Free to a Good Home

One of my head coverings is looking for a new home.  I have a snood from Garlands of Grace.  It's beautiful but I've never worn it.  It just doesn't seem to suit me, which is a real disappointment because I really like it.  Let me know if you would like it and I'll pop it into the mail.

Garlands of Grace

I know I have mentioned before, but Garlands of Grace have such beautiful head-coverings.  And there service is wonderful.  Right now they are running a facebook contest.  Here's the link to their facebook page

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#!/pages/Garlands-of-Grace/117793814917755

I love the new patterns they have for the Cecily.  That's my favourite style of covering.

Modest in Any Weather-Updated

I thought I'd talk about making modest dresses work for everyday life. For working outside, I've already mentioned that I like to wear an a-line denim jumper. It keeps me safe from spinning PTO shafts and other moving parts of equipment. I usually wear a straw hat when outside, but that's because I'm so fair and burn really easily, my face needs the protection. Besides, Colin likes that I'm "Victorian" pale :)

In the house, whenever I'm doing something messy, I wear an apron. I love aprons. The best apron pattern is the Edwardian one from Sense and Sensibility. It's lovely and covers most of my dress. A real bonus when I'm baking, I'm a terrible one for wiping my hands on my hips :) I need to make a few more of these. These are great for messy housekeeping chores too. I'm tempted to make a denim one for in the garden. They have a child's version now, I'm saving my pennies to get that one for Ella. Wearing an apron also makes it more obvious when it's time to sit down and relax in the evening. I finish the supper dishes and off comes the apron. Time to enjoy Colin's company.

Dresses in summer are the coolest clothes to wear. I used to nearly fall over from heat when wearing jeans in the hottest part of summer. But if you wear a dress, it's easy for a cool breeze to blow through and cool you off. I hated wearing shorts, even when I was skinny. Shorts are rarely that flattering and you're skin sticks to everything you sit on. No worries about showing off too much of anything when wearing skirts/dresses, a real concern when wearing shorts and being active. We get very hot and humid up here in Ontario, so I do wear sundresses. But I make sure they fit well and don't gap. Mostly though, I wear short sleeved dresses. Lately I've been thinking of making another 1914 Afternoon Dress by Sense and Sensibility. I've made it before and it's a nice, comfy pattern. One last idea for us larger size ladies. If wearing dresses causes chafing on the thighs, look for cotton bike shorts/leggings. I've worn them for a couple years now, no real extra heat and a lot less pain and discomfort :) Don't forget, a slip is not an option and made out of cotton it isn't hot either.

Winter in dresses is so much warmer than when wearing pants. To start with, women wearing dresses/skirts usually wear a dress coat that is much longer than a jacket. Then there are all the layers one can add under a skirt/dress without adding bulk. We live in northern Ontario (at least were winter is concerned) and this is what I wear -from the inside out. I wear the same leggings in the winter as I do the summer. Then I wear knee socks, if it is extremely cold I can put on a pair of wool knee socks too. Then comes my petticoat/slip. It's nice and full and helps hold in heat. I've been considering making a flannel one for really bitter days. On goes a dress or jumper. Jumpers give you another chance to add more warmth. A turtleneck or long sleeve blouse look nice under casual jumpers. Of course, if it's is crazy cold and we're doing something like cutting down Christmas tree or something, I'll put long underwear on under everything.

Add a good pair of boots -the higher up the leg the better, and a good warm dress coat, scarf, mitts and hat and I'm all set for anything winter can throw at me. I love to throw on a knit shawl over everything. Great for bitterly cold days, looks great too if you ask me.

Ella wears more or less the same as I do. She wears cotton tights year round. Keeps her warm in winter and protects her legs from too much sun in the summer (she's delicate like me). I also am making her some bloomers, because you just can't slow down a little girl. I may even make some for me, I just like the look.

The one comment about dresses that always makes me laugh is that they are "impracticable" for today. Funny women have worn dresses/skirts for THOUSANDS of years (in much harder lifestyles) and suddenly it's too hard to wear a dress. Apparently it was easier to wear a dress while building the pyramids or homesteading in Colonial America, than it is to wear one nowadays in an air conditioned office while surfing the 'net :)

Modest Dress

Since marrying Colin and getting away from the rat race that is the Toronto Stock Market, I've gone back to wearing dresses every day. When I was in grade 9, I could count the days I wore pants to school. I even wore a skirt as my "camp uniform" in Pathfinders and Cadets. Somehow along the way I got dragged into pant/jeans wearing. Part of it came from being unhappy with my body, I've always fought with my weight (thanks PCOS). It was easier to hide under a large t shirt.

I've since read Deuteronomy 22, v. 5:
The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the Lord thy God.

And 1 Timothy 2, v.9:
... women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broidered hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array.

I've decided that Ella and I will be dresses only. I have yet to find anything I can't do in a skirt. I even drive the tractor for Colin when he's baling straw. It's a matter of finding an appropriate width and length for comfort and safety. My best work dress is actually an old maternity jumper. It's a-line in shape and made from very sturdy denim.

A lot of women seem to think modest means frumpy (more Feminist brainwashing if you ask me). This is not true. God created women, He made us beautiful with bodies that please our husbands. Why should we insult this gift from God by covering it with an ugly sack? It is just as easy to wear nice fitting, pretty clothes as it is to wear something ugly and frumpy. I like to wear cape dresses, I think they are very nice and I always pick a pretty fabric. But I wear many different styles.

There is a wide range of opinion on what makes a dress modest. I'm sure my ideas are not the same as everyone. For instance, I have no problem with sleeveless dresses. Mine are nice fitting and don't show bra straps or anything. We have summers that often hit 110F with crazy humidity. God made me a winter girl, so I need to try and keep cool. But my dresses fit well and don't gap or show too much of anything. Most of my dresses have elbow length sleeves, that's what I prefer now that I have heavier arms. All my dresses are "tea length",i.e., mid-calf. Any longer and I start to look dumpy since I'm only 5 ft.

If I ever lose this extra weight again, I have some beautiful Edwardian and 50's style dresses that I want to make. I really like the ones on this page.

The Ladies Against Feminism have a number of links of ladies showing themselves going through their week in dresses/skirts. I don't have a week's worth of dresses to show you, and I couldn't find a photographer for action shots :) But here are a few of my dresses.

This is one of my going out dresses. -->
Colin was taking me out for supper. Sorry about the odd angle on these. I'm not good at taking my own picture (and I hate having my picture taken).

<-- This one is from the winter, for chilly days at home. It's actually a maternity one too, but I made the apron to go over it, so I have a waist again -ha ha.


Not so flattering action shot, but it show that I can garden in a dress -->




This is one of my favourites. The underneath piece is a pettiblouse, slip and blouse in one. No more fighting with tops that always come untucked and uncomfortable. I have a deep crocheted lace border on the slip and it just peaks out from under the jumper. Colin likes it -which is my main aim :)

I have nothing against skirts and blouses. I just find it easier at this time of life and at this size (that I'm not happy with) to toss on a dress and be done.

Why I Cover -Part Two

Excuses not to cover:

"But it doesn't apply today, it's only cultural" I am so tired of hearing that pathetic excuse. Let's just start by looking at the verses again. If women covering their heads in prayer is "only cultural" then doesn't that mean that verse 4 is "only cultural" too? Why is it that men are expected to take their hats off when they pray? If these verses are "only cultural" then men should be allowed to wear their ball caps in church. I don't know of any church today, Protestant or otherwise that would tolerate men wearing hats in church. For goodness sake, even in NASCAR they tell everyone to remove their hats before the opening prayer!

If women wearing prayer coverings were only cultural, why did women cover for the last 1,960 years? Women stopped wearing coverings, be it veils, hats, etc, to church only in the 60's and 70's when Women's Lib really started taking over society. That's what makes me laugh when I hear churches say they have "no tradition" of women covering. Feminism has told so many lies and brainwashed society into believe what they want it to believe, people have stopped using their own brains. I love history and have done a number of project on churches and such. And I have yet to find an old picture of a church gathering (pre-1970's) that doesn't show nearly every woman wearing a hat! How's that for tradition! Even when my parents were married in 1970, it was expected that hats or veils would be worn for church.

If you want to talk of church tradition, the Blessed Virgin covered her head. I'm happy to follow her tradition.

One argument I've heard lately (in Internet-land) is the cry of Legalism. Pastors in particular seem to like to throw that one around. What is Legalism really? It's following every order in the Bible down to the letter in the mistaken belief that this behaviour will gain you a place/better place in Heaven. This is not why most women wear a head covering. True there may be some, but there are always exception. And yes, it's true that we are following a Biblical directive to cover and/or dress modestly. But, do we do this so we can get to Heaven, NO. We cover because it is what God wants us to do and since we love Him we do it to please Him.

It's like watching NASCAR or making fruitcake. I don't really care for NASCAR but I watch NASCAR with Colin -every Sunday and you couldn't pay me enough money to eat fruitcake but I make my famous fruitcake every Christmas because my Mom and family love it. I don't do these things for reward I do it out of love. Therefore, it's the same with covering. I cover out of love for God and to please Him, not just to try and get a reward, i.e., Heaven. I've been saved by God's Grace, I don't need to do good works. I want to do them!!

I truly feel the cry of Legalism comes from a guilty conscience. Pastors know they should be preaching the desires of God more thoroughly, but are afraid of ruffling the Feminist feathers of their congregations. And when other women say it, it is because they know in their hearts that they are not doing what pleases God.

I've been shocked to hear some pastors have actually told covering women that they are no longer welcome in that church. How's that for Christian behaviour? Those pastors need to be reminded that they serve God and the church is not theirs to run as they choose. Besides, how is a little piece of cloth/hat going to hurt the worship of the Lord? Maybe it will bring other women to read their bibles more closely and listen to what the Lord wants? Pastors also seem to forget that a woman only has to explain herself to God and her husband/father. All that aside, maybe the pastor's attention would be better spent addressing the women of the congregation that seem to forget to get dressed before going to church! The outfits that are allowed to be worn to church are downright shameful. I'm not suggesting full burkas for women, but surely, Colin should be able to attend church with me without having to see all manner of bra straps, pantie lines, and other things I won't mention. Pastors should really worry about more things than what's on a woman's head.

I think those are all the reasons against head covering. As you can see from my other post, I wear head coverings that don't really stand out. They do in a way, because so few women wear anything on their head. But I don't wear, for example, Mennonite style prayer caps or long Charity-style veils. I don't feel the Lord has called me to stand out any more than I already do because I wear modest dresses. I cover for/because of my love for the Lord. I don't need to put myself on display. That's one of the benefits of dressing modest and wearing head coverings, I no longer have to "fit" the current definition of fashionable and I'm not on display for every passing man to ogle. I have noticed one thing since changing to dresses and coverings. I get much more respect and gentlemanly behaviour from men when I'm out in public. They even seem to mind their language more, which is good since I always have Ella with me. This also, isn't the reason I cover, just a nice added bonus. Then of course, there is the pleasure it brings my husband. Colin loves to see me dressed as a lady and he finds my coverings very "suiting". These aren't the real reasons I cover but they sure are nice added bonuses -see what happens when we please God?

I forgot to mention, this is the best response I've ever heard to "why do you cover", especially when asked with malice by another Christian woman... the response is "why aren't you?"

My Coverings

This is my everyday, work in the garden, out and about hat. It fits well over most of my coverings which is handy when I need to throw on a hat (walking for the mail, etc). With a nice big hat pin, I'm ready for any weather.











This is one of my church hats. I have a nice black felt one, much the same style, for winter. Again, stick in a hat pin and you are all set. No worries about the wind.




This is my go-to, everyday covering. It used to be sold by Prayer Coverings.com. It's been discontinued but Bayley, the owner, was kind enough to send me a copy of the pattern so I can contine to make them. It's basically a triangle scarf, but it has two darts in the back that take away the "fly-away" nature of a triangle scarf. I think it's very nice and always looks good. I use a clipie on each side and it doesn't go anywhere all day, I never have to think about it slipping. I plan on making a black lace one for wearing to church/somewhere fancy for when I don't wear a hat. This style looks good with my hair up or down or any where in between. Check out Prayer Coverings, they have many different styles. I could spend a lot of money there :)


Please forgive this picture, I've told you I'm terrible with a camera. Go to the Garlands of Grace site and see much better pictures. This is the Cecily It looks really nice with my hair down, but also works with my usual braids. Garlands of Grace have so many beautiful styles and fabrics, it's hard to choose.














This one is from Garlands of Grace as well. I'm almost wishing I had bought an off-white coloured one because it is so white. I haven't had a chance to wear it yet. Once I get out my white based summer dresses I'll get the chance. It's a snood, which is different for me. I think they are beautiful.

This last one is left from my Society for Creative Anachronism days. It was going to be a caul for wearing with my German 16th century garb. I never got around to making it into a caul, so I just wear it as a triangle scarf. If I have my hair up, I often catch the point in the tie, which makes a neater look (though it looks lumpy in the picture). I don't wear this often. Usually depends on where I'm going. It really suited when I wore it to the Polish festival in Wilno last May. Helped me blend in and look less German -haha.

As you can see, I wear a variety of coverings. I like variety. I guess it proves that, though I may be conservative in nature, I'm definitely not Plain. I like the heart-shaped Amish style prayer cap, but that's too tied with a specific group. I don't want to confuse people.

Why I Cover -Part One

Just a few brief words on my family. Dad's family have been Anglican (high church) since they landed in Newfoundland in the 1700's, with a little bit of Lutheran thrown in. Mom's family have been more Protestant. Some were missionaries/doctors in India and China, at least until the Boxer Rebellion, though some stayed and spent the War in Japanese internment camps. Mom herself was raised Baptist/United and became Anglican when she married Dad. And yes, she had family members worried she had married a "bleep bleep Catholic" :)

That being said, I wasn't raised in a covering household. Hats were worn to church just if you wanted to look stylish. It wasn't until I married Colin and really "found" myself and was happy with being ME.

I have always been fascinated with women who cover. I always wanted to dress like the Mennonite ladies I'd see occasionally in Toronto or at the St. Jacob's market. I loved anything period that I could find to watch or read; Anne of Green Gables, Little House on the Prairie, Little Women, anything medieval, etc. I now see that as God speaking to me and opening my mind to the idea of covering. I just didn't realize it could apply to my life in the late 20th century.

After marrying Colin in 2003, I was exposed to Mennonite ladies on a more regular basis. Colin even has some Mennonite friends/acquaintances. I longed after cape dresses and prayer coverings. I finally gave in and started looking around on the Web and was amazed at what I found. Not only do Anabapist women wear prayer coverings, but all sorts of Christian women too! I can't express how happy that made me feel.

I looked at the sites that were more Catholic/Anglican based and realized this was something I really wanted to do. Especially when I read that the Pope at the Second Vatican Council had actually NOT decreed that women were free to pray bare-headed. Even though Anglicans aren't under the command of the Pope, that's always been an argument by the liberal movement -"why cover when even the Catholics don't have too?".

So I pulled out my King James Bible and looked up the verses for myself. It all seemed so clear to me:

I Corinthians 11

v 3 But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man and the head of Christ is God.
v4 Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head.
v. 5 But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven.
v6 For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered.
v7 For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man.

I know some people say a woman's hair is her covering. But if that is true, than verse 6 makes no sense. If a woman is to be punished for not covering, i.e., having hair, then how can that punishment be having her hair shorn? It only works if the covering is something different, something that can be put on and off, i.e., a prayer covering.

Therefore, according to verses 3-7, I cover while I pray and since we are commanded to "pray without ceasing" I wear my covering during the day, especially when I go out. I sometimes go bareheaded at home (migraines, wet hair, etc). Also, I'll take my covering off in the evening as Colin loves to see my hair down. My covering shows that I honour Colin as the head of our household. It is also for modesty, for my hair is my glory and is for my husband and family's enjoyment. It shows the world that I am under my husband's protection and deserving of respect. It shows the world that I am a Christian woman. The standards (or lack thereof) of the world do not apply to me. Wearing a covering does not show that I am opressed or somehow less valuable than men. It shows that I am a woman, completely different than men. I don't have to compete with them or try and fit into a "man's world". I belong in my woman's world, doing the most valuable job God has given me -raising my daughter and caring for my family.

And then there is verse 10:

v10 For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels.

My prayer covering is a symbol to the angels that I'm an obedient Christian woman. Much like the blood on the Isrealites doors when the angel of death "passed over" in Egypt. It's a sign of obedience, a word that's not popular in today's "me, me, me" society.

I found these two sites very helpful, not help me decide to cover but to help me put my desire into words:

http://www.frugalabundance.com/introductiontohc.htm

http://www.frugalabundance.com/beginnerstips.htm