Busy hands | Disquiet mind

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.

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

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

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

Seamwork's Elmira is a close fitting, cropped cardigan, in a ballet wrap style. I have previously made the front-tie variation, but didn't like the (lack of) front coverage. On top of having made v.1 in only a size L, and with a knit fabric with insufficient stretch, it wasn't comfortable to wear.

Coming back to the base pattern, I wasn't vibing with the bulk of the wraps, nor the excessive amount of fabric that goes into them. Then I noticed that the inner layer is kept closed with two buttons and button loops, and resolved to have both sides close in the same way, eliminating all ties. And this time in a size 2X.

( Details )

Finished, front
Photo by chebe