the basin – going dark for Feb 28, 2025

Let me try this – this is a choice and this is a motto of exploration that has resulted in this blog.

On Friday, February 28, I will go dark. I will only purchase local services and goods. I will not post my morning photo but I will have that photo as it is a small peaceful start to my day.

I have all that I need. Much that I buy is local for groceries and supplies. I made this choice long ago when the first big box stores opened up, our little community stores were not able to compete with the big buying power and closed. I lost work to this and I felt that it was better to support our local community first. So, not buying outside of my local is not a change for me but a continuation of my chosen lifestyle.

I have skills and, on this day, I will make use of a few while I stay dark. Sewing is my go to. I have learned much from the WWW (World Wide Web) to enhance my life long sewing, yet on this day, I will not participate in or watch any creators. I can catch up next week. Instead, I will look to my mending and tackle a broken seam stich or fix the wear on a favorite t-shirt. My sewing stash of materials, gadgets and supplies is very full and will keep happily sewing for the rest of my lifetime if this is what I need. I can start a new project too.

I will start a letter as I will move from project to project today, like most days. This letter may be to my government with a praise and a concern, or it may be a card to an old friend. These letters take time and yet each letter must be opened by hand, by a human. This written letter will not be filtered out of existence by a portal following some management protocol. So, take a piece of paper and start writing. The envelope and stamp purchase is only a short walk away, so take the time on this walk to view the changing of the season or day.

I will work on this day as it again local work for community that I support and in it’s own way supports me with not only a living but with a mutual prosperity that is our best safety net.

Changes. They are happening and perhaps, necessary. Only when we have reached the other side of this momentum will the results come in. Just like any other race.

So, what next?

Each day is only a day and for many, will pass like those before.

I will share my photo March 1 to herald a new day. It will be a day where I have a choice. My first choice is not to be afraid. I can only change how I react, and when I choose not to be afraid, I allow myself the breathing space needed to make the choice that is right for me. I chose to listen to my heart; it has always led me to where I need to be. Even when it is only in my heart, these can be harder to choose, yet it is right for me. Your choices are not mine, nor do they need to be. I respect that deeply as I find our diversity refreshing like the winds of change that herald a new spring filled with fragrance of wonders to be cherished.

When I prosper, my community prospers. And when my community prospers, our humanity prospers.

With both respect and kindest regards,

Cathy

Cape idea 2 – from a single piece of fabric and some hemp thread!

Cape 2 from a single piece of fabric and some hemp thread.

Hemp Thread – yes Hemp! It is .2mm and I think too big for my machines so hand stitching is in order.

Recently purchased wool plaid from the thrift store was begging to be a wrap. It measured 172cm long and 155 wide.

So, I started to fold at one corner 8 inches ( I use both metric and imperial in my sewing and cooking – it comes from starting my school years in imperial measurements and having to learn metric in middle school) from the raw edge and folded to the count of 10. Secured it with some pink hemp thread As this is only a test, I hand basted the raw edge of the plaid with more pink hemp.

Then I got another Idea and it was not to pleat the left side but to bring it up in a swanky way. To complete it I did a fast chain stitch on the left side to keep the folds in place for the drape of the hood.

So this is what I now have hanging out with Daisy (yes, I named the thing that pretends to be me for these photo shoot.)

The beginnings of a cape. It is asymmetrical but has a nice look. To finish this, I need to baste the bottom hem as it is the cut side of the fabric, craft an opening for the right hand and imagine a closure for the front.

But should I take the time to finish it or rip it apart and make a skirt? Or pants, or vest? you get the idea. Feedback is always appreciated.

I have already started a new one but it is only pinned. It is a dusty rose-pink from the 80’s, a woven silk with a very nice drape. It is my next part of the little sewing no cutting capes that bellow from my fabric stash.

My unusual sewing supplies and tools.

Little bags filled with glass beads for sand blasting for pattern weights and they double as pin cushions.

Vintage glass stoppers also work well in a pinch!

I also use an old eyeglass case to cart around the pin cushions, pens, ect. Funky and it works.

Years ago I used dental floss to gather a skirt for an Afghan Nomad Dress by Folkwear Patterns. I made the traditional skirt and used 5 meters of raw pink silk – it is a lot of weight and needed some extra strength. I made the dress 25 years ago and it still fits! Too warm for summer ware and the big sleeves are best suited for capes not coats.

You can find the pattern here. http://www.folkwear.com/107.html