City of Espers: House of Thimble and Thread
This is a response to a prompt by the City of Espers devs. City of Espers is a (hopefully) forthcoming urban fantasy game about people with psychic powers and ballroom houses.
The House of Thimble and Thread
Vibe Questions
- What two colours does every member of your House wear?
The Turf (spirit of the place claimed by the House) provides a yearly boon of cloth that's used to design and make individualized items for House members. Prior examples include:
- silver and black silks
- rainbow wool plaid
- a full dumpster of denim and canvas scraps
The house emblem is used as a signature.
- What genre(s) of music does your House widely listen to?
Eclectic, but generally favoring low-production local music from other houses.
- Is there a shared hobby or job among members of your House?
The workshop is a center for DIY and low-impact fashion in the city. This includes clothing swaps, thrift markets, and make/mend workshops offered on a sliding scale basis. While some members are fully supported by House's mission, most are dedicated volunteers and hobbyists.
- When a member of the House enters a room, how do outsiders react?
Varies. The house encourages individual expression from contemporary tailoring to costume design. In groups, and participating as a team, they're always noticed. They've dominated costume categories but tend to fall short in performance.
- What would an emblem representing your House look like?
Members are encouraged to represent with a hand-embroidered yellow flower made using a lazy daisy stitch.
- What’s your House’s Vibe in 1 to 3 words?
DIY fiber arts.
House Questions
- How long ago was your House formed?
Three years, but evolved from earlier organizations.
- What kind of person founded the House?
Penn, a former home economics and sewing teacher forced into retirement due to a curriculum change. They passed leadership to more active members.
- How does the House look after its members?
The house tries to ensure that members have clothing, and provides a safe space for self expression in clothing. The workshop is an active maker space offering equipment and training. Possum is responsible for maintaining the stock of materials.
Thimble and Thread are currently supporting a daughter house of electronic and mechanical makers. There are growing pains on both sides.
- What does the House’s base of operations look like?
A refurbished mid-20th century department store in constant need of repair.
- What form of self-expression does the House value?
Fiber arts at any skill level is the primary focus, particularly using recycled or discarded materials. A secondary value is collaboration with other DIY-focused houses in the city.
- What action or behaviour does the House forbid?
Theft or abuse of common resources. Hostile criticism of newbie work. In-house fighting.
- How does the local neighbourhood feel about your house?
The neighborhood overall is struggling to maintain local character in the face of gentrified "alternative" development. While many are supportive, others are critical of the house's charity missions and reputation for illegal dumpster diving.
- Who or what has the House been struggling with lately?
There are efforts to push the Workshop out of the neighborhood. Some more commercial fashion-focused houses have poached talented makers. Funding the charity missions of the house is a constant struggle, with leaders underpaid (and sometimes unpaid) for their work.
- What’s the name of your House?
The House of Thimble and Thread