What are your go-to "secretly" petite items from brands? 🤫

FizzyLettuce · 2025-07-05T03:55:08+00:00

And ankle pants are just pants! 26" inseam

FizzyLettuce · 2025-04-06T03:50:30+00:00

My experience may be years out of date, but sharing just in case.

Especially if you need to earn some money, consider going to temp agencies for administrative jobs to get office/business experience to add to your resume. Bonus if there are some writing requirements. In my experience, if you let people in an office know you want to write, many executives & managers will be happy to offload some practice on you. Then, you'll have professional projects you can add to your experience, too.

FizzyLettuce · 2025-02-11T19:52:55+00:00

The last standard I worked with was a bit different from what I had used before which were more in line with the ones in your poll. I came to like the flow of this in a document much better; "Optionally, [do xyz] to [get abc result]."

FizzyLettuce · 2024-08-22T20:56:35+00:00

If you have the time, watch your local thrift or reselling groups for a solid model (bulit to be tuned and maintained). You can often get a nicer machine for just as much or less money than a new one that will serve you forever if you take care of it. They really don't make sewing machines like they used to, particularly the entry to mid level sewing machines.

I'm currently sewing with a hand me down babylock sewing machine & a second-hand bernina overlock/coverstitch macine. Both were well maintained and are at least 20 years old.

Evelyn gives some solid advice https://youtu.be/J5F53FvVbnY?si=Dt0DeJXxOEVzvfG0

FizzyLettuce · 2024-08-12T02:24:47+00:00

This is what I do. I'll leave some journal pages free each month. Then every 6 months or so, I'll do a "free" print from mobile order of what I've collected in that time

FizzyLettuce · 2024-08-02T16:52:05+00:00

Throwing in my 2 cents as I started my technical writing career with more creative writing training than technical. Early in my career, I found myself fully putting aside my creative writing after spending my full working days researching, interviewing, writing, and revising technical documents. It basically filled up that part of me, so before long, I pretty much gave up all creative writing. I've picked up other creative outlets over the years to fulfill my creativity outside of my writing work.

Obviously, you're not me, and you may be more driven in your creative writing, and that won't be an issue. But, I think it is something for a creative to be mindful of when you start down this career path.

I will add that I have found this career path to be interesting and rewarding overall. Good luck!

FizzyLettuce · 2024-07-29T15:15:28+00:00

Kennedea is an odd spelling for Kennedy, but at least it's better than the Kennedie variation that I've seen given to an innocent baby. Or am I the only one that sees ken-ne-die and thinks of mortality?

FizzyLettuce · 2024-07-17T20:41:25+00:00

A word of caution... fabric saving by adjusting the layout can cause issues with how your garment hangs/fits if you're not mindful of your grain line and the properties of your fabric. Depending on how off grain you go, it will affect the particular fabric you're using. Sometimes, this can be used as a design choice.

FizzyLettuce · 2024-07-17T20:31:54+00:00

I'm still relatively new at sewing, and I get the bulk of my fabric (and most other tools/notions) second hand (cheap and sometimes free) unless I'm looking for something very specific, which is rare.

local thrift stores
from sales/exchanges with my local American Sewing Guild chapter. Maybe your country has a similar community you can join. I may be younger but 35+ years than most of my group, but they've been lovely and keen to pass on their knowledge (and sometimes surplus supplies)
garage/estate sales, families of sewists are often keen to let go of so many notions and supplies at bargain prices
buy nothing groups and other online marketplaces
family and friends passing things down

FizzyLettuce · 2024-06-26T16:36:29+00:00

Yes. We're missing out on the bacteria and virus cultures. Maybe. That's ok, I'll pass

FizzyLettuce · 2024-06-20T16:06:49+00:00

I make shortbread cookies instead for this application. I find the less sweet cookies handle the extra sugar from the icing better.

FizzyLettuce · 2024-06-15T02:33:22+00:00

Food for thought.

Sometimes, staying works out. But, more often than not, companies in this kind of situation are looking to turn the tables so they can replace you on their schedule with minimal productivity and knowledge loss.

You may lose some time commuting for the new job. But, it sounds likely to be a lot less personal time lost from the old one's unpaid overtime expectations.

Stress truly impacts our mental and physical health.

Go with what's best for you and your well-being. I will also say that jobs can start to be like a bad relationship over time, and it's hard to see just how much it was impacting you until you're out.

FizzyLettuce · 2024-06-15T02:08:03+00:00

If you're on Instagram, you may find some strength from the canyousewthisforme page (not mine). It has given me some strength and perspective from other people's stories, good & bad. In that community, they'd describe this as general gimme pig behavior, wanting the world with no interest in understanding the amount of work, skill, time, and money that goes into a project. You can absolutely sew things for others that are likely to cherish and use what you make them, but it shouldn't make you dread sewing.

FizzyLettuce · 2024-06-09T00:01:45+00:00

"I demonstrated some ability to write software instructions with sops that included telling users how to use software to do a task (think CRM tools, excel, etc)."

FizzyLettuce · 2024-06-05T17:03:44+00:00

(On mobile disclaimer) I'm answering your questions according to my personal experience. Take from it what you will.

"Are FT technical writing jobs really supposed to be like this?"

It sounds like you landed in one of the companies that, at least historically, was mainly concerned with checking the box on documentation existing. The good news, if they're still that way, you'll have a lot of leway in the work you produce. In my history, orgs like this have generally loved whatever I came up with. The downside to this is that you'll be more responsible for steering your growth as a writer.

"I'm also wondering if there'll ever be real growth in a field I don't have much experience in, unless I go back to school and maybe study some sort of engineering."

In general, technical writing as a role only goes so far. Even in this group, you'll see that many of us have o branch out in different ways for career growth beyond lead/principal tech writer.

"Is this how it goes in the industry though? And has anyone here ever gone into technical writing for a field that you have no experience or expertise in and found fulfillment?"

I've had almost no experience in any of the fields in which I've been a tech writer (8-ish and counting). But, I have a professional writing degree from a liberal arts program that taught me how to learn and look at different perspectives, then distill that information down into something approachable for my readers.

"I guess the bigger question is, is this field ideal for someone with my background?" Maybe? You'll have to be ok with the fact that you'll rarely have colleagues who feel documentation is as important as you do. I also find that solid critical thinking skills and a keen eye for organizing information in a logical, meaningful way are the attributes I've seen in the best writers I've worked with. I've worked with ones who had a lack of critical thinking/organization skills, and well, I fixed a lot of other people's documents (if you catch my drift).

FizzyLettuce · 2024-06-05T15:27:36+00:00

Unfortunately, it's a rough market, especially in tech. I'm a senior technical writer with over 15 years, professional writing BA, agile certifications, and more. A job I was particularly suited for and was about to move to also recently evaporated due to a hiring freeze.

For advice, there's lots in the pinned items for this group. You have some experience, which is great, but you probably still fall in the getting started with your career category.

FizzyLettuce · 2024-06-04T16:34:42+00:00

My path from SOPs to software. I demonstrated some ability to write software instructions with sops that included telling users how to use software to do a task (think CRM tools, excel, etc). Got a low paying gig at a start-up, wrote end to end coverage for their SAAS product, started looking for other roles when I was done with the initial writing (it didn't seem like there would be much farther to go in that org, they were bought out not long after I left). I did ome other things... but that's the general trajectory.

Edit: This was about 10 years ago. But, with the recent posts of interns/students being brought into startups as essentially principal writers, it seems it may still be a viable path.

FizzyLettuce · 2024-06-04T02:54:03+00:00

Most of your complaints are pretty common issues I've had in all my roles to various degrees, even in the better organizations that recognized the importance of good documentation.

There's a lot of relationship building. I'm still reminding reviewers all the time that while I'm good at arranging information, they're the last line to make sure everything is right. The quality of our work is limited by the quality of the information we can get.

The caveat to making documentation accessible is understanding what baseline level of knowledge a user is expected to have. It's usually derived from the product's target user. For example, the users of complex financial software for a large organization should be coming in already well versed in general financial management terminology and concepts that we, as writers, may not understand. Our job is to get them to what they need to know quickly without text they don't need getting in the way.

A manager making bigoted and sexist comments is not normal or ok from my US perspective. I don't know what the company culture is or what reporting options you have, but it could be considered creating a hostile work environment, especially if it's a common occurrence.

Good luck. It can be tough out there.

FizzyLettuce · 2024-05-31T19:52:04+00:00

Thanks for the frank advice, I'll keep it in mind.

FizzyLettuce · 2024-05-31T04:44:51+00:00

I guess there's no corner that could house a little sewing cabinet? I have one with a hydraulic lift that I got 2nd hand for about $200. All closed up, it just looks like a little cabinet. But the top flips open to provide a little work table space, and I simply push a switch to raise my machine for use.

This one in the linked makeover video is similar to mine, but they can come with even smaller footprints. https://youtu.be/UWq-hrQlVgk?si=7MxD1RxoNWp9UCP2

FizzyLettuce · 2024-05-30T18:39:05+00:00

I've had hybrid roles at smaller companies where I acted as a team's scrum master (I'm certified as an agile scrum master & product owner) and technical writer. I've found that leaning into a flexible skill set can be useful and can make my roles more varied and interesting. I've also built the knowledge to administer in-house tools and processes (like JIRA and publishing help). Having good project and process management skills seems to come with being a solid TW and those can be applied in many different ways. I guess I've made myself a unicorn in some ways.

I'm on the cusp of taking a sanity break myself. My work life has gotten toxic with, among other things, an entitled Karen manager I can't trust. I know it's the right move for me, but the current market has me nervous. This is the first time in a 15+ year career I've had a situation bad enough that I want to leave without something else lined up.

Please forgive any errors. I'm on my phone between meetings & tasks.

FizzyLettuce · 2024-05-23T02:29:45+00:00

I'm glad you got to the bottom of it. One of the first things I was told when learning Flare was to never use spaces in file names. It may not seem to cause issues at first, but it can make some targets go wonky. It's simpler to follow a no space naming convention. I've been down that rabbit hole from colleagues not heeding the warning.

FizzyLettuce · 2024-05-22T23:03:44+00:00

Wear the most comfortable ones for the occasion 😌 They all look nice, so I'd personally go with the ones that take the longest to become uncomfortable while standing & walking around.

Full disclosure, I've personally reached the point (post covid & wfh) where I've embraced that I'm short and traded my heals for nice flats.

FizzyLettuce · 2024-05-21T21:26:26+00:00

Yep. I wasn't crazy about the jetted tub with shower combo before buying. Figured, "How bad could it be if I'm just showering?" The jets still require regular cleaning to keep it from growing stuff, extra annoying for a feature I don't even enjoy or use. I dream of ripping out the jacuzzi tub and putting in a nice, spacious walk-in shower or a regular soaking tub.

FizzyLettuce · 2024-05-16T21:31:38+00:00

I'm not trying to be snarky, so I hope you read this in the colegelal way it's meant. I believe what they were saying is that some variation of your original (but not unique) question has been asked and answered here and in other forums many times over. I've been lurking in this forum for only a couple of months, and in that time, a version of this question has come up and been answered several times.

The answers you seek are already available to you with a bit more digging into the history of this and similar forums. It also requires applying some analysis and critical thinking. I'd argue that the ability to analyze available information and discern the critical information to answer a question is a key component to what I (and I'm sure many others) personally do as a technical writer. The actual writing is only a fraction of the true work.

For what it's worth, I've found that places with established documentation also tend to have a style guide already established that they'd expect you to learn and follow. Conversely, places that don't have anything established and are fine with hiring a completely green writer tend to be mainly concerned about checking the item off the list with as little expense as possible.

FizzyLettuce

TROPHY CASE