So last week was not productive... Starting with the fabric shop being closed when we went for a fondle (gah! I should have remembered they close on a Monday), continuing through being asked to put a lining in a linen jacket (something I will enjoy doing but when do I get to it) and with a persistent theme of trying to get Husband's receipts and filing up to date... Sigh.
So the to-do list grows ever longer, but having made a complete cock-up of a t-shirt last week I know what I did wrong and will be more confident (wibble) in making a couple of proper ones in the fabric currently winging its way to me from ebay.
There will be sewing next week. I'm thinking if I do one day pattern cutting, one day fabric cutting, one day sewing I shouldn't find myself over-reached at any point. The first thing I'll sew is the jacket lining - not least because I've picked up a very well-behaved anti-static lining, and I need to remember how lovely and well-behaved my sewing machine can be - when I'm not subjecting it to a universal twin needle on non-interfaced lightweight t-shirting (just two of the lessons I learnt last week).
And I'll put up some pictures. This wittering is all well and good but I feel the need for some photographic evidence of progress.
And I'm also hoping for a bit more energy over the next few weeks. The temperature's rising - which means I don't get the horrible cold-cramps - and I'm cutting out all sugar and most starch which I think might be a food trigger for some of the aches and pains. I've been doing this for 5 days now, bar an ice-ream yesterday afternoon which may have been the cause of yesterday evening's awfulness - but that could have been overdoing things generally over the week.
Other distractions? Well I keep thinking of other things I want to be sewing RIGHT NOW. As you do. And one thing I do need by the end of half term is some sleeves. Yes, standalone sleeves. I seem to have been persuaded into a skiing lesson at the beginning of June and you have to have arms (and legs) covered. It's a dry ski slope so falling over equals skin loss. Giving the current trajectory of the thermometer I don't think any of my jumpers will do, and all of my other tops are either short or 3/4 sleeved - so I'm going to muslin a pair of those "tights for arms" whatsits and see how that goes. And if it doesn't work I'll be the one flailing around in the a-line black raincoat looking like a particularly uncoordinated crow.
Sunday 18 May 2014
Monday 12 May 2014
So please don’t think you have to ask me how I am
because I have Fibromyalgia, and we both have better things to do with our time than me giving you an honest – but depressing – account of what’s currently ailing me.Basically, if I’m upright and talking coherently it’s a good day. If I’m upright and fumbling for words I probably need to be sitting down. If I’m sitting down feel free to offer me a cup of tea (white no sugar, teabag needs only a brief acquaintance with the water and hardly any milk please). Oh, and if I’m using a walking stick I’ll probably accept any offers of help but am really lousy at asking for them. (If I’m wearing sunglasses on a dull day please steer clear and for gods’ sake don’t whistle anywhere near me)
Today (May 12th) is Fibromyalgia awareness day, so this is probably a good day to explain why I can’t be relied on to deliver anything I haven’t already finished.
This, from the NHS Website, is a good place to start:
“Fibromyalgia, also called fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), is a long-term condition that causes pain all over the body.
As well as widespread pain, people with fibromyalgia may also have:
- increased sensitivity to pain
- fatigue (extreme tiredness)
- muscle stiffness
- difficulty sleeping
- problems with mental processes (known as "fibro-fog") – such as problems with memory and concentration
- headaches
- irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) – a digestive condition that causes stomach pain and bloating
Anyone can develop fibromyalgia, although it affects around seven times as many women as men. The condition typically develops between the ages of 30 and 50, but can occur in people of any age, including children and the elderly.
It's not clear how many people are affected by fibromyalgia, although it's thought to be a common condition. Estimates suggest the condition may affect nearly 1 in 20 people globally.
One of the main reasons it's not clear how many people are affected is because fibromyalgia can be a difficult condition to diagnose. There is no specific test for the condition, and the symptoms can be similar to a number of other conditions.”
And what does this mean for me? Well, I’ve been diagnosed with fibro for about a year, and have probably had it for a while before that – but this last 2 years is when the fibro has rather taken centre stage. I had to drop my hours at work from 40+ to 20 per week last summer, and was struggling even then to get through the week without collapsing by Thursday or Friday. So being made redundant earlier this year was frankly a relief, giving me more energy to spend on making sure The Boy is fed, washed and at school on time (as Husband is working away during the week I don’t get to delegate anything till the weekend). It also means I can take some of the strain from husband, so he doesn’t have to spend the weekend faffing with expense claims and ironing shirts.
Hence faff & witter – an excuse for me to faff with fabric (and yarn) and put together patterns for Gorgeous Things which you – dear reader – may be interested in making yourselves. And with that, it’s time to put on some slap and head to the fabric shop. No walking stick today so I’ve both hands free for fondling – hurrah!
Tuesday 6 May 2014
Setting Up - Bear With...
- Email - check
- Blog - check
- Twitter - check
- www - sat my arse on a domain for later
- Facebook - do I have to?
- Pinterest - not yet. I would get far too distracted. Self-knowledge is power.
Mission Statement
Current Status
...more to follow...
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