Busy hands | Disquiet mind

Blink, for a Tildagon hexpansion

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 19:32:46 GMT

The new 2026 Tildagon, known as the Spaceagon, fixes a lot of my issues with the 2024 Tildagon. Primarily it sandwiches the screen between two boards, for a more secure connection. Really glad I didn't solder the screen on the 2024 version now. It moves the six edge buttons to the top, making them easier to use. And it adds a nobble joystick just under the screen, that I appear to be too old to operate successfully. They also provided an optional add-on keyboard, which makes entering wifi credentials a lot easier.

When you pick up your upgrade kit, you first have to upgrade the firmware. Sadly still through Chromium. Then you proceed with the assembly. This re-use thing is fun. Right now, my battery is from 2016, the back/main board and screen are from 2024, and the mid- and front-boards are from 2026.

Afterwards, if you read the instructions closely, you had to go grab the red wifi hexpansion (I used the one in the Badge tent), throw it into your Tildagon, and it immediately updated your wifi settings to work on site. (Just going to ignore that auto-run functionality for now.)

One thing I didn't notice until I watched the Tildagon talk is that the planets on the front are touch sensitive! That's a lovely *cough* touch. They also added holes on the mid-board (at F and B) for lanyard people.

( Hexpansion Exploration )

Tildagon with protoboard hexpansion, LEDs on
Photo by chebe

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NeoPixel Cyber hair extensions

Sun, 26 Jul 2026 22:35:20 GMT

EMFcamp was fast approaching. I didn't have a project, or time to make one. (Or repair one of the old ones.) So I thought to myself, what can I throw together with minimal time investment? Which is how I came to make my own set of NeoPixel Cyber hair extensions/falls/decorations.

( Circuit )

( Form )

( Code )

NeoPixel Cyber hair extensions models by clothes hanger
Photo by chebe

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EMF 2026 photo dump

Fri, 24 Jul 2026 14:57:10 GMT

Prepare thine selves. I was not able to narrow down the selection any further. There are quite a few photos.

These were taken, on my 17 year old micro-four-thirds Olympus Pen E-P1 camera, that I DIY removed the filter from, turning it into a full spectrum camera. I had a removable UV/IR filter that I brought with me. Sometimes it was on, sometimes it was not.

The photos were taken at night, around midnight. It only occurred to me, too late, that full spectrum photography is a day time activity. Luckily the set up included various flame throwers, that would randomly illuminate my photos. Mostly blowing out the exposure completely, but occasionally it worked out well. I think you can tell which benefit from added flames.

I was asked what I was photographing. I said the light. Which is true. But I am also fascinated by the layers. The juxtaposition of lasers, fire, smoke, on an otherwise typical landscape. The lasers reflecting on the lake. The vegetation hidden in the dark. The IR usually filtered out. Even lens flare, reminding you of the tools and act of observation. What is, but hidden. What was seen, but no longer is. I can't put it into words. Maybe you can see what I mean in the pictures.

And above all, I hope I conveyed how dynamic EMFcamp is. It is in a constant state of flux. What was becomes no more just an instant later. The future unpredictable.

Note; most of these shots were long exposures. I have manually smudged and blurred the faces of people who managed to stay really still. But if you can still recognise yourself, and want me to remove you, please ask.

( Camp )

( Lasers )

( Lake )

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Okay, but, what did you do at EMFcamp?

Thu, 23 Jul 2026 14:02:13 GMT

EMF this time around was so hot, that I feel like I did nothing except be a puddle. But, looking through the photos and live-micro-blogs, that is not even remotely true.

( Thursday )

( Friday )

( Village )

( Friday, again )

( Saturday )

( Sunday )

Monday I finished packing, and towed my trailer tent away to a nice cold, dark, hotel. For baths and naps. And the long journey home.

I am sorry to say I missed the burning of the effigy. Was I at dinner? Or burrowing in my tent? Anyone have a good video?

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EMFcamp; the practical side

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 20:46:11 GMT

A large part of emfcamp is the camping. I don't want people to think that I'm minimising how difficult that is. Survival, and comfort, are aspects that demand a lot of attention and effort. Camping comes easy to a lot of people, and I envy them. Because I am not an outdoor person. Every time I have to put a lot into the planning, and implementation. Each time I take learnings from where something was lacking, forward, into planning for the next event. Which does, admittedly, lead to over-packing. And also detracts from both the projects I can prepare and bring, and what I have bandwidth to do while there. It is all part of the challenge.

The hardest part is predicting the weather, so that you have the right things to deal with it. I keep trying new tents, new camping options, trying to find the optimal solution. Considering I need the equipment like once a year, and camper vans are too expensive to sit gathering dust in between. Theorise, experiment, reflect, iterate.

( Yearly review )

( Trailer Tent Talk )

But none of that changes the fact that this is a tent. With tent pegs, and guy lines (although minimal). Putting it up is hard. And in heatwave weather it is truly punishing. Putting up any tent leaves me badly dehydrated (sometimes dangerously so), but my gods, last week was horrific. I curled up in the back seat of my car (much cooler than the tent), when drinking water started making me nauseous, and cried myself into a mini heat exhaustion nap. More than once. My optimal operating temperatures are between 8 and 20 degrees. But I stop functioning below 2 and above 25. I think, if it's that warm again next time, I have to wait until it starts cooling down in the evening before setting up.

And after you are set up, now you have to live through it. Sleeping on hard surfaces, in the gaps between when the music/cinema ends (~2am) and the sun wakes you up (~6am). Sleep debt becomes real. If it's cold, or the dew falls, things will get damp inside the tent. And getting a chill out of your bones is a battle. You have to trek to the toilets, no matter the weather. (Although emf's toilets are surprisingly decent.) The food is whatever is available, and hopefully not too rich for your stomach (or wallet). It's hard going. And I think we all need to be more realistic about how much the basic reality of existing eats into our capacity to do things while we're there. It's nerd summer camp, not prison camp. It shouldn't be all punishment. But under-estimating the challenge will undermine your ability to enjoy the magic.

Crumbs; Previous recap post.

TOG photos; 2022, 2024

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Post EMF 2026 reflection

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 00:19:05 GMT

You know how I take every opportunity to declare that I am not an artist? (I've been through the Irish educational system, my deficiencies were made crystal clear to me.) Well, that's very much a singular I. Put me in a field with 3,000 others at EMFcamp, and we become a group art project. A living, interactive, art piece. An alternate reality. At once cyberpunk futurism, all the while revealing in countless old and obsolete technologies. Technologists, in the middle of a field contending with the realities of Nature. Revealing in near infinite possibilities. Struggling with hard limitations. Sharing knowledge, teaching skills, learning crafts. Puzzling out a quandary. Figuring stuff out.

Some people have staring roles. Others make up their parts as we go along. At every level of the whirlwind fractal. From those who roleplay, as villagers, mayors, unnecessary bureaucrats. Spies, and rebels. Or revel in the chance to be fully, and loudly, their true selves. The fantastical array in between manifesting in beautiful costumes; whether that's clothing adorned with LEDs, an electroluminescent wire wireframe of a bird, a mirrored catsuit wielding a light staff, masks of skulls and antlers, Daleks playing tag with children, or a parade of fursuits.

And all that is before we get to the actual art installations and projects. Or theme. Which sets the stage; draping the resistant Nature in lasers, smoke, and flame throwers. And hands you a skeleton of a script to inspire. Curious minds reaching to understand how the cool thing was done. Playing the games. Interacting. A funhouse of possibilities, for people who like to peak behind the curtain. And make their own version.

My fellow villagers, as Null Sector closed down on the last night, next to the lasers over the lake, expressed a wish that EMF would become a university. One we would all fail to actually graduate, just repeating courses, over and over again. So we'd never have to leave.

We may not be aware that we're all parts of this larger unintended art project. But each and every one of us feels the power in the possibilities of that temporary alternate reality. So it hurts to leave when it's over. Even as our bodies complain from the inescapable, and often harsh, physical reality, and crave the return to normality. Our spirits yearn for that rare elixir that was conjured in the field. From the hard work and sweat of hundreds of organisers, over the last fourteen years. And the eager participation of thousands of attendees each event. It is unique, and precious.

Tell me, where were you when they burned the effigy?

Lasers over the lake
Photo by chebe

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Seamwork Sydney woven layering top

Sun, 10 May 2026 15:26:18 GMT

Life has been busy. And looks likely to continue being busy. So I don't have much time for bloggable projects. But that doesn't mean I'm giving up.

Seamwork's Sydney was (another discontinued pattern) a bolero style inspired, but actually front overlapping faux-wrap style, cropped woven t-shirt, with short grown-on sleeves. It's a layering piece.

( Details )

Finished, front
Photo by chebe

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Self-drafted Half-Circle skirt, v.3

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 23:25:13 GMT

So I made another half-circle skirt, identical to v.1 and v.2, but in a 100% polyester micro-velvet. It's a soft, plush, non-stretch, deep black (when not over-exposed) velvet. I had high hopes for this fabric. The first issue is that it comes in a narrow width, so I could only fit the pattern pieces in one orientation, and actually had to go buy a second longer length to fit them. Also, the twice turned hem turned out thicker than ideal. But mostly this fabric is a static electricity/cling nightmare. And the (half) fullness of this skirt means the fabric is constantly rubbing against itself. I have bought a slip, and ordered a petticoat, to see if they can make this more wearable. But needless to say I have scrapped the other projects I had in mind for this fabric.

Finished, front
Photo by chebe

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Named Saana puffer vest

Tue, 09 Dec 2025 19:18:59 GMT

Named's Saana is a puffer vest/gilet, but the sides are completely open, facilitating the wearing of dolman-type sleeves while staying cozy.

( Details )

Finished, front
Photo by chebe

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Seamwork Lex jumper (aka sweatshirt), v.4

Mon, 08 Dec 2025 21:59:11 GMT

Time for something practical. Let's make another Seamwork's Lex jumper!

( Details )

Finished, front
Photo by chebe

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VikiSews Miley bodysuit

Tue, 21 Oct 2025 17:40:49 GMT

VikiSews Miley is a bodysuit pattern with an interesting neckline. I bought this pattern from a UK seller, only to find out that it's from a Russian company, which was not a pleasant surprise. I'm not linking. Because we support Ukraine on this blog. But seeing as they already had my money I might as well get use from it.

( Details )

Finished, front
Photo by chebe

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Self-drafted Half-Circle skirt, v.2

Sun, 05 Oct 2025 12:01:13 GMT

So I made another half-circle skirt, identical to v.1, but in Luxury Crepe Black Dress Fabric (100% polyester). To pair with my Vogue V1869, asymmetric top. Are we seeing the vision? The plan is to create a flexible collection of fancy occasion separates, that can be mixed and matched. And few things are as versatile as a simple black skirt.

Last Friday I went to Dublin Frocktails 2025, my first Frocktails. I, uh, didn't get any photos, because I'm bad at this. So you'll have to imagine how the two pieces went together. (The skirt is shorter than the lowest point of the top, and the crepe had an amazing lustre under the venue lighting.) It was a fun event, and was great to see so much creativity, and skill, and excellent taste in patterns and fabrics. I hope to be not so exhausted next time, and maybe even get to socialise a bit.

Finished, front
Photo by chebe

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Colette Myrtle, v.2, as a woven top

Sun, 05 Oct 2025 11:55:12 GMT

Colette's Myrtle is a knit dress pattern that is supposed to work in a woven fabric too. Let's test that.

I'm cutting the same size L as the knit v.1, but just the top Front and Back pieces, not the skirt. There are special woven instructions, that have you finish the back armholes and neckline with bias binding, and have you fold the waistband casing up (instead of down) to cover the elastic. But I'm forging my own path here.

( Details )

Finished, front
Photo by chebe

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Seamwork Riley woven top

Sun, 05 Oct 2025 11:52:36 GMT

Seamwork's Riley is a simple sleeveless woven top pattern. With a high neck, and self-fabric ties at the waist. Just a front piece, with bust darts, and a back piece. Bias tape facings. No closures.

( Details )

Finished, front
Photo by chebe

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McCall's M856 (2024), view a, denim shorts

Sun, 05 Oct 2025 11:39:11 GMT

McCall's M8536 is a pattern for awesome looking wide legged jeans. The only catch is that it is a mens pattern. But why would we let that stop us?

( Details )

Finished, front
Photo by chebe

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Self-drafted Half-Circle skirt

Sun, 05 Oct 2025 11:27:28 GMT

I'm back to self-drafting skirts again. I haven't been completely satisfied with the instructions given in the Sew What Skirts book, so I did a bunch of research around the internet and came up with my own process that works for my brain.

( Details )

Finished, front
Photo by chebe

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Seamwork Chip knit jacket, v.2

Tue, 30 Sep 2025 13:42:25 GMT

When I made Seamwork's Chip, a moto-style cardi-jacket, last time a few things went quite wrong. So, eh, let's try again?

( Details )

Finished, front, half zipped closed
Photo by chebe

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Round and round the back-up rabbit hole

Sat, 27 Sep 2025 01:20:52 GMT

Last time I backed up my dreamwidth it was with an old barely functioning tool. This time I've found an updated, fully functioning method.

1. Set up your api key;
Go to Account Settings, and if you don't already have an API key, check the 'Generate a new API key' checkbox, click 'Save' and when the page reloads you'll have a key you can use in the 'Manage API Keys' section. You will use this instead of your actual account password (see here for details).

2. Clone the ljdump fork updated to work with python3;
git clone https://github.com/timmc/ljdump

3. Create your secrets config file;

cd ljdump
cp ljdump.config.sample ljdump.config
vim ljdump.config

where;
server = https://www.dreamwidth.org
username = your_account_name
password = your_api_key

4. Run the backup;
python ljdump.py

It will download your entries, comments (in XML), and userpics. Like magic.

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Vogue V1944 (2023), view b, oversized shirt, v.2

Tue, 23 Sep 2025 17:02:31 GMT

I loved v.1 so much that I made another one! Everything is the same, except I overlocked/serged the raw edges before doing the clean seam finishes. And feel I managed most things more neatly the second time around.

( Details )

Finished, front
Photo by chebe

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Colette Myrtle knit dress

Mon, 15 Sep 2025 17:39:14 GMT

Colette's Myrtle is a discontinued dress pattern from Seamwork. This copy is actually so old I have it on factory tissue in a paper booklet. Despite that this is my first time making it up. The pattern can be made in either wovens or knits, but for a first go knits are usually safer. It's a sleeveless dress, with cowl front neckline, elasticated waist, and slightly a-line slightly gathered skirt. It has two length options, and I'm going with the shorter one. This version has an optional strap that functions almost like epaulets, but we'll get to them in a moment.

( Details )

Finished, front
Photo by chebe

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Leather notebook cover

Tue, 02 Sep 2025 22:31:24 GMT

A friend had a synthetic notebook cover that was falling apart. It was a simple flat cover, that held the notebook with an elastic, threaded through holes in the spine. We got the idea to replace it with a leather one. I took measurements in the pub, we went shopping for supplies, and I got to making.

( Details )

Finished notebook cover, with notebook
Photo by chebe

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Project Alteration; jumper

Tue, 12 Aug 2025 21:25:21 GMT

Keeping on the simpler projects train. I had this very 90s fuzzy jumper, that I never wore, because the neck was too high and too tight over the head. In an effort to get some wear out of it, I fitted a zipper.

( Details )

Finished, open, front
Photo by chebe

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Short and Sassy square skirt, v.2

Tue, 05 Aug 2025 20:40:04 GMT

Things have been getting complicated around here, I thought to myself. How about making something fast, and fun, to cleanse the palette? Well, I continued thinking to myself, I do have that tricky fabric that I haven't figured out yet. I wonder what can be done with it?

( Details )

Updated waistband, front
Photo by chebe

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Vogue V1944 (2023), view b, oversized shirt

Tue, 08 Jul 2025 22:02:11 GMT

Vogue V1944 is, well, I'm not sure how to describe it. It's a strange woven collection of bias cut skirt, with two dropped shoulder shirt-inspired top options, one both fitted and cropped. I was interested in view b; the boxy oversized shirt.

But being a Vogue pattern, sizing is not straight forward. The measurements corresponding to the sizes are only shown on the envelope flap (not visible in the online envelope scans), and the useful finished garment measurements are typically only to be found on the pattern tissue itself. Being at the edges of the size range is quite risky. Last time I made a Vogue, I found the sizing ran large, and that a size 22 was the better starting point for me. Which is just as well, as size 22 is the maximum size available for this pattern. A size 22 is given as bust 112cm, waist 94cm. This would not fit me. But I'm looking at a boxy oversized shirt. So, I took the gamble. Turns out the finished garment measurements for view b are bust 132cm, waist 128cm. This is 20cm and 34cm of combined wearing and style ease. That should be plenty.

( Details )

Finished, front
Photo by chebe

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Seamwork Elmira cropped wrap cardigan, v.3

Mon, 30 Jun 2025 20:00:11 GMT

Seamwork's Elmira, cropped cardigan, again. I like v.2, but let's make it more. Firstly, downsizing to the XL. (Third time tracing out this pattern.)

Secondly, let's colour block! Measure the centre-back, divide in three. Mark similar measurements at all the side seams. Notice how they don't line up, and rough out some compromise with gently curved lines. Trace out (for the fourth time) the colour blocked pattern pieces with seam allowances. Shorten the sleeve length to better fit the visual balance. Lengthen the cuff piece to fit.

( Details )

Finished, front
Photo by chebe

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