Random Encounter

 Time to back up and explain things. Fair warning in case you didn't parse it from last time: I'm going to be talking about being trans. While I try to keep it light-hearted and very generalized, it does involve me speaking frankly about things like growing up closeted, etc. So if those things are an issue for you--for one, I'm sorry--but also you may want to skip over this entry.   (Also, not going to pretend any of this is particularly well-written.)  Leftover drawing provided for buffer space.    On some level I don't know where to start with this. Growing up in the mid-80s I was always very aware that I was extremely boyish. I was also aware that this was a marked disappointment to my parents, who had already gone through one tomboy kid and really wanted me to be this frilly super-effeminate girl with blonde curls.    They did not get that. They got the kid that played with robots, rooted around in the woods, and had zero interest in taking care of...

  Obligatory photo in the hotel room because the second boots hit asphalt, all bets are off.   Wore the hat through the airport because both it and the box were too bulky and there's no way that's getting crushed. Big hit. No, seriously. If you ever want walk-by compliments, I highly recommend wearing a silly hat through an airport. It will make someone's day. Think of yourself like the frozen watermelons they give polar bears in July.    Truth be told I was really only planning to wear the costume one day. Locals tend to bristle when you point this out, but Atlanta in September tends towards the hot and humid. And you gotta walk. A lot .   Also, technically the hotel I was staying at isn't even on this map.    What? You think I'm making "stays at host hotel" kind of money? Flattered, but no.   Anyway, flipping through schedule and saw a FF shoot. Told myself I'd go if I got ready in time. And if they didn't look bothered. And if I got ready in t...

Chances of the machine eating your project are low, but never zero.   Time for assembling the miscellaneous bits! Apologies, but this is going to jump around a bit. There are several little odds and ends that need to be taken care of before this whole mess gets packed up.   Formed a quick sheath out of black shelf liner. Yes, believe it or not you can run this through your machine. It will hate you for it, but you can totally do it. It's not exactly pretty, but it'll serve it's purpose well enough and now I won't have to worry about what to do if someone bumps into me and the sword breaks. Is there anything appliqué CAN'T class up?   Got some matching appliqué for the mask. They're in the same style as what is on the cape, so it looks like the mask is part of the outfit and not just something tacked on because of circumstances. The mask in question is just a sport mask, so it's light and very comfortable, but more importantly there's enough room to fit a...

   Okay, so last time we left off with shaping the cape and getting that sewn together all proper-like. This is a mage's cape, so it needs to be fancy. And nothing says fancy like embroidery .   I don't have my own machine, but buying premade appliqu é  patches is mercifully easy. These almost always have an iron on backing, but let me tell you a secret from many long years of being in scouts:   DON'T IRON ON PATCHES.   Or, rather, don't rely on ironing them. Invariably the glue is cheap and will give out. If you want make sure the appliqu é  stays put, you have to sew them on.   I'm sorry. The under stitching is kind of pretty, in a perverse "wow, that took a moment" way.   I mean, really sorry. Needle drew blood at least three times and slid under a fingernail at least once.   But yes. Brew a pot of coffee and buckle up, buttercup. Since the long side hasn't been sewn up yet, I pinned the appliqu é  patches into place-...