What is under your needle this week?

I'm continuing to make fabric masks ... I just finished #40,  and am gradually improving my speed.  All of mine go out as soon as theye are finished ... and none have yet made it to a local hospital.  Some went to Boston Children's with a friend of mine, and I brought some to our post office for the counter clerks, and to the cashiers at our local grocery store. The fire and police department accepted several, and family and friends have the rest. 

Tomorrow I must do my taxes and file those returns ... they are a weight on my shoulders that I need to shrug off. I know we have a federal extension of time to July, but the state form date hasn't changed, and can't be completed without the federal, so best to just get it done and file those folders of papers papers papers away.

Once the taxes are done, I will move back to doing more face masks, and if they aren't needed here in town by someone, I will get them to a local hospital. I am having fun making these ... I have a shop full of fabrics to choose from, and as I knew most of the people who received the first few dozen, I picked fabrics I thought they would like.  Here's a photo of some of the scraps from this first bunch of masks.

All of these fabrics are available at QQ, and if you are
using them for charity (ie, face masks, etc,)
I will give a 50% discount.

If you've heard from anyone that "Your masks are ineffective and more dangerous than helpful because they aren't up to OSHA measurements," here's a link that voices a different opinion. 
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/17/opinion/coronavirus-face-masks.html. That the hospitals are asking folks to make these masks nationwide tells me that they know where they can be used and are smart enough not to assume more efficacy than we can offer. 

I wear my mask whenever I go out of the house, whether to shop for groceries, or to take a walk.  I don't have any reason to believe that I have the virus, or that the people I may pass by have the virus, but by wearing the mask, I'm reminding myself and others that we need to assume any one of us could be a carrier unaware, and keeping our physical distance, washing our hands, and avoiding crowded spaces is our responsibility, to ourselves and to others.

Happy stitching!  

On a Different Note

I've put some of my quilts  on hold today... a friend shared a link from a hospital asking sewists like all of us to switch gears and start making CDC-approved masks for health care worlers and elder care relatives.  

There are many different links featuring face masks.  While our government, burdened by the extent of this Coronavirus Pandemic, is slow in bringing forth the high quality masks that they are capable of producing,  all we can do is the best we can do ... our 'home made' masks will not be OSHA guaranteed ... getting the right level of filtration to stop the transmission of the virus particles is not something I can stock in my shop ... but I am willing to make these masks, and for now, use a less effective filter. At least I know that when the proper filters may be available to domestic sewists, the masks will be ready to accept them. Until then, I will offer what I can to nurses and first responders who are in desperate need, presently. 

Here is the link for the pattern I've chosen to use. As I said, there are many out there.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCJcE-r7kcg&t=169s&fbclid=IwAR19MMWtBlbJI3ysXwrP3tCd0RE79DUAGoXMZI7i6iV4vwXyx66Yd6cQLAI&app=desktop

Here is my first finished mask, modeled by yours truly. This mask goes from under your chin to the bridge of your nose, with a pair of twisties in a pocket at the top to adjust to your nose shape (I doubled the twisty, and am doubtful that it will last through more than one or two launderings... It also has an open pocket that will accept changeable filters ... OSHA approved filters, eventually, but in the meantime, folded kleenex or paper towel.

But that is the positive thing about these masks: they are made of quilt quality, washable, reusable 100% cotton.

Maybe you'll join me in making these for health workers near you who deserve much better from our government, but may be at least a bit safer with these until the government gets its act together and supplies our health workers with critically-important Personal Protection Equipment that meet OSHA standards. 

It takes less than a quarter yard, width of fabric, a half yard of elastic, and two used or unused twisties ... Please give it a try.

I'll be back here in a few days to post more photos of fabrics available at Quilters' Quarters ... and I will share photos of the masks I've made for adults and children at risk.

Masks in process

As always, thanks for following and reading the blog. Please feel free to share this email with friends who might join us as well!

~Terry

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

In South Boston, Saint Patrick's Day was the scene of the City of Boston's Evacuation Day parade, celebrating the day the new army under General George Washington succeeded in forcing the British Navy's evacuation of Boston Harbor ... The Coronavirus Pandemic caused the cancellation of the parade this  year ... respecting Governor Baker's State of Emergency guidelines. So if you're home, as many of us are, and looking for projects to keep you occupied ... 

As promised, Quilters' Quarters will remain closed, but our customers can access fabrics and notions via email (needlesandpens@comcast.net) If you are mobile you can come by for curb-side pickup and payment (cash or check) or, if you are self-quarantining, you can pay via paypal (I can invoice you at your email) and I will mail your purchases to you (or, if local, I can deliver it to your driveway.)

I will post some of the newer, and some of the most popular, items here every few days to tempt your creative side ... like these labrador retriever fabrics/blenders... $11/yard ... less your 20-40% discount...

This new Creative Grids curvy log cabin trim tool is now in stock, ... has a video that explains how to use this tool to make a few new patterns from your favorite log cabin block at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FEJrvyaniJk

MSRP: $23.49, less QQ discount

And here is a bonus video ... different quilter, different voice, but beautiful blocks. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WStMbQJvjdw
I am ordering these Cut Loose Patterns ... their manufacturer's suggested retail price is $3.50 ... but remember your discount~ 

By the way, these curvy log cabin blocks work very well with your jelly rolls you've been saving for something special ... or you can cut your own strips with the Stripology ruler ... also in stock at Quilters' Quarters... Three different sizes, three different prices, but always less with your QQ discount~ 

Stripology Rulers ... Three sizes ... XL, Regular, Mini
MSRPs: $64.49, $52.99, $39.99 minus QQ discount.

Stay safe, all.  Be well, and enjoy your time at home!

~Terry

Temporary Shop Closure

Our town of Georgetown is making every effort to minimize the transmission of potential virus contagions, and have closed all schools for the next two weeks.  All group activities scheduled in town buildings have been temporarily suspended. Our annual Book Sale at the public library has been indefinitely postponed...

Some say this is an over-reaction ... others realize that such actions will enforce the State of Emergency our Governor has asked us to observe. It is time to be responsible about protecting each others' health.

Out of respect for all involved, Quilters' Quarters will remain closed tomorrow, and for the next two weeks. Opening will be determined by the state of health in our area at the end of that period.

If there is something you need that I can provide, I will happily suggest you contact me by email. I will respond and if I have what you are looking for in the shop, I will get it ready for you to pick up at your convenience. I'll continue to post images here in lieu of your being able to browse the shop ... I'll include prices as well. Stay tuned, as I'll update the posts more often while the shop is closed. 

You can reach me at needlesandpens@comcast.net. I'm going to do my best to minimize my own group attendance, and encourage you to do the same.

Thank you for your patience.

Be well, all.

~ Terry

Opening a little bit late this weekend

Saturday, grandson Ian is having his second birthday party, so the shop will open a little later than usual ... I'll be open at 2 instead of noon.

I want to give a shout out to all the quilters who continue to "leave the change" at the shop ... it always goes into the envelope to support the school students whose lunch accounts are in arrears. This month there was over fifty dollars, which was appreciated by the superintendent when I walked it over to her office.

The other good news is that the community has assisted again in raising money for the Rick Palardy Scholarship account for graduating seniors who are pursuing a career in the trades to help maintain our community ... this year I was able to add a fifth $500 scholarship to the existing four ... so now two seniors at Georgetown High, two seniors at Whittier Tech, and one at Essex North Shore Tech will be recognized for their community dedication and hard work ethic.  Thank you, all, who have supported this effort.

I received one new bolt this week ... it was a delayed delivery from an order placed last year.  It's a rich black fabric with gold, gray and white stars and planets by Michael Miller ... someone just called me last week and asked if I had any Michael Miller prints ... sorry it hadn't arrived yet. But it's here now! 

This bolt's selvage reads "Michael Miller ... Galactic ... Making It Fun"

If you want to see what I've been up to recently, check the 2020 journal page (see the right margin list). Lots of spontaneous quilts this past week.

Enjoy the coming good weather (ignore tonight's snow ... it will melt rapidly.  Don't forget to set your clocks ahead Saturday night ... and remember to wash your hands and sing Happy Birthday while you do!