Mask making adventures

You're a quilter.  So obviously you get asked to hem pants, sew on buttons and...make masks!  How many have you made?

If you don't want to make masks this Sunbury business is selling ready made 5 ply filter masks.  You can buy online or at Autobarn, IGA and other stores.  I've heard that they're only good for about five washes and may need adjusting to fit you but they're an excellent standby mask and it's good to support our local businesses. 

 Here's one I adjusted to fit.  I made a "bra extender" at the back so that the elastic fits around the back of your head.  If you like the elastic around your ears but it's too large it's probably best to pinch it smaller where the elastic comes out of the mask and tack it with a few stitches.  Some people have tied knots in the elastic but I imagine that's uncomfortable to wear for long.  I also added a nose adjuster.  It's simply a strip of bias binding sewn to make a tunnel and I shoved pipe cleaner inside the tunnel.

Kay has been busy making masks for her village. So far Kay has made over 200 masks and is selling them for $5 each with proceeds going to MND Victoria.  I'm sure Kay would be happy to share her pattern with you and may even make you one or two.  Please don't kill me Kay!

I've tried about 5 different patterns and have adjusted just about all of them and thrown out several!  Robyn has been making these face masks.  She said that they're easy to make but you have to choose the right sized plate for your face!  There are lots of other mask making videos on YouTube. Someone, who will remain nameless, made lots of these dinner plate masks for herself and her husband and was so annoyed she spat the dummy and is making no more.  

Oh look!  I see Judy has used Tom's favourite coffee fabric!

I went to Lincraft for a pattern for hospital scrubs for a friend not long after the announcement that we all had to wear masks from Thursday.  I stood in the queue to pay for my pattern for over an hour!  Everyone and his dog had rushed to buy fabric to make their own masks!  Unfortunately when I got home I didn't put my pattern away.  I QUEUED FOR OVER AN HOUR!!!

The dog is still alive.

This pattern is great for smaller faces.  The instructions are very chaotic because there has been so many updates and adjustments but the pattern itself is neat.

I tied making the pattern originally published on the official health page and it was useless.  I don't suggest anyone tries that one unless they've updated the pattern.  There's lots of useful advice on what fabrics to use and washing instructions though.

I also tried making a biker style scarf mask.  It looked good on the pictures and videos but didn't work at all for my face.  I can see, however, that it could be a good style for some people so you could try it if you have some time on your hands. 

This mask is my favourite fit and I imagine you could rob a few banks wearing one like it.  I don't encourage you to do that though!  It has instructions for all kinds of elastics and ties which is useful.  I altered this one by lowering the fabric under my eyes.  I find it's quite helpful to be able to see. 

Elastic is in short supply so if you can't get hold of them, or don't find wearing them comfortable, ties are a great option.

I used laces with toggles which eliminates the tying part and is quick to put on.  You're likely to lose a bit of hair though.

Bias binding ties.

One tie threaded through a channel.  You only have to tie one knot at the neck.

I made these masks for my daughter and her wife.  They claim they don't fit properly and won't be able to wear them.  A likely story!  They brought me fabric to make more.  One of the fabrics features burgers and hot dogs and the other features spaceships.  I'm not sure how hot dogs on your face is any less weird than having lips and a moustache but there's no accounting for taste!

     My sister in law told me that it looked as though I had a pair of knickers on my head when she saw a picture of me in a mask.  Clearly she doesn't know her knickers from her masks!

Happy mask making!

Backpacks for Kids SA

Posted by Glo

Robyn has been busy making some charity quilts for the Backpacks 4 SA Kids project and was hoping some of us would join her in this worthy endeavour.

Quite a few of us have made the Isolation Mystery Quilt designed by Rachelle Denneny in South Australia.  The proceeds of that project were all donated to this most worthy cause where children and families are provided with a backpack of essentials when they lives are interrupted during periods of dislocation from home and routine care.


Kay has connections with Rachelle and can deliver the quilts when she is able to travel to SA.  Robyn is happy to assist with the collection as well.

The following information is directly from Rachelle’s Facebook posting-

UPDATED INFORMATION

I have been contacted by the team at Backpacks 4 Kids, they are running low on small quilts to go in the Backpacks. They have been using them in the Isolation packs as well as their regular ones.
Their preferred size is around 75cm x 95cm, cotton batting is the best as it is durable and folds small to fit in the packs. But any batting will be fine to use.

If any of you are in the position to make one or a couple they would be greatly appreciated. I have enclosed one of my patterns which is the perfect size and uses leftover Jelly roll or 2 1/2" strips and can easily be put together scrappy.   Otherwise any patterns you come up with would be fantastic.  I am happy to deliver them and will try to get together a few drop off points.

Another option would be four Mystery quilt blocks this would make a 36" x 36" square which would be fine too.

PS. These small quilts are perfect for practicing your Free Motion Quilting skills....... Just saying.

If any of you are in the position to make one or a couple they would be greatly appreciated. I have enclosed one of my patterns which is the perfect size and uses leftover Jelly roll or 2 1/2" strips and can easily be put together scrappy.   Otherwise any patterns you come up with would be fantastic.  I am happy to deliver them and will try to get together a few drop off points.


This easy pattern is one suggestion!  Feel free to design your own.







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If the images are not clear enough email me and I will send you a PDF document.

There are many ideas on the internet especially pinterest!
Dig into those scrap bags and get going!

If you wish more information about this charity visit
http://backpacks4sakids.org

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And just because I can here is another great stash busting idea from the Cutting Cloth BLOG-

Trip Around the World Quilt.  I am curious as to how it is constructed!



https://www.cuttingcloth.com.au/post/a-scrappy-trip-around-the-world

Have fun and sew on!
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PS: There is still time for you to join us with Rachelle's online Facebook Machine Quilting Class.  It starts July 20 and runs for 6 weeks.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1615675551933037/

Am I getting a Reputation?

Posted by Glo

Evelyn thinks i am up to no good most of the  time with my quilting adventures so I thought I would try to live up to my reputation with some tempters.

But first to other people who are doing amazing things.

Julie Bernotti is recuperating from not one, but two shoulder operations!  Consequently most quilting is impossible but she has been using her Janome 500e embroidery machine to create these adorable snowpeople.  Heal well Julie!





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Annie C. has finished her miniature  version of Rachelle Denney's Isolation Mystery quilt.  She says the sashing eliminated the need to match some of the fiddly points.  It looks beautiful and will measure around 31 inches after the binding.





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Now can I tempt you!

I really like the simple easy block I showed to Robyn and am busily creating a quilt from the one block.  I am not sure where it will go but love the concept.  It is a gem in so many ways!

minimal easy construction
minimal measuring, minimal cutting
minimal sewing and minimal matching!
Plus minimal waste!

What more can you ask for.

Send me a message if you want the instructions.  The original block (8 inches unfinished) was designed by a New York quilter, Anita Grossman Solomon.  You can find her on Utube.

Most of the lovely fabrics I used are compliments of Barb!  They are not to her taste but I love them!
Will experiment with a more scrappy version one day!
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The Silver Lining blocks are caught up at number 9!

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I decided to be brave and baste my Laundry Basket quilt using the pool noodles and all was going well until I checked the back and lo and behold there was a big pleat!  

Back to the drawing board for another day!

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And since I told you about a New York quilter I had better balance that out with a Canadian one, Karen Brown, who has a great approach to the whole quilting experience and 

laughs at herself as well.

Check her out at https://www.justgetitdonequilts.com

I really like her idea of an After Quilt, which is the quilt you make from the leftover bits of a quilt you have just made.

Here's a Utube video to check out!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8bXDT2BJKg

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And finally I know how upset we all are!

More sewing ahead for us

What plans do you have for the next six weeks in lockdown?  I'm working on a t-shirt quilt for my son's 21st birthday which, thankfully, is in March next year because it's taking me forever to do!  Do you know how many times the little sod has walked past the studio since I've been trying to display his quilt pieces on the wall?!  Isn't that always the case though when you're trying to keep something a secret?!  

I rescued these shirts from the to go to the op shop pile.  Jâc is too trendy for them now but I thought he'd like them made up into a quilt.

Robyn has started her lockdown sewing.  She's started preparing hexagons and has ordered a pattern from The Birdhouse.  I wonder what it'll be...

Lockdown sewing.

Robyn's mysolation quilt on her design floor.

Ta da!  Some of it was sewn together.  Robyn has plans for the blocks she didn't use.

Glo is up to mischief again leading everyone astray!  She's been demonstrating how to do an easy quilt block and here are Robyn's versions.

Robyn has been practising her free motion quilting!

Sheila has been busy too!  The feather is her own design.  It's made from fabric and paint.  There are two layers of polyester batting under the feather and after Sheila finished the raw edge appliqué she cut this away to leave a thin layer.  The rest was then free motion quilted with cream and gold thread.

Some people are so clever!

Sheila also made this apple blossom.  The design was painted onto batik fabric using fabric paints and then Sheila added beads.  She then put it onto double polyester batting and stitched around the outside.  The rest was then heavily free motion quilted so that the flowers pop.  Sheila has also done the Mysolation quilt and the Laundry Basket Quilt.  She says that she doesn't enjoy piecing and wants to stick to smaller projects in future but what will Glo tempt her with next I wonder?

Apple blossoms.

So, what have you all been up to? Let us know!