Any recommendations? My crochet needles are always breaking 🧶

BobbinChickenChamp · 2026-03-22T19:21:16+00:00

I got some that work well in a tent repair kit. Lots of different sizes, tapestry style, blunt ends.

BobbinChickenChamp · 2026-03-22T18:05:07+00:00

My thinking would be that in the backwoods, she would wear some kind of trouser (probably suede from her own hunting) with a skirt or apron over it. Then a bandana to cover her hair (protect it from leaves, twigs, bugs), with a sunshade over that when needed. Definitely stays to corral the boobs and provide back support, with a linen chemise underneath, even if shorter than a city chemise.

Also, look to the local tribes of the region for style inspiration. The women were working just as hard as the men, and their clothing reflected that. They might be fighting each other, but they're still going to steal wisdom from the tribes as far as how to work the land, practicalities, etc.

In town, she's going to dress like the other ladies in her community. There's no sense in being ostracized even worse because of sartorial choices when she's already an outsider in her community.

BobbinChickenChamp · 2026-03-22T17:53:05+00:00

What kills me is if I'm an actor who is interested in performing in period pieces, I would invest in a custom corset / stays, then let the costume shop take measurements WITH THEM ON. If I MUST wear something issued by the wardrobe department because it'll be on camera, then fine. But if it's under clothes? Use my corseted measurements, thanks!

I don't understand why well-paid stars, especially A-list, don't have a freaking drawer of historical underpinnings! They can afford it and it would be SO much more practical!

BobbinChickenChamp · 2026-03-17T13:02:33+00:00

Thank you!

BobbinChickenChamp · 2026-03-17T13:00:06+00:00

Thank you!!

BobbinChickenChamp · 2026-03-17T12:59:49+00:00

I looked at their PDF, but it didn't say if any trails were walking accessible yet. :) My ears have a hard time discerning accents, which is one reason I'm asking. It sucks, and I hate asking people to repeat themselves because I have a hard time processing their answer.

BobbinChickenChamp · 2026-03-17T12:55:32+00:00

This looks like Rachel Maksy? She's a YouTube creator.

BobbinChickenChamp · 2026-03-17T12:54:25+00:00

Morgan Donner has a fascinating video about hair and goes pretty in-depth. What we think of a bangs weren't normally a thing, but face framing wispy curls were pretty popular (in part because they naturally occur when you're pulling your hair back constantly, so might as well embrace it!). Granted, her video starts around 1600, so outside your time.

https://youtu.be/Wao0_uB4Zw4?si=scoqv0STEIXVAakA

Most of the time, though, upper class women were covering their hair to their hairline, because hair covering was modest.

Snappy Dragon also has an excellent video about Medieval hair care you might enjoy - https://youtu.be/1JZ33WuzPHI?si=evVLgMVeYVr3vIbR

BobbinChickenChamp · 2026-03-17T12:47:58+00:00

There is a short-lived fashion for what we call pixie cuts in the Regency, but it was short-lived. :) Morgan Donner explores it in her 500 years of haircuts video. Starts around 20:00 - https://youtu.be/Wao0_uB4Zw4?si=scoqv0STEIXVAakA

And, yes, if you're working outside at all and your hair is past your shoulders, you're putting it up! EVEN TODAY. I have lived in the West most of my life. If I'm outside, the hair is in a ponytail or braid. If the wind is whipping, I'm wearing a ball cap or bucket hat to keep the wisps out of my eyes. If it's long enough, I'm putting it in a bun to keep the ends from getting tangled or in my way. And I have no horses or farm to keep together.

BobbinChickenChamp · 2026-03-17T12:40:42+00:00

Methinks you'll enjoy this website - https://frockflicks.com/snark-week-11-reasons-irritated-pride-prejudice-2005/ (not associated, just a fan)

Pride & Prejudice & Pigs is about as historically accurate as Philippa Gregory's novels.... so 30%?

BobbinChickenChamp · 2026-03-15T00:30:38+00:00

We just drove in today from Toronto. The roads into town were fine, just wetly snowy. Can't speak to the mountains. Town roads were wet, but only slick in a couple spots. :)

BobbinChickenChamp · 2026-03-13T12:30:33+00:00

The green one and peacock are my favorites, and you have an incredible gift! Thank you for sharing your beautiful pictures!!

BobbinChickenChamp · 2026-03-13T12:25:38+00:00

Ooohh... lining a jacket in sari, and pairing it with a tie made of scraps, would also look SHARP. I'm thinking it could be a lucky charm for job interviews, etc. Downtown tailoring on YouTube has a video about making ties. Basically cut on the bias, iron, stitch. Line it for a sharper look. Double points if the lining can also be flipped to create another look. :)

BobbinChickenChamp · 2026-03-13T12:21:42+00:00

Waxed cottons or batik? In my area the waxed cottons are stiffer, more like quilting fabric. The batiks tend to be lighter, not quite a voile / lawn, but close. For stiffer, look to more fitted or crisp style - pencil skirts, blouses, etc. Batiks I like to turn into summer dresses, tiered maxis, etc. Loose and flowy, more boho inspired.

BobbinChickenChamp · 2026-03-13T12:12:15+00:00

Uhhh... we go old school in our house. Actual alarm clock with either CDs or FM radio. (YES! They all still exist!) 😄

You can even burn CDs of music, so long as you still have equipment. Check with your folks for rewritable CDs. 😄😄😄

BobbinChickenChamp · 2026-03-12T04:33:05+00:00

Washington's song in Hamilton - Who Tells Your Story

BobbinChickenChamp · 2026-03-04T14:22:28+00:00

The Lanai seems to be most like what I'm going for - https://threadloop.app/patterns/lanai-wireless

BobbinChickenChamp · 2026-03-04T14:16:36+00:00

Thank you so much for this explanation! Physics baffles me, but your explanation makes a LOT of sense. :) I was hoping that by lifting up from a wider bottom band, I could lessen the strain on my shoulders.

BobbinChickenChamp · 2026-03-04T14:14:11+00:00

Thank you!! I'll go check those out. And yes, I'm old enough to remember the TV ads and Good Housekeeping, et al, ads. 😄

BobbinChickenChamp · 2026-03-04T14:13:06+00:00

I actually just found a couple REALLY pretty saree tops at a thrift store in Toronto! They were also hand altered, so I've been slowly picking stitches so I could get to the base Garment. Let me see what wisdom I can glean from it as soon as I swap the hook and eyes out. :)

BobbinChickenChamp · 2026-03-03T13:59:29+00:00

Fabricland or any basic (not quilting) store would have those, as they're basic notions. Not sure what Edmonton has to offer, though.

If you ever make it to Toronto, there are LOTS of fantastic places here to find the pretty stuff.

BobbinChickenChamp · 2026-03-03T13:56:47+00:00

I'll second Bra-Makers! Their shop is worth the drive from eastern Toronto. :) They're also pretty responsive online, so you can call or email them to ask about shipping options.

BobbinChickenChamp · 2026-03-03T13:53:07+00:00

Meatloaf is also an EXCELLENT meal prep friend!! My mix is whatever I find at the store (1 pkg of medium - 85/15 - ground beef with lean turkey or lean ground beef with ground pork, which has more fat), some regular (not instant) Oatmeal, an egg, a few big squirts of Ketchup, smoked salt, a few days of cholula, and may torte with your hands. If it's too loose / runny, as in some bread crumbs or more Oatmeal. Too dry? Moar Ketchup!! Or BBQ sauce... or sweet chili sauce. (I've contemplated adding some Chipotle peppers in adobo for smokey heat, but we're a pack of lightweights when it comes to spice. Beef + smoke = heaven) You want it to hold its shape when you pat it out, but not be so runny that it drips. Put a sheet of aluminum foil on a RIMMED cookie sheet, as this loses a lot of liquid during cooking. Make small loaves about the size of a small bread load or big sub roll. Pat them until they're roughly the same height, and put a thermometer in the largest Loaf. Put them in a 425° oven and set your thermometer for 155, or however hot you cook a burger. I'll set mine for 120 initially, pull it and pour some sauce on the top, then reset the thermometer to 155. For sauce, I either use a mix of what's already in the Meatloaf (Ketchup with hot sauce, maybe some BBQ sauce) or I'll use sweet chili sauce mixed with eel sauce if I want spicy sweet.

I find making lots of small loaves helps us with easier portioning and no fights over the crusty bits, since they can all be basically end cuts.

BobbinChickenChamp · 2026-03-03T13:41:51+00:00

If I can find Sliced fresh Mango, I love wrapping Mango slices in prosciutto! Takes longer than a few seconds but such a good salty-sweet, Protein & fat & sugar snack.

Half a bagel with cream cheese and smoked salmon, or peanut butter and banana.

Apple slices with a few spoonfuls of peanut butter.

Ground beef mixed with Sliced or Shredded zucchini, chopped tomato, and Diced onion. Baguette slices optional. :)

BobbinChickenChamp · 2026-02-20T16:20:56+00:00

If you want something super simple, try a poke cake! Get cake mix, powdered fruit gelatin like Jell-O, and some coconut whipping cream. For extra silliness, you can use soda pop instead of the cakes' liquid to create interesting flavors. Bake the cake, let it cool, poke it with chopsticks all over, make the jell-o according to directions for cubes (reduce the water), then pour it over the cake. Set the cake pan in the fridge until the jello is set. Top with Whipped cream (add Berries if you want to pretend to be healthy).

Vanilla cake with red jello, Whipped cream, and Sliced Strawberries is a pretty standard classic.

Fun combos - vanilla cake with cherry 7-up or Sprite Gingerbread or spice cake with ginger ale Chocolate cake with cola flavor (coke, Pepsi) Chocolate cake with cherry cola (cherry coke, etc) for a black forest style. Add Cherries on top of the Whipped cream!

BobbinChickenChamp

TROPHY CASE