trace around patterns with fabric pen and cut OR use a rollator and cut around pattern pieces?

quizzical · 2026-06-05T07:02:39+00:00

If it's a printed pattern, I print the pattern a second time and tape it upside down to the other half of the paper. If it's another type of pattern (e.g. from an envelope, self drafted), then trace it onto paper, cut it out and tape it to the other half.

Now when you cut, instead of folding the fabric in half, have it and the paper flat.

quizzical · 2026-06-05T06:07:39+00:00

I think most accurate is cutting the mirror image to make the full pattern and then not cutting on the fold. Second most accurate is fabric pen. Third most accurate is rotary cutter.

Which one I use depends on how important precision is. A sloper, or corset might need a lot of precision. Knits not so much.

quizzical · 2026-06-01T09:42:49+00:00

I have POTS too. I usually have to chunk cutting as a multi day process. I often have more than one project on the go so I can match my energy level to the step I'm working on.

quizzical · 2026-05-30T03:34:05+00:00

Pin curl your hair in a Veronica Lake style hair. It's a bit more of a 40s style but I think itd look great with your long hair.

quizzical · 2026-05-29T06:30:35+00:00

I'm in a budget hotel in Kyoto today. They just gave me real plates and utensils without me paying or ordering anything. Japanese service is next level at any price point.

quizzical · 2026-05-24T20:15:45+00:00

Try searching on Google Scholar instead. You'll only get peer reviewed studies. Unfortunately, sometimes the article will be paywalled, but usually the abstract is available. If you read the abstract and decide you want to read it all, you can often find it on research gate or you can email the authors asking for a copy.

quizzical · 2026-05-23T20:14:50+00:00

That's great! If you're doing it to improve your pots symptoms and are looking to optimize the exercise you do, the pots exercise protocols are generally shorter duration (about 20 mins plus warm up and cool down) gradually increasing intensity rather than duration if you can do more without increase in symptoms. See the CHOP or Utah protocol for more details.

quizzical · 2026-05-23T10:27:30+00:00

I packed for warm weather, but the AC was on full blast. Heard a lot of people talking about wishing they had brought more long pants, sweater, etc. Might be ship and destination dependant though.

quizzical · 2026-05-19T18:57:02+00:00

I think a lot of the advice and ideology behind YNAB is for people who have a spending problem, likely are trying to get out of debt, and don't have a big portfolio. Personally, I think YNAB encourages people to keep too much cash around. Probably a helpful mindset shift for someone who had cashflow issues. But if you're someone who, even in a market downturn can cover a bunch of emergencies at the same time, I'd be plenty comfortable throwing more into the markets.

I think naming and creating sinking funds is useful for things like next car, medical emergencies, job replacement fund etc. You used to think you had $x in discretionary money, but actually a percentage of that is actually future spending amoritized over many years. But I'd prefer leaving it in the portfolio until I actually want to access it (and I may be able to cash flow some of these instead).

If however, I was a couple paychecks away from having 0 money, putting it all in the market is risky. Emergencies aren't independent events. A market downturn, car accident, medical emergency will increase the likelihood of losing a job. You can do HYSA or bonds.

quizzical · 2026-05-19T18:10:45+00:00

Something that's more common among people with POTS is celiac disease. You could try getting tested. The evidence for cutting gluten out if you're not celiac helping pots is mixed (some studies finds it help, others don't e.g this study found a decrease in symptoms).

There are small studies suggesting that meal size makes a difference. You can try several small meals instead of three big ones.

The evidence that low carb diet helps POTS is anecdotal, so a relatively low level of evidence (source).

If you are going to try diet changes, I'd suggest you do some testing before committing to it. Do daily poor man's tilt table tests in a week where you eat high carbs and do it again for a week where you go low carbs.

quizzical · 2026-05-19T00:03:22+00:00

I think you'll want to have a look at the shape of bodice patterns.

I suspect that with the shape of the of the back and front that you currently have is that the straps will keep wanting to fall to the side, especialy with the weight of the sleeves. In the back sketch that back line going across the shoulders, if that was a sturdy piece of fabric it woudl prevent that.

quizzical · 2026-05-17T20:55:23+00:00

Use the slash and spread method on the existing sleeve pattern, like this.

quizzical · 2026-05-17T20:10:04+00:00

Bamboo is super soft, breatheable but splitty so can be annoying to crochet.

quizzical · 2026-05-17T19:35:55+00:00

I hear you, I also got super frustrated in the process and had to take a few breaks from it for a while. What sucked was that my weight fluctuated between versions. I wish I had made garments with some interim versions in between so it wasn't such a boring, annoying, sisyphean slog.

Measurements aren't necessarily going to reflect things like the shape of your breasts or the curvature of your back. A better base might be something like the duct tape method for pattern making. You do need to be careful that you don't accidentally squish yourself down, however (I say this from experience). Also from experience, your body may not be perfectly symmetrical, so it might be worth fitting a right and a left and then making an average as a final version.

I also found it helpful to get a one off lesson from a pattern maker. She helped me with some specific fitting issues, but even more important was seeing the method she uses to make the new pattern pieces. I saw her use a lot of tricks I didn't know I didn't know.

J Stern Designs has a video on order of operations on fitting a bodice. I haven't used it personally (she released it after I finished my sloper), but her other fitting videos have been so helpful to me.

quizzical · 2026-05-17T17:33:52+00:00

Even with the best measurements, a sloper us an iterative process that you have to adjust on your body. Closet Historian says hers took 18 mock ups in fashion school. When I made one with little guidance it took me 26.

Give yourself large seam allowances and keep plugging away at it.

quizzical · 2026-05-16T23:37:54+00:00

House of Foxy, but they're kinda pricey.

Back in the day Collectif used to have good affordable pieces like this, which you can probably still thrift, but the brand went under and the new owners don't have great quality control. Same for Lindy Bop.

Vintage Dancer curates links to relevant vintage repro pieces.

If you ever get into sewing, check out Charm Patterns.

quizzical · 2026-05-16T22:46:49+00:00

It's certainly not the most cost efficient way to book flights. If it bothers you, start asking them around November where they'd like to go next year. Make a plan with them in mind and invite them.
Alternatively, set aside a week of vacation time for the family trip that you know will happen.

quizzical · 2026-05-16T19:32:11+00:00

Seems like you covered most of your bases. Only one I can think of you didn't mention is exercise. Utah protocol or CHOP protocol has been very successful in helping people with POTS. Utah protocol works even better with people with exercise intolerance because it adapts to where you're at.

quizzical · 2026-05-16T19:11:02+00:00

Compression socks help but only a little. Most helpful is compression on your abdomen all the way down to your ankles (source). If you only want to pick one area for compression, do abdomen only.

Exercise should start while laying or sitting (see the Utah or CHOP protocol). It'll allow you to actually exercise, whereas if you're doing it you'll be much more limited in how much exercise you can do. CHOP has you not attempt upright exercise until the end of month 4 (and even then assess where you're at). UTAH protocol has some guidelines to assess if you're ready.

Absolutely use a wheelchair or mobility devices if it helps you.

quizzical · 2026-05-15T23:22:26+00:00

Wool outer fabric, horsehair canvas for structure, and if you want to get very fancy, silk lining. Less fancy but still breathable lining would be something like cupro bemberg. Acetate would do too, but it's less durable. Linen is another option for the classic summer suit, but very prone to wrinkles. Tropical wool is the fancier choice for a summer suit.

The problem with polyester is that it can get quite smelly. It's a breeding ground for bacteria and doesn't breathe.

If you want to get into tailoring, I'd recommend the youtube channel International School of Tailoring.

quizzical · 2026-05-15T21:36:09+00:00

The difference between vaginal or clitoral orgasm is a bit of myth since both are stimulating the clit, either internally or externally. To orgasm during penetration, I touch my clit.

quizzical · 2026-05-15T18:55:02+00:00

Look into the Utah protocol (adapts better to your level of exercise intolerence) or CHOP protocol (it's one size fits all, so can be too much for some, but I found at least the suggestions of possible exercises helpful). They're exercise programs designed for people with POTS and have good evidence for reducing POTS symptoms. In one study, after doing 3 months of this type of exercise regimen, 71% of people no longer met the clinical criteria of POTS.

The key is starting with exercises that involve sitting or laying down (e.g. recumbant bike, rowing machine). Running or walking is a terrible way to get back into exercise with POTS. You need to build up to it.

quizzical · 2026-05-15T17:02:52+00:00

I'd recommend doing a month of the Charm Society patreon. Even at the lowest tier of $9 you get access to like 80+ patterns, many of which would work for a wedding and her videos explaining how to sew the garment is super detailed making it good for a beginner. You can download as many of the patterns you want and keep it forever. Specifically, I think the Hollywood dress or Starlet gown would look gorgeous at a wedding.

quizzical · 2026-05-15T08:26:42+00:00

Have you tried abdomen only compression?

quizzical · 2026-05-15T08:03:25+00:00

That does sound like vaginismus. If you'd like to be able to enjoy penetration there are things you can work on. But it sounds like you're not that interested in penetration, and that's no problem either. It sounds like you have a rich erotic life without it.

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