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src/char/Angel
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Miriam "Angel" Newman | means <i>drop of the sea</i> | weaponmaster♀ | student | teenager | 5'7 | blessfrey<br>
Miriam "Angel" Newman | means <i>drop of the sea</i> | weaponmaster♀ | student | teenager | 5'7 | blessfrey<br>
<br>
<p>She's not as disciplined as her twin brother <a href="/char/Aries">Aries</a>, but she has more natural talent. She's been awarded two best-in-state titles for her swordsmanship, and she's steadily building a portfolio on git for her tools. She consistently brings home As despite never studying to her brother's immense envy. Her natural aptitude is always undermined by her flitsy attitude and chronic forgetfulness, though. She always loses to peer pressure, too. She's a natural people pleaser and a friend to everyone around her. <br></p>
<p>She's not as disciplined as her twin brother <a href="/char/Aries">Aries</a>, but she has more natural talent. She's been awarded two best-in-state titles for her swordsmanship, and she's steadily building a portfolio on git for her tools. She consistently brings home As despite never studying to her brother's immense envy. Her natural aptitude is always undermined by her lightheaded attitude and chronic forgetfulness, though. She always loses to peer pressure, too. She's a natural people pleaser and a friend to everyone around her. <br></p>
<br>
<p>She's tall and looks mature for her age, so <a href="/char/Tessa">Tessa</a> ropes her into serving as "chaperone" to mature movies and buying M-rated games. She's also popular with boys, but her mom absolutely forbids dating until college. Her mom also polices her wardrobe but is beginning to lose ground in that argument. She'd only allow simple natural makeup, too, but Angel's never really been interested in adding to her morning routine anyway. She wears lots of sweaters and jeans, especially if she can incorporate rainbows of color. Her thick, long blond hair is her favorite feature, and she is always experimenting with different hairstyles. She also has light green eyes, slightly brighter in hue than her brother, round silver glasses, and freckles near her mouth. <br></p>
<p>She's tall and looks mature for her age, so <a href="/char/Tessa">Tessa</a> ropes her into serving as "chaperon" to mature movies and buying M-rated games. She's also popular with boys, but her mom absolutely forbids dating until college. Her mom also polices her wardrobe but is beginning to lose ground in that argument. She'd only allow simple natural makeup, too, but Angel's never really been interested in adding to her morning routine anyway. She wears lots of sweaters and jeans, especially if she can incorporate rainbows of color. Her thick, long blond hair is her favorite feature, and she is always experimenting with different hairstyles. She also has light green eyes, slightly brighter in hue than her brother, round silver glasses, and freckles near her mouth. <br></p>

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Chim-choo-ree | <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRnikXRJ6hY">means <i>make-believe bird</i></a> | elysian ranger♀ | model | 19yro | 10' | Aion <br>
Chim-choo-ree | <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRnikXRJ6hY">means <i>make-believe bird</i></a> | elysian ranger♀ | model | 19yro | 10' | Aion <br>
<br>
<p>She wanted to be an assassin, but she's had to come to terms with her physique being ill-suited for close-range dagger combat. Unfortunately, she's just okay at archery, and that's when she can find equipment that accomodates her long arms. Dreams of standing out as an archer are just as far out-of-reach as assassin work ever was. Nevertheless, she is showered in athletic modeling deals, while her talented friends are overlooked. She gets to travel to all the major archery competitions and practice it in short art films, but she knows in her heart that this is all thanks to her looks, not her skills. She tries to look at her physique as a hidden blessing or backdoor, but it can be pretty humiliating when she gets side-eyed by judgy girls with far better aim than she'll ever have. <br></p>
<p>She wanted to be an assassin, but she's had to come to terms with her physique being ill-suited for close-range dagger combat. Unfortunately, she's just okay at archery, and that's when she can find equipment that accommodates her long arms. Dreams of standing out as an archer are just as far out-of-reach as assassin work ever was. Nevertheless, she is showered in athletic modeling deals, while her talented friends are overlooked. She gets to travel to all the major archery competitions and practice it in short art films, but she knows in her heart that this is all thanks to her looks, not her skills. She tries to look at her physique as a hidden blessing or backdoor, but it can be pretty humiliating when she gets side-eyed by judgy girls with far better aim than she'll ever have. <br></p>
<br>
<p>She has seafoam green eyes, light brown hair, and freckled medium skin. The left side of her face is decorated with a large floral tattoo made with a dye similar to henna. She's a habitual mascara user and always covers her buns with silks and ribbons. As for her body, she's <i>tall</i>. Basically, I maxxed or minned every slider in Aion - max neck length, max arm length, max height, max leg length, max foot length, min thickness. The meta in Aion is to create the smallest possible character for stealth, so she is a sequoia among men. Also, the animations are the same for all characters, so everything she does is extremely sluggish and premeditated. (It takes a while for neural signals to reach her limbs.) Sanctum couturiers often want her to model postmodern and anti-fashion designs, but she is a natural model and adapts well to anyone who wants to work with her. Her favorites will always be the cute frilly ruffly stuff, though. <br></p>
<p>She has seafoam green eyes, light brown hair, and freckled medium skin. The left side of her face is decorated with a large floral tattoo made with a dye similar to henna. She's a habitual mascara user and always covers her buns with silks and ribbons. As for her body, she's <i>tall</i>. Basically, I maxed or mined every slider in Aion - max neck length, max arm length, max height, max leg length, max foot length, min thickness. The meta in Aion is to create the smallest possible character for stealth, so she is a sequoia among men. Also, the animations are the same for all characters, so everything she does is extremely sluggish and premeditated. (It takes a while for neural signals to reach her limbs.) Sanctum couturiers often want her to model postmodern and anti-fashion designs, but she is a natural model and adapts well to anyone who wants to work with her. Her favorites will always be the cute frilly ruffly stuff, though. <br></p>

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Chloe Adele McIntyre | means <i>blooming</i> | disciple♀ | student | teenager | 5'1 | blessfrey<br>
Chloe Adele McIntyre | means <i>blooming</i> | disciple♀ | student | teenager | 5'1 | blessfrey<br>
<br>
<p>A changling baby neglected by her parents and taken in by <a href="char/Van">Brother Van</a> at an early age. She's an awkward but tender girl, spending long hours every day haunting the corridors of the church, silently doing her chores. She loves Van like a father and relies on him for moral guidance and learning how to pray. In thanks, she has taken over preparing community meals, managing the library, and takes care of children during service. Overcommitment is an issue for her, and it wrecks her ability to focus at school. Van tries his best to help her study, but nothing ever seems to stick. <br></p>
<p>A changeling baby neglected by her parents and taken in by <a href="char/Van">Brother Van</a> at an early age. She's an awkward but tender girl, spending long hours every day haunting the corridors of the church, silently doing her chores. She loves Van like a father and relies on him for moral guidance and learning how to pray. In thanks, she has taken over preparing community meals, managing the library, and takes care of children during service. Overcommitment is an issue for her, and it wrecks her ability to focus at school. Van tries his best to help her study, but nothing ever seems to stick. <br></p>
<br>
<p>She's short with deep teal hair, pale blue eyes, and light skin. She always swallows her body up in billowing robes and dresses out of insecurity. Her body's so small it looks kind of silly, though, so to balance it out on top, she wears berets and oversized bows. She's a daily makeup wearer, trying to round her wide eyes with eyeliner and narrow her mouth by slightly overlining her cupid's bow and pout in a Sisyphean effort. Her wardrobe is simple, consisting of a few maxi dresses, robes, long blouses, and jumper skirts with deep pleating, showered with pops of solid blue, red, black, and gray. <br></p>

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Fifi | means <i>to increase</i> | witch♀ | singer, songwriter, celebrity | mid 30s | 6' | Sims 3<br>
Fifi | means <i>to increase</i> | witch♀ | singer, songwriter, celebrity | mid 30s | 6' | Sims 3<br>
<br>
<p>She has been steeped in music her whole life, with her brother reliably bringing home records of new bands and emerging genres. It wasn't long before her and some neighborhood friends started their own band. Her unique singing voice like the chirping of songbirds or the ping of a harp captured a lot of attention. Her candid lyrics captured what people felt but couldn't say. She quickly outshone her fellow members, a vocalist stolen from band to band, getting to travel all over the country. After a decade, she began to lose her footing with younger audiences, though she still has a very dedicated older fanbase. She's content with this shift because it affords her more time at home to raise her baby. <br></p>
<p>She has been steeped in music her whole life, with her brother reliably bringing home records of new bands and emerging genres. It wasn't long before her and some neighborhood friends started their own band. Her unique singing voice like the chirping of songbirds or the ping of a harp captured a lot of attention. Her candid lyrics captured what people felt but couldn't say. She quickly outshone her fellow members, a vocalist stolen from band to band, getting to travel all over the country. After a decade, she began to lose her footing with younger audiences, though she still has a very dedicated older fan base. She's content with this shift because it affords her more time at home to raise her baby. <br></p>
<br>
<p>She's thin and has delicate, sunken features with a narrow jaw. Her blonde hair is thin and wispy, and she usually wears it tied back or in updos. She's extremely involved in the fashion industry, frequently attending shows and lending her face to campaigns. Naturally, her closet is dominated by luxury brands, all gifts from her designer and model friends. Her style is distinct, consisting of ballet pinks, blues, and creamy whites, with soft piled textures covering highly structured garments. She has with no hesistation in wearing ostentatious furs and shoulderpads. Her makeup is wild, covering her entire eye socket and tops of her cheekbone in baby blue, applies long thin straight falsies, using shocking white lipstick, using contour gray as a blush color. Usually, she'll wear concealer lips and only overdo one feature, but she feels no qualms about going all out. <br></p>
<p>She's thin and has delicate, sunken features with a narrow jaw. Her blonde hair is thin and wispy, and she usually wears it tied back or in updos. She's extremely involved in the fashion industry, frequently attending shows and lending her face to campaigns. Naturally, her closet is dominated by luxury brands, all gifts from her designer and model friends. Her style is distinct, consisting of ballet pinks, blues, and creamy whites, with soft piled textures covering highly structured garments. She has with no hesitation in wearing ostentatious furs and shoulder pads. Her makeup is wild, covering her entire eye socket and tops of her cheekbone in baby blue, applies long thin straight falsies, using shocking white lipstick, using contour gray as a blush color. Usually, she'll wear concealer lips and only overdo one feature, but she feels no qualms about going all out. <br></p>

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Lune Marine | means <i>moon</i> | usually human♀ | persona | age varies | 5'1<br>
Lune Marine | means <i>moon</i> | usually human♀ | persona | age varies | 5'1<br>
<br>
<p>My persona! She's been made in about every 00s-early 10s MMO out there. Her signatures are her cool-toned, almost lavender-toned white hair, golden or citrine eyes, short stature, and sunny disposition. She's linked with water and the moon. She has a ton of backstories, but her earliest version is as an Ascalonian girl, training under <a href="https://wiki.guildwars.com/wiki/Necromancer_Munne">Munne</a> to become a catacombs groundskeeper and votive candlemaker. <br></p>
<p>My persona! She's been made in about every 00s-early 10s MMO out there. Her signatures are her cool-toned, almost lavender-toned white hair, golden or citrine eyes, short stature, and sunny disposition. She's linked with water and the moon. She has a ton of backstories, but her earliest version is as an Ascalonian girl, training under <a href="https://wiki.guildwars.com/wiki/Necromancer_Munne">Munne</a> to become a catacombs groundskeeper and votive candle-maker. She'll always be a Guild Wars girl at heart! <br></p>
<br>
<p>Her favorite colors to wear are brown, white, and black. If she wears makeup, it's usually brown or gold tones. She also usually has short, straight hair with peek-a-boo bangs. <br></p>
<br>
<p>She had a frizzy brunette phase for a few years because I convinced myself creative interpretations and personas are cringy. Maybe they are, but whatever. That line of thinking strips away my ability to abstract stressors into art and writing. My creative outlet matters way more to me than some arbitrary standard of coolness. So her brunette phase is an important part of her journey, her true self has white hair. <br></p>
<p>She had a frizzy brunette phase for a few years because I convinced myself creative interpretations and personas are cringy. Maybe they are, but whatever. That line of thinking strips away my ability to abstract stressors into art and writing. My creative outlet matters way more to me than some arbitrary standard of coolness. So her brunette phase is an important part of her journey, but her true self has white hair. <br></p>

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Edward "Night" Lusk | means <i>dark</i> | chemist♂ | pharmacist | teenager | 5'5 | blessfrey<br>
Edward "Night" Lusk | means <i>dark</i> | chemist♂ | pharmacist | teenager | 5'5 | blessfrey<br>
<br>
<p>A natural-born genius who quit high school early to pursue apprenticeships at capital hospitals. Then, just as he was offered to study at one of the top research hospitals in the nation, his grandparents' health rapidly deteriorated. He had to rescind the offer and return home to spend his last moments when them, prepare the final paperwork, and decide what to with himself, his orphaned brother <a href="/char/Milo">Milo</a>, and the property. The mayor <a href="/char/Dia">Dia</a> has been trying to take over as much of the "adult" work as possible to give him space to mourn and spend time with his baby brother. She's also set him up with a little pharmacy in town, waiving rent for now. <br></p>
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<p>Though mature for his age, he's short. He's headstrong and particular about his things, wearing his hair long and frequently covering his eyes, never using his real name for anything, and overdressing no matter the occasion. Paired with his snarky, cynical, conceitful attitude, he has always been distinctly unpopular. The nearest doctor was previously half a county away, though, so the pharmacy was bound to succeed no matter who was running it. At work, though, he is strictly professional, his training and lost opportunity always pressing on his mind. <br></p>
<p>Though mature for his age, he's short. He's headstrong and particular about his things, wearing his hair long and frequently covering his eyes, never using his real name for anything, and overdressing no matter the occasion. Paired with his snarky, cynical, conceited attitude, he has always been distinctly unpopular. The nearest doctor was previously half a county away, though, so the pharmacy was bound to succeed no matter who was running it. At work, though, he is strictly professional, his training and lost opportunity always pressing on his mind. <br></p>
<br>
<p>He has an extreme complexion, with dark hair but light blue eyes. He's vampirically pale, abhoring any time spent outside or exercising. His wardrobe is all neutrals with bold pops and relaxed fits - brown corduroy, navy monkcloth, striped silk surah, vibrant sweater vests, and dress shirts in every color. <a href="/char/Marie-Agnès">Tessa's mom</a> made her alter every single one of Night's jackets for practice, so they all fit like a glove. <br></p>
<p>He has an extreme complexion, with dark hair but light blue eyes. He's vampirically pale, abhorring any time spent outside or exercising. His wardrobe is all neutrals with bold pops and relaxed fits - brown corduroy, navy monk-cloth, striped silk surah, vibrant sweater vests, and dress shirts in every color. <a href="/char/Marie-Agnès">Tessa's mom</a> made her alter every single one of Night's jackets for practice, so they all fit like a glove. <br></p>

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Aristen | means <i>the best</i> | mystic♀ | martial artist, soldier of fortune | 24 years old | 5'6<br>
Aristen | means <i>the best</i> | mystic♀ | martial artist, soldier of fortune | 24 years old | 5'6<br>
<br>
My Black Desert Online main! The community and gear system ruin what is one of the best tycoon and life skilling MMOs, so I didn't play it for very long. I still adore Aristen, though. <br>
My Black Desert Online main! The community and gear system ruin what is one of the best tycoon and lifeskilling MMOs, so I didn't play it for very long. I still adore Aristen, though. <br>
<br>
She's an honest and direct person who won't betray her core values of loyalty, submission towards authority, and denial of the flesh. Her Spartan lifestyle borders on asceticism. She lives off the land. Though her body is shaped by extreme discipline, she isn't necessarily the wisest person. She's always falling into the "work harder, not smarter" fallacy, leading to some pretty comical blunt-force solutions for her jobs. <br>
<br>
Her quiet femininity contrasts with her titanic arms and powerful thighs. (I maxxed out the arm muscularity and arm thickness sliders.) Perplexingly, she's retained an hourglass figure, which she attributes to a life of wearing belts. She always presents herself with excellence, wearing a meticulously perfected coral monochromatic face of makeup to set off her pale eyes, deep auburn hair, and glassy skin. Through experience, it wears gracefully even through sweat and heat. Her wardrobe is purely functional, consisting entirely of training and ceremonial uniforms, especially those that pair well with belts and scarves. Her favorite colors to wear are orange and jade. <br>
Her quiet femininity contrasts with her titanic arms and powerful thighs. (I maxed out the arm muscularity and arm thickness sliders.) Perplexingly, she's retained an hourglass figure, which she attributes to a life of wearing belts. She always presents herself with excellence, wearing a meticulously perfected coral monochromatic face of makeup to set off her pale eyes, deep auburn hair, and glassy skin. Through experience, it wears gracefully even through sweat and heat. Her wardrobe is purely functional, consisting entirely of training and ceremonial uniforms, especially those that pair well with belts and scarves. Her favorite colors to wear are orange and jade. <br>

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% rebase('frame.tpl')
<div class="content-grid">
<div class="banner">
<h1>blessfrey fashion </h1>
</div>
<div class="season" id="season">
<h2>church girls + animal parade</h2>
<i>a collection in two parts</i> <br>
<br>
<p><b>Church girls</b> comes from my personal apparel history. Growing up, most of my clothes were the older girls from church's castaways. I retained a majority hand-me-down wardrobe through my post-graduation internship. I never felt embarrassed about it. Actually, I enjoyed looking unique, wearing nothing you could buy in a store. One lady told me I looked like I was from a different era. (Insult maybe, but I loved that.) Other hand-me-downs became so old they were once again on the cusp of a trend. <br></p>
<br>
<p>Many of my hand-me-downs were banished to the back of the closet as I got to buy my own clothes and participate in street fashion for the first time on a college campus. My outfits got very dainty with sheer and uncomfortable fabrics, complex layering, and a general lack of practicality. The pandemic knocked that out of me quickly, and I retreated back into my old, floppy, cotton hand-me-downs and stolen t-shirts from my husband. This time with the clothes, I was older and more aware of things. They became a symbol of neglect and pity. None of them were chosen by me or my parents, and many were from people I barely knew. I was well-dressed for the depressive, disassociative state of the world. <br></p>
<br>
<p>When the town began to open back up, I had a reason to dress up again but saw nothing both exciting and comfortable. Most of the clothes I made had been given away or broken down into scraps. I hadn't sewn for myself in ages anyway. My last set of hand-me-downs were starting to deteriorate beyond repair. Left with some chiffon blouses and rayon skirts, it was finally time to sew and dress for me again. <br></p>
<br>
<p>Church girls's theme is finding appreciation again for the anachronistic, cultural melting pot of my old hand-me-down wardrobe. There are clothes from the 00s, 90s, and proper vintage eras; from American families but also Mexican and Panaman families; and from mass retail, luxury, and home seamstresses. Also, they aren't just stuff that looked good in a store - they are care items that were set aside for me by people in my community. <br></p>
<br>
For the capsule collection, I immortalized my favorite old clothes as reverse-engineered patterns. With the original garments, I am creating clothes that are finally <i>me</i> but flavoring them with discordant sources of inspiration and sentimentality. I take each design's name from scattered memories. <br></p>
<br>
<hr>
<img src="/static/img/fash/churchgirls+animalparade/hikari.png" alt="(link: home)">
<div class="caption">(Hikari from Harvest Moon: Animal Parade, snapped from a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNi5A047aoo&list=PLqNTe2pSF5Fr3JdFjksSbq0p4KtbcL9Fz">NaVi（ナビ） YouTube video</a>)</div>
<p>I wasn't prepared to unlock a 00s fashion time capsule when I found a copy of <b>Animal Parade</b>. It's not like Hikari epitomizes the era and I never liked that style back then, but her cami layered over a basic tee and bulky cargo pockets has a hold over me. It's a mix of fresh and nostalgic. It brought to mind some of the silly and hyper-girly outfits Hillary Duff wore. She wore layers and comfy cottons all the time, too. Maybe people would cringe at her old outfits, but they were undeniably fun. <br></p>
<br>
<p>Pre-AP, I wore camis and biker shorts for modesty under fussy chiffons. My foundation was decidedly neutral. There's something expressive and carefree about wearing these purely functional elements on top and in cute colors. Even these 'boring' garments can be special. It was a line I needed to be led across in my life. This speaks to me in several different directions. Rejoice always. It's okay to be playful. Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord. Even drudgery is an area for personal growth and exploration. I was sad for a long time, but seamstress's block has finally lifted.<br></p>
<br>
<p>The animal parade capsule collection is what Hikari is to me: individualism in each layer, joy in adding details, and amiable natural fibers. I name each design after significant animals in my life. <br></p>
<hr>
<p>The two themes belong together. Meditating over the introspective and the expressive, hiding away and being open, the old and the new. They come bundled with transformational passages of Scripture. <br></p>
<br>
<div class="verse">I will extol you, O Lord, for you have drawn me up
and have not let my foes rejoice over me.
O Lord my God, I cried to you for help,
and you have healed me.
O Lord, you have brought up my soul from Sheol;
you restored me to life from among those who go down to the pit.
Sing praises to the Lord, O you his saints,
and give thanks to his holy name.
For his anger is but for a moment,
and his favor is for a lifetime.
Weeping may tarry for the night,
but joy comes with the morning. <br></div>
<i>(Psalm 30:1-5)</i> <br>
<br>
<div class="verse">My beloved speaks and says to me: "Arise, my love, my beautiful one, and come away, for behold, the winter is past; the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth, the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land. <br></div>
<i>(Song of Solomon 2:10-12)</i> <br>
</div>
<div class="gallery" id="gallery">
<a target="_blank" href="/static/img/fash/churchgirls+animalparade/capsulewardrobe_sketches2.png" alt="(image: a bomber jacket with a luminous light pink polyester and a gray, beige, and light brown lace, a bodice with a white bamboo viscose with pink cherry blossoms and blue birds, a kimono with black inky block batiste, a button-down short sleeve shirt with shank buttons, black piping, and a beetle print, and a mock turtleneck with thumbholes and a metallic foil knit)">>
<img src="/static/img/fash/churchgirls+animalparade/capsulewardrobe_sketches2.png" alt="(image: a bomber jacket with a luminous light pink polyester and a gray, beige, and light brown lace, a bodice with a white bamboo viscose with pink cherry blossoms and blue birds, a kimono with black inky block batiste, a button-down short sleeve shirt with shank buttons, black piping, and a beetle print, and a mock turtleneck with thumbholes and a metallic foil knit)">
</a><br>
<b>Bomber</b>: I've had a favorite light rayon bomber jacket for 10 years, but it's wearing out and has some weird bleach stains. This is basically a knockoff of a <a href="https://www.ebay.com/itm/124967194636?hash=item1d18a0100c:g:1K8AAOSw7PdhctB3">BB Dakota design</a>. This one is a shiny pink polyester (a lustrous exception to my natural fiber rule) with multicolored lace trim, a metal zipper, and a beige drawstring. I think I can keep the old BBD jacket, too, but it needs embroidery or appliques over the stains. <br>
<br>
<b>Bodice</b>: This is a light layering top made from batiste. It will have ruffles at the shoulders and long straps from the waist to wrap around and tie in a bow. <br>
<br>
<b>Kimono</b>: I have a favorite purple floral chiffon kimono that has a fraying seam. After three repairs, it needs a semi-retirement. This design but with rayon batiste and a dark inky print...if Mood ever restocks the Penitentiary Block print! <br>
<br>
<b>泣き虫 (Cry Bug)</b>: An oversized poplin button-down with short sleeves and an oversized beetle print. It has black piping along seams, a pocket, and black glass shank buttons. The fit is meant to resemble your dad's shirt where the short sleeves come down too far, the armholes are too deep, and the pocket is too big, but the collar and length will be appropriately proportioned for me. It's white with an oversized print that visually plays up the unusually large proportions of the shirt. The piping and glass shank buttons remain the correct proportions, though. <br>
<br>
<b>Mock Turtle</b>: There's three light mock turtlenecks. This is my favorite staple, but I lost my charcoal gray one 2 moves ago. (RIP) One will be a foil knit with thumbholes, one is a striped knit, and one is a 4x2 rib knit. <br>
<br><br>
<a target="_blank" href="/static/img/fash/churchgirls+animalparade/capsulewardrobe_sketches1.png">
<img src="/static/img/fash/churchgirls+animalparade/capsulewardrobe_sketches1.png" alt="(image: A mock turtleneck with gray and white horizontal striped tissue knit, a mock turtleneck with 4x2 black rib knit, pants with seagrass green, brown, and tan plaid linen, a pair of shorts with natural linen with white, lime, and orange stripes and a multicolor fringe ribbon in mint, baby pink, brown, neon coral, baby blue, and straw, and a pair of cuffed shorts with a bow belt in dragon fruit printed linen.)" width="500">
</a><br>
<b>Pants</b>: Straight-legged plaid linen pants with a fly-front closure, belt loops, side pockets, and blind hems. Linen feels great in the summer and lends itself to a well-tailored staple. <br>
<br>
<b>Shorts</b>: Two pairs of linen shorts, one with stripes and striped fringe ribbon trim and the other with a dragon fruit print and cuffs and a bow belt. <br>
<br><br>
<a target="_blank" href="/static/img/fash/churchgirls+animalparade/capsulewardrobe_sketches3.png">
<img src="/static/img/fash/churchgirls+animalparade/capsulewardrobe_sketches3.png" alt="(image: a one piece long sleeve swimsuit with a mock turtleneck, an obi belt, three ruffles over the hips, and shorts, a yukata-style pajama set with bishop sleeves and berry red piping and dawn blue jacquard, and a pajama set with gathered sleeves, a gathered empire-waisted top, and gathered shorts with a sailor color and oversized rick rack trim and dark blue jacquard fabric with white bow print. )" width="500">
</a><br>
<b>Swimsuit</b>: The one piece swimsuit is made out of pastel seafoam and pink neoprene with pops of sulfurous yellow in an abstract swampy design. I actually lived around wetlands for most of my life, so it's cool to see a wetlands design instead of another tropical beach or flowering meadow print. It has long sleeves, a mock turtleneck, and an invisible zipper at the center back. The focus is the obi belt made from a contrasting black neoprene. There are three panel-and-tier ruffles over the bottom to give some illusion of volume against the closely-fitted belt and top without adding more unnecessary bulk. I'm not 100% on materials yet and may need to bring in a thinner swimwear tricot for the layers. <br>
<br>
<b>Pajama sets</b>: The pajamas are not my design. They are basically knock-offs from Yahoo! Japan shopping, since I don't feel like importing mall-tier pajamas. (The originals are <a href="https://store.shopping.yahoo.co.jp/open-clothes/xkunken-aihyx401.html?sc_i=shp_pc_search_itemlist_shsrg_img">Japanese-style yukata-style long sleeve pajama set for spring and fall</a> from <a href="https://store.shopping.yahoo.co.jp/open-clothes/">OPEN-CLOTHES</a> and <a href="https://store.shopping.yahoo.co.jp/kittyshop/lh20051312.html">summer pajama set for ladies in their 20s with flared collar and cute short sleeves</a> from <a href="https://shopping.geocities.jp/kittyshop/">kittyshop</a>.) The only real design change is using oversized rick rack instead of ruffles on that second set. Pajamas are the most pressing sartorial area in my life in which I need a self-assertion. People like to gift me pajamas, but they always ask me my size then buy a size or two down. Why won't anyone believe I'm not an XS! The one time I got something that fit, it was unwearably heavy fleece for my year-round hot climate. I don't want to be ungrateful or wasteful, though, so I've either crammed myself into tiny pajamas or sweated since I was little. That's so silly, especially now that I'm an adult. There's beautiful but unused jacquard fabric hanging in my closet. There's nothing stopping me from turning it into cute Japanese jacquard pajamas that actually fit. <br>
<br>
<h2>pattern-making and sewing so far</h2>
I'm working on the 泣き虫 button-down shirt first, but while waiting for the buttons to arrive, I went ahead and got one version of the mock turtleneck pattern done. <br>
<br>
<a target="_blank" href="/static/img/fash/churchgirls+animalparade/capsulewardrobe_nakimushi_pattern.png">
<img src="/static/img/fash/churchgirls+animalparade/capsulewardrobe_nakimushi_pattern.png" alt="(image: pattern pieces for the button-down shirt and a ruler and curve tool. )" width="500">
</a><br>
<a target="_blank" href="/static/img/fash/churchgirls+animalparade/capsulewardrobe_mockturtle_pattern.png">
<img src="/static/img/fash/churchgirls+animalparade/capsulewardrobe_mockturtle_pattern.png" alt="(image: pattern pieces for the button-down shirt and a ruler and curve tool. )" width="500">
</a><br>
I'm in the middle of sewing the button-down. The sleeves are cuffed and reinforced with interfacing (finally available again after the early pandemic mask-making frenzy) and decorated with the piping. Next, I'll set the sleeves in and work on the button placard. <br>
<br>
<a target="_blank" href="/static/img/fash/churchgirls+animalparade/capsulewardrobe_nakimushi.png">
<img src="/static/img/fash/churchgirls+animalparade/capsulewardrobe_nakimushi.png" alt="(image: incomplete button-down shirt with disconnected sleeves. )" width="500">
</a><br>
</div>
<div class="designer" id="designer">
<h2>designer</h2>
<p>I'm chimchooree! I love the full process of apparel construction, but pattern-making has always been my favorite. Like any designer, I view fashion in terms of defining the problem and solving it. The creative side of my designs are led by meaningful themes, selecting for having relevance to both the temporal and metaphoric season I'm in, diverse concepts to draw from, and a consistent core to tie everything together. <br></p>
<br>
<h3>design statement</h3>
<p>The best clothes might very well be the ones you already own. We are called to be good stewards of the earth, so I encourage you to have your clothes repaired, altered, or customized whenever possible. <br></p>
<br>
<p>But if I'm going to make new clothes, I'm going to design them to be irreplaceable. They will be thoughtfully designed and made with professionalism, personality, comfort, and durability in mind. I shoot for daywear that handles being thrown in a washing machine no problem, and try to keep my designs easy to alter. <br></p>
</div>
</div>

2
src/diary/entries/220604
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@ -15,7 +15,7 @@
<h2>changes </h2>
<p>This is <i>my</i> website, so I might as well use it however I want. If I have a website, I shouldn't have to rely on anyone else for image hosting or digital content presentation. There's no reason for me to have to pull up my phone all the time to show people what I'm working on. Blessfrey.me can take care of all of that for me. <br></p>
<br>
<p>From now on, I'll post fashion content here. I used to have a separate online portfolio for it and tried a separate blog from that once, but I was always struggling to fit into standard formats. Giving myself a blank section of my general portfolio to structure however I want is freeing. Some fashion designers like <a href="https://www.kennethdking.com/">Kenneth D. King</a> don't even organize their ideas into seasonal collections. The industry as a whole is moving away from the rigid structure of in-person runway shows in lieue of directly meeting with the press, releasing lookbooks of fashion photography, and shooting short art films. Why shouldn't a fashion blogger re-evaluate her portfolio, too? Maybe I'll add a section for general art here, too, someday. Who knows? <br></p>
<p>From now on, I'll post fashion content here. I used to have a separate online portfolio for it and tried a separate blog from that once, but I was always struggling to fit into standard formats. Giving myself a blank section of my general portfolio to structure however I want is freeing. Some fashion designers like <a href="https://www.kennethdking.com/">Kenneth D. King</a> don't even organize their ideas into seasonal collections. The industry as a whole is moving away from the rigid structure of in-person runway shows in lieu of directly meeting with the press, releasing lookbooks of fashion photography, and shooting short art films. Why shouldn't a fashion blogger re-evaluate her portfolio, too? Maybe I'll add a section for general art here, too, someday. Who knows? <br></p>
<br>
Maybe best practice is to stay laser-focused on a content niche, but I'm not an SEO zombie. I develop websites, games, programming projects, fashion projects, interior design projects, pixelart, writing, and more, and they all deserve some web real estate. Maybe later, I can work with clients through here, too, but that is a dream for the future. For now, I'm keeping everything Web 1.0. The security is <i>so</i> much easier that way. <br></p>
<br>

12
src/diary/entries/220704
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@ -1,12 +1,12 @@
<!--220704,220604-->
<h1>no-legs the cat </h1>
june 9, 2022<br>
#game #no-legs-the-cat #godotengine<br>
#game #no-legs-the-cat #godotengine #release<br>
<br>
<p><b>No-Legs the Cat</b> is a 2D maze game featuring Poltics Cat! Help him find his legs! He can't move by himself, so scoot him around with the arrow keys. Don't forget to feed him all three breakfasts or he'll starve!! Go play it <a href="http://127.0.0.1:9001/demo">here</a> or on <a href="https://chimchooree.itch.io/legless-the-cat">itch.io</a>. <br></p>
<img src="/static/img/ent/everythingscomingtogether_no-legsthecat.png" alt="(No-Legs the Cat screenshot: Poltics Cat finds a bowl of breakfast in the maze)"><br>
<br>
<p>It's cute, but I know this game doesn't have much pizzazz. It's just a demonstation to myself that I can export a game and embed HTML5 applications here. It runs pretty well locally, so we'll see how well it runs on the live server in my playtesters' browsers. I'm getting close to releasing the first minor demo for Blessfrey, so I'd really rather iron out all the kinks with a short and simple project first, you know? Dreading the day I have to handle serialization in the browser. <br></p>
<p>It's not much - just a demonstration to myself that I can export a game and embed HTML5 applications here. It runs pretty well locally, so we'll see how well it runs on the live server in my playtesters' browsers. I'm getting close to releasing the first minor demo for Blessfrey, so I'd really rather iron out all the kinks with a short and simple project first, you know? Dreading the day I have to handle serialization in the browser. <br></p>
<br>
<p>Have fun! More games coming soon. <br></p>
<br>
@ -15,18 +15,18 @@ june 9, 2022<br>
<img src="/static/img/ent/nolegsthecat_polticscat.png" alt="(photo: My pet orange kitty with an empty look on his face and legs tucked entirely under his body. He looks like a loaf of bread.)"><br>
<p>My kitty! <br></p>
<br>
<p>It's just an inside joke. There was a guy who kept posting his cute pet in the politics discussion on social media, so I copied him. I tried to post the most annoying picture of my cat as the "politics cat" but made a typo. <br></p>
<p>It's just an inside joke. There was a guy who kept interrupting the political discussion channel by posting his pet, so I tried to imitate him with my own politics cat. Only I made a typo, and it stuck. <br></p>
<br>
<h3>where'd his legs go? </h3>
<p>Aren't cats cute when they sit like that? It's called "loafing." Kitty's so fluffy that his legs become totally invisible when he does that, and he just stares helplessly at us if we start heckling him. <br></p>
<p>Aren't cats cute when they sit like that? It's called "loafing." Kitty's so fluffy that his legs become totally hidden when he does that, and he just stares helplessly at us when we start heckling him. <br></p>
<br>
<p>It looks like his legs are missing for real this time, though. He couldn't have gotten far without them, so they have to be somewhere in the maze. <br></p>
<br>
<h3>isn't one breakfast enough? </h3>
<p>I dunno, my cat is weird. He wants us to give him breakfast first thing in the morning, then again when we eat our own breakfast. It's still so early, it's like he eats two breakfasts. He doesn't care about food for the rest of the day. It's like the concept of lunch and dinner are completely foreign to him. He's a dishonest little guy, though, so he'll come to both my husband and me separately to beg for "second" breakfast. We're usually too smart for him, but I'd be lying if he hasn't bamboozled us into <i>three</i> whole breakfasts before. <br></p>
<br>
<h3>when are godot devs going to stop using the godot head as the majority of the assets in their games? </h3>
<p>Probably never. Why make your own art when free, professional art is already provided when you make a new project? <br></p>
<h3>when are godot devs going to stop making everything out of the godot head? </h3>
<p>Probably never. <br></p>
<br>
<br>
Last updated July 21, 2022 <br>

2
src/index.py
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@ -400,7 +400,7 @@ def home():
@route('/me')
def me():
"""me"""
info = {'css': 'me', 'title': 'about me', 'year': find_year(), 'chars': ["Helia", "Aries", "Angel", "Rune", "Tessa", "Silke", "Abbey", "Calder", "Aloin", "Fifi", "Lune", "Chimchooree", "Aristen"]}
info = {'css': 'me', 'title': 'about me', 'year': find_year(), 'chars': ["Helia", "Angel", "Rune", "Tessa", "Silke", "Abbey", "Calder", "Aloin", "Fifi", "Lune", "Chimchooree", "Aristen"]}
return template('me.tpl', info)
# Search Diary by Tag

98
src/static/css/entry.css
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@ -1,3 +1,20 @@
a {
color: #1D1761;
}
a:hover {
color: #3127A5;
}
a:visited {
color: #1D1761;
}
a:active {
color: #3B2FC6;
}
hr {
border: 1px solid black;
}
.content-grid {
grid-area: 3 / 1 / 4 / 4;
max-width: MAX(50em, 50%);
@ -59,6 +76,9 @@
margin-bottom: 0em;
text-indent: 0em;
}
.diary-content a {
text-decoration: underline;
}
.diary-tags {
background-color: #585c88;
padding: 1em;
@ -68,12 +88,25 @@
background-color: #b9b4af;
border-radius: .3em;
padding: .3em;
color: #1c2628;
font-size: 1em;
font-weight: bold;
display: inline-block;
}
.diary-tag a {
color: #1D1761;
}
.diary-tag a:hover {
color: #3127A5;
}
.diary-tag a:visited {
color: #1D1761;
}
.diary-tag a:active {
color: #3B2FC6;
}
.share-links {
display: none;
background-color: #1c2628;
color: #aaa39d;
padding-top: 1em;
@ -93,20 +126,24 @@
margin-top: 1em;
}
.sidebar a:link {
color: #213021;
font-weight: bold;
}
.sidebar a {
color: #1D1761;
}
.sidebar a:hover {
color: #486438;
color: #3127A5;
}
.sidebar a:visited {
color: #213021;
color: #1D1761;
}
.sidebar a:active {
color: #945634;
color: #3B2FC6;
}
.diary-box {
background-color: #886488;
background-color: #A88AA8;
text-align: center;
border-radius: 1em;
margin: 1em;
@ -114,8 +151,7 @@
margin-top: 0em;
padding-bottom: 1em;
}
.diary-box a {
}
.about-box {
grid-area: 1 / 1 / 2 / 2;
@ -129,7 +165,7 @@
.latest-text {
text-align: left;
padding: 0em;
background-color: #886488;
background-color: #A88AA8;
}
.wordcloud {
grid-area: 4 / 1 / 5 / 2;
@ -139,48 +175,32 @@
}
.recommend {
grid-area: 4 / 2 / 5 / 3;
background-color: #080410;
grid-area: 2 / 1 / 3 / 3;
color: #F9B3D7;
display: grid;
grid-template-columns: auto auto auto;
grid-template-columns: auto;
grid-template-rows: auto auto;
grid-column-gap: 0em;
grid-row-gap: 0em;
padding: .3em;
padding: 1em;
width: 80%;
margin: auto;
overflow: auto;
}
.more {
grid-area: 1 / 1 / 2 / 4;
background-color: #486438;
border-radius: .3em;
grid-area: 1 / 1 / 2 / 2;
background-color: #A88AA8;
padding: .3em;
text-align: center;
color: #080410;
}
.rec-box { grid-area: 2 / 1 / 3 / 3; }
.rec-box { grid-area: 2 / 1 / 3 / 2;
background-color: #A88AA8;
padding: 1em; }
.snip {
width: 9.375em;
float: left;
margin: 1.875em;
background-color: #95939f;
border-radius: .3em;
padding: .3em;
text-align: center;
font-size: 1em;
}
.snip a {
color: #080410;
}
.snip a:hover {
color: #404664;
.snippet-title {
background-color: #A88AA8;
font-weight: bold;
}
.snip a:visited {
color: #080410;
}
.snip a:active {
color: #404664;
}

44
src/static/css/fashion.css
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@ -2,32 +2,32 @@
grid-area: 3 / 1 / 4 / 4;
display: grid;
grid-template-columns: 1fr;
grid-template-rows: repeat(6, auto);
grid-template-rows: repeat(8, auto);
grid-column-gap: 0px;
grid-row-gap: 2em;
color: white
color: white;
width: 80%;
margin: auto;
}
.banner {
grid-area: 1 / 1 / 2 / 2;
img {
max-width: 31.25em;
display: block;}
.banner {
text-align: center;
margin-top: 2em;
}
.controls img { width: 10em; }
.demo-game iframe {
border: 2px solid #df85a5;
padding: 10px;
display: block;
margin: auto;
grid-area: 1 / 1 / 2 / 2;
}
.demo-intro {
width: 40%;
padding: 10px;
margin: auto;
.season {
grid-area: 2 / 1 / 3 / 2;
}
.demo { grid-area: 2 / 1 / 3 / 2; }
.controls { grid-area: 3 / 1 / 4 / 2; }
.system { grid-area: 4 / 1 / 5 / 2; }
.story { grid-area: 5 / 1 / 6 / 2; }
.characters { grid-area: 6 / 1 / 7 / 2; }
.info { grid-area: 7 / 1 / 8 / 2; }
.concept { grid-area: 3 / 1 / 4 / 2; }
.process { grid-area: 4 / 1 / 5 / 2; }
.material { grid-area: 5 / 1 / 6 / 2; }
.construction { grid-area: 6 / 1 / 7 / 2; }
.garment { grid-area: 7 / 1 / 8 / 2; }
.designer { grid-area: 8 / 1 / 9 / 2; }

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4
src/views/diary-boxes.tpl
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@ -21,9 +21,9 @@
<div class="latest-text">
<ul>
% if len(latest) > 0:
% print(str(len(latest)))
% for l in latest:
<li>&#9;<a href=/{{l[0]}} rel="nofollow">{{!l[1]}}</a></li>
% bullet = random.choice(['.','•','☆','★'])
<li>&#9;<a href=/{{l[0]}} rel="nofollow">{{bullet}}&#9;{{!l[1]}}</a></li>
% end
% end
</ul>

14
src/views/entry.tpl
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@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
% rebase('frame.tpl')
% import random
<div class="content-grid">
<!--left column-->
@ -24,7 +25,7 @@
</div>
% end
</div>
<hr>
<!--<hr>-->
<div class="share-links">
</div>
@ -35,17 +36,16 @@
<div class="recommend">
% if len(recommends) > 0:
<div class="more"><h1>more like this...</h1></div>
<div class="more"><h2>more like this</h2><hr></div>
% end
<div class="rec-box">
% if len(recommends) > 0:
<ul>
% for s in recommends:
<div class="snip">
<div class="snippet-title">
<a href=/{{s[1]}} rel="nofollow"><b>{{!s[0]}}</b></a>
</div>
</div>
% bullet = random.choice(['.','•','☆','★'])
<li><div class="snippet-title"><a href=/{{s[1]}} rel="nofollow">{{bullet}}&#9;{{!s[0]}}</a></div>
% end
</ul>
% end
</div>
</div>

182
src/views/fashion.tpl
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@ -1,105 +1,121 @@
% rebase('frame.tpl')
% rebase('frame.tpl')
<div class="content-grid">
<div class="banner">
<h1>blessfrey fashion </h1>
</div>
<div class="season" id="season">
<h2>church girls + animal parade</h2>
<i>a collection in two parts</i> <br>
<h2>animal parade</h2>
<i>placeholder page </i>
<p>Animal Parade is a capsule wardrobe. For now, enjoy documentation of the Gator swimsuit. <br></p>
</div>
<div class="concept">
<h2>concept</h2>
<p>I'll explain Animal Parade in a later iteration of this page, but it emphasizes layering pieces. Every garment should be valued and individualized, even basic undershirts, sleep masks, etc. All the designs are named after important animals in my life. The swimsuit is named <i>Gator</i> because of the gator who lives in my subdivision. I've seen him during walks. Absolutely unnerving. </p>
</div>
<div class="process">
<h2>design process</h2>
<p>I haven't had a swimsuit for years and never like any anyway. I browsed online catalogs in English and Japanese and window-shopped everywhere in town, searching for both style and technical inspiration. I've never worked with active wear garments, so I studied the inside of nearly everything at Dick's Sporting Goods to understand the style elements, seams, and findings typical of swimsuits and active wear in general. I learned a lot but liked virtually nothing. <br></p>
<br>
<p><b>Church girls</b> comes from my personal apparel history. Growing up, most of my clothes were the older girls from church's castaways. I retained a majority hand-me-down wardrobe through my post-graduation internship. I never felt embarrassed about it. Actually, I enjoyed looking unique, wearing nothing you could buy in a store. One lady told me I looked like I was from a different era. (Insult maybe, but I loved that.) Other hand-me-downs became so old they were once again on the cusp of a trend. <br></p>
<h3>1.5 piece </h3>
<p>The swimsuits that stood out to me were treading the line between one piece and two-piece. I can't find my old collage, but here's a quick one. Sorry for not remembering the source. I iterated over the concept in sketches a little. <br></p>
<a target="_blank" href="/static/img/fash/churchgirls+animalparade/Gator/collage.png">
<img src="/static/img/fash/churchgirls+animalparade/Gator/collage.png" alt="(collage: variety of swimsuits from online stores)">
</a><br>
<a target="_blank" href="/static/img/fash/churchgirls+animalparade/Gator/sketch-twopiece.jpg">
<img src="/static/img/fash/churchgirls+animalparade/Gator/sketch-twopiece.jpg" alt="(sketch: a series of rough pencil croquis with different variations of two-pieces.)">
</a><br>
<p>Ideas: <br></p>
<ul>
<li>Connecting the top and bottom with interlocked tricot loops, criss-crossing over the belly and lower back. </li>
<li>Overlapping hanging petals of tricot over a tiered swim skirt. </li>
<li>Long-sleeve mock turtleneck shirt under a spaghetti strap wrap one piece</li>
<li>flowing panel under the bust line, worn over a tiered swim skirt</li>
<li>Ruched bodysuit worn under a structured balconette tank</li>
<a target="_blank" href="/static/img/fash/churchgirls+animalparade/Gator/sketch-chiffon.jpg">
<img src="/static/img/fash/churchgirls+animalparade/Gator/sketch-chiffon.jpg" alt="(sketch: realized version)">
</a><br>
<p>This is where the two-piece idea led. I like the sheer fabric in the central examples from the collage. I love texture, so all the ruching and gathers really stand out to me, too. I wonder how feasible it would be to make two "two-pieces" - one relatively basic bikini with a loop in the center front of the swim bottoms, and another sheer, pintucked overlay with a tricot panel peek-a-boo skirt that fastens onto the loop. The overlay is tiered in the back then parts around the sides until it fully exposes the midriff in the front. <br></p>
<br>
<p>Many of my hand-me-downs were banished to the back of the closet as I got to buy my own clothes and participate in street fashion for the first time on a college campus. My outfits got very dainty with sheer and uncomfortable fabrics, complex layering, and a general lack of practicality. The pandemic knocked that out of me quickly, and I retreated back into my old, floppy, cotton hand-me-downs and stolen t-shirts from my husband. This time with the clothes, I was older and more aware of things. They became a symbol of neglect and pity. None of them were chosen by me or my parents, and many were from people I barely knew. I was well-dressed for the depressive, disassociative state of the world. <br></p>
<p>I'm not sure tricot or mesh would be sturdy enough for pintucks, so I checked if chiffon swimwear is even a thing. It actually is! Plenty of chiffon sleeves and panels floating around out there. <br></p>
<br>
<p>When the town began to open back up, I had a reason to dress up again but saw nothing both exciting and comfortable. Most of the clothes I made had been given away or broken down into scraps. I hadn't sewn for myself in ages anyway. My last set of hand-me-downs were starting to deteriorate beyond repair. Left with some chiffon blouses and rayon skirts, it was finally time to sew and dress for me again. <br></p>
<p>I really like this design. The central fastener on the swim bottoms isn't like anything I've seen in stores. The suit's connected in enough places that it shouldn't become a shapeless bubble nor flap up and show too much skin underwater. I bet it'd be gorgeous to watch float and flow in the waves. <br></p>
<br>
<p>Church girls's theme is finding appreciation again for the anachronistic, cultural melting pot of my old hand-me-down wardrobe. There are clothes from the 00s, 90s, and proper vintage eras; from American families but also Mexican and Panaman families; and from mass retail, luxury, and home seamstresses. Also, they aren't just stuff that looked good in a store - they are care items that were set aside for me by people in my community. <br></p>
<p>Unfortunately, pretty or not, I don't think it's practical. Chiffon is a dainty fabric, and swimming is not a dainty activity. I lean against brick and against concrete without babying my clothes. Chiffon isn't that comfortable to wear dry, and I cringe imagining soaking wet chlorine chiffon Saran-wrapped over my torso. Not to mention, I don't know how comfortable I am with a two-piece anyway? Body insecurities! <br></p>
<p>Back to the drawing board! <br></p>
<br>
For the capsule collection, I immortalized my favorite old clothes as reverse-engineered patterns. With the original garments, I am creating clothes that are finally <i>me</i> but flavoring them with discordant sources of inspiration and sentimentality. I take each design's name from scattered memories. <br></p>
<h3>made for me</h3>
<p>Instead of synthesizing the prettiest elements into one swimsuit, I should be synthesizing the most practical elements into one swimsuit. People who feel confident and comfortable in their clothes are the prettiest! <br></p>
<br>
<hr>
<img src="/static/img/fash/churchgirls+animalparade/hikari.png" alt="(link: home)">
<div class="caption">(Hikari from Harvest Moon: Animal Parade, snapped from a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNi5A047aoo&list=PLqNTe2pSF5Fr3JdFjksSbq0p4KtbcL9Fz">NaVi（ナビ） YouTube video</a>)</div>
<p>I wasn't prepared to unlock a 00s fashion time capsule when I found a copy of <b>Animal Parade</b>. It's not like Hikari epitomizes the era and I never liked that style back then, but her cami layered over a basic tee and bulky cargo pockets has a hold over me. It's a mix of fresh and nostalgic. It brought to mind some of the silly and hyper-girly outfits Hillary Duff wore. She wore layers and comfy cottons all the time, too. Maybe people would cringe at her old outfits, but they were undeniably fun. <br></p>
<ul>
<li>I want less skin showing, but I want to feel the water on some part of my body. </li>
<li>I prefer the collage swimsuits with tiered swim skirts. Many "modest" swimsuits look like short bodycon dresses. I'm not insecure about my swimsuit being too short; I'm insecure about showing the world my lower abdomen! If the tiers are detached and start high, it obscures this area without looking frumpy. </li>
<li>Virtually every well-made sporting goods swimsuit (and almost every piece of male active wear for that matter) had raglan sleeves. This makes sense, since it's a sleeve that doesn't impede rotation of the shoulder, but I'm surprised it's raglan or bust for athletes. Guess I'll take note. <li>
<li>Mock turtlenecks are just the best. I have a long neck, so they look good on me. </li>
</ul>
<a target="_blank" href="/static/img/fash/churchgirls+animalparade/Gator/sketch-raglan.jpg">
<img src="/static/img/fash/churchgirls+animalparade/Gator/sketch-raglan.jpg" alt="(sketch: realized version)">
</a><br>
<p>I drew and drew over the same croquis, but the big idea is a long-sleeved raglan with a mock turtleneck and tiered layers around the lower body. I facilitated between full-coverage bikini bottoms and shorts. I also had an idea for a swim obi belt. Obi belts were all over the runway a few years ago. I couldn't find anything quite like it on a swimsuit, but it seems like such a cool idea. Maybe not practical, but I'd go for it if it didn't require <i>so</i> much fabric. <br></p>
<a target="_blank" href="/static/img/fash/churchgirls+animalparade/Gator/ZuhairMurad_PreFall2019_00015-Zuhair-Paris-Pre-Fall-19-credit-Emmanuel-Giraud.jpg">
<img src="/static/img/fash/churchgirls+animalparade/Gator/ZuhairMurad_PreFall2019_00015-Zuhair-Paris-Pre-Fall-19-credit-Emmanuel-Giraud.jpg" alt="(fashion photography: two looks. One is a bodycon black dress with a Mandarin collar, plunging neckline, and fringe &#8217;sleeves&#8217;, topped with a textured black obi belt with long tassels. The other is cropped black dress pants worn with a garment at the intersection of tailored blazer and kimono, with fringe falling from the shoulders, topped with a black velvet obi belt tied with tassels. )">
</a><br>
<i>Zuhair Murad presented some of my favorite obi belt looks during the Pre-Fall 2019 show. Photo credit to Emmanuel Giraud. <br></i>
<a target="_blank" href="/static/img/fash/churchgirls+animalparade/Gator/final.jpg">
<img src="/static/img/fash/churchgirls+animalparade/Gator/final.jpg" alt="(sketch: realized version)">
</a><br>
<p>Anyway, this is close to what I made. I moved the zipper to the center back to avoid breaking up my beautiful fabric. I didn't care to insert piping into active wear seams. (yes, those aren't thick seams - that is piping.) I didn't make the obi belt either, but I might. I have long strips of fabric left over, and it might be enough to do something cool. <br></p>
</div>
<div class="material">
<h2>material</h2>
<a target="_blank" href="/static/img/fash/churchgirls+animalparade/Gator/fabricshopping.png">
<img src="/static/img/fash/churchgirls+animalparade/Gator/fabricshopping.png" alt="(screenshot: pastel seafoam, mauve, and sulfur neoprene with a swamp print)">
</a><br>
<i><a href="https://www.moodfabrics.com/mystic-swamp-digitally-printed-stretch-neoprene-scuba-knit-307451">Mood Fabric's Mystic Swamp Digitally Printed Stretch Neoprene/Scuba Knit</a></i> <br>
<p>I chose neoprene because it's luxuriously, flatteringly thick, durable, and still relatively trendy in fashion after years of being delegated to seat covers and boring functional garments. I've never sewn with it before and heard terrible things, but I'll try it. <br></p>
<br>
<p>Pre-AP, I wore camis and biker shorts for modesty under fussy chiffons. My foundation was decidedly neutral. There's something expressive and carefree about wearing these purely functional elements on top and in cute colors. Even these 'boring' garments can be special. It was a line I needed to be led across in my life. This speaks to me in several different directions. Rejoice always. It's okay to be playful. Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord. Even drudgery is an area for personal growth and exploration. I was sad for a long time, but seamstress's block has finally lifted.<br></p>
<p>This print in particular is so unique. In a sea of tropical island palm tree prints, this one has swamps! I grew up in swamps and live in a swamp, and I <i>never</i> see our biome fantasized into artwork like this. It's also bright and pastel without entering some generic rainbow or pastel goth palette. It even includes that incredible glowing sulfur color from <a href="https://www.pantone.com/articles/past-colors-of-the-year/color-of-the-year-2021">PANTONE's 2021 Color of the Year</a>. I <i>adore</i> this fabric. <br></p>
<a target="_blank" href="/static/img/fash/churchgirls+animalparade/Gator/neoprene.jpg">
<img src="/static/img/fash/churchgirls+animalparade/Gator/neoprene.jpg" alt="(photo: my cut of neoprene)">
</a><br>
<p>I paired it with a seafoam invisible zipper, pastel rainbow thread, and gray thread. <br></p>
</div>
<div class="construction">
<h2>pattern-making</h2>
<a target="_blank" href="/static/img/fash/churchgirls+animalparade/Gator/pattern.jpg">
<img src="/static/img/fash/churchgirls+animalparade/Gator/pattern.jpg" alt="(photo: my paper pattern pieces, hanging with the rest of my patterns)">
</a><br>
<p>This is my only picture of my pattern for now. I make them out of thick paper and hang them by piercing a full set with a safety pin then hanging them from yarn bows. <br></p>
<br>
<p>The animal parade capsule collection is what Hikari is to me: individualism in each layer, joy in adding details, and amiable natural fibers. I name each design after significant animals in my life. <br></p>
<hr>
<p>The two themes belong together. Meditating over the introspective and the expressive, hiding away and being open, the old and the new. They come bundled with transformational passages of Scripture. <br></p>
<p>I've never made a raglan sleeve and don't even own any, so this was a real challenge. I started with a regular sloper, taped them together, cut them along the "raglan line," used that to sew a knit bodysuit, then fitted and seam-ripped and resewed until it was spot-on. <br></p>
<br>
<div class="verse">I will extol you, O Lord, for you have drawn me up
and have not let my foes rejoice over me.
O Lord my God, I cried to you for help,
and you have healed me.
O Lord, you have brought up my soul from Sheol;
you restored me to life from among those who go down to the pit.
Sing praises to the Lord, O you his saints,
and give thanks to his holy name.
For his anger is but for a moment,
and his favor is for a lifetime.
Weeping may tarry for the night,
but joy comes with the morning. <br></div>
<i>(Psalm 30:1-5)</i> <br>
<p>I've never designed a mock turtleneck either, even though I really ought to have by now. For some reason, I imagining it should be more tapered, but the neck is relatively tubular. The triangular muscles connecting the neck to the shoulders aren't as important, especially with my placement of the scoop "neckline." It also took several iterations before it was long enough to actually look like a turtleneck. <br></p>
<br>
<div class="verse">My beloved speaks and says to me: "Arise, my love, my beautiful one, and come away, for behold, the winter is past; the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth, the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land. <br></div>
<i>(Song of Solomon 2:10-12)</i> <br>
<p>Sleeves are sleeves. Princess lines and tiers-and-panels are practically my specialty, so no problem there. Then I traced my comfiest pair of full-coverage underwear for the leg openings. As with most of my tiered designs, the tiers of the skirt only start an inch or so from under the previous tier. That bottom tier isn't much longer than the tier on the top. This reduces bulk and fabric consumption, which is 100x more important on a swimsuit made of pricy fabric. The length of the tiers took a lot of experimentation. They need to be balanced, fall at flattering points of my body, begin at comfortable points on my body, and work with the print.<br></p>
<a target="_blank" href="/static/img/fash/churchgirls+animalparade/Gator/tieredpanels.png">
<img src="/static/img/fash/churchgirls+animalparade/Gator/tieredpanels.png" alt="(MS paint sketch: panels underlay the tiers. In-between each panel of the skirt, a gathered tier begins. This contrasts economically with a skirt where every tier begins at the waist.)">
</a><br>
<p>I was very conscious of the print while cutting. I used the white sky as an anchor and draped a few different placements - across the collarbone, across the bustline, and my chosen placement, atop the chest. The print has dense dark areas and light fluffy areas, and this placement emphasized femininity. The grays and trees are at my breasts, emphasizing them while still looking painterly and abstract enough to not be garish. The blacks and voids are at my waist, neck, upper arms, and crotch. Then the dense, difficult-to-read green foliage obscures my lower body. Perfect! I matched the arms, which puts the placid blue water on my forearms, so the part I see the most is my favorite part of the print. Overall, perfect sizing and placement in my eyes. <br></p>
<br>
<p>As for sewing, these are all serged seams using pastel rainbow thread. The edges are serged with gray. The tiered were basted and gathered by hand. It was very, very easy. Whoever told me neoprene doesn't hold stitches must have had a very finicky machine. <br></p>
<br>
<p>The top is supported by underwire and thin cups. I cut old an old bra and attached it to the lining by hand. It was kind of nerve-wracking doing the fittings because any markings or fittings involving stretchy material around the breasts are difficult to achieve accuracy with, but the final fit is perfect. <br></p>
</div>
<div class="gallery" id="gallery">
<a target="_blank" href="/static/img/fash/churchgirls+animalparade/capsulewardrobe_sketches2.png" alt="(image: a bomber jacket with a luminous light pink polyester and a gray, beige, and light brown lace, a bodice with a white bamboo viscose with pink cherry blossoms and blue birds, a kimono with black inky block batiste, a button-down short sleeve shirt with shank buttons, black piping, and a beetle print, and a mock turtleneck with thumbholes and a metallic foil knit)">>
<img src="/static/img/fash/churchgirls+animalparade/capsulewardrobe_sketches2.png" alt="(image: a bomber jacket with a luminous light pink polyester and a gray, beige, and light brown lace, a bodice with a white bamboo viscose with pink cherry blossoms and blue birds, a kimono with black inky block batiste, a button-down short sleeve shirt with shank buttons, black piping, and a beetle print, and a mock turtleneck with thumbholes and a metallic foil knit)">
</a><br>
<b>Bomber</b>: I've had a favorite light rayon bomber jacket for 10 years, but it's wearing out and has some weird bleach stains. This is basically a knockoff of a <a href="https://www.ebay.com/itm/124967194636?hash=item1d18a0100c:g:1K8AAOSw7PdhctB3">BB Dakota design</a>. This one is a shiny pink polyester (a lustrous exception to my natural fiber rule) with multicolored lace trim, a metal zipper, and a beige drawstring. I think I can keep the old BBD jacket, too, but it needs embroidery or appliques over the stains. <br>
<br>
<b>Bodice</b>: This is a light layering top made from batiste. It will have ruffles at the shoulders and long straps from the waist to wrap around and tie in a bow. <br>
<br>
<b>Kimono</b>: I have a favorite purple floral chiffon kimono that has a fraying seam. After three repairs, it needs a semi-retirement. This design but with rayon batiste and a dark inky print...if Mood ever restocks the Penitentiary Block print! <br>
<br>
<b>泣き虫 (Cry Bug)</b>: An oversized poplin button-down with short sleeves and an oversized beetle print. It has black piping along seams, a pocket, and black glass shank buttons. The fit is meant to resemble your dad's shirt where the short sleeves come down too far, the armholes are too deep, and the pocket is too big, but the collar and length will be appropriately proportioned for me. It's white with an oversized print that visually plays up the unusually large proportions of the shirt. The piping and glass shank buttons remain the correct proportions, though. <br>
<br>
<b>Mock Turtle</b>: There's three light mock turtlenecks. This is my favorite staple, but I lost my charcoal gray one 2 moves ago. (RIP) One will be a foil knit with thumbholes, one is a striped knit, and one is a 4x2 rib knit. <br>
<br><br>
<a target="_blank" href="/static/img/fash/churchgirls+animalparade/capsulewardrobe_sketches1.png">
<img src="/static/img/fash/churchgirls+animalparade/capsulewardrobe_sketches1.png" alt="(image: A mock turtleneck with gray and white horizontal striped tissue knit, a mock turtleneck with 4x2 black rib knit, pants with seagrass green, brown, and tan plaid linen, a pair of shorts with natural linen with white, lime, and orange stripes and a multicolor fringe ribbon in mint, baby pink, brown, neon coral, baby blue, and straw, and a pair of cuffed shorts with a bow belt in dragon fruit printed linen.)" width="500">
</a><br>
<b>Pants</b>: Straight-legged plaid linen pants with a fly-front closure, belt loops, side pockets, and blind hems. Linen feels great in the summer and lends itself to a well-tailored staple. <br>
<br>
<b>Shorts</b>: Two pairs of linen shorts, one with stripes and striped fringe ribbon trim and the other with a dragon fruit print and cuffs and a bow belt. <br>
<br><br>
<a target="_blank" href="/static/img/fash/churchgirls+animalparade/capsulewardrobe_sketches3.png">
<img src="/static/img/fash/churchgirls+animalparade/capsulewardrobe_sketches3.png" alt="(image: a one piece long sleeve swimsuit with a mock turtleneck, an obi belt, three ruffles over the hips, and shorts, a yukata-style pajama set with bishop sleeves and berry red piping and dawn blue jacquard, and a pajama set with gathered sleeves, a gathered empire-waisted top, and gathered shorts with a sailor color and oversized rick rack trim and dark blue jacquard fabric with white bow print. )" width="500">
</a><br>
<b>Swimsuit</b>: The one piece swimsuit is made out of pastel seafoam and pink neoprene with pops of sulfurous yellow in an abstract swampy design. I actually lived around wetlands for most of my life, so it's cool to see a wetlands design instead of another tropical beach or flowering meadow print. It has long sleeves, a mock turtleneck, and an invisible zipper at the center back. The focus is the obi belt made from a contrasting black neoprene. There are three panel-and-tier ruffles over the bottom to give some illusion of volume against the closely-fitted belt and top without adding more unnecessary bulk. I'm not 100% on materials yet and may need to bring in a thinner swimwear tricot for the layers. <br>
<br>
<b>Pajama sets</b>: The pajamas are not my design. They are basically knock-offs from Yahoo! Japan shopping, since I don't feel like importing mall-tier pajamas. (The originals are <a href="https://store.shopping.yahoo.co.jp/open-clothes/xkunken-aihyx401.html?sc_i=shp_pc_search_itemlist_shsrg_img">Japanese-style yukata-style long sleeve pajama set for spring and fall</a> from <a href="https://store.shopping.yahoo.co.jp/open-clothes/">OPEN-CLOTHES</a> and <a href="https://store.shopping.yahoo.co.jp/kittyshop/lh20051312.html">summer pajama set for ladies in their 20s with flared collar and cute short sleeves</a> from <a href="https://shopping.geocities.jp/kittyshop/">kittyshop</a>.) The only real design change is using oversized rick rack instead of ruffles on that second set. Pajamas are the most pressing sartorial area in my life in which I need a self-assertion. People like to gift me pajamas, but they always ask me my size then buy a size or two down. Why won't anyone believe I'm not an XS! The one time I got something that fit, it was unwearably heavy fleece for my year-round hot climate. I don't want to be ungrateful or wasteful, though, so I've either crammed myself into tiny pajamas or sweated since I was little. That's so silly, especially now that I'm an adult. There's beautiful but unused jacquard fabric hanging in my closet. There's nothing stopping me from turning it into cute Japanese jacquard pajamas that actually fit. <br>
<br>
<h2>pattern-making and sewing so far</h2>
I'm working on the 泣き虫 button-down shirt first, but while waiting for the buttons to arrive, I went ahead and got one version of the mock turtleneck pattern done. <br>
<br>
<a target="_blank" href="/static/img/fash/churchgirls+animalparade/capsulewardrobe_nakimushi_pattern.png">
<img src="/static/img/fash/churchgirls+animalparade/capsulewardrobe_nakimushi_pattern.png" alt="(image: pattern pieces for the button-down shirt and a ruler and curve tool. )" width="500">
</a><br>
<a target="_blank" href="/static/img/fash/churchgirls+animalparade/capsulewardrobe_mockturtle_pattern.png">
<img src="/static/img/fash/churchgirls+animalparade/capsulewardrobe_mockturtle_pattern.png" alt="(image: pattern pieces for the button-down shirt and a ruler and curve tool. )" width="500">
</a><br>
I'm in the middle of sewing the button-down. The sleeves are cuffed and reinforced with interfacing (finally available again after the early pandemic mask-making frenzy) and decorated with the piping. Next, I'll set the sleeves in and work on the button placard. <br>
<br>
<a target="_blank" href="/static/img/fash/churchgirls+animalparade/capsulewardrobe_nakimushi.png">
<img src="/static/img/fash/churchgirls+animalparade/capsulewardrobe_nakimushi.png" alt="(image: incomplete button-down shirt with disconnected sleeves. )" width="500">
</a><br>
<div class="garment">
<h2>outcome</h2>
<a target="_blank" href="/static/img/fash/churchgirls+animalparade/Gator/gator.jpg">
<img src="/static/img/fash/churchgirls+animalparade/Gator/gator.jpg" alt="(photo: quick photo of the finished garment, hanging against my door.)">
</a><br>
<p>I've taken it to the beach and the pool and feel so special. No one has a swimsuit like this. The colors are adorable and unique. The print is so intricate compared to the rest of the market. The design is relatively modest but still youthful. I get so many compliments. <br></p>
<br>
<p>It's very comfortable to wear, too, which was my number one design goal here. The skirt isn't too bulky, so I can get away with oversized jeans as my coverup. I feel confident under the thick fabric and tiered skirt, and the long sleeves and tall neck protect me from the full blast of the sun. My thighs do show, but whatever. They're usually underwater anyway. The swimsuit maintains its shape well underwater, too. <br></p>
<br>
<p>Then when I was done, I immediately sewed four mock turtleneck undershirts based off this pattern and love them, too! I'll revamp this page to show them off and more, but that's plenty for now! <br></p>
</div>
<div class="designer" id="designer">
<h2>designer</h2>
<p>I'm chimchooree! I love the full process of apparel construction, but pattern-making has always been my favorite. Like any designer, I view fashion in terms of defining the problem and solving it. The creative side of my designs are led by meaningful themes, selecting for having relevance to both the temporal and metaphoric season I'm in, diverse concepts to draw from, and a consistent core to tie everything together. <br></p>
<br>
<h3>design statement</h3>
<p>The best clothes might very well be the ones you already own. We are called to be good stewards of the earth, so I encourage you to have your clothes repaired, altered, or customized whenever possible. <br></p>
<br>
<p>But if I'm going to make new clothes, I'm going to design them to be irreplaceable. They will be thoughtfully designed and made with professionalism, personality, comfort, and durability in mind. I shoot for daywear that handles being thrown in a washing machine no problem, and try to keep my designs easy to alter. <br></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>

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