Tuesday, March 24, 2020

Face Masks

Have you been making face masks? It seems to be the thing to do during this coronavirus crisis. 

I've been looking for places that need masks. I contacted the two hospitals that we use but neither has a call out/need yet. I signed up with Relief Crafters of America and was trying to figure out their mask pattern and how to sign up to make masks when an urgent plea came my way.

An anesthesiologist that live in the greater Chicago area contacted a friend who immediately set up a group of sewers. The doctor grew up in out village so we all know her. The 50 anesthesiologists in her group have been told to wear bandanas when their masks run out in the near future. Any masks will be better than a bandana; so the sewing began.

We are under a Shelter-In-Place state order in Illinois, aka house arrest, so we could not get together to sew. I was very lucky to have Ray around - he was VERY helpful!

He cut, turned and pressed most of the straps, traced patterns, cut out pieces, pressed masks, measured and cut elastic, threaded elastic, and fixed meals for a couple of days!


I made my prototype out of one fabric for both the front and back. My research says one should easily be able to tell the front from the back so I made all of the donation masks from two fabrics. I used softer, less bright fabrics for the inside/back of the mask.

The pattern I was using has a pocket for an N95 mask or a filter. That took a bit more time but I thought it might be useful.

Then more research said that a non-woven inside layer helps to filter germs. It still is nowhere as good as an N95 but I'll do what I can to help so I added a piece of a t-shirt inside each mask. Maybe you can see it in the picture. This one is  yellow. Sewing the t-shirt in really slowed me down but again, if it helps,...

The first 13 masks have straps. Yes, more research said straps are preferred by most doctors. So 13 masks means 52 straps - that took some time! I'm so grateful for Ray's help.
 

Late yesterday at about hour 16 into this project, we found out we had another 24 hours. So today Ray and I made 7 more masks. These all have elastic that goes around the head, not just the ears. I did use elastic instead of straps and I do know the pattern so these only took the morning to make!

People in our group used a variety of patterns. I like this one which I got from Relief Crafters of America but it was strange to understand at first. I caught it in the middle of changes. It works well but I will tweak it before making it again. I also might investigate other patterns.

I hope you are doing well and handling the social distancing.  I really didn't think it would be this hard and maybe it's just knowing that you can't go see a grandchild or a friend or take a drive. In any event, it really helped me to do something that was useful and needed. My mental state is much better and it looks like there will be more mask making.




Thursday, March 19, 2020

Orphan Improv is finished and other news

Orphan Improv is done!
Quilt just came out of dryer and is wrinkled. Guess it will be another rinse and dry.
The orphan bin was overflowing so I took out some of the brighter pieces and matched them with other pieces, stitched them together and then trimmed down to squares. 

I used quite a few pieces but I have plenty left. Improv stitching - no rules stitching - is fun to do every so often. 

This donation quilt is 54" square. I did the straight line quilting with a walking foot and Aurifil #1133 orange thread.

The back is an orange waterspot fabric from my stash.

And in other news...

Ray is making progress. He has a couple more weeks before his next visit  to the surgeon. The shooting pain is lessening but he still has pain. It will be interesting to see how this visit happens - maybe a televisit?

I still haven't resolved my food allergy or whatever. The allergist visit did not go well - that is one doctor I won't return to. Thank goodness I usually find good doctors. I'm feeling pretty good so I'm not pursuing it right now.

Last weekend, I attended our annual spring retreat in Oregon, Illinois, at the Lutheran Outdoor Ministries Center. It was our last retreat there. (We lost dear Ann this year and two others are no longer able to attend.) Our small group enjoyed our time together. Even though the weekend began with some restrictions due to Covid-19, everything changed while we were there - Illinois began taking action and our schools all closed and restrictions were put in place. One member of our group is a fourth grade teacher. What should have been a restful, fun weekend turned into a very stressful time for her.

I did get a few pictures of projects; I missed lots.





I took pictures of my projects when I got home.



We are staying home and keeping busy. I keep thinking I should do some spring cleaning but the sewing studio keeps calling my name! I have been doing some cooking and replenishing our freezer meals. 

To go with lunch on this rainy, dreary day, we'll have some fresh bread.

Please stay home if you can, 
do the social distancing, 
and wash your hands!  
Take Care!

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