Dispatch no. 25 // Updates Podcast

Agree!

Keep making the stuff you want to make. Whether its historical, vintage, or futuristic, your passion shines through. My philosophy on being a patron - I like the stuff you make, here is a bit of money, please keep making stuff :)

It must be hard to roll with negative comments. As a fairly robust person occasionally I still get sideswiped by criticism that I wasn't expecting. I've found over the years that when things aren't going as I'd like I spend a good few minutes swearing out loud (not something I do normally), then tell the thing its going in the naughty corner to have a good think about itself and that we'll have a meeting tomorrow. I find that with practice this enables me to distance myself from it and so I handle it better. It becomes less personal. No idea if this would work for you though. We are all unique. BTW I watch for your voice over style, pattern drafting skills and the way you do the reveals of the finished garments which is more to do with the cinematography than how you personally look. I'm sure many of your followers feel the same. Good luck with the writing.

I agree with the hikling boots. One can design and wear walking skirts, but a great pair ofScarpa boots that aren't going to change your foot bone structure for long treks are AWESOME. COME AND DO T.HE SANTIAGI DE COMPOSTELA, I WILL FEED YOU PILGRIM FOOD? MAKE YOU PILGRIM PURSES QND SUPLY YOU WITH PILGRIM WINES AND PILGRIM PURSES .., PICKNICKS AND YOU TRAVERSE THE WINTER ROOT BY CAMPIing FOC ON OUR LAND. Only restrictions? - no politics or religion. Only charges are for basics and donations to a Spanish Boxer dog rescue organisation. No commercialism here. Join us whenever. Xxxx

I'm sorry for this mom comment, but I think it will be helpful! A little bit of a diversion from the vintage theme BUT... I have been hiking since I was a little kid (my dad is a mountain guide so we would hike all the time and he taught me how to climb), and all I can say is that you need to wear hiking boots when hiking! All you have to do is wear them around the house for a week or two to break them in. Believe me, it pays off. Hiking boots very rarely fit perfectly out of the box!

For the record I LOVED the shine collection video. I have enjoyed both your vintage videos and your more fashion forward videos. Also, what originally made your content stand out for me were the cleverly written voiceovers in your look book videos. I think anything you choose to work on, writing, sewing, crafts, etc will be well received. 🙂 I totally relate to that feeling of needing to buy a house and trying to figure out what’s best in that regard. It was definitely easier for our parents and grandparents who could spend under $200k and be near a major city. I have relocated from one state to another to be able to afford a home so totally feel you there.

Love whatever you want to do. When you were mentioning places to live I thought about Bellingham, WA as the book store, cafe, interesting people vibe. But you have to deal with PNW grey season that many of us struggle with.

One of the reasons I love your videos and your podcasts is that you are so personal about yourself, your process, and what motivates you. I don’t really do womenswear, nor do I do vintage style clothing, but your skill and your passion for your craft definitely shines through. I’ve learned more about pattern drafting from you than I did in my classes, and my biggest takeaway from watching your videos over the past two years is to practice, experiment, and try; the worst that can happen is it doesn’t go to plan, but you can always improvise and improve. My partner and I have recently moved to a new part of the country for similar reasons (couldn’t afford to buy a house in Phoenix) and we don’t really have friends. I also went almost a full year without making anything for myself because I lost a lot of my confidence being separated from my fashion program. Now, you are my design school and you provide me with so much motivation and help me to hone my own skills and have reignited my drive to design. Getting into funks are terrible, but you can pull through; you have all the intellectual tools at your disposal and a wide swath of patrons and YouTube subscribers from all walks of life that love you and your content. My final comment is create what you want to create, because that’s what artists do. And if you want to do really advanced pattern work, that would be really great too!! 😺😺

As someone who did the work-sleep-work-sleep: So glad you can play games now so you can do something else. For me it was work - sleep 2 hours - work - sleep another 5 hours and next day repeat. Probably don't have to tell you it did not go well. Finding anything else (best totally different than the work thing) is so hard to do. And takes a lot of energy and courage. Heading into burnout is not a great feeling. Even trough it is probably not really helpful, please note, that we are here for you. I personally do appreciate your videos, as I learn a lot about pattern drafting and sewing and lose fear of cutting into the fabric (at least a bit). I still feel scarred and guilty about wasting fabric, even when I just do mockups. And if it is not something "new" or "inovative" or "in style", honestly, doesn't matter, I do enjoy them all, your energy comes trough. Sorry for using your videos instead of therapy, but it is just so much better to do/sew something with your voice/instructions/really good explanations (never had any issues following what you are doing) running in the background than just cursing in fthe silence of my flat about another seamripped seam :)

All the supportive words I wanted to say have been said by other commenters already, so all I'll add (in the cyberpunk vein) is have you read or seen Altered Carbon?

I just want to say I am here for any content you want to put out. You have a unique voice that I don't see on my other sewing YouTube subscriptions. I don't wear vintage or historical clothing, but it is all interesting to me. Just watching you helps me to develop my sewing skills so that someday I can make a sloper and ditch the patterns. Thanks!

Ok so this has nothing to do with the podcast but it’s halfway to Halloween!! I gotta start decorating:)

Joining the chorus of people who LOOOOOOVE the SHINE video! There are lots of people doing vintage. I love that you do different styles and I definitely lean more towards the darker aesthetic. You should be really proud of it. It's incredible. Really. Truly. Incredible.

I LOVED the SHINE video. The production was top notch, and all the sewing projects featured were wonderful, creative pieces. Your dad sounds so sweet. I'm happy to hear you're going back to Arches; your footage was incredible. I hope things improve and the brain fog clears. Keep doing what you do. I love all of it.

So I had been putting off getting Cyberpunk (because of all the press about the glitches) until I saw it in your insta story recently and remembered how amazingly cool it looks. I’m enjoying it but I’m definitely keeping it on easy mode. lol Why are the darn cross hairs for the gun so tiny?!

Go dad! Thank you!

Highly creative people usually don't have a lot of friends. This is 68 years of experience talking. You do have a wonderful community who cares a great deal about you. I do live here. Moved from VA 5 years ago so friends are few. I would love to meet up with you! We can meet for lunch or something. A safe place for both of us. There is so much I would love to share with you and so much I want to learn from you. I can send you a letter with my contact info! Much love. Massive hug. As far as content. Make what you want. We love the passion and the designs. You cannot please everyone

As another internet rando, I'd just like to second the notion that you do have friends on here. Wouldn't it be awesome to have a Bianca-con with all your followers dressed up in all the clothes they have made themselves inspired by your videos? I would totally go, and then you could see how many friends you have from all over the world! I know it doesn't seem that way when you have to work in an isolated environment, but you do have people all over who adore what you do. Therapy is definitely worth it! There are now so many online therapy options, too that if you don't have anyone in your area, you can still talk to someone. Does the Sewing Expo ever make it near you, or are there any costuming collectives or Cons happening either near you or that you would travel to? You are so talented, there has to some applicable in-person way to share your skills. You could definitely teach at an expo if you wanted some meat-space interaction. Anyhow, just rambling thoughts to accompany yet another virtual awkward hug. <3

I absolutely loved the Shine video, even though I’d never make anything like that. It’s inspiring to see you doing things that are outside your norm, we all need to play. I realise your videos are your living and your income, but YOU are not a product, YOU are not “content”, and we are here to see YOU. Also, can I just say that shiny stuff actually is something we’ve seen before from you and we’ve loved that too (i.e. Bladerunner). You say about not being put together like you come across in videos - you know, right, that this is the actual definition of social media? It amazes me that your self talk is about not being successful. Most people would probably say you are way more successful that me, with the way you're creating gorgeous things and making an income, any income, from it in the cutthroat scene of social media. I live alone, have never had a serious relationship with anyone, I’m 38, and work as a low-pay support worker part time, and am thinking of applying for a disability pension for my anxiety. But I don’t see myself as not being a success (most of the time… I do have my moments). I teach classical piano to just a few students, I make art and sew things, there are some people in my life who are just a bit better off because I’m here, and I bought a house when I was 23 even though the bank still owns most of it. See those two opposite pictures? And yet they’re both me. “Success” is a fairly meaningless word since there’s no way to really define it. Can I remind you of your 2022 resolution to get a therapist? You really really really need to. Sending awkward hugs like the other patrons on here! It’s a collective awkward hug.

I'm feeling T.S. Eliot's words, "April is the cruellest month." I hear you. Do what you love and you will do it well. You also have those beautiful mountains nearby. They helped you before, they'll help again. 💙

From the comments, I can see the support and love coming from your Patreon Fam and its beautiful. Thank you Dad for that special gift! Chair squeak: try spraying DW40, it works for my office chair (I work from home). Dried angel-hair noodles: putting out so much amazing creativity is draining (sewing and writing) so maybe the brain is just saying “mundane things only for a while please”. When I feel like that I get soothing relief from getting my hands dirty playing in the soil by gardening. Don’t know why, but it works. Maybe take a sketch pad to the Botanical Gardens and doodle? Take in nature, the smells, the sounds, the sun…. You know, it could be the universe taking you in a different direction than you were heading. Trolls: forget them. We just can’t please everyone all the time. Do what makes you feel enthusiastic. There are ppl who want that content and will replace the naysayers. I wish that all of your Patreon Fam could get together with you to go explore a Museum; attend a dinner and dress in fineries; and let you know that you have friends. Sending you good vibes and best wishes from Down Under 💚💚🍀🌸🌺🇦🇺😎

Way to go Dad that was quite a gift! Bianca, do you realize how much talent it takes to put out the kind of content you do? And you are so good at it... to be able to talk to basically air and record thoughts you need to be super articulate and I see in you such intelligence, your passion for all you do is a gift! Trolls on the internet just feed on knocking content down, it's not worth the energy pondering on the negative. You are all right and I will remain a faithful supporter of yours...now back to packing we are moving out of California and back to Central New York and closer to family...life...you never know what tomorrow will bring!

Thank your dad from us, too. We appreciate his support of you. Do you look for writing inspiration the way you do sewing inspiration? Sometimes you can't just wait for the water to come out of the tap you have to go out and prime the pump. When I'm uninspired I read writing books; not only do I feel like I'm learning, so the time isn't wasted, but I always find a spark. Also, please let me know if you hate getting writing advice. It's just that I feel like you don't have a writing community and I know I couldn't live without one.

Hey Bianca! Love your Shine videos! Love your 1890's video! Love all your videos ! Do what you want! I'm here for you and whatever the hell you want to teach me! You inspire me! Now I've got to go back & break my own creative block & get to the studio & do stuff! Hugs! Keep it up girl! Happy writing!

Downtown Columbus, OH has a lot of the things you are looking for and fairly affordable. I really liked living there in my post college lift.

I'm in for the uncomfortable hug! I live I Spain now so have got used to them and they do help. My psychiatrist told me if I could talk to friends, I wouldn't need her. So talk to us!

I haven’t been following you long but like everyone else on Patreon I’m now a devout follower. I don’t have friends other than my ones who have moved away but it works most often but there are times I just want to go get coffee or whatever with a girlfriend and I can’t but that’s life. I do have kids and a husband but that’s a whole nother thing lol. I vicariously live through your creativity so know that it’s wonderful stuff you constantly put out. Negativity can kiss your ass and know that you have a ton of support that matters here. My counsellor told me that you can hear negative comments but don’t listen to them, try not to give them value. It helps sometimes. Big hugs 🤗 🖤🐈‍⬛ and sending tons of love your way. If we ever meet I’ll give you a giant uncomfortable hug 😉 You keep being you and amazingly wonderful human being!

As someone who lives on the edge of London and finds all her pre-pandemic friends with babies now, I know from experience that location isn't always the deciding factor in a buzzing social life. For me, its the fact that I am a terminal introvert and effectively hermit-ed for 2 years. I didn't stay in touch with anyone who can still go out and the prospect of trying to make new friends is horrifying. Yes, definitely make the change and move, but don't neglect the "talking to other humans" bit! You're one of the few creators I know who can blend vintage/cyberpunk/goth vibes and do historical clothing while still showing people what you're doing really clearly. What's not to love? You're bringing my style goals to life. Everyone has different things that make them happy and the only aesthetic you should care about is the one that you enjoy. As you said your passion shows through in your content and I wouldn't have it any other way.

I sort of wish I could give you a hug - I wish you could see your patrons and how you are 'my friend' - you know I don't have any friends either but I have this friend named Bianca Who does these really cool videos and - I don't I mean I have a sewing machine but I don't sew clothes alot - I try sometime but I'm not very good at it, but I listen to your videos and I listen to your podcast and I love your work I want you to do what you want to do - for whatever it's worth and I wish somehow you could know that those of us that are here and being your patrons we support you and what you want to do there's always going to be haters and there's always going to be problems I really feel like you should lean into your patreon community and not read the comments on YouTube LOL I support you making things that YOU like. I'm also a patron of Bernadette Banner and she recently kind of went off on a tangent and did a Moraine set which isn't really her thing - she's not a cosplay type of a seamstress she's more of a Edwardian era historic seamstress - but it really came through in her videos how much fun she was having doing that and I love that more than the other stuff she's done so I think it's important and you're right it shows in your work how you feel about a project. I'm a big Joseph Campbell fan....... Follow your bliss ❤❤❤❤❤