How Many Projects Do You Have?

I don't think that I have a lot of projects, until someone points out how many I have 😮. I do like to do mystery quilts and sew-alongs and I am doing three hand sewing projects, which would normally be done while we are travelling. Sadly not so much in 2020, and although I do try to do some hand sewing each day, not a lot is getting done. No Stress - I will finish them one day.

I have been trying to catch up with Moda Blockheads 3 by doing the current week and at least one catch up week. It has sort of worked. This is Block 35.

 Block 06

 Block 09

  Block 08

Clockwise from top left: Blocks 10, 11, 12, and 36

I must admit I spent more time the past week sewing curtains and more masks .....

I have been up to date with the Simply Colorful Mystery quilt - until this week LOL. Clue one I posted about last time, 6.5" blocks that look like roads.These lovely pink houses are part of Clue two. It also included some sky blocks, some of which I did. I must say I wasn't expecting so much paper piecing and did my houses a little different, without using paper piecing.

 

The next clue, 3, was a big clue. It included more paper piecing houses in black and white with trees AND some paper piecing mountains AND some brown 'earth' blocks AND some string tree blocks AND a worm block. I started on the black and white houses and trees and did a variety of one and two trees house blocks. I couldn't see a way around paper piecing the mountain blocks, especially since they are in pairs, so that is what I'll be doing next - before I start clue 4. I did get out browns to use but didn't cut the blocks - I may not use them in my finished quilt. I was lucky with the string trees as I already have a batch of green strings, so they will be easy, when I get around to them. I'm not doing the worm!

 

Clue 4 came out last night and boy what a doosy. Red wonky houses with trees, a cat block, a dog block, car and truck blocks, (I'm now thinking with these blocks I may make at least two different quilts), and more of the road blocks made in clue one, these will have applique on them. No, I think I will piece the cars and trucks as I've made cars and trucks before. But that will be a few weeks away yet.

I did make my very first fabric postcard view from a photo Peter took a few weeks ago while at Fraser Island fishing with the boys.

I think I may add Peter's car on the beach. What do you think? Do you like my thongs (flip flops) in the corner?

This week's Link Up Parties:

Whoop whoop Friday

Wednesday-Wait-Loss

Off the Wall Friday 

Finished(or Not) Friday  

From Bolt to Beauty

 

Saturday Catch Up

Busy week this week with stuff other than sewing. I did manage to do the next block for the By the Sea Mystery. Block 3 is called Signal Flag by designer April Adams of JANDA Bend Quilts. I really liked this block and the secret message it says. This week we were to be going on a cruise for our 40th wedding anniversay, but with Covid restrictions sadly we are not. Still this block made me think about making some cruise related items for myself and my cruise loving sister. I will be adding signal flag placemats to my list of future projects - its a long list!

I have almost finished block 3 of Chick-Wheata, just a little more embellishments then I can start on the the next block.

With the hand stitching of this applique time consuming (I'm not complaining), I have done just a little of the Paper Moon baby quilt and I'm almost ready to move onto the next part. I haven't done this weeks - or last weeks - fussy cutting EPP, so that's a catch up for this coming week.

I did finish a face mask order, and got out the embroidery machine to make a few footie ROOSTER face masks.

Today I am going to make some (hopefully my last) Christmas masks and then two Christmas Stockings for family and add to my Christmas bunting collection.

Linking Parties to visit:

Whoop whoop Friday

Wednesday-Wait-Loss 

Off the Wall Friday

Finished (or Not) Friday

 

Under my needle this week:

I sew every day, do you sew everyday? I always do some hand sewing every day and when at home I usually have one or two machine sewing projects to complete - I wont mention the UFO's ......

Last year I started a quilting journal .. in a book. Previously I had written on single pages and thn placed them in many different places .... not ideal when wanting to look back at projects. Now I have a dedicated journal to write all notes.

I have been working on more of the fussycutting EPP, and the Paper Lantern SAL EPP.

I am making a placemat or centrepiece - haven't decided yet - with the fussycutting blocks.

This past week (week 30) has been for International Day of Friendship. A friend Rose, often gives me a bag of fabric scraps and as the month of July was stripes, I had pulled out these scraps.

For Day of Friendship I made these five block - all from the same fabric.

I started Paper Lantern sew along at the end of May. It started April 22, and is designed and hosted by Sue Daley. I get a lot of inspiration and projects from Instagram and this is one I found there. With granddaughter number 4 due in August I decided to make a baby quilt for her. They were going to visit us in Australia in December, but Covid got in the way. So maybe GD4 will get the quilt when she is 2! Part one was the centre and parts two to seven were the outside 'florets'. I decided to do each outside 'floret' in rainbow colours rather that the suggested one colour per 'floret'.

Well, I didn't like that ......... So a lot of unpicking! I'm getting very good at this now :( .

I changed the 'rainbow' effect that I thought would look good into the suggested pattern of one colour each 'floret'. Much better. That is what I am working on next week.

I did make a few more face masks for family and friends and tried a new pattern for a face mask. A lot of different mask patterns here. I really wasn't happy with the Olsen mask. It looks great but didn't provide the comfortable secure covering that I wanted. I really liked the stretchy t-shirt material for fitting snugly.

I've started linking to Link up Parties:

Whoop whoop Friday

The Inquiring Quilter

Small Quilts and Doll Quilts

Clever Chamelon

Does Wearing a Face Mask Protect You?

I was in two minds whether to make masks or not. I didn’t want to waste my time … and fabric … if they were not going to serve a purpose. One can’t find any masks to buy anyway. So I did a little research……

The best way to avoid getting any virus is self isolation, washing your hands and avoiding people who are already sick. Masks will offer some protection – some, if worn properly. I suspect the hype about not wearing them is more about the lack of supply rather than the usefulness. Masks can help in a limited way – they provide ‘a limited physical barrier’.

According to ‘experts’ vaccine is best, but with this new COVID-19 virus and no vaccine yet, will home made masks be enough? The American CDC does not recommend the wearing of masks unless one is showing symptoms of a virus, or are treating someone with the virus. Wearing the masks protect those around you.

With that said, many people – mostly Americans - have been asking for donations of masks as supplies have run out in hospitals, dental surgeries, and even nail salons. As a result, many people are making their own masks.

Recent studies ( https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3591312/ ) have shown that the wearing of masks can help, especially in the flu season, which Australia is heading into now. Researchers have shown that masks help in the reduction of contracting a virus by reducing the droplets in the air. Research has also shown that wearing a face mask and proper hand hygiene will lower the spread of the virus.

Websites
https://deaconess.com/How-to-make-a-Face-Mask

https://www.healthline.com/health/cold-flu/mask#recommendations

https://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=227723

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/03/19/opinion/guidance-against-wearing-masks-coronavirus-is-wrong-you-should-cover-your-face/

https://www.livescience.com/face-mask-new-coronavirus.html

http://theconversation.com/coronavirus-how-worried-should-i-be-about-the-shortage-of-face-masks-or-can-i-just-use-a-scarf-130873

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jan/31/our-face-mask-future-do-they-really-help-beat-flu-coronavirus-and-pollution

So vaccination and wearing a mask. What type of mask?

Masks help keep tiny droplets out of ones nose and mouth, but eyes are also a way virus get into our body. Respirators are designed to keep small airbourne particles out, and are more effective, but who can afford disposable respirators - $50 upwards for 10. Masks will help in the absence of respirators and must be worn in a way that it covers the nose, mouth, and chin.

One only needs to wear the mask if: one is showing any symptoms of a cold or flu; if one is likely to be going near someone else showing symptoms of a cold or flu; perhaps think about wearing a face mask if going into crowded areas.

One use disposable masks are hard to get, and if using re-usable masks they need to be washed at least daily but after each use if able. Fabric masks will retain moisture and therefore may become contaminated if not washed and dried regularly. This will mean people will need at least two or three or more masks. Cloth masks are better than no masks. The type of fabric used is important if mask is to be at least limited protection. I Googled best fabric to make face masks and came up with this great website: Smart Air -it has great graphs and information based on research that shows the effectiveness of different fabrics, and many other websites referenced this site. With that in mind I thought tea towels (filters out approx. 83% of 1-micron bacteria, and 73% of 0.02-micron bacteria) or cotton blend t-shirt fabric (74% and 70%) would be good. Coronaviruses are 0.01 microns. The weave needs to be tight to keep tiny droplets out. The mask also needs to be comfortable. Tea towels may not be as comfortable as more difficult to breathe through, as compared to a surgical mark.

There are many patterns available on line and on YouTube - here are just a few:

Craftpassion           Hackaday        SewGuide          ButtonCounter

I decided to make a reversible mask and cut two pieces 7" x 8", with two end bindings of 2" x 3". This was pretty, but a little too small and very warm to wear. So I ended up making them 7"x7" for kids and 8"x8" for adults.

I also made an opening to insert some non woven fabric or paper towel.

The next morning I decided to make another mask, with a single layer of fabric to make it cooler to wear. I adjusted my measurements to 8" x 9" with 4"x4" for the end tabs to hold the non woven, at Jonnie's request added a stiff nose piece. This one was too big! I'll try MK III next time.

When putting on the mask try not to touch the outside of the mask, but use the elastic ties. Same applies for removing the mask, try to touch only the elastic parts of the mask.As the virus is still at a low threat level in Australia, wearing the masks would not be necessary as yet, unless in a situation as above – having symptoms, near someone with symptoms, and crowds – well no crowds allowed in Australia at present. 

It won't stop you from getting a virus but if nothing else, a fabric face mask will keep your face warm in winter.

Self isolation is the best preventative!! Washy washy washy, and stop panic buying.

Stay safe everyone.