Trusham's Millinery

How about you consider adding a couple zeros to that and I might consider it!

Happy New Year!

Oh how the times have changed . . .

This man is amazing!! He makes all sorts of cool pieces, from pallet wood!!

With everything going on in the world today and everything going on in my own life, I decided to treat myself to a new do! Had several inches taken off and I'm loving it! Liking the grey too!

Why I am reluctant to take on commissions.... I often get asked if I can 'make one of those' for people. whether it be a blanket, a poncho, or more recently a ...length of crochet chain. I really hope I do not come across as rude or dismissive when I am reluctant to quote - but I will tell you exactly why I am reluctant to quote. Let's use the crochet paper chain as an example.... I usually answer the question with ... "Well, I will quote you but just to let you know that this crochet chain took me just under ten hours to make." (35 links at 17 minutes per link = 595 minutes / by 60 = 9.91 hours) At the point I don't even mention the material cost as I would expect that paying me a decent hourly rate for 10 hours would put them right off straight away :) Sometimes it doesn't put them off so I go on to prepare the quote: Yarn (100g of Twinkle DK) 2.70 Hourly rate - 10 hours at..... well, what is my time worth? Let's do minimum wage at around 8.00... So, This piece of crochet chain, barely longer than a meter will cost 82.70, please and thank you :) Let's be honest... you're not gonna pay that are you? You're not even gonna pay me half... or even quarter. The probable expected price would have been around a fiver... after all, that's more than what you would pay for a string of fairy lights in B&M. In other words, the yarn price is covered and here's a little bit extra for your work. Believe me, it happens. What doesn't happen so often is the understanding that THIS is my work - I cannot afford to give 10 hours (or sometimes 100 hours if it is a blanket) for free. I need those hours to work on class samples, or at this time of year, gifts for family. My offer of...."but I could happily teach you how to make your own" often falls flat.... which confuses me somewhat. So, you don't want to invest the time into making your own, but you also don't want to pay me to make it for you. I once asked a bloke who asked me to make a 100 hour blanket for his wife (and nearly fainted at the price) what he did for a living.... he was a painter and decorator, so I offered to trade hours - I will give you 100 to make the blanket, you do 100 hours of decorating for me! (I would have LOVED that - always happy to do skill trades if anyone is still reading :) Anyway.. he laughed and said 'not a chance'... so his work was obviously worth so much more than mine. He didn't get his blanket... not from me anyway :) So, after a long winded musing.... the moral of the story is, handmade doesn't necessarily mean cheap. And if you get something handmade this Christmas then that person REALLY, REALLY loves you. Treasure it :) Oh, and come and learn a craft yourself, and you can have this rant next year :)

Please be on the lookout for any of these machines!

National Sewing Month in September! Sew it seams we should take time to honor the history of sewing and those who enjoy sewing! The art of sewing dates back to 25,000 B.C.E., otherwise known as the Upper Paleolithic Age. During this time, sewing was used to make clothing and shelter. Early materials consisted mostly of hide from animals and plant leaves. Early threading consisted of thin strips of animal hide. Furthermore, the use of bone and ivory was used as the first forms... of needles. Most people think of sewing as it relates to the invention of the sewing machine by Thomas Saint in 1750. Later, in 1851, Isaac Singer perfected the existing device. Singer’s prototype became the industry standard of what we know as the sewing machine. Up until the 19th century, sewing had been done by hand. Sewing societies began to form widely in the 1860s. It might seem that sewing is a dying trade, but surprisingly, it’s still enjoyed by people from all walks of life. Sewing is a hobby enjoyed by millions of people throughout the world. Used as a great way to relax, sewing can help you clear your mind of daily hassles so you can enjoy the simple things in life. Creating quilts, clothing and other masterpieces will bring you personal satisfaction to you every time. Whether you like to sew from scratch, alter clothing or repurpose your wardrobe, sewing is a pleasurable activity to enjoy solo or with friends. HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalSewingMonth Explore your local community to find a sewing club to join. Whether you’re a beginner or a novice sewer, the rewards of sewing with peers is great for relaxing and socializing. You never know, you might even learn some new tricks from an expert! Use #NationalSewingMonth in your social media correspondence. Educators and families, visit the National Day Calendar Classroom for project ideas that help you to Celebrate Every Day! National Sewing Month began in 1982 by proclamation of President Ronald Reagan. The Sewing and Craft Alliance and the American Sewing Guild serve as sponsors. Source: https://nationaldaycalendar.com/national-sewing-month-sept/

This is what I love about living with cats, they adapt and adjust so much better to things than any human being I've ever known! We could learn a thing or two from them!

THIS!! I stopped counting the number of times people would ask me "Aren't you hot in that?!" when I dress in any of my Victorian costumes. Natural fibers breathe much better than any synthetic fibers ever will! Also, layers actually help to keep the body temperature more moderate (especially the addition of a hoop, which holds all those layers way from the body!), just like insulation on a house when dealing with hot and cold extremes. People also need to take into consideration that the ambient temperatures weren't as drastic 100+ years ago as compared to today's temps. The industrial age also brought noise, pollution and engine exhaust from machines, a/c units and vehicles!

"We all suck at sewing, and it's amazing!" ~Abby Cox True story! <3

My new mug! I love it!

"We all suck at sewing, and it's amazing!" ~Abby Cox True story! <3

I've heard the expression of wearing your heart on your sleeve, but never on your trunk!

High winds, driving rain and ominous clouds....a perfect day to be out and about!

Fighting Fast Fashion! Thank you Bernadette Banner for another very informative video! Reduce, reuse & repair as well as recycle!

It is wonderful to see someone else going through their creative process to make something. Adam Savage is always a treat to watch in motion so grab a tea and a biscuit or two, sit back and enjoy this creative genius.....make a shop apron! :D

Fighting Fast Fashion! Thank you Bernadette Banner for another very informative video! Reduce, reuse & repair as well as recycle!

Sprocket bein' a goofball with my shoe! LOL

Sewing is in my blood, I've sewn since I was 11! I have something sewing related almost everywhere in my home! The sewing books here are from 1929 and they contain so much helpful information in them that is still relevent today!

Sort of sewing related...lol My "new" parlor cabinet! It came with a vintage hand-crank Singer machine, so I will display that separately soon and keep my eyes out for a proper treadle machine to fit into this cabinet! I also love the mermaid dress decor piece that I topped with a fern and adorned its waist with a vintage pearl choker!