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Tell us a random fact about yourself.

LizKat said:
Probably reluctance to venture into crafts whose practitioners still seem mostly to be women, and the same with professions like nursing or elementary school teaching.

But at least as quilting and crafts like case and bagmaking go in the USA, there has been a steady if small influx of men ever since the 1970s. And I don't mean just celebrity quilters like Joe Cunningham or Ricky Tims either. Last time I went to look at quilting-oriented sewing machines in Ithaca, there were a couple guys taking the series of freebie classes offered to purchasers. One looked to be in his 50s and the other maybe a college student.

One of the guilds near there has an annual fall event open to the public. A few years ago one of the attendees taking pics of a quilt my sister had made said he'd gotten into quilting himself after wondering how the hell his wife could spend so much money on fabrics she ended up "just" cutting into little pieces and "just" sewing them back together again. :D He said he'd changed his mind about all that after happening to notice some instructions about cutting and assembly of a quilt with a tessellated design, for example this one of interlocking cat profiles:


and then out of curiosity he browsed a quilting books section online and bought Jinny Beyer's book about designing tessellated quilts. He basically copped to having been drawn into quilting by the mathematics of some of the more complex symmetrical blocks. Funny that, since a lot of quilting books still de-emphasize math and assure their (assumed female?) readership that "no scary math here, there are charts and templates to help you cut things the right size!" -- although Jinny Beyer made no such assurances. Another quiltmaker and fabric designer, Paula Nadelstern, has specialized in kaleidoscopic effects that engage the mathematics behind "mirrored" designs, which I've noticed a lot of guys have picked up on in their quilting endeavors.
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Thank you and SS for your thoughtful and interesting posts. I haven’t yet ventured into quilting, and would have to study up on the subject before even considering getting into it.

It seems (to me, at least) that quilting versus sewing is somewhat equivalent to the comparison between fine furniture making and/or artistic woodwork versus carpentry. The former is arguably more of an purely artistic expression than the latter.

I admire the talent and skill of many woodworkers, and I enjoy seeing a particularly well designed and executed quilt. That cat quilt, for example, is an amazing piece of work.

When it comes to working with wood, I am a mere carpenter. And, at times, I’ve even been able to make a decent living at it.

And I suppose I can sew pretty well. But I’m no quilt maker. My taking up sewing and carpentry as an adult probably had their antecedents in an interest, as a curious kid, in watching my mother sew, combined with helping my dad with his various carpentry projects around the house.

What eventually motivated me to buy a used sewing machine and learn to sew was a specific need to make some insulated window shades for the new house my then wife and I had purchased. We simply didn’t have the cash left over to put up window coverings. My wife was not particularly interested in sewing.

After that, my newfound ability to actually make things with a sewing machine of course led to requests to hem pants, patch jeans and so forth. I took some sewing classes, including a tailoring class, in which I made a blazer that was decent enough to wear in public without embarrassment. I then tried my hand at making polar fleece clothing - pullover hoodies, sweatpants, hats - then on to modifying outdoor gear such my various backpacks to better suit my needs. Followed by padded lycra bicycle shorts, and a bunch of other stuff.

It’s funny, having moved early this year, I’m still in the throes of unpacking and decluttering, which includes setting up both a wood shop and a sewing room. Thinking about it as I write this, I would probably do well to put more effort into both of those projects, as their completion and use would make so many other tasks simpler and easier.
I believe I’ll go work on that this afternoon.
Thanks!
 
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Matz said:
Thank you and SS for your thoughtful and interesting posts. I haven’t yet ventured into quilting, and would have to study up on the subject before even considering getting into it.

It seems (to me, at least) that quilting versus sewing is somewhat equivalent to the comparison between fine furniture making and/or artistic woodwork versus carpentry. The former is arguably more of an purely artistic expression than the latter.

I admire the talent and skill of many woodworkers, and I enjoy seeing a particularly well designed and executed quilt. That cat quilt, for example, is an amazing piece of work.

When it comes to working with wood, I am a mere carpenter. And, at times, I’ve even been able to make a decent living at it.

And I suppose I can sew pretty well. But I’m no quilt maker. My taking up sewing and carpentry as an adult probably had their antecedents in an interest, as a curious kid, in watching my mother sew, combined with helping my dad with his various carpentry projects around the house.

What eventually motivated me to buy a used sewing machine and learn to sew was a specific need to make some insulated window shades for the new house my then wife and I had purchased. We simply didn’t have the cash left over to put up window coverings. My wife was not particularly interested in sewing.

After that, my newfound ability to actually make things with a sewing machine of course led to requests to hem pants, patch jeans and so forth. I took some sewing classes, including a tailoring class, in which I made a blazer that was decent enough to wear in public without embarrassment. I then tried my hand at making polar fleece clothing - pullover hoodies, sweatpants, hats - then on to modifying outdoor gear such my various backpacks to better suit my needs. Followed by padded lycra bicycle shorts, and a bunch of other stuff.

It’s funny, having moved early this year, I’m still in the throes of unpacking and decluttering, which includes setting up both a wood shop and a sewing room. Thinking about it as I write this, I would probably do well to put more effort into both of those projects, as their completion and use would make so many other tasks simpler and easier.
I believe I’ll go work on that this afternoon.
Thanks!
Click to expand...

I'm more than impressed.... you must be aware there are quiltmakers who could not sew a decent shirt to save their lives, and I'm one of them. I can adjust the hem of a pair of jeans or sew nice patches on things that have gone out at the elbow or got ripped somehow, but that's about the extent of my tailoring abilities.

You've certainly already proven that even casual interest at the outset can evolve over time and practice into something far more skilled and engaging, spinning off into niche applications that can go way beyond simple avocation or use in meeting personal requirements. So it defintely sounds like you should develop studios for both sewing and carpentry in your new abode.

Several of my brothers did house framing and the like in their youth, after the usual apprenticeship of lugging pieces of plywood around and learning how to do that without getting blown off a roof or ladder in a stiff breeze. But one of them went into real carpentry more deeply after college, just out of a liking for it.

As time went on, he became skilled at that sort of "this old house" renovation, where no project seemed to start out with any existing plumb or square construction... and so involved figuring out whether best to line up door trim, for instance, with the ceiling or the walls since it couldn't be both.

Admirers of his work always asked how he got into it, and he always said he didn't really know, that the development of his interest finally in fine carpentry --he made some great mosaic inlays in wood flooring, and some beautiful polygonal trays for miniature plant collections-- reminded him of how his dogs would follow their noses on a spring day and somehow end up dozens of miles from home... :D

Anyway just from watching how my bro's interests and skills evolved, I'd say anyone with an interest in making something should follow on with it as time permits and see what it grows into. It's so satisfying to be able to make something from scratch with one's own hands, no matter if it's an omelet or clothing or jewelry or a doghouse.

There are important life skills in there too -- willingness to make mistakes and learn from them, patience, realization that "perfect" can only reliably follow plenty of practice. All the mistakes I've made in sewing have helped me be more adventurous in some of my completely unrelated endeavors like cooking or gardening. Once in awhile only a crow or raccoon could benefit from my cooking errors, but at least the sewing ones can usually end up as stairwell dusters or weirdly constructed potholders. :rolleyes:
 
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LizKat said:
The shame of it! Did they let you in when you tried to go home again?! :D
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Well the best part is I played it here in Germany! Back when I played football it was quite exotic and explaining it was quite a task. Some people knew a word or two so when I told them I am a cornerback they were like oh you are a quarterback? Isn't it the guy who throws those funny looking balls? LOL! Nowadays football is way bigger over here with NFL games even shown on free TV.
 
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That's true. Yeah, the NFL plays some games in the UK, too. American football is slightly popular in Australia. AFL is obviously the more popular sport.
 
Matz said:
Thank you and SS for your thoughtful and interesting posts. I haven’t yet ventured into quilting, and would have to study up on the subject before even considering getting into it.

It seems (to me, at least) that quilting versus sewing is somewhat equivalent to the comparison between fine furniture making and/or artistic woodwork versus carpentry. The former is arguably more of an purely artistic expression than the latter.

I admire the talent and skill of many woodworkers, and I enjoy seeing a particularly well designed and executed quilt. That cat quilt, for example, is an amazing piece of work.

When it comes to working with wood, I am a mere carpenter. And, at times, I’ve even been able to make a decent living at it.

And I suppose I can sew pretty well. But I’m no quilt maker. My taking up sewing and carpentry as an adult probably had their antecedents in an interest, as a curious kid, in watching my mother sew, combined with helping my dad with his various carpentry projects around the house.

What eventually motivated me to buy a used sewing machine and learn to sew was a specific need to make some insulated window shades for the new house my then wife and I had purchased. We simply didn’t have the cash left over to put up window coverings. My wife was not particularly interested in sewing.

After that, my newfound ability to actually make things with a sewing machine of course led to requests to hem pants, patch jeans and so forth. I took some sewing classes, including a tailoring class, in which I made a blazer that was decent enough to wear in public without embarrassment. I then tried my hand at making polar fleece clothing - pullover hoodies, sweatpants, hats - then on to modifying outdoor gear such my various backpacks to better suit my needs. Followed by padded lycra bicycle shorts, and a bunch of other stuff.

It’s funny, having moved early this year, I’m still in the throes of unpacking and decluttering, which includes setting up both a wood shop and a sewing room. Thinking about it as I write this, I would probably do well to put more effort into both of those projects, as their completion and use would make so many other tasks simpler and easier.
I believe I’ll go work on that this afternoon.
Thanks!
Click to expand...

LizKat said:
I'm more than impressed.... you must be aware there are quiltmakers who could not sew a decent shirt to save their lives, and I'm one of them. I can adjust the hem of a pair of jeans or sew nice patches on things that have gone out at the elbow or got ripped somehow, but that's about the extent of my tailoring abilities.

You've certainly already proven that even casual interest at the outset can evolve over time and practice into something far more skilled and engaging, spinning off into niche applications that can go way beyond simple avocation or use in meeting personal requirements. So it defintely sounds like you should develop studios for both sewing and carpentry in your new abode.

Several of my brothers did house framing and the like in their youth, after the usual apprenticeship of lugging pieces of plywood around and learning how to do that without getting blown off a roof or ladder in a stiff breeze. But one of them went into real carpentry more deeply after college, just out of a liking for it.

As time went on, he became skilled at that sort of "this old house" renovation, where no project seemed to start out with any existing plumb or square construction... and so involved figuring out whether best to line up door trim, for instance, with the ceiling or the walls since it couldn't be both.

Admirers of his work always asked how he got into it, and he always said he didn't really know, that the development of his interest finally in fine carpentry --he made some great mosaic inlays in wood flooring, and some beautiful polygonal trays for miniature plant collections-- reminded him of how his dogs would follow their noses on a spring day and somehow end up dozens of miles from home... :D

Anyway just from watching how my bro's interests and skills evolved, I'd say anyone with an interest in making something should follow on with it as time permits and see what it grows into. It's so satisfying to be able to make something from scratch with one's own hands, no matter if it's an omelet or clothing or jewelry or a doghouse.

There are important life skills in there too -- willingness to make mistakes and learn from them, patience, realization that "perfect" can only reliably follow plenty of practice. All the mistakes I've made in sewing have helped me be more adventurous in some of my completely unrelated endeavors like cooking or gardening. Once in awhile only a crow or raccoon could benefit from my cooking errors, but at least the sewing ones can usually end up as stairwell dusters or weirdly constructed potholders. :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

Two superb posts @Matz and @LizKat that made for enjoyable and interesting - actually, absolutely fascinating - reading.

Actually, (random fact) I love (and am fascinated by) wood, and love well made wooden furniture or other objects, and deeply admire the work of quality woodworkers.

And yes, handmade quilts, I love them.
 
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eyoungren said:
My favorite color is red.

But I wear black mostly…
Click to expand...
As a child my favorite room color was turquoise, but now it is one of my least favorites.
[doublepost=1546874525][/doublepost]
LizKat said:
I'm more than impressed.... you must be aware there are quiltmakers who could not sew a decent shirt to save their lives, and I'm one of them. I can adjust the hem of a pair of jeans or sew nice patches on things that have gone out at the elbow or got ripped somehow, but that's about the extent of my tailoring abilities.

You've certainly already proven that even casual interest at the outset can evolve over time and practice into something far more skilled and engaging, spinning off into niche applications that can go way beyond simple avocation or use in meeting personal requirements. So it defintely sounds like you should develop studios for both sewing and carpentry in your new abode.

Several of my brothers did house framing and the like in their youth, after the usual apprenticeship of lugging pieces of plywood around and learning how to do that without getting blown off a roof or ladder in a stiff breeze. But one of them went into real carpentry more deeply after college, just out of a liking for it.

As time went on, he became skilled at that sort of "this old house" renovation, where no project seemed to start out with any existing plumb or square construction... and so involved figuring out whether best to line up door trim, for instance, with the ceiling or the walls since it couldn't be both.

Admirers of his work always asked how he got into it, and he always said he didn't really know, that the development of his interest finally in fine carpentry --he made some great mosaic inlays in wood flooring, and some beautiful polygonal trays for miniature plant collections-- reminded him of how his dogs would follow their noses on a spring day and somehow end up dozens of miles from home... :D

Anyway just from watching how my bro's interests and skills evolved, I'd say anyone with an interest in making something should follow on with it as time permits and see what it grows into. It's so satisfying to be able to make something from scratch with one's own hands, no matter if it's an omelet or clothing or jewelry or a doghouse.

There are important life skills in there too -- willingness to make mistakes and learn from them, patience, realization that "perfect" can only reliably follow plenty of practice. All the mistakes I've made in sewing have helped me be more adventurous in some of my completely unrelated endeavors like cooking or gardening. Once in awhile only a crow or raccoon could benefit from my cooking errors, but at least the sewing ones can usually end up as stairwell dusters or weirdly constructed potholders. :rolleyes:
Click to expand...
I think mechanical inclinations draw you into this. From a very young age, I wanted to know how certain things work so I could fix them or build them myself. I used to work on my cars, and still do many household repairs that many homeowners would refrain from doing.
 
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Huntn said:
As a child my favorite room color was turquoise, but now it is one of my least favorites.
Click to expand...
When I was still living at home I was given the opportunity to paint my room a dark blue. It was so dark as to be almost black.

The room literally sucked up the light and required a lot of paint. I also had dark blue carpet. It was great. As a person who likes it dark when I sleep this was wonderful.

Alas, I moved out and until 4/2018 every place I lived was rented. Now that my wife and I own a home, I will eventually have that dark blue room back. I just have to wait a bit still. My son will be 18 in 2.5 years so my wife gets his room for her stuff and once my daughter is 18 (about 7.5 years) I get her room for my stuff. That's when it gets repainted. :D

PS. My dad had the walls to my old room repainted back to white almost right after I moved out. Guess he didn't like the color. :D
 
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Scepticalscribe said:
And shingles is no fun (I can attest to this from personal experience).
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While I don't think I've ever had shingles, (my GP thinks a rash like thing I had on my face might have been shingles) I've been trying to get a vaccination for it. The new vaccine is really effective, even if you've had it before) but is in short supply. It's a shot I really want! Fortunately, my kids were vaccinated for varicella so they'll never have to worry.
 
Varicella vaccines don't eliminate all risk. You can still get it but it won't be as bad. Ideally you'll want to get a titer test that measures vaccine content in your blood to top up if you need to or have to as an adult.

Kids and adults can still get varicella even with good antibody count. But like I said, it won't be as bad as without it. Though a very good dermatologist can take care of scarring later in life through a variety of methods.
 
Zenithal said:
Varicella vaccines don't eliminate all risk. You can still get it but it won't be as bad. Ideally you'll want to get a titer test that measures vaccine content in your blood to top up if you need to or have to as an adult.

Kids and adults can still get varicella even with good antibody count. But like I said, it won't be as bad as without it. Though a very good dermatologist can take care of scarring later in life through a variety of methods.
Click to expand...
As with any vaccine, you can always get a booster later in life. The new shingles vaccine is really effective, though! And recommended for people at a younger age.
 
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