PROGRESSIVELY LARGER HEAD COVERINGS
       
       For about a year now I've been sewing and wearing head
       coverings. I began around June 2025, for reasons that don't
       merit mentioning here. I made two coverings out of a half
       cirle pattern with ties. The pattern was purchased from a
       seller online. It served me for about two or three months. I
       ended up disliking the style of covering. It was not easy to
       tie, and the sewn over edges became wrinkly. Further, the
       half circle shape didn't provide an agreeable coverage or
       drape.
       
       Iterating upon the style, I began to draft my own. I chose
       to go begin from a triangular shape instead of circle, for I
       felt the triangle was more of plain head covering, in that
       it could be simply cut from a large piece of cloth in three
       easy cuts. So I did this, using rough estimates of dimension
       and angles. I liked the way it tied---the broad pieces of
       fabric were easier to grasp and guide behind my head---but
       not the way it hung off the back of my head. It was too big,
       providing /too much/ coverage and a bit of a wild drape.
       
       Iterating further, I drafted a triangular pattern with
       lesser dimensions, and modified the lines to be subtle
       curves. The non-straight shaping let the head covering
       gently contour around my head. I also chose to secure the
       edges with a blind hem---a good choice, as this avoided
       wrinkles observable in my earlier coverings. Far as I am
       concerned, this third version takes the cake. The pattern is
       finished and I intend to use it well into the future for my
       day-to-day head covering needs.
       
       Now I am working on a new pattern, for a head covering slash
       shawl that I can wear overtop my day(-to-day) covering for
       extra coverage from the elements. In essence, what I want is
       coverage over my forehead, around the side of my face, as
       well as neck. This will keep sun and rain off me during the
       months ahead. I am making this head covering/shawl by
       combining attributes of my two last aforementioned
       patterns. In will have the curves of my second day covering,
       and the dimensions (plus quite a bit extra) of my first day
       covering. Edges will be blind hemmed.
       
       I am quite excited to be making my own head coverings. They
       are very practical garments to own, and very easy garments
       to make. I could go on and on about the benefits, so suffice
       it to say they keep my hair tidy and make everyday a good
       hair day. Of course I understand there is lots of symbolism
       tied up with things tied around heads. And I have been asked
       a few times whether I am from one such religion or
       another. I find this behaviour a bit strange and sometimes
       problematic, and I can also appreciate the curiosity.
       
       My foremost reason for dressing the way I do is for my own
       reasons and satisfactions. It is remarkable how well I feel
       in the clothes I have sewn and now wear. All the same, I
       understand I can be seen in the world by those who can see,
       and I hope that what is seen is my pride, confidence, and
       presence. I try that my garmets should help communicate
       these attributes that I am striving for in my person.
       
       In closing this note, I wish for a world where all people
       can wear what they want without doubt. Wearing what I do,
       including my hard worked head coverings, is my affirmation
       of the significance of bodily autonomy and choice in
       clothing.