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jessleigh.bsky.social
@jessleigh.bsky.social
School teacher; gardener; enthusiast of events that require eccentric costumes; dabbler in sewing, embroidery, weaving, spinning and various other fiber crafts.
Even in such a bleak year, old garden roses bloom and reinvigorate heart and soul. These roses didn't bloom at all last year after getting transplanted the previous August. They are all the more beautiful and lovable becuase you have to wait for them, and becuase you know their bloomtime is brief.
May 6, 2025 at 11:31 AM
So, I have a bit of a start on getting the treadle machine working. Gertie-- yes, her name is Gertie--seems to be in good shape mechanically. Mostly dirty, not rusted. She was made in 1906. She needs a belt, and her bobbin case is missing. But I may have her up and running before summer break.
April 20, 2025 at 12:38 PM
This is your laundry day on historically inspired handsewing . . .
April 18, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Two sewing projects done. The first is a chemisette based on an 1840's pattern. The trim is a bad idea, but it looks cool. Hand sewn.
I blame the collapse of a much loved craft store for the sundress. The fabric was REALLY on sale. Machine sewn. Sometimes you just want to finish a project fast.
April 17, 2025 at 8:46 PM
Reposted
trying not to be bitter about an alternative reality where the guardian published this years ago instead of smearing Corbyn www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-i...
The new definition of antisemitism is transforming America – and serving a Christian nationalist plan
Redefining antisemitism in the law was never about Jewish safety. It is about consolidating authoritarian power under the veneer of minority protection
www.theguardian.com
March 23, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Having a cosy, remove myself from the systems that are killing us kind of weekend. Working on historical sewing. Found an antique treadle sewing machine at a thrift store. I plan to get it working myself so I'll understand fixing it. And I'm enjoying tea from a favorite small business and sunshine.
March 23, 2025 at 4:52 PM
So the world is making it hard to get things done. But I did manage this this week.
I finished the panniers I need to go with my stays. So now I'm ready to make the 18th century style dress I want for an event later this spring. Now I just have to be brave enough to try making the dress.
March 15, 2025 at 7:27 PM
Finally finished (sort of) the dress. And I'm on my way to the spring fairy ball.
In hindsight, the blue hair powder was not worth it on dark hair. Would have looked awesome if my hair were lighter. Maybe I'll try it again one day when I'm fully gray.
March 8, 2025 at 10:21 PM
Out-of-context student quote of the day:
"So, if there are supposed to be checks and balances, why aren't they checking and balancing?"

Out of the mouth of babies, people.
February 25, 2025 at 8:50 PM
Out-of-context student incident of the day:
A middle school student has mixed Axe body spray with water in a bottle and is calling it "holy water."
He is spritzing his classmates in the hall, declaring, "Begone demons!"
February 19, 2025 at 1:15 PM
Maudlin winter mornings. Thinking a lot about the etymology and current connotations of "maudlin" vs. "bedlam." And what that says about how we see mental and emotional struggles and breakdowns in terms of gender. Because I've been sad so long this winter that all I can do is analyze the saddness.
February 17, 2025 at 1:36 PM
Out-of-context student quote of the day:
"He wants a slurpee . . . As any guy would."
February 13, 2025 at 8:44 PM
Reposted
Our Supreme Connections database tracks who’s paid the Supreme Court justices, reimbursed their travel expenses or given them gifts.

We just added Justice Samuel Alito’s 2023 filing and newly uncovered Justice Clarence Thomas filings from the 1990s.
ProPublica’s Supreme Connections Database Updated With New Alito, Thomas Filings
Our database of the Supreme Court justices’ financial connections now includes Samuel Alito’s deferred 2023 filing and eight previously missing disclosures from Clarence Thomas dating back to the 1990s.
propub.li
February 13, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Bonus Out-of-context student quote of the day:
"Do you think death makes us stupider?"
February 11, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Out-of-context student quote of the day:
"I'm going to use my girl power! PEW PEW BOOM!!!!!"
February 11, 2025 at 1:21 PM
Reposted
Free people, read freely.
Free countries don't ban books.
Build home libraries of banned books.
uniteagainstbookbans.org
Unite Against Book Bans
We should trust individuals to make their own decisions. Raise your voice for everyone's freedom to read. #UniteAgainstBookBans
uniteagainstbookbans.org
February 11, 2025 at 1:14 PM
Reposted
They knew it was actual evil. It never pretended to be anything other than that. And... they chose it.
February 6, 2025 at 10:46 AM
Out-of-context student quote of the day:
"Not that chair. That chair has a weird musty aura."
January 28, 2025 at 7:02 PM
So this is what I've been working on for the last two weeks. So far, I've been sewing it entirely by hand. I had to break down and buy a dress form in order to figure out the sleeves, which are still very much a work in progress.
January 25, 2025 at 11:13 PM
Out-of-context student quote of the day:
"Who stole the internet?!?!"
January 24, 2025 at 6:47 PM
Reposted
Poem from Mary Oliver that carries poignant, layered meaning these days:

Why do people keep asking to see
God's identity papers
when the darkness opening into morning
is more than enough?
Certainly any god might turn away in disgust.
January 24, 2025 at 11:26 AM
Out-of-context student quote of the day:
"I didn't win or lose. I am the average player of the game of life."
January 23, 2025 at 11:58 PM
Reposted
Word of day is ‘unasinous’ (17th century): united in stupidity.

A riff on ‘unanimous’: which comes from the Latin for ‘one mind’. ‘Unasinous’ means ‘one ass’.
January 22, 2025 at 9:05 AM
Reposted
This is a beautiful tribute.
January 16, 2025 at 9:01 PM
Out-of-context student quote of the day:
"That's okay. I take EVERYTHING as a compliment."
January 16, 2025 at 10:49 PM