I just finished reading a book called Plain and Simple, about a woman artist, having the same restless, searching feelings I struggle with, feel a jolt of recognition and bonding with Amish quilts, then Amish dolls. She ended up living with the Amish a couple of times. She didn’t want to become Amish, but from them she learned valuable lessons on living well and enjoying every task, and on slowing down.

            This struck a chord in me. So today I did some websurfing, searching out info and photos of Amish dress & quilts. I ended up on a great young lady’s site, called Quaker Jane. She’s a regular gal, who also felt a calling, but it took her years to figure it out. What bonded her was the sight of a specific bonnet. After some frustrating years, God revealed to her the call to be a plain-dressing Quaker (her unbelieving husband has dreadlocks—lol). Her site is amazing—all about plain dressing, as well as the Quakers. She has noticed that more and more women, from all faiths (even atheism!) and from all over the world, are feeling a call to plain dress. There are many links to online seamstresses, shops & patterns for plain dress (many of the styles are the same the Amish wear).

            I wonder if this is a part of my restlessness and searching. There is a strong part of me that feels I belong to a time when all women wore dresses all the time. Maybe this is why the SCA appeals to me so strongly. But if I were to just start plain-dressing, it would be a bit of shocker among those who know me well, and among my community.

            I’m not totally sure if this is it yet. I haven’t had any bonding or epiphany moments like those two ladies. If anything, what draws me the most is medieval gowns—the specific one my persona wore—long, flowing and loose, with fitted sleeves. I wonder if I could just make some of these and wear them all the time?

            I could experiment, take a baby step, by reducing what I wear to the modest dresses I own right now. I've got several, some short-sleeved, some long-sleeved, most of them in comfy knit fabric and interesting colors and patterns. I also have lots of long skirts--I just need to pair them with whatever modest tops I can find in my wardrobe.           

            Somehow, I think this plain dressing is a part of my calling. It seems this past year the Lord has been leading me to this—first with paying off and canceling all my clothing credit cards, and with losing my interest in current fashion and expensive clothes and having to worry about everyone seeing too much every time I stoop down for something.

            Actually, I’ve re-fallen in love with thrift store shopping again, and it just occurred to me that I might be able to find some plain dresses there, although they won’t be perfect. I really want to focus on non-print, solid colors, in earth tones and blues. I’d also like the full aprons. Having them made is a bit expensive ($60-$100), so I should probably just get or alter a pattern and make them myself.