Dispatch no. 10 - Updates Podcast

While I am not in the field of fashion, I found myself identifying with nearly everything you said and, while the present times have been a challenge for you and all of us here, what impresses me is your passion for your craft and the high standards you have set for yourself. Also, when you talk about things like silhouettes, profiles, cuts, lines, etc., it resonates with what goes through my mind when I am interpreting a piece of music (listening for counterpoint, considering the shape of a phrase, a gesture, etc.) The arts are so inter-connected, we can learn from the different fields. I wish more classical musicians were open to this. Anyway, it's good to identify with so much of what you said. By the way, I enjoyed the Dries Van Noten fashion show, although, I had to change the music! Call me crazy, but I liked this "I've Been Roaming" as the soundtrack to the Fall Winter video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RlE7fkWLUdc&list=LL&index=13 Thank you Bianca!

I was just thinking of a question that I wanted to ask you earlier today. Your pattern scissors are an odd shape. The handle is quite long and the blade is quite short. What is the benefit of them? Do I "need" a pair?

For your question: What's your favorite color? Would you ever do a video of sketches of any sort of "modern" designs you would have made if you did have a fashion line?

Try setting a timer for Instagram. Budget a certain number of minutes per day and set an egg timer for those minutes when you go on.

newbie here! Just joined after discovering your channel a couple of months ago. i've recently started a youtube channel for a sewcial outlet/hobby and am trying to not take it too serious. You may have already done this, but any chance you could go over the behind the scenes in more detail? Think like lighting used, software used, frustrations you've encountered. I'd love to learn more about your behind the scenes processes.

I always take a break Fromm Social media for Lent. Not that I’m overly religious but more of a carry over of traditions from my childhood. I do still check things on Sundays. It’s a bit of a mental reset and I end up so productive during that time. Also, you really could break your videos up more. People will spend a whole video just showing how to put in Victorian sleeves or how to make button holes. The nice thing too about breaking it up into smaller videos is people are searching for those specific things. I know I’ll be searching how to put in a skirt placket later today. I think if you did a series of simple instructional videos, you might be able to attract new people. Plus I imagine they would be quicker to make so you could keep them in reserve. I know there is a zipper video I’ve watched at least 25 times and bring it up anytime I go to install a zipper.

So, you didn’t count your jewelry projects on your what I made video. Tsk Tsk! Oh wow how I fully agree with your Women’s Studies moment about the value/hierarchy of what is “art” or what is “just” a craft BS. Everything humans make is an art in its way. My Aunt who was an Art Historian spent her career trying to get rug making, quilting, weaving and embroidery, specifically by women, especially pioneer and indigenous women (she literally wrote the art book on Canadian Indigenous Art) to have a value as more than “hobby” and more than just a woman’s homemaking. Sewing lands solidly in that bailiwick. Can I squee about your plan to make your Cicada Fan? SQUEEEEEE!!!! Questions: I want to know more about your education: what schools did you attend, what classes or instructors influenced you the most, which books you deem essential for people who really wish to best understand about garment making. More Questions: who are your fashion icons? What designers, and what part of their design aesthetic resonates with you? How did you become so educated about vintage accessories? And would you like a package in the new year with original source material for 30’s,40’s fashion (original programs with advertising for the Ballet and Opera collected by my grandmother) I have used up every single inch of my bookshelves for my Art book addiction. I could scan some pages to give you an idea of how awesome they are. Would it be possible for you to plan a more Masc project in 2021 - ie: Hepburn or Dietrich inspired long suit jacket and trousers from a vintage pattern? I am up too early and need to stop rambling. Congratulations on taking more time for your writing. Your soul will be more happy and healthy.

Thanks for the Dries Van Noten note .. loving the new rabbit hole (not that I needed one). I've gotten all muddled up trying to figure out how to say this, but ... as a Patreon, I'd love to know that you're putting more time into your writing. I love your YouTube channel (especially Side Husseling and your look book stories) and/but I'd like to support your writing without your needing to "pay it back" so directly .. just sayin'.

Happy to hear that you're taking a bit of a break! That's something I need to plan for myself too! For questions, do you have any book recommendations? What are some of your favorite books?

Maybe instead of dropping Instagram, use an app to schedule your posts like a week at a time? so you don't need to be on Instagram all the time which I agree is a total time suck but you can still get people to see your content. As for questions, what is your favourite sewing technique, of all time? that you've learned this year? Any plans for drafting trousers on the channel? Do you have a favourite food? Other than Mood fabrics, do you have any other recommended online fabric stores?

Balance is something I think everyone struggles with. YouTube sounds like a massive drain, no matter what your creative thing is. You’ll get there. You need to do what your gut tells you. We’ll still be here. Also struggling with our own balance issues! Keep safe.

The more I follow YouTube creators, although it's a great platform for creative license, the more I learn that it is almost always a recipe for burn-out, in part because of algorithm/advertising/putting videos out there for other viewers. That's such a shame, because your mental sanity is so important! Anyway, have a very festive holiday period and I do have a question: how do you cope when a sewing project doesn't go the way you want it? (I struggle with this....a lot)

I love hearing you ramble, LOL, and this is the perfect medium for that :D I'm really glad you're wise enough to pull back, look at what you're doing You could do perhaps some more EASY beading projects that are small and easy, I think that might make good "filler" videos? And I love that Dries Van Felton look :) You will get there, with your own place and independence and well being because you have great energy. Merry Christmas, and don't expect much to change in at least most of 2021 So you don't get depressed! ::hugs::

We Aussies being in a different time zone / hemisphere get your content at a more reasonable hour than our American cousins. As I listened to you today I was transported back to my most productive sewing years. Yves Saint Laurent was my god (will I ever stop hitting return?)

Thank you Bianca, I enjoy listening to your thoughts...its like having a chat with a friend and its nice. Wonder if its possible to get a redirection for your PO Box, so that you don't have to leave the house. I really like the little tidbits that you sprinkle through, eg Dries Van Noten. I learn new and different things and I enjoy that very much. As you were speaking, I jotted down some things that just came into my head. These are just suggestions to take or leave as you see fit. I wondered if you'd like to share different aspects of the history of fashion OR history that influenced fashion, though with your twist on it? Eg., dutch still life floral paintings and their influence.....things like that. Things the you find interesting and would like to share. I loved learning about beading when you showed how you made your spider necklace. These sorts of things teach us and enrich us and you have a lot of brilliant ideas to share. Hope you know what I'm trying to say.... Time to take that well-earned break and permit yourself to relax and enjoy the holidays. Look after yourself, my friend. Sending good vibes and best wishes from Down Under ❤️🌺🇦🇺😎

Season's greetings to you, dear B! And may 2021 look nothing like it's predecessor...!🤗