume and stuff?"

"Yeah, I mean, if that's your thing."

"Are you saying it's not my thing?"

"You want to dress like an elf?"

"Do you want me to dress like an elf?"

"Yes." So they go to the costume store and Steve is APPALED, revolted. He feels that weird polyester crushed velvet situation and he thought he was going to be sick (i was gagging just writing about it) So he says fuck this and they go to the fabric store and he tells Eddie to pick out whatever he wants and pick whatever fabric out for him too.

Then he patterns their outfits himself (because I said so) and they are perfect, Eddie loves them, he is over the moon and under the sea and into outer space about these things. But what he loves more is being able to say "Thanks, my boyfriend made it." And of course like with so many creators, all Steve can see are the mistakes, the seam connecting the gusset to Eddie's sleeve not lining up at a perfect angle, the one loose thread he's afraid to pull on his cuff. It's a mess, but everyone else is blinded by how amazing they are. Eddie's dark brown cotton shirt, with an old braided leather belt that he definitely did not steal from Wayne, and a green cloak. And Steve's deep red linen one, using the same method of pattern, just with broader shoulders and fuller sleeves since the fabric was wider.

His blush is almost close to matching his shirt from all the compliments, and also Eddie showing him off is a very new and very different feeling than he's used to. He likes holding hands and letting Eddie pull him around to different stands and games, even if he almost tripped on his cape more than a few times. "Can we get a sword?"

"What? No, why would we need a sword?"

"I'm not saying we need it, but it could be good to have."

"Why would a sword--" Eddie pushed one into his hand and he had to admit, he liked the weight of it and he was immediately fascinated by the idea of being able to swing it around in their back yard.

"And look!" Eddie picked something up off the table next to them under the tent. "They have frogs!"

"What?"

"Like a holster. Look," Eddie put the belt around his waist then put the sword into its sheath with a suggestive raise of his eyebrow that Steve rolled his eyes at. Then he pushed him towards the long mirror hanging on one of the posts. Eddie stood behind him and spoke over his shoulder, "Can we get it?"

"As you wish."

[20dollarlolita]

Hi! I hope you don't mind the question, but I've been trying to buy a sewing machine and definitely want a used one with a full metal interior relevant parts???? (for longevity and budget reasons).

I'm a student living abroad in austria and therefore have no car and should limit the money I'm spending on appliances, so local used it is. Today I've found a singer 5810 (samba 70) that is -according to the seller- fully functional but no longer needed for a somewhat decent price. Now my question is, "is this even a good machine that will last me for a long time?" or should i keep looking and hoping for a better machine/offer?

Ps: big thanks for all you do for the community

Thank you!

So, I'm saying this as someone who loves old sewing machines, you have to be careful.

If you want to know what to be careful about, the answer is plastic parts, rubber parts, and belts. An old all-metal straight stitch machine is going to be as good today as it will be 30 years from now. You're going to be expected to keep up with maintenance like oiling it and cleaning it, but any damage that could happen to that thing is going to have happened 40 years ago. Once it hits the age it is now, it won't really change.

Plastic and rubber, however, want to betray you. Everyone who's accidentally left a rubber band in their car ashtray has had the experience of picking up rubber that decided to stop being "band" and start being "puddle of crunchy mushy bits." Rubber hits a point where, through no actual action, it turns into awful mush. Plastic is great for being inexpensive to produce and not requiring a lot of machining, as well as being slightly flexible and allowing parts to come together easier since they can be less precise. Plastic will also hit an age where it goes "yeah I'm not fun and lightweight and flexible anymore! I'm angry and hard and I'm going to crack and break up when you ask me to do anything at all!" Which, like, honestly, Plastic? Mood.

The problem with sewing machines of a certain age is that they are not yet at, but soon will be at, the point where either the rubber turns to mush or the plastic turns more fragile than glass. This means you can buy a machine in "good condition" that actually IS in good condition, and through no fault of your own it can transform overnight into a machine with critical parts broken and entirely unfixable.

So I recommend getting an old machine only if you can get the following things

Part one) knowing the machine is in perfect working order. Old machines do something known as cascading, which is where one small part breaks and so you pay to get it fixed, only for another part to break, and slowly by small part after small part breaking you end up spending the full cost of a new machine on your old machine, and still end up with an old machine full of parts that are about to break. This happens because every part in the machine is close to the same age, so if one thing's already broken, it might be the machine telling you it's time to say goodbye. So I won't buy an old machine that's, "great except for this one small fix," anymore. That could easily be a sign that this machine won't be long-lasting.

Part 2) I won't buy a machine that doesn't have every single accessory that I think I could need. Old machines usually don't have parts available, so if the machine doesn't have the zipper foot or the walking foot, I have to buy it being aware that I will likely never have a zipper foot or a walking foot. If you don't require a zipper foot or a walking foot or whatever, that's fine, but never buy an old machine and think, "Oh, I just need to buy this one thing," without checking if good versions of that thing actually currently exist for sale. As a bonus, if a machine is from 1972 and the seller knows where the original zipper foot is, there's a much better chance that it was stored safely and used by someone who cared if they broke it or not. This often means that intact accessory kits indicate machines that were stored better.

Part 3) I won't buy a machine that I know was stored poorly for a lot of years. I know what the climate in my area is. If your machine has just been sitting in a garage for 25 years, I know that all the rubber and plastic in that machine has lived the life that the melted rubber band in my car ashtray has lived. I can expect those parts to perform the same. There's a HUGE difference between "this was in my garage for 10 years" and "this was in the closet in my guest bedroom for 10 years." Machines are meant to run and it doesn't mean it'll run really great right out of the gate if you stored it in the guest bedroom closet, but it's so much better than anywhere not climate controlled. If you're ever in doubt, look to see if the machine has/had rubber feet on the bottom. If those are still in good shape, there's a chance that the internals are in good shape too.

Part 4) I won't buy a machine with too many bells and/or whistles. I do not DO the Singer Touch n Sews. The Singer "touchy, and doesn't sew,"'s. At their heyday, these fuckers were $700 in the 70's and had every single bell and all of the whistles as well. It is no longer the 1970's and most of those bells and 77% of the whistles are broken. These are parts where once it breaks, it's broken. You cannot break a bell that does not exist.

Part 5) I will not buy an old machine that I do not know, for sure, is a really good price. I'm talking like $40 and under. You want this to be a good enough price that if this breaks after 3 projects you didn't waste your money. If you're lucky, you'll get many more than three projects out of your machine. Spend your money like you don't think you'll be lucky. Sewing machines are annoying to keep around if you don't use them, and someone WILL be offering one at a very good price. Just keep looking.

Part 6) Without ignoring the bell/whistle situation, I will prioritize machines that were very high end or expensive when they were made. If your machine was a little straight stitch machine and your husband spent a month's wages on it, some of that quality is going to transfer over to the modern day. A really cheap machine is maybe not going to have been a very good machine even in its prime. A good example of quality sticking around is the old all-mechanical Berninas like the 710 Record, which generally still age quite well. You'll know that they're old because their cases get fragile like glass, but you can't have a cracked cam when the whole machine's metal.

Please don't let all of that make you feel that all old machines are bad! A good old machine is, in my opinion, worth so much more than a frameless Brother or a Singer Heavy Duty. I have three old machines that I use more often than my modern, higher priced computerized machine. A well-chosen old machine will definitely outlive your modern machine that just comes with a 90 day warranty. I just means you need to be judicious with what machines you select. Sorry for not directly answering your question about that machine. The answer is "it depends on the specific machine and also the price it's offered for."

.

If all of that seems too hard, the Baby Lock Zeal has a metal internal frame and I've seen well cared-for machines of that model that are 10+ years old. Most of the BeGenuine collection is really solid and I'm a pretty big fan of them. You get fewer stitch patterns for the same price as a comparable Brother or Singer, but that cost is put into making the internals better. The Janome HD series (at least the HD1000 and HD3000 in White (black is a totally different factory with different standards) are really good. We can't get the HD5000 at work for complicated reasons but it might have the same problems as the 3000 black. Generally, mechanical machines haven't changed too much since the 60's, so a well-made one is going to not be dated to the point where you can't sew modern projects. None of this guarantees that the machine will last 30 years, but I see people replacing these machines when they feel they've got skills such that the machine no longer supports their skills. This is in sharp contrast to what people replace their $300 Singer or Brother machines for, which they do because they break. Check your warranty and anything with 5-6 year warranty on the motor is probably a good bet. Avoid anything with a 90 day warranty and be hesitant if the full warranty is up after 1 year.

[doll-collector-by-day]

I've been in a doll slump for a quite a while.

Last Thanksgiving, we decided to flip all of the bedrooms and offices/fun rooms in the house, which meant basically packing up nearly every room in the house and switching which floor it's on. The good news is, I now have a larger room for quilting/dolls/my office. The bad news was I got overwhelmed with the sheer amount of stuff I had collected, and boxing it all up made it seem all the more imposing.

I've had my office "officially" for almost 2 months, and I still haven't really had the energy to pull out my dolls and finish going through them. I have had a few (Claudie, Kavi, Luciana, and Ivy) who happened to escape the Great Boxing event, and they've been quietly posed where I can see them when sewing, and people can see them when I turn on my camera for work (aka ALMOST NEVER because I hate it).

I finally got the energy to start setting up a sewing area for them. I'd like to make some more doll clothes this summer, and I'm hoping the dolls help encourage me. (Kit's 30s quilt is still needing a few more blocks).

It's a tiny zone, right now with a few things that make me happy.

The quilt block underneath is vintage. There was a note attached saying the writer's grandmother had made it. Judging by the wear on the fabric, and the colors, it may have been made sometime in the late 1800s. It's a Carolina lily in basket block.

On the desk I have a few accessories from the My Life As sewing set, including the sewing machine, scissors, and pin cushion. I want to make a tiny pin cushion soon. I also have some of my doll sized buttons, and a box of silk threads for repairing stockinette. There's also some doll sized empty spools, which I might fill with floss to have "more colors". Also the BAB wolf ears from Great Wolf Lodge they had last year.

I also did the embroidery in the back corner for Felicity a few years ago.

I also thought that some vintage needle packages would be cute! I've been saving them for the dolls.

Hopefully I'll have motivation to go through all my dolls stuff soon. I'd really like to take some more pictures this summer, and get some scenes set up.

[siriannatan]

Just Go With Your Feelings - Chapter 1

Manhwa inspired me once more, Tree Without Roots in this case (very non-con and I'm shocked I'm still sticking to reading it...) I'm not going that far here but there is some pushiness and lack of consent

Whip never expected he'd get involved in an accident with an old acquaintance from high school days.

Yet here he was, sitting in a hospital with minimal damage to him. Waiting for Scott S. Major, a man everyone had a crush on, literally the perfect guy you see in high school TV dramas, gets discharged from the hospital after they were involved in a traffic accident.

Jimmy was going to have a field day making fun of fWhip.

But it wasn't like it was his fault. Scott just suddenly ran into the road. If fWhip didn't react as fast as he did he'd be dead. But fWhip was planning to take responsibility anyway.

“How are you feeling?” He asked once he was allowed to sew Scott.

“Mentally or physically?” Scot joked dryly. “Both feel like shit, in case you're actually interested.”

fWhip pushed the urge to punch Scott down with force. He was injured. With a broken leg. “Doctors say you can leave today,” he said instead. “Need a ride?”

Scott laughed. “The guy who hit me with his car is offering to be my chauffeur? That's grand,” there was something in his eyes that made fWhip want to grab him and never let go.

“I'm… I'm just offering, no need to be an ass about it,” he sighed, pretending to look away. Actually, he was tracing where Scott was looking. 

The rooftop.

“You know what, just because I think it'll be funny, sure, why don't you drive me to my hotel,” Scott scoffed but froze as soon as the last word left his mouth. 

“Dickhead,” fWhip muttered under his breath. At least now Scott was looking at him and not the rooftop. “I'll wait outside while they do the last checkups and you change,” he said and left, hands deep in his pockets. 

Why was Scott staying in a hotel? Delay in house hunting? Didn't want to leave much hassle behind? Was avoiding someone? fWhip could not help but wonder. The first time in a long time that he regretted quitting smoking. He needed something in his mouth before he went crazy so he got some candy from the vending machine.

On second thought he got some for Scott too. Just to be funny or whatever.

“Sweets?” Scott blinked as fWhip offered him a handful of candy. 

“I was bored,” fWhip shrugged but the stick from the long-gone lollipop was still in his mouth. Maybe he shouldn't form a habit around them but it was quite relaxing.

Scott shrugged back and shoved the candy into the pocket of his cardigan. Why was he in a white suit before? Why did he have a change of clothes on him? 

fWhip made sure to walk slower than Scott could at the fastest. Couldn't have the injured overworking himself, no?

“You're as much of a jerk as you used to be, maybe more,” Scott scoffed once in fWhip's car.

“Must be stress from work getting to me,” fWhip chuckled. No way, he enjoyed destroying cases Jimmy built up so diligently. “You need a place to stay?”

“Wha… No? Why would I?” frustrated Scott had a weird feeling waking up deep inside fWhip.

“You told me to take you to a hotel,” fWhip deadpanned back, hoping it would kill it. “I'm barely home anyway,” he added with a shrug.

“And why exactly are you never home?” Scott asked cautiously. Good, he wasn't completely inside his head.

“I'm a lawyer, and the cops are trying really hard to bury my latest case, I'm trying my damndest to blow it open right back in their faces,” fWhip grinned, gripping the steering wheel tighter.

Scott hummed and stared ahead. “You're actually a pretty decent driver, aren't you?” He chuckled when they stopped outside his hotel. To his credit, it wasn't a bad hotel.

“So? Are you staying here or should I go up and help you pack? Or just my number in case you change your mind?” Or need someone to talk to, he didn't say that part out loud but hoped it was implied enough. He was pretty sure Scott would punch him if he did.

Scott blinked. “You weren't kidding? You know what, sure. But it probably won't be for long, I'm currently looking at houses in the area,” he shrugged. He was obviously lying. Probably hoping that fWhip was secretly a serial killer. 

Whatever. fWhip followed Scott inside and into his room and helped him pack his suitcase. He didn't comment, even when packing more personal items. Scott was content to just sit there.

“So law? I would never expect you'd end up as a lawyer,” he chuckled from the couch.

“I get to stick it to the lazy cops, it's pretty satisfying,” fWhip shrugged, not really caring he was packing Scott's underwear.

“So you're a top? Not at all surprising,” there was Scott's usual humour he remembered, just outright sexual comments and innuendos. Must have been feeling better

“Who knows, I don't like sharing a bed before a second date,” fWhip effortlessly tossed back. Two can play this game. Not like fWhip was ever interested in anyone. Be it a girl or a guy.

Scott shockingly didn't have much in his room for a guy who was in the middle of moving. He wasn't… Not a fWhip issue, so he wouldn't even think about it. “That's all?” He asked while scanning the room.

“I think so, if I'm forgetting anything it's probably not important,” Scott shrugged and with some struggled up to his feet. Stopping fWhip when he tried to help. “No second date yet,” he grinned once finally on his feet. 

fWhip just sighed and followed him out of the hotel. The staff were very nice to Scott from what he has overheard. Like nicer than they were to other guests. Well, Scott's family was pretty famous. 

The drive to fWhip's apartment was pretty uneventful aside from Scott's constant praising of his driving skills. Why was Scott so fixed on it? fWhip had no clue. “If you weren't such a good driver I probably wouldn't get away with some bruises and a broken leg,” Scott chuckled as he clambered out of the passenger seat once at fWhips building.

“Yeah, yeah, whatever. Stop talking about me driving, it's creepy,” fWhip rolled his eyes. It was getting mildly annoying.

“Kill joy,” Scott pouted as he followed fWhip and his suitcase to the elevator.

Shockingly Scott behaved pretty nicely as fWhip prepared dinner. Sitting at the table as he was told, grimacing at his phone before shoving it into his pocket.

It was after dinner that problems started.

fWhip was cleaning the table. Just brought some dishes to the sink, and as he turned around suddenly he was crowded to the sink counter by Scott. His injured leg between fWhip's. Face dangerously close to his ear. 

“Were they true? The high school rumours about you?” Scott wondered, his voice tickling fWhip's ear, sending shivers down his spine.

“You remember that nonsense? Obviously, it's not,” fWhip scoffed. He refused to think about it. It was all in the past. It didn't matter anymore. 

So why were his hands shaking?

“No need to be shy,” Scott chuckled, his voice dangerously low. Why was fWhip blushing? He could see it pretty clearly in the window. “Want to know a secret? I was supposed to be married today. Yup. He ditched me though. Shame, if he didn't we'd be having sex and my leg would be fine,” Scott suddenly confessed, forehead resting on fWhip's shoulder.

“My condolences?” fWhip said, unable to control how much his voice was shaking. “I'm not into guys though so if you could step back and like… go shower while I finish cleaning?” He was rambling. It was distracting from the situation in his pants.

“Are you sure?” Scott chuckled, his knee pushing up slightly. 

fWhip had to bite his lips to stay quiet. “Absolutely,” he said, shocking himself with how steady his voice was. “I’ll forget this happened so don't worry about it,” he said, escaping the proximity of the counter as soon as Scott took a step back.

Scott was silent as he went to the bathroom. And fWhip could finally let out the breath he was holding in. What the hell? He thought looking down at the obvious problem in his slacks. He never got hard this fast or easily.

Bah. The few times he tried dating girls in college he couldn't get it up at all. And all Scott had to do was whisper seductively about his problems for it to go up? What… No way. fWhip refused to believe it had anything to do with his guest. It was just a while since he did anything remotely… yup. Had to be that and the frustration with Jimmy's antics.

With a few more deep breaths he finished cleaning and set the dishwasher going. He didn't wait for Scott to be done. He said himself he'd be fine to shower alone. So fWhip went to the master bathroom. 

Or tried but it would seem he lost time while thinking and the guest bathroom door opened just as he was about to walk past and out went Scott. With nothing but a towel wrapped around his hips. Hair mostly dry. Lips curled up with a smirk when he spotted fWhip.

“Trying to jump me in the shower, Mr Lawyer?” It shouldn't have sounded as attractive as it did.

“No, merely passing by. And I told you to stop that,” fWhip protested, scowling at the mere thought.

“Okay okay, I'm sorry, but you know you're still…” Scott didn't sound sorry at all as he glanced at the obvious bulging in fWhip's pants.

“I'm aware, and it has nothing to do with you,” fWhip stopped him, maybe a bit too abruptly, and pushed past. He was too tired to wonder who the hell he offered his guest room to.

“There's nothing…” Scott started.

“I know, there's nothing wrong with being gay. But I'm not gay so drop it,” fWhip scowled. The thought of kicking Scott out crossed his mind but he'd feel like absolute crap if he did.

“Fine, I won't tell any you got hard because of a guy, or that it twitched when you saw me naked,” Scott sighed, raising his free of a crutch arm. A slight smirk was still tugging on his lips though.

“Good night,” fWhip mumbles just because he was raised to be nice and hid away in his bedroom. Glaring down at his crotch. He groaned as it twitched when the image of Scott shirtless crossed his mind against his will just because the guy whistled while passing his door.

Grumbling fWhip practically tore his suit off on his way to the master bathroom. Why did he need an apartment with two bathrooms? He didn't, he just liked the location.

He took an ice-cold shower. He hated cold showers. But he was not dealing with the issue at hand. Not with Scott in the apartment.  It with Scott being the reason behind it. He just had to wait and he'd be fine.

Scott woke up with a pained groan to the noise of his phone ringing. Maybe charging it wasn't a good idea. “It better be important,” he hissed after seeing Owen was the caller.

“Scott, really sorry I couldn't be there yesterday…”

“Don't bother, he ditched me. Why are you calling me at seven in the morning?” Scott cut him out. It was too early and fWhip left him with blue balls so he was a bit annoyed.

“I'm being accused of murder. And the prosecution is not buying your bachelorette as an alibi since my phone completely died, like all data gone…” Owen completely panicked.

“Calm down, I should have like a million on my phone. Who's the prosecutor in charge?”

“... Jimmy,” Owen barely whispered. Scott grinned.

“You got a lawyer?”

“Yes.”

“Who?”

“fWhip? You know back from…”

“I know, I kind of accidentally walked under his car yesterday, don't worry I got away with a broken ankle and some bruising, I'll live. Tell him I'll come with photos but not my name, okay? Make it a surprise,” Scott's morning was getting a bit better.

He cut the call as Owen profusely thanked him. He had a couple more calls to make.

fWhip was shocked to see Scott up and ready when he was leaving. With no breakfast. His client had finally found someone to collaborate his alibi. “Awake already?”

“Would the police station be on your way to work?” Scott asked after greeting him.

“I'm actually going there. Why?” Was he thinking about reporting yesterday's accident? They had an amicable agreement after all.

“A friend of mine needs some support there,” Scott shrugged. There was no way… there absolutely was.

“Fine, but I have no time for breakfast,” fWhip sighed. He'd scream if Scott was the alibi.

“No problem, I'll eat after dealing with that,” Scott grinned mysteriously. fWhip groaned it was going to be a long day.

[cloud8doesstuff]

"Overcome failure at any cost, even if it means betraying others"… That is our family motto! The cold reality of kicking people down is part of business! Virtues and sentiments are for losers.''

📷-cardeas.ph over on insta!

RAAAA NEED TO FINALLY POST THIS WITHOUT PUSSYIN OUT I SWEAR IVE TRIED LIKE 20 TIMES.

So, this Cosplay was sorta a big part of why art was slow the last year n a bit. after being sorta disrespected to the point of having to quit artschool around lastyear, art left a bad taste in my mouth for a min and i really needed to sorta shift creative hobbies for a while, so SOMEHOW i thought building a fuckin spacesuit in my one bedroom apartment was a good idea :))). I really wanted to take some more silly photos too but this costume was AWFUL to manuver in alone, i already had to take everything on public transport like 4 times to get to the con. for sure one of those cosplays where i prob should have had a handler come with me. Then again if i had friends i wouldn't have spent practically 2 years building a giant fuckin shadow okumura costume lmao.

There's alot AND I MEAN ALOT of parts to this costume i would approach very very differently if i was gonna do over, i didnt get a sewing machine till p much everything was finished so some stuff like the faux leather gloves came out so ugly lookin sadly. But i learnt alot! there was alot of stuff in this costume i was very unsure about approaching, such as the helmet. and i couldnt find anythin similar online so i kinda had to just "fuck around and find out" for lack of better term.

ALSO ALSO! big and i mean BIG fuckin shoutout to the persona 5 the stage project!! i used the Okumura costume they built for that as reference and i probably wouldnt have even attempted it if it wasnt for seeing it in the live action stage play! I sadly have no idea who did the costuming for that set but absolute props to them, they are my god damn hero. Ik the 3rd part featuring the futaba and okumura arc isnt widely avalable online but maybe just maybe i was crazy enough to find it on dvd n rip it n maybe ill be able to send it to peeps if they care enough to reach out :) if you like just weird ass offical persona 5 stuff or vidya stageplay adaptations i highly recomend watching em!

If you've read this far into my mad ramblings, Thank you! this turned out to be a really personal sorta endevor for me, and i hopfully can muster up the guts to post other cosplay stuff in the future!

More digital art to come soon!

✨️🍔🤖

[creativepawsworld]

Silence - Chapter 12

Pairing = Thomas Shelby x Original Character

Summary = The police are after Thomas Shelby. Ana takes John's suit to his house, the pair having another meaningful conversation.

Warnings = Language, Gang Activity, Guns, Mentions of Sex, Anger issues

Word Count = 3268

Note = Thank you all so much for the comment's reactions and reblogs, it really makes my day that you love this story as much as I enjoy writing it.

For the first time since breaking my foot, I managed to fall and stay asleep last night and it was a good sleep, so amazingly good. I woke up feeling refreshed, ready for the day instead of the usual groggy and irritable version of myself, I had been experiencing lately.

There was no sign of James when I got up. He probably went straight to work after staying at Martha’s. It wasn’t unusual for him to stay over at her place, it was unusual that he didn’t call in to say hello though as he passed through here to get to work.

I walked down in the living room, smiling at the discarded white shirt just tossed onto the floor. A stark reminder that last night did in fact happen. Picking up the clothing and throwing it back into the clean laundry pile I made myself some breakfast before heading next door.

Being the only one in the shop meant that everything fell on my shoulders. Not only did I have to do the administration side to the shop, the inventory, general upkeep but I also had to deal with any clients that came through the door needing something altered or fix. It all rested on me for the first time.

Pushing some loose hair out of my face I looked up at the sound of the door opening. Inwardly rolling my eyes praying the people of Small Heath would just go away. I had been on my foot most of the day, my underarms were red and aching from the fiction caused by the wooden crutches. I didn’t know how much more I could take.

“Everything alright in here Ana?” James’s voice laughed looking around the store. I had things everywhere. Literally everywhere. Random swatches of material were laid over the front desk and my sewing machine, samples of the materials we had in store for people to choose from. I had papers, laying in all directions with measurements, dates and names written on them. I was working in chaos.

“Thank God you are here. Close the door, lock it and keep everyone out” I sigh throwing myself back into the god-awful wooden chair. I was absolutely exhausted. First time having full control of the tailor shop and I managed to do it on a broken foot, it would be a piece of cake in the future with two feet.

“It’s after 5pm we are closed anyway” James laughed shaking his head. He started grabbing the random swatches on fabric putting them into the swatch's basket. “Busy day?” He asked walking around tidying up after me.

“It was the worst day ever. People needing trousers and dresses mended, some needed them altered within an hour. Others wanted to request a new outfit for a family wedding in five days.”

“You know you didn’t have to alter anything right then and there, right?” James asked, putting the work baskets in the far-right corner.

 I smiled thinking back to the days when James worked here. We never got anything done, it was so bad, our parents had to separate us. My father taking James under his wing, my mother, me. All too soon though my brother wanted independence. He wanted away from the shop and away from our parents. It was then he got himself mixed up in gambling and the Shelby brothers.

“I know but I just, didn’t want to let anyone down” I sighed rubbing feeling back into my fingers. I lost count how many times I had stuck myself with the needle trying to hurry things along.

“Ana, that’s fine when you are at yourself, not when you have one foot” James scolded handing me the pieces of paper with scribbles on it. “What does half of this even say? That is not how father writes out a measurement sheet” He laughed shaking his head at me.

“It’s how I write it. Easier and saves time” I chuckled snapping the sheets from him using the desk to tap the loose pages together and placing them on my desk.

“If you say so” James shrugged walking around the shop, stopping when he came to a suit. “This is a fine suit Ana, Shelby not been around to collect it yet?” He asked lifting the pant leg and inspecting it.

“Nope, God only knows why. It’s not like the Shelby’s to be late” I sigh with a smile. My mind drifting to my favourite Shelby brother, nibbling on my bottom lip.

“Well with everything going on. I’d say they have their hands full” James nodded leaving the suit alone and walking over to me. “You best hope he comes tonight; father is coming home, and you know he won’t be happy with the suit still here”

“I thought they were coming home tomorrow night?”

“No it’s definitely tonight. Martha is away to some show with a few friends from work. I remember the date clearly as I was going to the Garrison with a few mates”

“Come on” I sighed rubbing my temples with my fingers before standing to my feet, grabbing a nearby empty basket. “Help me”

“Help you what?” James asked confused at my sudden panic like state.

“Grab that dress and put it in the basket with the suit.”

“What are you going to do? Deliver it?” He asked with a laugh but seeing me nod my head, his face fell. “How exactly are you going to carry a basket and two crutches without falling flat on your face Ana, be realistic.”

“I’m not. You’re gonna carry the basket”

“Hell no. I’m not going near the Shelby house are you mad? What if Arthur is there?”

“What if he isn't?” I asked, eyebrows raised. “Please James. Father entrusted me with the running of the shop, I don’t want him coming home and thinking I can’t handle it alone.”

“I’m sure he won’t…”

“James, it’s father. Come on I help you place a stupid bet you can help me deliver a suit” I brought up the incident from a few weeks back when he asked me to go to the betting shop for him. Bringing me into the life of the Shelby’s albeit unintentionally.

“I hate you”

“You love me.” I grin, balancing as best I could while putting my coat on. Taking the crutches once more and hobbling out into the street. “I can’t wait to be free of these”

“Should not of kicked a wall over a Shelby.” James growled dragging his feet behind me.

“Shut up” I tell him with a glare of my own, urging him to hurry up.

Before we even got near the shop James told me that if saw Arthur he would be gone, suit in hand or not. Rolling my eyes at my cowardly elder brother, the streetlights came on, the dark night started to take over. Hopping over the puddles in the street, I noticed a few lights were light in the main house, the betting shop door was no doubt locked now meaning Polly should be at home.

Knocking on the door, I waited for someone to answer the door, my brother was looking over his shoulder every two minutes in case a Shelby brother snuck up on us. I was about to tell him to stop fidgeting when the front door opened, the light shining on both my brother and I. Polly had a smile on her once her eyes landed on me.

“Ana dear, I was thinking just about you.” She grinned, her eyes glancing over to my brother who stood still, a glare on his face as he held the basket in one hand. The other hand casually in his pocket. “James” Polly spoke plainly at him.

“Mrs Gray” James returned, no emotion in his voice.

“Hi Polly, I have John’s suit he was supposed to collect yesterday. I wanted it out of the shop before my father returned.”

“From London, yes Tommy said you had the run of things”

“He did?” I asked with a smile. A blush appearing on  my cheeks at the thought of Thomas talking to his family about me.

“Mmm” Polly nodded with a smile of her. Clearly his throat my brother made his presence known, holding the basket up. “Is that the suit then?”

“Indeed” James nodded handing the basket over to Polly. “I’ll see you at home later?” He asked me backing away from the Shelby home towards what he considered safety, even though Arthur was more than likely at the bar now that Thomas brought it for him.

“Yeah” I shouted my shoulder at him, watching him walk backwards before turning at my answer, disappearing around the corner.

“You must be freezing, come in” Polly spoke once my brother gone, like myself she was watching him leave. Carefully making my way into her home she ushered me into the kitchen, pulling out a chair for me and putting on the tea. “I’m sorry I haven’t been around lately; things have not been easy”

“I heard Ada had her baby. Congratulations”

“Yes, shame his father was taken from her. Haven’t seen her since the birth. Held up in a basement, not good for her or the baby” Polly groaned, shaking her head at the predicament. “Things only got worse when the boys pathetic excuse of a father turned up. Arthur and Tommy have been at one another’s throats.”

“I can come back at a different time Polly. Clearly you have a lot going on”

“No, no you are fine dear. A breath of fresh air in my world of madness.” She smiles, taking the teapot into her hands and pouring the hot liquid into my awaiting cup.

“While I was waiting on John, I finished your dress” I tell her taking a sip of the tea, ensuring I didn’t burn myself on the liquid.

“You did?” She asked, moving John’s suit of the way, hanging it on the door admiring it. “That would have been a nice suit for his wedding, shame he didn’t have it in time” She nodded admiring the work before taking the dress from the basket, holding it up to inspect it. “Ana…” She gasped

“If there is anything you don’t like I can remove it or add to it no problem” I tell her unsure if the gasp was good or bad.

“It's perfect. Oh, Ana you talented little thing” She breathed excitedly his hands running along the lace material at the hips. It was a show stopping piece, to really bring attention to one of the more prominent features of a woman. “Thank you”

“Polly, Polly the police are after our Tommy. They want to take him away” The youngest Shelby brother ran into the room breaking the moment. I felt my eyes widened at his words, what had he done now?

“What? Where is he Finn?” Polly rushed towards the younger brother, dress still in hand as she held his shoulder.

“The barmaid took him away with her. The one Arthur says makes Tommy soft” He shrugged nonchalantly, he was too young to understand what his words had meant, it hadn’t made them hurt any less though.

“Where did they go Finn?”

“I don’t know, her place I think.” The younger brother shrugged, his eyes wondering to me “Hey it’s you. I remember you. What happened your foot? Tommy wouldn’t tell me the other day.”

“Finn, go to your room.” Polly instructed, a worried looked on her face. She was standing, a hand over her mouth, her other holding the dress and ushering the boy out of the room. “Stupid boy, stupid, stupid boy”

A million thoughts ran through my head as the pieces started falling into place for Polly. The only thing I could focus on was he was with that pretty little barmaid. Just him and her, alone in her home. I swallowed back some sick, needing to get out of this house, I got up attracting Polly’s attention.

“Where are you going?”

“Home” I answered her sharply. The stupid tears I swore I’d never cry threatening to spill. How many more times was I going to allow a man like Thomas Shelby make a complete and utter fool out of me before I realised, I needed to move on, like Martha and Polly said.

“Why are you upset?” She asked once I had my back to her. Immediately she reached forward taking my wrist through the crutch to stop me moving, using it to turn me to look at her. Her hawk like eyes scanning over my face, looking down my body before back up to my face. “You slept with him?”

“No”

“But you allowed him to touch you” She pressed. Hearing the words leave her mouth had the tears falling freely from my eyes, I felt so dirty. So stupid. “Oh, my dear, Ana”

“Why is he doing this Polly?”

“He is a man; they only think with their cocks” Polly almost growled holding me against her chest. “I warned him. I told him not to lead you on, but he doesn’t listen. Stupid, stupid boy”

“I think I’m the stupid one”

“No Ana, no you’re not. He is an idiot for not seeing what he hasn’t in front of him”

“I thought he liked me. I was ready to give, you know 'it' to him last night, but he stopped me” I tell her, my voice muffled in her shoulder. “He’s such a pig”

“He is” Polly whispered in my ear before pulling back slightly. “Wait he stopped you from having sex with him?” She asked confused. I simply nodded my head at her question, Polly couldn’t help the look of surprise on her face.

Shaking whatever was going through her mind off, she held me at arm's length, hands on my shoulders, gripping them tightly. “You promise me now, you are done with him. He is not good for you Ana, sweet girl like you deserves a man who would give her the world”

"I have no doubt it is him, Ana. You bring out a side of him that only existed before the war, I thought that part of him died in France”

“So, there is still a chance?”

“No” She answered sharply, conflicting her words. “There is no doubt in my mind Thomas would give you the world. But you are too pure for this world, his world.”

“I can be who Thomas wants me to be”

“You most certainly will not. You do not change yourself for a man Ana, don’t do that to yourself” She scolded holding my face in her hand gently yet firmly. “Do you hear me?”

“Yes”

“Good girl”

“Polly the guns are gone, Campbell has them, there after Tom…” A loud booming voice yelled; it was so loud I was surprised the house didn’t shake due to the volume. “Hello dear…” Arthur stopped himself, seeing me in his aunts' arms. John trailing after him.

“John, take Ana home. We have things to discuss when you get back” Polly directed to the younger of the two men. I expected the man to refuse or kick up a fuss, but he didn’t. He simply walked forward, extending a gentle hand forward. “I’ll will call around tomorrow love, before lunch”

“Okay, goodbye” I called allowing John Shelby to escort me from the home and into the cold night once again. The atmosphere was different than it was when I first left for the house, the police whistles were blowing all over, along with shouts as they marched through the streets looking for Thomas Shelby

“You alright?” John asked after a moment

“Yeah, fell for your stupid brother again like a foolish idiot” I tried to laugh off, but it was too soon. “Congratulations on your wedding” I tell him changing the subject. Ever since our chat at the bar I started to feel safe around John, he was nice. Different than his brothers.

“Thanks. My stupid brother didn’t give me much of a choice. Thankfully she isn’t ugly, I can live with that”

“That’s good?” I questioned unsure how to respond to his reply, my response caused him to laugh.

“It is, believe me I have some standards.” He nodded, nudging me softly, a smile on his face. “I was the only sane one available left to marry anyway, Arthur is out of his fucking mind and Tommy is in love so, wouldn’t have been right for him to marry”

“Wouldn’t you have preferred to marry for love?”

“I did marry for love, but she died. I just wanted to marry for convenience for the kids. I’ll grow to love her” He answered plainly. The marriage really was a business deal, one that benefitted both sides.

“I’m so sorry John" I sigh feeling terrible, the man was the same age as me and he had already lost so much. "I know you said you feel like you have a choice when it comes to your family, but it doesn’t seem like you do sometimes”

“I know it looks that why sometimes, but it's not. I am okay with marrying Esme. As for my brothers, I think they should marry for love at least once. So, I had to give me brothers a chance.” He laughed as we reached the door to my home. “Polly is right about one thing, you're pure Ana but you shouldn't stay away. Your what our Tom needs, something to ground him. She just doesn't see it yet"

“Finn says it the barmaid that has his attention, has him going soft.”

“That’s our Arthurs. He doesn’t know much about you, so course he thinks it’s the barmaid that has my brother soft. If he knew about you, he'd know it was you.”

“John, I don’t…I can’t do this. I can’t be waiting around wondering what Thomas has done and whether or not he will be coming home to me. Maybe Polly is right, maybe I should stay away.”

“Are you giving up on my brother?”

“Can’t give up on something you never had”

“Oh, you have him Ana, you just don’t see it. Idiots the both of you” John replied shaking his head walking towards the front door “Thanks for the suit by the way.”

“You’re welcome” I replied waiting for him to leave before breaking down again, my heart breaking. I limped up to my room, a surge of angry pulsating through my veins as I used my crutch to knock things off the top of my drawers. Screaming in frustration as I hit the books and broken porcelain repeatedly with the crutch.

“Ana” A voice yelled but I didn’t care to stop “ANA” the voice got louder walking up behind me catching me as I threw the crutches across the room. The person ‘sshing’ me as they wrapped around me tightly squeezing me, bringing up both to the ground.

“I hate him” I yelled my hands smacking at their hands as they held tightly onto me.

“It’s gonna be okay, it’s gonna be okay” James continued to repeat in my ear, rocking me backwards and forwards until I calmed down.

“I hate him, I hate him” I repeated, my breathing slowly returning to normal.

“I know, I hate him to”

“I really hate him” I whispered twisting myself, so I was snuggled tight into his chest, his heart beating erratically in his chest. “I hate that he made me love him. Why, why did I have to fall in love with him?”

“I don’t know Ana; I wish I knew”



Taglist

@shelbyteller @seleneshelby @forgottenpeakywriter @babayaga67 @sweetmilkshakeluminary

[vinceaddams]

top five clothing items you wish you'd wear more often, please! and the five you do wear the most, please!

Oh heck! I still have asks from that ask meme thingy I reblogged 2 weeks ago, sorry for taking so long!

Hmm, tough to choose specific things I wish I wore more often. I do have a bunch of fancy 18th century things that sit in my closet most of the time, but usually when I leave the house I'm either going to work or to the grocery store, and I don't feel like being super fancy for that. Cuff ruffles would get in the way of all the hand washing and such, and breeches would be annoying at work because I use machines with knee levers.

I guess I wish I wore my nice shoes a bit more often than just for photos, but they were expensive and I don't want to wear out the leather soles. Maybe I ought to get little rubber soles added.

Oh, and my embroidered monster waistcoat! I wish I wore that more, but it's from an older pattern that doesn't fit me very well. The embroidery is also a bit worn out in places, alas.

It's a bit difficult to know which things I wear most frequently, but here are my best guesses for right now. (My summer answers would of course be different.)

1. This brown wool waistcoat from early 2019. I wear it all the time in the cold half of the year.

Just like the monster waistcoat, it's made from a pattern I drafted before top surgery, so it really doesn't fit me anymore. It's also getting pretty shabby. I've been meaning to make some new everyday plain wool waistcoats for a while now.

(I wear that green shirt pretty often too.)

2. This cap. It's just two pieces of linen, and I made it in 2018. I like wearing caps indoors when it's cold, and also under my wool hat outdoors. It adds an extra layer of warmth, is softer than the wool hat, and protects it from my very oily scalp.

I have 3 of these caps, but this one is my favourite. It's also something I ought to make more of.

3. These pants. They're just plain black cotton fall front pants.

I could pretend I'm wearing them the most because they're fully lined and therefore warmer than my other pairs, but the fact is I've got 3 other pairs of pants with holes worn in them that I need to patch and have been avoiding for a shamefully long time. It's a pretty easy thing to fix, and I will likely put it off for several more weeks, if not more.

I feel the need to point out that not all of my wardrobe is in such a miserable state, I at least have a good amount of shirts!

4. I don't think I have any pictures of it, but my winter coat is just a plain medium grey modern (by which I mean at least a couple decades old) wool one. Here's an image I found on google of approximately the same coat.

It was my grandfather's, and is a bit too big for me, and the lining is getting pretty worn out. Someday I want to completely pick it apart, recut it, and re-sew it with a new lining, but I can't do that until I have a backup winter coat.

5. This poor flannel nightgown which has finally worn out! Just a few days ago it developed a huge hole in the back panel, and a small one by the button placket, so it's destined to be cleaning rags and/or firestarters.

The buttons might end up on another nightgown though. So I guess this is no longer a thing I can wear frequently :( In the linked post I actually made 3 nightgowns from the same pattern, and that was the medium weight one, so now I'm down to the very heavy fish print flannel one and the light rayon one, and need to make more. (A very common theme with my wardrobe things, alas. I am slow.)

But I did just finish a new nightgown this week, made from a completely different pattern that I'm quite excited about! I'll get some pictures soon!

[ghostlycorvid]

Got the sewing machine up and running first thing in the morning! The only snag I ran into was the needle clamp being gummed up with old sewing machine oil and not being placed back on there correctly by a previous owner. Took it off, gave it a good cleaning, and it slid right back on perfectly and I had no problem installing the needle after! 

Tested it by just turning the hand wheel, it took a few tries adjusting the bobbin tension but I got the stitches looking neat and tidy! I’m definitely not used to older machines where you have to manually adjust the tension for the top and bottom threads separately, thankfully it’s pretty easy!

The other 7 hours of my workday were spent out on the office deck, giving the wood a nice wash with oil soap and then oiling the cast iron base. The little bit of cleaning really made the wood pop ;w; 

I patched some of the holes in the drawers with wood filler, and also found some finishing nails to stabilize a couple of corners that had come apart over the years. I ordered some fun drawer handles last night, so hopefully I’ll be able to make something that looks nice when they come in! 

The last thing I need to do to make it properly functional is treat the leather strap to help it get more grip. It turns fine with the slower speed of the handwheel, but as soon as I get the treadle wheel moving, it’s too fast and the leather strap just sits there. We might have some rosin at home from my mom’s days of playing violin... 🤔

My next step will be consulting with our shipwright to see what he thinks can be done about some of the trickier wood damage that I don’t know how to repair. Every guide I find on patching up wood damage is like “fill it with wood filler then slap some BORING ASS PAINT over your nice 115 year old antique wood stain” which is not going to happen lmao but also means that my internet research isn’t giving me any good leads. I know I could try to match the staining, but that will be tricky without talking to someone who actually knows this stuff.