When the order to stay home came from our governor, my husband and I were already staying home since we are part of the vulnerable population. My job has transitioned to home and even with a few early adjustments, it's going better than I think any of us expected. It's not easy but I think we can manage this and stay healthy. Then I thought about my sewing machine business and my heart sank: I could no longer have anyone in my home for demo's and sewing machines choices. Figuring that was just part of the price I would have to pay for this pandemic, I got a call for one of my machines. It was one I had listed for several weeks prior to all of this so we figured out a way for her to pick up and I would just be watching from a safe distance and all went well. Then another sold. Then another. Everyone wanted to make masks:
I started to look at some of my least expensive sewing machines to see if they would also work for this project of sewing masks. It doesn't take any kind of a fancy sewing machine, just one that is reliable. Hold on to your hats: I sold six in two days and they keep coming. I love how everyone wants to help out with making masks and now it has even been recommended everyone wear one so the need is even greater. So let me tell you the story of a Facebook request.
Back in March, I posted on Facebook that I was making masks and Loreal, an acquaintance from church, said she would make them if she only had a sewing machine. I knew she was home with little ones (this was before the stay-home directive) so I thought this might be a good outreach for her. I also wanted to connect with her and just maybe this was the way! Just the week before I had a Singer Stylist 534 donated by another family friend who didn't care what I did with that sewing machine. It worked perfectly fine so I got it out, tested it out again, took a few photos, and sent them off to Loreal. She was delighted but didn't have any sewing supplies so I gave her twenty of the masks sets I had already cut out with thread, scissors, pins, and elastic. Having worked with a few new sewers, I even drew stitch lines on the fabric and pined the elastic in place. The whole thing got picked up and she got to work.
There were several text back and forth about threading, winding a bobbin, cord elastic (not a favorite for either one of us) among other things. Much to her surprise, she likes to sew! We are already planning on lessons when things are a bit safer but in the meantime she's made about 50 masks and I've made about the same.
Now I get a request for headbands with buttons, something that has been suggested so the elastic doesn't make your ears sore. I make up a couple but wait for them to be put into action and tweaked for fit before I make many more. What machine did I use? A Bernina 1100 serger, of course.
Which machine have I been making
masks on? A cute Singer 99 in a blond wood cabinet, right in my living room.
No company is coming so I can spread out all I need to and I'm only accountable to my husband, a dear man who also helped sewing up the masks:
One final view of the current stash of masks:
as we keep on staying home and keep on sewing!
Back in March, I posted on Facebook that I was making masks and Loreal, an acquaintance from church, said she would make them if she only had a sewing machine. I knew she was home with little ones (this was before the stay-home directive) so I thought this might be a good outreach for her. I also wanted to connect with her and just maybe this was the way! Just the week before I had a Singer Stylist 534 donated by another family friend who didn't care what I did with that sewing machine. It worked perfectly fine so I got it out, tested it out again, took a few photos, and sent them off to Loreal. She was delighted but didn't have any sewing supplies so I gave her twenty of the masks sets I had already cut out with thread, scissors, pins, and elastic. Having worked with a few new sewers, I even drew stitch lines on the fabric and pined the elastic in place. The whole thing got picked up and she got to work.
No company is coming so I can spread out all I need to and I'm only accountable to my husband, a dear man who also helped sewing up the masks:
