I learned to sew as a child. I started with basic, straight line sewing. I worked my way through the 4H sewing curriculum, mostly garment sewing, and I also always made something for “sewing extras”, which just meant non-garment items; bags, toys, pouches, etc… Eventually, I was in the last year of my young 4H days and I made a five piece wool ensemble. It consisted of outer coat, long blazer (with lapels), plaid skirt (matched plaids!), black slacks, and shell top. You would think that would be the hardest thing I have ever sewn.
Well, it probably was up until last week when I started sewing masks. When the initial call for masks went out, going to medical workers, I knew that emotionally I would not be able to make those masks. The pressure of having kids at home for school, a husband who spiked a fever so we quarantined him in the basement, and all the other general household duties and tasks made me decide that making masks for the medical community was something I could not add to my plate.
However, when the CDC started waffling about recommending masks for general use, I knew this was something I could contribute to. I got a jump start and made 4 masks for nearby neighbors. Once the recommendation became official, I started sewing masks for friends and other neighborhood families. I have set myself a goal of sewing 100 masks. I do not know 100 people, but I am confident that the people I know do know 100 people, and I will be able to provide masks for them.
If you have sewn any masks, even just one for yourself, you will know that the pressure of the importance of what you are doing slams into you while cutting and sewing the masks. There were certainly times when I was pinning or sewing and blinking back tears.
This is what we do now. I kept saying it over in my head. I try to think how I can help in what feels like a helpless situation. I can stay home. I can sew masks. If you aren’t sewing masks because of life’s struggles of juggling work, kids, school, sick family, or even just emotional/mental capacity in these trying times, you should never feel bad. Do what you can. Stay home. Wear a mask in public. Stay healthy. And most importantly, know that we’ve all got each others backs in this crazy world we live in right now.
Current Mask Count: 94/100
20 yards of fabric, 5 needles, 4 spools of thread, 50+ hours of labor