Yeah, I like the historical sewing challenges! But I do bags, and tactical stuff for B, too. In the past, I did 7 bridesmaids dresses for step-D's wedding. Hol's 1930s style wedding dress (deep crimson satin - LOL) Lots of kids PJs, soft toys to add to kid entertainment boxes for the post-Katrina recovery. Mike's mom supported her kids, after their Dad died, with her sewing. She made a lot pageant dresses and tailored suits.
It's a whole world of it's own - and it's encouraging to see a lot of younger seamstresses on YT. I do branch out a bit, and get into midieval garments... which were actually practical, and weren't designed to "express oneself". I watch a couple costume designers - everything from ren faire, cosplay stuff to people doing pretty artsy garments.
Do you have any public gardens or arboretums near you? They might be safe to explore on your own - and possibly meet some people with common interests that might be easy to socialize with. It kinda sounds to me, like you've been told you NEED to get out more and be with people like it's some kind of absolute checkbox to achieve "for your own good". New widows get that advice a lot! And I was adamant, that I just wanted to be alone. Absolute solitude was very beneficial for me. Then, organically, unintentionally, I shifted out of that and now occasionally "hang out" with Hol and some of her friends. Not on any regular basis - just according to my mood and whatever their agenda for the visit is.
I often wonder why it is, that there is this idea that it's NOT OK, to not like some people; as if it's a requirement of virtue to like and get along with everyone. Life just isn't like that - and in fact, that idea can be dangerous when one runs across the socio-/psycho- personalities in the world.
PS - I'm trying to just let this post while I do something else in a new tab. Sometimes that works; sometimes it doesn't. It just times out.
