Thoughts and Reflections - a quick ramble

[callistra]

Well, I got my period the other day, which was a huge surprise in one way (I was expecting it a week later) and a huge NOT-surprise in other ways (massive mood swings, going from *sob sob so sad* to *hey, a tree! Trees are cool! I like trees!* in the space of 2 seconds).

So, having been productive all morning I thought I would sew up another 4 or 5 pads. Next month I probably will have made enough for a whole cycle! :-) In the intervening month since last installment, I have bought a $35 sewing machine, mostly so I can do small sewing jobbies on the once in five years occasion I have to sew.

It's a very cute little thing, it looks like a kids toy, and can even take AA batteries. And so began my exercize in frustration. I moved the table against a wall in case V woke up and wanted to "help". Then set it all up. The tension was out, so I corrected it. I put my foot on the thingy, it did nothing. Ok, I lied. It went "eerrrrrrr" and tried, but nothing happened. I adjusted everything again without really changing anything. I tried again, and it sewed. It went fine for a bit, and then the material started bunching a tiny bit despite being very flat and pinned in place. I managed to sew a gap into it despite the material being flat and the top peice smaller than the bottom and it was all pinned in place. Anyway. I am sure by now you get the drift. The sewing machine itself worked fine.It was noisy, annoying, and fast.

But really, one of the reasons I was getting frustrated? I could have pulled out the needle and thread and been half way through one by the time it was working. I wouldn't have sewed holes into it if I'd been doing it by hand. I was hunched over an annoying noisy machine. I missed the quiet contentment I got from sewing by hand. QUIETLY. Where ever I felt like sitting. At my own pace. I did complete the sewing for five of them in the time it may have taken me to sew one. But I still have to turn them the right way out, stuff, and then finish them off with handsewing.

I just found it interesting that the device designed to save me time instead left me stressed, crankier, and took away the sense of relaxtion and completion I was getting from hand sewing. I know this is just a point of view; perhaps if I was more at home with a sewing machine it may have been less annoying. But it did highlight to me that sometimes our appliances which are supposed to help us are not as helpful as we might think.

Comments

[msvyvyan.livejournal.com]

Sewing pads? I must have missed previous posts about this. *blink*

I am increasingly a fan of natural sea sponges. They have all the convenience of a tampon, but just seem to interfere less with natural flora and fauna and moisture balance.

Anyway, so good to see you guys the other day, however late-night, last minute and rushed it was. And how distracted and stressed we both were. If anyone starts pouting at you about not seeing us, tell them they just need to come over here instead. :)

[callistra.livejournal.com]

Ah, um, a quick look back shows I completely failed to post about that.

Er.
:-)

It was so fantastic seeing you guys again! I was worried we might not have anything to talk about any more, but my throat was sore from talking so much!
:-)

I really, really appreciated seeing you both.

[msvyvyan.livejournal.com]

I got pouted at by M for keeping you all to myself, conversation-wise. ;) Not that I meant to, but, you know, we were talking...
There are times in these cases I want to record the other conversation going on, so I can play it back later and thus not miss anything. Bright geeky lads like our respective partners tend to talk about interesting things, but I was having too much fun talking to you to listen. Dammit, I want the best of both conversations!

[callistra.livejournal.com]

Yes yes yes! To everything above!!
:-)

[japester.livejournal.com]

This intrigues me, and makes my practical spidey senses go all tingly.

What sort of sponges? The only one's I've come across I would have thought would be a little too .... prickly.

[callistra.livejournal.com]

What sort of sponges do you use for makeup? (Do you wear make up much?)

If not, then when you are next in a chemist, coles, beaty area, check out the sea sponges there. That's basically it. You moisten them first, with WARM water (it can give you chills if you're not careful!) and insert.
:-)

[japester.livejournal.com]

Blame kae_dash but yes, I have some of those sponges.
Indeed, that is a sane idea.

[msvyvyan.livejournal.com]

Nah. Think of the ones that the rubbery blue dishwashing/kitchen sponges are inspired by. I think you're thinking of loofahs - ouch!

These are little golden brown thingies, about 1.5" by 2.5", but irregular in shape, and you buy them from pharmacies. They are sold primarily as a makeup (foundation) applicator. When you buy them, they are dehydrated and slightly brittle feeling. Soak 'em (or boil them, which latter I prefer, but opinions differ) in vinegared water to kill any nasties, cool, wring out and Bob's your relative of choice.

(You can even engage in connubial relations whilst wearing one)

[fred-mouse.livejournal.com]

I love my sewing machine. I find the buzzing a peaceful sound. But, I also associate it with peaceful weekend afternoons, when my mother would sew, and I would be left to my own devices (and usually to read without interuption).

If you are using a little sewing machine, it may not have the oomph to do very much, which may be why it was irritating.

[azhure.livejournal.com]

I want to have a go at sewing pads one of these days. Just need a damn sewing machine. And the space for said sewing machine.

[callistra.livejournal.com]

I found doing them by hand to only take about the same amount of time as it did to cut out the bits. (So, maybe an hour for each? Maybe less?) and much more satisfying. Plus I could do it while reading the internet/listening to tv/whatever. Do you have a needle and thread? I didn't even bother to turn the originals inside out. I have one I haven't used at all as I made it from yellow material, so I will take a photo and post it. I also was worried about the layers shifting with that one, so I sewed some designs on it too.

But later.

[japester.livejournal.com]

the sewing of pads?
once again, me is intrigued.
details?
manufacturing details, I means. It's not like *I* would have a need for them, but I have a girl who might.

[callistra.livejournal.com]

I found a design on the internet. I'll get the link in a minute, if I find it again! :-)

But basically, you can get the shape for day ones from tracing your current pads and then drawing all over them to fix any problems you already have, ie length or width.

It needs courderoy on the bottom, as it sticks to other materials best. You want a flap on each side to attach a press stud to. The top layer can be anything you like if it feels comfy. There are silk ones out there, I'm using craft material I've had for ever and needed to find a use for.

Inside, a waterproof lining is suggested, though some people don't bother. This batch I made today don't have lining but the previous ones did - I used some old shower caps, cut the elastic off them, laid them flat, and cut them into shape. For the absorbent layers I used three layers of old nappies. Old towels, teatowels, that sort of thing is fine.

Ok, will find the links in a bit. I failed to record them at the time (already been caught out by this once) and not sure if I bookmarked them.