Showing posts with label coronavirus. Show all posts
Showing posts with label coronavirus. Show all posts

Wednesday, June 10, 2020

It's Almost Summer - Still Making Masks, Bonnets and Non-Surgical Caps



Thirteen weeks into the Covid-19 lock down and I'm still making masks.  Last month I added on bonnets and non-surgical caps.  I'm not complaining.  There is a need, and this is my way of helping.  I'm finding out that there are so many more family members, near and far, that are essential and front line workers than I knew of.  Again I'm happy to help. but I must strike a balance between helping and satisfying my personal sewing dreams.

What's interesting is that the production sewing of these protective goods has me thinking of all types of gift ideas and small sewing projects for my sewing students.  So, this experience has been beneficial in more than one way.

Today, I would like to share a few pictures and comments on the bonnets and caps that I made recently.  Folks want to be stylist in this pandemic.  So, many want matching head and face gear.

For the bonnets I used  Simplicity S1020.  Super easy pattern.  Three pieces, one size fits all.  You can easily adjust the elastic for a tighter fit.  This bonnet (made only four so far) sews up quickly.  Other uses:  Chef hat or sleeping bonnet.  These can be worn in general to protect/cover your hair.



Pictured above is Erica, dental assistant for Dr. Irvin B. Watkins.  Her dread locks are very long and this style of cap is perfect for her.  She also has a matching masks.

For the non-surgical caps I used Butterick B4946.  Again, a super easy pattern that sews up quickly, Great for beginners.  Three pieces, one size fits all.  You can use bias hem tape to finish the lower back edge of the cap.  Or you may create your own bias tape to finish it.  I did both.  But I prefer creating my own bias tape in the same fabric.  Also, at the crown I used to different methods to finish them.  For the first set (eight caps), I did something like  a French seam.  For the second set (13 caps) I pressed the seam allowance towards the hat section then I top-stitched it down.  The second method I like better.

Pictured below is Venus, CNA, at Oak Trace. She works at the same facility as my baby sister.  Venus loves the matching cap and mask set.







This month, I'm hoping to finish reviewing other projects that I finished in April and May.  Also, on my cutting table are a few jackets, dresses, and pants.  So as we get to our "new normal" I'll work more on my wardrobe additions and less on protective gear.

Stay safe.

Happy Sewing!
C










Thursday, May 14, 2020

This and That

Hi everyone,

It's been awhile.  I hope everyone is well and staying safe.  I only go out to the grocery store and to the park for walks.  This week has been very productive for me.  I've been spending a lot of time in my sewing studio, and I'm loving it!

Several weeks ago, I posted about making masks.  Well I'm still making them.  I've received so many requests for them!  And it's so hard to say no.  So, I worked out a strategy for sewing masks and sewing for myself: make several masks, make two dresses for myself.  Or make several masks, make three shirts for myself.  It's working. :-)

So hopefully, I'll have pictures and reviews to post soon.  Sometimes it takes awhile for me to get the photos needed to complete a post.  In the meantime, I'll continue to enjoy the extra sewing time.


I received the best gift for Mother's Day.  My DD knows that I'm a Prince fan, like forever.  So she created a Prince gift basket for me.  It included Prince's autobiography "Prince, The Beautiful Ones", The "Prince Fashion" book, and "When Doves Cry" body scrub and wash.  Great gift!

Today, I wanted to include some photos of the costumes designed for Prince.  Great eye candy and inspiration for any sewing enthusiast.  The costumes are SPECTACULAR!  Enjoy!














Monday, April 20, 2020

Spring Time In the Midst of the Covid-19



Spring has arrived with the sun so bright you can hardly keep from squinting.  It looks beautiful outside and perfect for a afternoon stroll in the park.  The air is still crisp though and no walking without a warm jacket.  This is one of my pleasures in this stay at home situation.

My favorite park is Veterans park in South Holland.  It's nearby and has a picnic area, playground, and a lovely pond.  There are also two gazebos, a huge picnic area, fields for soccer and baseball, and portions of the calumet river are on the east side of the park.  It's a great place to clear your head and get some exercise.


Often I come to this park to take pictures for my blog.  There are several beautiful flower beds.  And if you are lucky you may see the residential turtles sun bathing.  This is just an all around nice park.



My last week there was only one other person in the park other than me.  But yesterday, we (DD came with me) saw maybe ten people.  Most were with a friend or family member walking the trails or fishing in the river.  Social distancing was not hard to do.  When passing on the trail, people made sure they "distance themselves" from others.  It felt great to be outside.



I think I'll visit the park daily, just to get some fresh air and to take my mind off of the crisis.

Anyway, I just thought I'd post a few pictures of the park today.  Later, I post pictures of my recent makes and review a few patterns.

Stay Safe,
C


Wednesday, April 8, 2020

Keeping Busy




This has been the longest three weeks ever!  I'm still recovering from whatever this is I've had for the past three weeks.  Being on lock down has given me a great opportunity to work on the "LIST" of many projects that I think about constantly while at my part-time job. 

Ask me how many things on that "LIST" have I completed.  The answer is not many, just a few.  My time is spent working on getting back to my 100%, reading/listening (Audible), working on my tasks "LIST", adding more things to the "LIST", and making masks.


Making masks started out being a donation project to those in my family who are first-responders and healthcare professionals.  That didn't last long.  Once I started sharing them, others asked if I would make masks for them.  I'm always happy to help, but it is overwhelming.  So many are in need/want.  Because of the huge demand, I started loosing site of my original goal.  After, making nearly 200 masks, I have no more elastic nor is there any to be purchase.  So my masks making project is finished. And I'm back to using my time to make other things and to continue to complete tasks on the "LIST". 

This is the first time I've ever experienced anything like this.  I'm praying every day that this soon will past.  And we will all get back to our normal routines. In the meantime, I hope everyone is keeping busy doing something that you love to do or tackling projects that are on your to do list. 

In closing, it's been a pleasure to support many who are on the front line. We are blessed to have them.

My DD with co-workers



Friday, March 27, 2020

Updates


At the Mona Lisa in Los Cabos, Mexico


I didn't want another day to go by without posting something on my blog. We are in desperate times.  The world is suffering from the corona virus pandemic.  Cases of the disease are rapidly rising across the USA now.  Many states are on lock down, Illinois included.  This is a time that we NEED to be UNIFIED, compassionate, patient, supportive, and hopeful.  More importantly, we need to remain prayerful.

When I returned home from vacation on the 14th, I was not feeling my best.  I just thought I was tired.  But after a few days, I developed a low grade fever, congestion, a dry cough and sore throat.  Common symptoms to the corona virus.  So I was quarantined for 14 days with a promises of being checked up on by my doctor and a date to be tested for the corona virus.  Well, this is day ten of my quarantine.  My symptoms have definitely lessen.  On Monday, my doctor prescribed a Z-pack antibiotic to further help with my recovery.   Unable to leave home, I have depended on my daughter, who is a healthcare worker to do any shopping that is needed for my household.  It has been a challenge to secure basic necessities.  People are still hoarding goods and making it impossible for others to get what they need.  This is incredible.

I digress..,

In the mist of it all, I've been able to do a few things for myself and around the house.  Like taking care of my own personal hygiene and disinfecting areas where I had been.   Most of the time, I could get my own meals, not much cooking though.  I've spent most of the time in bed watching TV, texting, talking on the phone, on Instagram, on Facebook, reading, and thinking about sewing something.

It wasn't until Monday of this week that I was able to sew a little.  I made a dress and two tops.  Being in my studio a few hours per day, gave my an opportunity to survey some of the UFO's I managed to accumulate.  As I forge through my bags of projects, I thought about the Instagram Sewing Community making masks for their families and healthcare groups.  I want to do something useful too.  So today I decided to pull out some cotton fabric to try my hand at making a few.


Also, my thoughts have been on blogging and the lack there of these days.  I'm more incline to post on Instagram.  It's quick and easy.  At the same time recognizing that it is not the best platform to share all the details.  More and more, people are using Instagram and videos instead of blogs.  Ideally, I hope to find a balance.  Because I don't want my blog to die. 

There are several March projects I need to publish.  To name a few:  my black herringbone coat;  the orange and white Butterick dress, B6680; and the cream, black, and sand face Butterick 6674 dress. I hope you will continue to read my blog and share any comments that you like.  It's great to share and to journal my journey. 

In this time of crisis, stay well and busy.  We all must make the best of it and do what we can to help others.  No matter how large or small the deed, everything counts.  Be blessed and be well.

I decided to include a few pictures from my vacation.  It was a happy time for all that went to Los Cabos.

Happy Sewing!
Cennetta


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