Looking forward with hope

 

2020 was a challenging year for all of us and also a year where we learned about a lot of things. It changed our lifestyle and our way of thinking in a way we would never imagine. We learned to appreciate and be grateful for what we have. 

This year, let's be a better version of ourselves. Be more responsible as an individual as well as a member of our community. Love more and hate less. Appreciate more, and complain less. More focus on things that really matter! 

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I promised myself to write a blog more often in 2020 and I wrote 73 blog posts! Almost double from 2019. I am glad that I did. Even though social media have been very popular, I still feel to put what I make on a blog is important. It's always nice to look back and read what's been happening in the past years. 

Here I put up 5 popular blog posts from Chezvies :D. Just to give me a mental booster! I really appreciate your supports and thank you so much for reading my blog! 

1. Free Pattern - DIY Dust Mask with Nose Wire

I wrote the blog on February 4, 2020, and who would have thought that 2020 was the year where everyone needed to wear a mask! 

2.  Free Pattern- Pleated mask with Filter Pocket

By March 2020, many countries started to close their borders. Mask wearing was made mandatory but there was a huge debate about whether mask-wearing will be effective to curb the virus. Meanwhile, our hospitals and health workers experienced a huge lack of stock for disposable face masks. And our sewing tribe took the plunge and started making masks for their local hospitals, nursing homes, etc. 

3. 3D Face Mask with More Breathing Space

Within a span of 2 months, we learned a lot about face masks. There are people who felt claustrophobic if they have to wear a mask,  how many layers are effective, etc, as the countries around the world trying to cope up with the virus. The news on all media was only about Covid-19.

4. DIY Face Shield - Free Pattern

I remembered seeing a picture of a Chinese family cover themselves in plastic while trying to fly out of Wuhan in the early days of the Pandemic. Maybe it was around the end of January 2020 or early February 2020. And I was amused and did not realize that the next best thing after a face mask was a face shield! Especially for small children and those who cannot wear a mask for a long time. 

5. Spacious Face Mask 

By summer 2020, people are used to wearing a mask without being lathi-charged by the police :D (it happened in India!!). But the humid weather made mask-wearing a little bit tough. We need a new mask that made us comfortable wearing it for a longer period. I came up with this Trio 3D face mask. So far, it's a fave! You can wear it while talking or singing without your voice being muffled :)

Now entering 2021 with an updated version of COVID-19, I hope we keep vigilant and be a responsible citizen by maintaining SMS - Social Distancing, Mask Up and Sanitize! Just because the government doesn't publish updates about Covid-19 does not mean the Pandemic is over! Please remember in your prayer for all the doctors, nurses, health workers, and all the Covid Warriors who sacrificed themselves for the well being of the rest of us. 

Stay safe and healthy!

Happy New Year!!

Elvira

Linking up this these wonderful BLOGS

Video Tutorial How to Sew Spacious 3D Face Mask

Sometimes we run too fast and think too little ~ To Dear Myself (CDrama)

Finally, I finished a couple of Trio 3D Face Masks. Don't you love these rose print masks? I got the fabric from Indonesia and I made a couple of wallets with it, you can see them HERE.

This mask is now fave with everyone. My SIL loved it cos it's not fogging her spectacles so much. That's an added bonus. I put up a video on how to put this 3D Face Mask together. I hope the video will help those who need to see a clearer picture.

I quite enjoyed making the video, but the editing part it a bit tiring. My son said to do voice over, I need to learn that. Trust me even a simple video tutorial needs a lot of retakes and editing. I have to keep several masks ready to sew, incase I mess up :D. 

Since Etsy is introducing video features, I've been learning to take a short video (15 seconds max) that is quite informative for the customer. It is really a challenge but it's fun to learn new things. In the beginning, I was not sure if 15 seconds are enough to show your products, but now I really enjoy creating it. It's good for my Instagram Reels too. If you observe all these video features on social media, people can be really creative within those 15 seconds. 

You might find people complaining, but for me, instead of complaining why not use the time to learn. If others can do it, we can also do it.

Before Etsy introducing this new feature, I used to post videos on my Youtube Channel under Product Review and post the link on my Etsy Listing description. It helps to a certain extent especially for first buyers who are not sure about my products. Like this short video, I make to show how to adjust the elastic cord on the mask. 

Another thing I'm busy with nowadays are attending webinars conducted by Etsy India. Our seller support group on Facebook is quite active and informative. This online community is really great, even for seasoned sellers. There's always something new I learn. Truly, if you want to keep doing what you do, you have to keep learning, be observant, and do your own research in your own niche.  There's no short cut to success. You gotta do the hard work, be it researching your SEO, retaking your product photos, redoing your listing, etc. 

If you find the video tutorial helpful, please share it especially to those who might need it. 

Thank you for stopping by!

Stay safe & happy sewing!

Elvira

Which fabric to use for face masks and how to wear them

Triple-layer masks

Slim Pleated Masks

There are so many articles since the early days of the pandemic. From fabric mask is not advisable to now mandatory wearing any covering.  Now, which fabric is to use? After reading different articles, I came across this article from The Brussels Time. Quoting from the post: 

“The fabric is not important. The tissue must be sufficiently dense so that it can stop as many drops as possible, that is the most important thing. At the same time, it must also allow for comfortable breathing. It is this balance between tissue density and still allowing smooth breathing that needs to be monitored" Steven Van Gucht." 

When I read the article, I was like "yes! ", Not because of anything, but because the common people here cannot afford good quality quilting cotton, let alone designer ones!

Glace Cotton & Rayon Cotton Mask

In a country as big as India, maintaining physical distancing after lockdown will be impossible. I saw most people are using kerchief or any cloth to cover their face which will be difficult for them especially when they have to wear it for a long time. 

Now I have so many Indian cotton fabric that is lightweight, but some of them are tightly woven, like the glace cotton or rayon cotton mix. That's when I decided to make 3 layers mask using the same fabrics.  And if you think you need it denser, you can always add a hanky or tissue paper inside the mask and remove the tissue as it becomes moist (ok this word always remind me of PM Justine Trudeau Presscon ^^)

Depends on your personal choice and best fit to your face shape, cloth face coverings should : 

• fit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face
• be secured with ties or ear loops
• include multiple layers of fabric
• allow for breathing without restriction
• be able to be laundered and machine dried without damage or change to shape. (Source : CDC)

I just put up a video on how to make triple layers face mask. There are different kinds of pleats you can do, but here I'm sharing the slim pleated one here. Super easy to make and it's possible to do hand sewing too if you don't have a machine. (see the resources below this post for other types of mask videos)

Here are a few masks I made using different styles. For a double layer mask, I use cambric or poplin cotton fabric. 

Double Layer Cotton Masks

For people who find it difficult to breathe through mixed cotton masks, I made these triple-layer masks using mulmul cotton. 

Mulmul Fabric Mask

Here is how the slim pleated mask looks like. It's perfect for someone who has a slim face or a petite face. 

Slim Pleated Mask

And here's the comfort fit face mask which is favorite with everyone. It's a double layer, I used thicker cotton fabric on the outside (cotton mix, combed cotton, etc) and softer cotton (cambric or poplin) on the lining. 

some review from Etsy :

Such an easy and well fitting pattern. Very clear instructions both written and in pictures.I’m over the moon.

Nice pattern and worked well for a couple of people that have trouble with other masks. Thank you for sharing!!!!!! (Source : Etsy)

Don't forget to wash the mask properly with soap after every use and dry it in the sun.

If you know how to sew or have access to a tailor who can sew for you and people around you, you can follow the tutorial from my previous post or visit links below.  Support your local fabric shops, local tailor, local community, we must support each other! 

3D Comfort Fit Mask

Pleated Mask with Pocket

Box Pleated Mask 

DIY Face Shield

Sew Easy Scrub Hat

Thank you for visiting my blog. 

Take care & stay healthy everyone!

- Elvira- 

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Linking up to :
Handmade Monday

Pretty Handmade Face Masks

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? 

Get the Pattern for $2

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. 

Thank you for stopping by.

Take care & stay well!

Elvira

Linking up:
Handmade Monday
Craftastic Monday

Sources: 

Mask Pattern

ETSY