Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Elin Hagberg on 11th mo. 23, 2011 at 11:06am

To me it seems like god does not want me to avoid colors because every time I have tried using only mute colors and simple patterns like stripes and checks it has made me uncomfortable and I have felt miserable. If I allow myself the choice while still often choosing darker more mute colors I am fine but if I try to say to myself 'no more bright pink, orange or turquoise' life has changed to the worse. I believe that god has a sense for my tendency towards legalism and does not permit me to put up rules that are unhealthy to me. Today I am in black and white stripes, grey and yes, turquoise. I am covered and modest but there is still that bright splash. One day I might be ready for a 'stricter' plain but not now it seems.

 

Permalink Reply by Alice M Yaxley on 12th mo. 1, 2011 at 5:38am

Apologies for coming late the the discussion here. I have a (brownish-)red dress, it is made from worsted (this is wool spun under tension, so the fabric is smooth, like suit-cloth). The fabric was cheap and I would not have chosen the fabric from a huge selection, but it was what was there at a good price, and I felt it was appropriate to buy it. My mum was kind enough to make it up for me as a nursing dress because I was busy with my young daughter at the time.

My other dresses at the moment are a plain dark brown linen (I dyed this from a lighter brown which I found hard to wear), dark grey linen, and a mid grey linen with a narrow woven (paler and darker shades of grey) stripe in it. The stripey one again is not what I would have chosen from a large selection but it was cheap, and it is sturdy, and I have not felt a prompt to dye it.

I also have a thicker wool pullover (sleeveless) which helps me layer up for cold weather. The edge of my winter underskirt (wool flannel) is sometimes visible under my dresses especially when I am sitting down and this is a woven check of bright red and black, because it is a traditional design from weavers at a mill I visit regularly when we go on holiday to a Friends' farm. It was a generous gift to me and I felt it right to take it and be very thankful, since my previous winter underskirt was worn out (had lasted 15 years).

I felt challenged when buying the fabric for the dress I will make this winter. It is another wool fabric, and the price was very good, but it is a vibrant royal blue! I was uncertain in my mind about buying it but I did not feel any "stop" against buying it when I prayed about it. I am trying not to mind if God is willing to show me off in this way - I hope and pray I am not going astray. I hope I am humble enough and don't do anything to harm God's call of reconciliation for the world.

I know there are other Quakers who live near here who think it is odd, or attention-seeking of me to wear plain dresses, but they have not in the past been willing to pray and labour with me about my discernment (this reminds me, perhaps I need to ask them again! I will pray about it.) and so I try to stay with what I believe God has shown me.

It is possible I am too eager to buy fabric for a new dress, and should wait for complete certainty - I don't wish to lead any others astray. I know a fair share of global resources might be much less than I have at present - I am trying to tune in to God's gospel of liberation, which includes not having more than a "global fair share", and not stealing from future generations buy taking unsustainable resources, but I know I am not getting it 100%. I hope that just sharing an account of my actions so far is useful in some way.

Permalink Reply by Paula McConnell on 12th mo. 2, 2011 at 7:05pm

I understand. Thanks, Elin!

Elin Hagberg said:

To me it seems like god does not want me to avoid colors because every time I have tried using only mute colors and simple patterns like stripes and checks it has made me uncomfortable and I have felt miserable. If I allow myself the choice while still often choosing darker more mute colors I am fine but if I try to say to myself 'no more bright pink, orange or turquoise' life has changed to the worse. I believe that god has a sense for my tendency towards legalism and does not permit me to put up rules that are unhealthy to me. Today I am in black and white stripes, grey and yes, turquoise. I am covered and modest but there is still that bright splash. One day I might be ready for a 'stricter' plain but not now it seems.

 

Permalink Reply by Paula McConnell on 12th mo. 2, 2011 at 7:11pm

It's very useful, Alice. I'm so glad thee has added to the discussion!

Alice M Yaxley said:

Apologies for coming late the the discussion here. I have a (brownish-)red dress, it is made from worsted (this is wool spun under tension, so the fabric is smooth, like suit-cloth). The fabric was cheap and I would not have chosen the fabric from a huge selection, but it was what was there at a good price, and I felt it was appropriate to buy it. My mum was kind enough to make it up for me as a nursing dress because I was busy with my young daughter at the time.

My other dresses at the moment are a plain dark brown linen (I dyed this from a lighter brown which I found hard to wear), dark grey linen, and a mid grey linen with a narrow woven (paler and darker shades of grey) stripe in it. The stripey one again is not what I would have chosen from a large selection but it was cheap, and it is sturdy, and I have not felt a prompt to dye it.

I also have a thicker wool pullover (sleeveless) which helps me layer up for cold weather. The edge of my winter underskirt (wool flannel) is sometimes visible under my dresses especially when I am sitting down and this is a woven check of bright red and black, because it is a traditional design from weavers at a mill I visit regularly when we go on holiday to a Friends' farm. It was a generous gift to me and I felt it right to take it and be very thankful, since my previous winter underskirt was worn out (had lasted 15 years).

I felt challenged when buying the fabric for the dress I will make this winter. It is another wool fabric, and the price was very good, but it is a vibrant royal blue! I was uncertain in my mind about buying it but I did not feel any "stop" against buying it when I prayed about it. I am trying not to mind if God is willing to show me off in this way - I hope and pray I am not going astray. I hope I am humble enough and don't do anything to harm God's call of reconciliation for the world.

I know there are other Quakers who live near here who think it is odd, or attention-seeking of me to wear plain dresses, but they have not in the past been willing to pray and labour with me about my discernment (this reminds me, perhaps I need to ask them again! I will pray about it.) and so I try to stay with what I believe God has shown me.

It is possible I am too eager to buy fabric for a new dress, and should wait for complete certainty - I don't wish to lead any others astray. I know a fair share of global resources might be much less than I have at present - I am trying to tune in to God's gospel of liberation, which includes not having more than a "global fair share", and not stealing from future generations buy taking unsustainable resources, but I know I am not getting it 100%. I hope that just sharing an account of my actions so far is useful in some way.

Permalink Reply by Margaret Banford on 12th mo. 19, 2011 at 12:54pm

Colour is one of the great pleasures of my life, I must admit....so my clothes can be vibrant at times!

Why would I be led to take such delight in strong colours and patterns if I was to wear dark colours and no patterns?  I believe that I am to keep dressing the way I am, for now.  Perhaps in years to come I will be led to dress differently.

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