The Cult of Ellen

After another evening of dressmaking, I've got the sleeves in the lining, and I've finally reached the stage of putting the lining and the outer together. I must remember to put the shoulder-pads in before I've sewn it all up... What's fun about this stage is that I've pinned the top edge of the collar together, and down the front opening on either side. The front panels need to be pinned and sewn together apart from a small gap at the bottom on each side. This is important, because the next stage is to turn it all the right way out... Topological transformations not being my strong point, that'll be when I find out if I've followed the pattern correctly, or if I need to unpick lots and lots of stitching. *fingers crossed*

Anyway, it's going to have to wait until Thursday night now, as I've got writing group tonight, and tomorrow I'm away in Cork. Which means I miss my dressmaking class. Again. Humbug. Still, if I can get this coat finished this weekend, I hold out hopes of being able to maybe get through all of the mountain of work I still need to do to pass this course: project on a designer, pattern alterations, samples, body image type, design portfolio, second garment or craft item. Did I mention there's only around 8 classes left? Argh!

Edit: Looking for pictures for a 'dressmaking' icon (yes, I'm getting on with work, why do you ask?) I came across this quote:

With women trained in matters of clothing, we shall no longer be confronted by the absurdity of identical styles for thick and thin, short and tall, middle-aged and young, rich and poor. We shall no longer see dress dominating, as it does to-day, the entire lives of thousands of women. From the woman of wealth who spends a fortune every season upon her wardrobe, all the way down the money scale to the young girl who strains every nerve and spends every cent she can earn to buy and wear "the latest style," slavery to fashion is an evil gigantic in its proportions and far-reaching in its results.

You can tell *that* worked... *heh*

Last night was dressmaking. ravenlas broke off from work to pick me up from the train station and drop me off at the college. Which took a good 20 minutes. To go 3 miles. Much crawling! *boggle* Anyway, I forgot to pack the raincoat I'm making, so I got on with samples, which was fun, and I've still got a pile more to do. The lady who normally gives me a lift home was stuck in a traffic jam in Newcastle, and didn't make it, so I headed to Tesco's at 9.30, did a bit of shopping, called home and found ravenlas was still at work (having been there from 8, 8:30am), and got a taxi home. ( Rant ahead... )

I made myself 2 cornmeal pancakes for dinner last night. (Tesco's on Tadcaster Road has a world foods aisle which has ace stuff...) 1/2 a cup of cornmeal, 1 egg, 1 cup rice milk (not vanilla flavoured), salt, pepper, dried mixed herbs. Served with sliced black olives and some cold mexican chicken fajita pieces. Very tasty. Even ravenlas will eat those, though he won't eat regular pancakes.

Things I have learned: cornmeal pancakes aren't flexible. They have a tendency to break in 2 while being turned, and they won't roll. Not a problem. Still tasty. Yum!

Today, 2 appointments. Lunchtime - leg & bikini wax; for the first time ever, I'm paying someone to do this. More on this later... This evening - skiing lesson at Xscape. Never, ever borrow one of their own helmets. (You have to wear one for their lessons.) Their helmets have the most incredible stench, even after being sprayed with helmet deodorant (no sniggering, you at the back!) - I'm going to buy my own helmet. Just to avoid having to use theirs. It's that bad.

Many and varied things lie herein: ( the weekend, friends, my proselytism, Disney Land, dressmaking, yada yada yada *deep breath* ) And of course, the most important thing is that I've finally used YouTube for its rightful purpose. Which is watching Depeche Mode videos. I may never get any work done again! lol

ravenlas took me to Frankie and Benny's on Monday, and then we went to see V for Vendetta. It's very good - I may be going again on Sunday with friends. You know, I think that Parliament is afraid of the people. Why else would it be trying to pass all of these laws to keep people under control and out of democratic processes? Well, processes which should be democratic, but are getting less and less so. Given that there are almost 60 million people in this very small and not so great Britain, they appear to have forgotten that they are in control only while we can't be bothered doing anything about it. If we really wanted to get rid of them, there's no way they could stop us all. Their greatest 'control' over us is our disinterest and disorganisation.

( Comics, maths, making stuff, and making stuff up... Just an update. )

In other news, medains will be along to VJs on Saturday with his beloved and their baby, and will then potter over to my house where they can hold court for the afternoon for anyone who wants to come by and welcome Hugh to the expanding ex-Freaksoc clan. Yay!

Also, there's Darklands on Saturday, and the City Screen late showing is of MirrorMask, so I may have to hop on my bike and head into town. *happy dance*

I have finished making my simple skirt. It looks very nice, and I will wear it.

*happy dance*

And I managed to get to Tesco's and exchange my camera for one that, with luck, will work. And keep on working.