#sewing patterns

Looks cool

Nobody can steal your phone from your back pocket

Billows epically when you walk into the subway and there's a train there

Billows epically when there's wind

You look like a wizard

You feel like a wizard

I once had a pair of little kids come up to me and ask if I was a wizard

Doubles as a blanket if you get eepy

Put up the hood to look mysterious

Hood fits over headphones

Hood fits over big hoop earrings (I don't have these but it's still a bonus)

Perfect if your sleeves are too puffy to fit into your coat

Great for people who have sensory issues with sleeves

Great conversation starter

Great weekend project (if you sew it yourself, which is probably cheaper)

Really warm in the winter (if you use wool fabric)

Keeps the sun off in the summer (if you use a lighter fabric)

SO MUCH FREE SPACE FOR EMBROIDERY

There is a good chance it will boost your self-confidence

Pretty sure it'll do the same with your self-esteem

(Nothing in this life is certain, and anyone who tells you otherwise is trying to sell you something)

(I think that's how the quote went)

Fuzzy

Cons of wearing a cloak all the time:

none

I have been informed that Edna would be upset

How to be able to wear a cloak all the time:

TWO FREE PATTERNS!

For those who don't know, I'm doing my PhD dissertation on 19th-century plus-size fashion, and as part of it I've been patterning larger antique garments.

Last year, I was able to go to Genesee Country Village & Museum in upstate NY and pattern an early 1800s corset as well as an 1830s dress. Full instructions, photo albums, & print-optimized versions up on Etsy if you need more guidance or would like to support my work, but my agreement with the museum was that I would put simple gridded patterns up for free alongside the paid versions. And those are now up!

1830s dress (L/XL) Bust: ~43” (109cm) with the center-front gap Waist: 32.5” (82.5cm)

1810s corset (M/L) Bust: 39” (99cm) Waist: 31.5” (80cm)

🫛 🥕 I will never stop loving making these whimsy needle books.

I enjoy every bit of them, especially how tactile they are. They take forever and a day to embroider, crochet and needle felt.

I have a desire to make an A5 book cover, but I fear it's going to be way too expensive for me to be able to sell it.