I hope everyone is doing great. Here my sons have started going to school and I'm worried. I keep nagging them to keep their mask on. I sent a few face masks, hand sanitizer, and sanitizer wet wipes. The school sent videos to us, parents, on how they're doing the Covid-19 protocols in school, and it looked pretty convincing for us. But as parents (or moms) we can't help to be worried, right? I have to constantly remind them to keep their mask on, not to touch their face, to change the mask when it gets dirty, not to share their tiffin and water, etc.
Now that the boys are going to go regularly, I thought I'll make a variety of face mask style for them. I made them try a different style and my younger one said ok ok (reminder: never ask your teen when they're playing online games) but my elder son still prefers the Trio Face Mask. He finds it easier to keep it on for a long period as it doesn't stick to his face.
I made the plaid face mask for him last month and he's been wearing it always. The plaid fabric is suit material, wool mix fabric, and lined with cotton poplin. The plain fabric is quite stiff, so it stands out, not floppy.
My younger one also prefers the Trio Face Mask and the 3D face mask, even though I send the pleated mask too but he will only wear those 2 masks.
Anyway, I got another Quilts Japan magazine last week and I tried the face mask pattern in the book. I quite like it. I called it a Kpop style. It's quite fitted into your face, as like other Japanese face masks. I guess because the Japanese are generally don't talk so much in public places, so this kind of mask is perfect. But I really love the look of it when worn.
Well, getting back to new normal is not an easy transition, but life must go on. We must be disciplined to maintain the Covid Protocol prescribed by the government and the scientist. They said it takes 3 weeks to adapt to the new habit. Now, the toughest part to get the boys to go straight to the bathroom when they come back from school. I guess children just love to annoy their mom!
I hope with the vaccination is now being conducted, we can see the end of this Pandemic. Please keep your mask on and avoid crowded places as much as you can.
Not much sewing today cos I need the get my wrist the much-needed rest! I ordered gloves for carpal tunnel syndrome from Amazon and the fastest expected delivery date is on 2nd September.
My SIL advised me to put an ice pack on my wrist which I did and it helped. So today I just took a couple of fabric photos for the shop and editing on my phone. I really love Snapseed! In fact, I took a couple of fabric bundle photos last week but don't have time to edit it. So I am just going to do that today.
I finished the mask orders from my Etsy Shop. The black linen 3D face mask has been sold like hotcakes! I really love this trip 3D mask and I'll be making more for the shops in case you're interested. The latest one is this beige linen with cotton lining.
I just got a few Mull cotton samples from my supplier, but cannot decide which one I have to stock. This one is good for dying too in case you're into fabric dying. The fabric is so soft. It's lightweight and medium sheer. Let see, I'll decide after 2 - 3 days!
Now let's get back to work. I must call the DHL delivery guy to pick up my shipments and maybe more photo sessions and editing. Today the weather is nice and my small balcony "photo studio" got plenty of natural light until later afternoon. Until next time, stay positive and safe!!
Hello, how's everyone doing? Are you still making masks? well, I do though now I am slowing down a lot. I've got a little pain in my wrist which makes sewing a bit uncomfortable. A little stretching exercise does help. The sew must go on, right? :D
My recent fave is making this pleated mask. The measurement is based on the Free Dust Mask tutorial. The difference is I use 2 fabrics measuring 7.5" x 7.5" for adult size. And for the pleats, after making the small box pleats at the center (like in the video below), I added another pleat on top and bottom. it's a bit of a hassle in the beginning. I usually make the center box pleat, sew it in place, and then add the additional pleats and sew it again. It's because I don't like using pin or clip so much. You can definitely use pin or clip to hold the pleats prior to sewing them in place.
Here are a few more I finished recently. This type of pleated mask is comfortable to wear. The multi pleats create more room for breathing. I've been wearing one myself. The size is quite generous, it covers the face nicely. I added nose wire for a better fit.
These guitar 3D Face Masks were for the giveaway winners on Instagram. There was a loop giveaway organized by ZoomIn with 3 other brands (all small businesses) and it was fun. It was my first time doing loop giveaway :D.
It was supposed to be a gift hamper but since all of us are from different cities, we decided to send directly to the winner. During lockdown domestic shipping has been severely delayed. It takes at least 10 business days to deliver, especially from my place here in Guwahati to the rest of the country.
Another thing I really like these days is the weekly review video that's generated automatically on my phone. I took a LOT of videos and photos every day and this weekly video sort of a glimpse of what's going on in the week. What do you think?
Thank you for reading my blog, stay creative, & stay safe!
How's everyone doing? I hope you enjoy your summer this year even though you maybe just stay at home like me :D. The good thing is this year finally we put an AC in the living room which opens up to my drawing sewing room. So, I can do my work pretty comfortably during the summer, which can be very humid.
Another good thing is I have time to update my shops in Etsy as well as my Website with a few face masks and fabrics. When you're a solopreuner, running your small business from the drawing-room, it can be quite overwhelming sometimes, especially now with everyone is doing work/class from home. I will add more fabric bundles in the next few weeks, maybe a few bundles at a time. Creating a fabric bundle is fun because I just love Indian prints and colors. A few days ago, someone asked for black and white fabric which I posted on Instagram Reel and asking if I have another black and white. While pulling out fabrics, I realize that even in white there are so many shades :D
Sometimes, I get inspired and started making stuff, like these few 3D face masks using my own pattern. I use a couple of them and I must say it's the most comfortable masks! So lightweight and breathable. I either use cambric or poplin cotton for the lining because they are more tightly woven which is good for filtering. Even the triple-layer mask is still very comfortable.
In between, I managed to sew a couple of scrappy blocks from my 2.5" box. I haven't got time to continue my granny square quilt yet, but here I am started another scrappy project. This one doesn't need so much planning though. After looking at #scrappysquaresewalong on Instagram, I am so inspired to start one. Well, I'm not good at following a challenge or a quilt along. So, I'll do it at my own pace and will not stress over the deadline. It's supposed to be fun activities for me.
The block is scrappy 36 patch blocks (I love the first one I made) and I finished around 8 blocks now. I make 4 mini 9 patch blocks and then put them together. Sometimes I only able to do 1 mini blocks and sometimes I can finish 3 or 4 mini blocks.
I'm getting more addicted to making scrappy patchwork. For now, 2.5" squares is my fave cut. I don't cut them all at once, but I try to cut more frequently and I am so happy now I have more varieties from the remnants of the mask :D
If you'd like to see the fun scrappy bundle, check out my Etsy Shop or on my WEBSITE. I ship internationally from website too via DHL or sometimes FedEx if the customer prefers it. I'm so glad I got the DHL account done and I've been shipping out regularly now. I'll talk about my experience in my next post!
Thank you for stopping by today, stay creative & stay safe!
Sewing anything for children is always fun. When a friend asked for face mask for her 3 years old daughter, I was so excited and started digging my fabric stash. And since Frozen is everyone's fave that was my first choice. The second one I decided on Teddy Bear print in Pink.
Truly, with lock down is extended till end of April here in India, having stash of fabrics is really an advantage. Shops are all closed except for essential shops. Though, today morning I read that fellow quilters in the US were upset when Joann was to be closed because it's not considered essentials. Well, how will they make and donate masks if the fabric shop are closed, right? I also feel, fabric shops and craft store should remain open, because this is the time we need something crafting to do to avoid boredom during lock down, right?
When it comes to fabric mask, there are already so many experts and articles about its efficiency. There seem to be different opinion between expert in Western and Eastern Countries. In the end of the day, it's up to you whether to wear mask or not. As for myself, I refer to this article from the Strait Times and also Youtube Videos from Asian Boss HERE and HERE. Even Japan PM is wearing cloth mask and Japan Government is sending 2 cloth masks to every household.
As Asian countries like Singapore and South Korea have experienced few epidemic outbreaks in the past 10 years, I supposed mask wearing at certain level help to flatten the curve.
Also, in a country like India, where PPE and masks for medical workers are insufficient, there are million of people who can't afford to buy disposable mask, even if it's only INR 10 (USD 0.13).
Let's help each other to fight this pandemic. Stay Home, Maintain Social Distancing, Wash Your Hands Frequently, Don't Touch Your Face and Wear Mask when You Go Out. Remember, DO NOT hoard medical grade masks, those are for our front liners! Instead, make masks and gift them to your families, friends and less fortunate people around you.
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