Tad Williams' Message Board

Hello, babies. Welcome to Earth. It's hot in the summer and cold in the winter. It's round and wet and crowded. At the outside, babies, you've got about a hundred years here. There's only one rule that I know of, babies -- 'God damn it, you've got to be kind.'
-    Kurt Vonnegut, 1922-2007

Welcome to the message board for tadwilliams.com. All comments are welcome, whether kudos or brickbats. However, please bear in mind that Tad would like this to be a friendly, civil message board, at least in the relations between users. We reserve the right to remove postings, or even ban postings, from anyone who crosses the boundary of reasonable taste. Basically, you can argue vigorously with someone, but watch your language, okay? We have a lot of young readers as well as grown-ups, so please show them some respect.

But the main requirement here is: have fun.


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#1 2008-03-22 03:28:12

cyan
Mantis
From: Oakland
Registered: 2005-02-16
Posts: 22768

The Blue Tailor

Nestled in the heart of the Neighborhood is an unassuming little establishment.  There are no windows displaying wares, no placard swinging in the light breeze.  Just a sturdy oaken door with a small sign proclaiming “The Tailor is In”.

Curious, you open the door and walk in.  You find yourself in a large workroom, larger than you expected given the outside appearance.  The walls are lined with bolts and rolls of fabric and other textiles you are unfamiliar with; small containers filled with zippers and buttons, lace and trims, and stuff you vaguely recognize in association with clothing-making; spools and cones of thread in a vast range of colors;  rolls and rolls of flimsy, translucent paper; a surprising array of rulers and measuring instruments and strangely shaped things that you can only classify as ‘drawing tools’.  And there are scissors.  Lots and lots of scissors.  They look very sharp.

There are a number of dress forms and mannequins around the space as well, but it’s the large worktable that dominates the room.  It’s a huge white surface with astonishingly bright fluorescent tubes lighting it from above.  You notice a person is working way on this pristine surface under the harsh lights, drafting on filmy paper using strange looking implements.  She looks up.

You ask, “Are you the tailor?”

“Yes, I am.  How may I help you? “ cyan replies.

“I’m not sure.  What do you do?”

“I make things with textiles, like fabric, you know?”

“Yeah, I kind of gathered that from looking around.  Clothing and stuff.”

“Yes, like that.  I answer questions as well.”

“Really?  So you can tell me if these pants are too long?  And if this shirt goes with this tie?  And how to get this stain out of my wool jacket without ruining it?  You can answer those questions?”

“Yes, all part of the job.”  cyan smiles.



The Tailor is In.

Last edited by cyan (2008-03-22 03:56:18)


"Reality is for those people who can't handle fantasy!" - Genisis X

Proud Member of the Log Brigade

Photos of My Works

 

#2 2008-03-22 03:31:29

Hiragana
Pilgrim
Registered: 2003-02-07
Posts: 9121

Re: The Blue Tailor

Awesome :)

I'm so posting here once I'm ready to start making my own nightclothes.

Knitting project first.

*runs around with scissors and tries not to place her grubby fingers all over the fabric*

I've been a fan of fabric stores since I was small. Tactile overload :)

 

#3 2008-03-22 03:34:23

mabinogi
Pilgrim
From: Canberra, Australia
Registered: 2001-07-26
Posts: 10086
Website

Re: The Blue Tailor

very nice!


..and then one day you find, ten years have got behind you,
no one told you when to run, you missed the starting gun..

My Musical Experimentations

 

#4 2008-03-22 03:38:29

cyan
Mantis
From: Oakland
Registered: 2005-02-16
Posts: 22768

Re: The Blue Tailor

Squee!


"Reality is for those people who can't handle fantasy!" - Genisis X

Proud Member of the Log Brigade

Photos of My Works

 

#5 2008-03-22 07:34:19

Magpie
Mantis
From: the town of thistly flowerbeds
Registered: 2006-03-27
Posts: 19904
Website

Re: The Blue Tailor

welcome to the Neighborhood, cyan!


I think we've just proven that our greatest power is silliness!
- cyan

babbling about books and plants
my crazy customers

 

#6 2008-03-22 11:14:05

ceywren
Pilgrim
From: hole in the bottom of the sea
Registered: 2004-02-28
Posts: 18790
Website

Re: The Blue Tailor

*looks at self critically in the mirror*
can i wear pink?


"It's not that it's such a mystery
This new-found malaise.
It's just that this mystery
Has taken your place."

-Gordon Downie, Mystery-

 

#7 2008-03-22 14:12:37

Sahi
Mantis
From: Assendelft (the Netherlands)
Registered: 2001-06-04
Posts: 37873
Website

Re: The Blue Tailor

Whee! Welcome to the neighborhood!

Well the culotte is finished, but no pictures as of yet, as Libra got ill, so I didn't go over to her place. *pouts, but imagines that Libra is pouting even fiercer*


"I'm a much nicer person online" - Aan'Allein

First member of the Shadowmarch Council of Sages, Official Quiller's Mint Historian
You may call me the Porcupine Lady, or if you are feeling generous the Erinaceous One.

 

#8 2008-03-22 14:54:02

Sahi
Mantis
From: Assendelft (the Netherlands)
Registered: 2001-06-04
Posts: 37873
Website

Re: The Blue Tailor

And by the way, I just added a shelf with lights to the wall behind my sewing desk. *is very happy now*


"I'm a much nicer person online" - Aan'Allein

First member of the Shadowmarch Council of Sages, Official Quiller's Mint Historian
You may call me the Porcupine Lady, or if you are feeling generous the Erinaceous One.

 

#9 2008-03-23 11:15:19

cyan
Mantis
From: Oakland
Registered: 2005-02-16
Posts: 22768

Re: The Blue Tailor

Thanks for the welcomes!

ceywren wrote:

*looks at self critically in the mirror*
can i wear pink?

Sure you can.  With your skin tone, I would recommend the softer shades of pink.


"Reality is for those people who can't handle fantasy!" - Genisis X

Proud Member of the Log Brigade

Photos of My Works

 

#10 2008-03-23 12:06:35

cyan
Mantis
From: Oakland
Registered: 2005-02-16
Posts: 22768

Re: The Blue Tailor

I need to buy a digital camera.  I'd like to document the making of my niece's senior prom dress.  If I end up having to make it, that is.


"Reality is for those people who can't handle fantasy!" - Genisis X

Proud Member of the Log Brigade

Photos of My Works

 

#11 2008-03-23 12:08:02

Em
Mantis
From: somewhere left of reality
Registered: 2004-12-28
Posts: 42255

Re: The Blue Tailor

cyan wrote:

I need to buy a digital camera.  I'd like to document the making of my niece's senior prom dress.  If I end up having to make it, that is.

You really should. They're a lot of fun.


Someday will find you.

 

#12 2008-03-23 12:47:16

Firsfron of Ronchester
Mantis
From: Ronchester
Registered: 2001-06-04
Posts: 9182
Website

Re: The Blue Tailor

A clothing-makery, eh? I guess I'll peek in from time to time, even though I don't know the difference between knitting, crotchetting, darning, weaving, sewing, stitching, hemming, etc. Except that I do know sewing is done with a very small needle. My grandmother had one of those old-fashioned Singer sewing machines, and she could sew and sew!

I wish you luck with your niece's prom dress, Cyan.

 

#13 2008-03-23 12:51:29

Firsfron of Ronchester
Mantis
From: Ronchester
Registered: 2001-06-04
Posts: 9182
Website

Re: The Blue Tailor

Also: what is with those clothing rules? "You can't wear pink with that complexion/You can't wear red with red hair"/"Don't wear white after Arbor Day" (Isn't any day a day after Arbor Day?)

 

#14 2008-03-23 13:31:12

cyan
Mantis
From: Oakland
Registered: 2005-02-16
Posts: 22768

Re: The Blue Tailor

Firsfron of Ronchester wrote:

Also: what is with those clothing rules? "You can't wear pink with that complexion/You can't wear red with red hair"/"Don't wear white after Arbor Day" (Isn't any day a day after Arbor Day?)

The idea of restrictive rules is rather silly.  With color, thing is to choose a shade or tone that is flattering to you.  And while aesthetics are entirely subjective, the general idea is to avoid colors that make you look anemic or sick to your stomach.  Unless that's the look you're going for, of course.  ;-)  As to the not wearing white thing, the 'rule' was about not wearing white shoes between labor day and easter, or something like that.  This originally had more to do with weather and practicality, but evolved into a sort of 'fashion rule'.  It has now devolved and is largely ignored.


"Reality is for those people who can't handle fantasy!" - Genisis X

Proud Member of the Log Brigade

Photos of My Works

 

#15 2008-03-23 16:01:03

Jendaiya
Pilgrim
From: Canada
Registered: 2001-06-01
Posts: 21821
Website

Re: The Blue Tailor

*wanders in*

*sits in a corner with a pile of clothes and a container full of buttons*

I can do this here, right? Half of my clothing is missing buttons. It's sad.


Lovely place!


Beauty will save the world.

~Prince Myshkin,

The Idiot, by Dostoevsky

 

#16 2008-03-23 16:17:03

Em
Mantis
From: somewhere left of reality
Registered: 2004-12-28
Posts: 42255

Re: The Blue Tailor

Jendaiya wrote:

*wanders in*

*sits in a corner with a pile of clothes and a container full of buttons*

I can do this here, right? Half of my clothing is missing buttons. It's sad.


Lovely place!

I have a similar container full of buttons, but they're all the buttons that come with new garments in case I lose one.

My sister used to have a jar of buttons that she liked. No other reason but that she liked them. I wonder what happened to it?


Someday will find you.

 

#17 2008-03-23 16:39:19

cyan
Mantis
From: Oakland
Registered: 2005-02-16
Posts: 22768

Re: The Blue Tailor

Jendaiya wrote:

*wanders in*

*sits in a corner with a pile of clothes and a container full of buttons*

I can do this here, right? Half of my clothing is missing buttons. It's sad.


Lovely place!

'Course you can, and thank you!  You've reminded me that I need to add some other furniture for guests...  I modeled this place after my RL workroom where there is only one chair, the one I sit in while at the worktable, hee!


"Reality is for those people who can't handle fantasy!" - Genisis X

Proud Member of the Log Brigade

Photos of My Works

 

#18 2008-03-23 16:44:18

Jendaiya
Pilgrim
From: Canada
Registered: 2001-06-01
Posts: 21821
Website

Re: The Blue Tailor

Em wrote:

Jendaiya wrote:

*wanders in*

*sits in a corner with a pile of clothes and a container full of buttons*

I can do this here, right? Half of my clothing is missing buttons. It's sad.


Lovely place!

I have a similar container full of buttons, but they're all the buttons that come with new garments in case I lose one.

My sister used to have a jar of buttons that she liked. No other reason but that she liked them. I wonder what happened to it?

My grandma had a jar of pretty buttons, too. I loved to play with them. :)


Beauty will save the world.

~Prince Myshkin,

The Idiot, by Dostoevsky

 

#19 2008-03-23 16:45:15

Jendaiya
Pilgrim
From: Canada
Registered: 2001-06-01
Posts: 21821
Website

Re: The Blue Tailor

cyan wrote:

Jendaiya wrote:

*wanders in*

*sits in a corner with a pile of clothes and a container full of buttons*

I can do this here, right? Half of my clothing is missing buttons. It's sad.


Lovely place!

'Course you can, and thank you!  You've reminded me that I need to add some other furniture for guests...  I modeled this place after my RL workroom where there is only one chair, the one I sit in while at the worktable, hee!

*curls up in a chair and tries not to poke fingers too badly while attempting to sew*  :)


Beauty will save the world.

~Prince Myshkin,

The Idiot, by Dostoevsky

 

#20 2008-03-23 16:46:40

cyan
Mantis
From: Oakland
Registered: 2005-02-16
Posts: 22768

Re: The Blue Tailor

I have a 10 gallon bucket full of cones of thread, does that count?


"Reality is for those people who can't handle fantasy!" - Genisis X

Proud Member of the Log Brigade

Photos of My Works

 

#21 2008-03-23 16:47:24

Magpie
Mantis
From: the town of thistly flowerbeds
Registered: 2006-03-27
Posts: 19904
Website

Re: The Blue Tailor

Heh. I used to love Mama's button-box.
...well, still do, now that I think about it.

As for clothing rules: For me there is one simple rule: It must be comfortable, and to hell with anyone who complains about how it looks!


I think we've just proven that our greatest power is silliness!
- cyan

babbling about books and plants
my crazy customers

 

#22 2008-03-23 17:01:54

Jendaiya
Pilgrim
From: Canada
Registered: 2001-06-01
Posts: 21821
Website

Re: The Blue Tailor

cyan wrote:

I have a 10 gallon bucket full of cones of thread, does that count?

*narrows eyes*

Are they pretty?


Beauty will save the world.

~Prince Myshkin,

The Idiot, by Dostoevsky

 

#23 2008-03-23 17:04:08

cyan
Mantis
From: Oakland
Registered: 2005-02-16
Posts: 22768

Re: The Blue Tailor

Jendaiya wrote:

cyan wrote:

I have a 10 gallon bucket full of cones of thread, does that count?

*narrows eyes*

Are they pretty?

The range of color of the thread, yes.  The bucket, no so much.


"Reality is for those people who can't handle fantasy!" - Genisis X

Proud Member of the Log Brigade

Photos of My Works

 

#24 2008-03-23 19:20:34

Em
Mantis
From: somewhere left of reality
Registered: 2004-12-28
Posts: 42255

Re: The Blue Tailor

cyan wrote:

I have a 10 gallon bucket full of cones of thread, does that count?

Can we use it to sit on?


Someday will find you.

 

#25 2008-03-23 19:23:12

cyan
Mantis
From: Oakland
Registered: 2005-02-16
Posts: 22768

Re: The Blue Tailor

Em wrote:

cyan wrote:

I have a 10 gallon bucket full of cones of thread, does that count?

Can we use it to sit on?

The cones of thread, or the bucket?

*giggles*


"Reality is for those people who can't handle fantasy!" - Genisis X

Proud Member of the Log Brigade

Photos of My Works

 

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