What home repairs are you most Afraid of?

[Don Y]

I didn't realize spandex *was* "swim suit material"! I've always worn cut-offs... :<

[rbowman]

It's dark and cold in Finland for about eight months out of the year. A few bottles of Stoli in January and you're ready to go out looking for a dwarf.

[rbowman]

The potential side effects of tumeric? Yeah, the Indians for a few thousand years. It tends to stain things yellow.

I understand what you're saying but for many things I don't see a downside. Garlic is supposed to have beneficial effects but I just like it. The way I slice up garlic and throw it into everything maybe it helps, maybe not. Fish oil? Salmon, sardines, herring, and tuna aren't safe around me whether or not it improves my lipid panels. Olive oil? You need something in the frying pan and I'm not a fan of rapeseed oil.

Where I get suspicious is with the branded products. Buy this SuperCumer that's prepared from specially grown tumeric harvested during the full moon by vestal virgins. It's the real thing compared to the tumeric you can buy by the pound at the local whole foods store.

[rbowman]

??? You're saying the Corvette is compensation? I must be okay. I drive a Yaris and once when I was stopped for some road construction I started talking to the flagger. After a while she said "You know, this car is really small!"

[(PeteCresswell)]

Per Muggles:

Is Spandex the same thing as Lycra ?

I always thought that the guy who invented Lycra should get a Nobel prize.

[Muggles]

Mine is a Pfaff, and it's one of those that has a zillion stitches with programming capabilities. I made a career out of it for many years as a professional seamstress and made all sorts of things with it. I even worked for the ballet for several seasons as their principle dancer seamstress. I was glad when I got out of that, though, because I don't have the steady hands that I used to have to do all the plateau embroidery and cut work. That was career #4, I think!

[Muggles]

Well, it's base material is spandex, but some swim suit material can be a combination of fabrics.

[Don Y]

Yeah, I get that at the hardware store when I'm trying to *imagine* a device to solve one of my technical needs. "Hmmm... do I spend 15 minutes trying to educate this sales person as to my actual need so they *might* be able to make some suggestions? Or, when they ask if I need any help, should I just reply, 'No thanks! I'm all set!'"

When you can rattle off very *specific* requirements -- but can't put a name on the item (or, an application to which THEY would relate), it tends to leave them stupified. I.e., "clearly *he* knows what he's looking for (in detail!) so why can't I figure out what he wants??"

He/she should have matter-of-factly turned to his/her mate, wrapped their hands around their neck to gauge the size; then, removed them and said "About this big..." (knowing that the salesperson had watched the entire event!).

[Muggles]

According to wikipedia it's the same thing.

ditto! I loved it when they made stretch jeans!

[Don Y]

The joke, growing up, was to see some guy in a hot car and wonder if he was "compensating" (for some other SHORT coming)... ;-)

[Don Y]

Dunno. As I said, I tend to be more of the "functional" sort of user. And, "fashion" has never been anywhere on my list of preceivables. SWMBO complains that I need to be reminded to make sure I have *pants* on when I greet the mailman (woman) to receive a package!

("What's the big deal? If I was wearing shorts she'd just as much!")

[Don Y]

I'd be more worried about what he'd do once he *found* one... IN THE DARK!!

:>

Ooops! There's the timer. Have to take out the loaves and let them rest... (this is where I invariably burn my hands)

[Muggles]

LOL SWMBO is giving you good advice.

Would you like her to greet the male UPS delivery man in her bra and panties?

[(PeteCresswell)]

Per Muggles:

It sounds like you have some significant sewing/materials expertise.

Here's a question: I just finished sewing up the second trampoline for my little outrigger canoe/trimaran

using material from the backyard trampoline that a neighbor put out for the trash collectors.

I'll draw a perfectly straight line on this stuff, then I'll cut that perfectly-straight line, then I'll fold a hem, iron a crease into it and baste it using basting tape, then I will check again that it is perfectly straight... then I will sew it and it will come out slightly curved.

Any idea on what's going on there? I am thinking it has to be something about the way the machine's foot compresses the weave a little as it moves along and there's no way around it....

Or am I just wishing it was still straight before sewing ?

Not a huge deal... but inquiring minds want to know....

[Muggles]

Your line may be perfectly straight, but the grain of the fabric may not be perfectly straight. Plus, the material is used and may not be truly straight to the original grain of the fabric.

With just about any fabric that has a noticeable grain there can be some stretch to it when it's cut or sewed, and when that happens the pull will end up being partially on the bias of the grain, which by it's nature will stretch.

Make sense? :)

[Don Y]

How would that be any different than a bikini?

If comeone sold swimwear made to LOOK like underwear, would it be scandalous??

[Don Y]

Your stitches aren't following a single thread-line in the fabric. I.e., the fabric can be thought of as a grid. But, your stitching isn't perfectly *aligned* with that grid. So, the structure in the fabric (i.e., which "horizontal" threads you're crossing along with which "vertical" threads you're crossing) biases the stitch you're making.

You also need to ensure top and bottom thread tensions are balanced.

A zig-zag stitch is usually more "accommodating" than a straight line stitch; it has some elasticity in its structure. (and, moves each penetration of the fabric farther apart for a given amount of "forward motion"; sort of like walking/wobbling with legs wide vs. taking baby steps to make the same forward motion)

[Muggles]

Well, there isn't much difference, but at the same time why do many women not want someone peeping in their windows while they're in their underwear?

Isn't it different when it's your wife being scandalous?

[Muggles]

The fabric is also used and more than likely has random straight and cross grain stretches already.

A walking zig-zag is more accommodating than a straight or a normal zig-zag stitch, and should be used for materials that have an expected stretch to it. A zig-zag stitch on a trampoline material is only good for flat felled seams, or seams that fray because of the open weave of the material.

[Don Y]

I suspect the difference is that they *expect* some privacy in those settings -- but DON'T when on the beach!

That's a double-standard. If it's OK for my neighbor's wife to parade around in her "privates", why would it be any less/more so for anyone else??