Since we’ve been quarantined, I, along with countless other quilters, have been sewing a lot of masks for the community. There were many ways to make them, and I experimented with several styles and sizes. I felt like I usually made them a bit smaller than I’d hoped, but it is hard to size a mask just right, especially when it’s going to someone you don’t know.

Several people contacted me via social media to make masks for their family, and it was an honor to do this. I didn’t charge money but stated if they wanted to donate a few dollars for supplies, that would be appreciated. If they didn’t want to, it was no problem. Quilters have large stashes of materials.

One thing I did not have much of was quarter-inch elastic. Unfortunately, our capitalistic society once again showed its underbelly. This picture represents about $70 of elastic during the second month of lockdown. I could get this for around $7 at Hobby Lobby or JoAnns before the quarantine. I took economics – I know the law of supply and demand. This was very disheartening to me personally.

I found a nice little meme while sewing to also explain what it was like to be a quilter during this time. We quilt and make things because we enjoy it, but we also do it because we are givers. We love seeing your reaction when you receive something from us because we remember what it was like to make that for you, think of you while we were making it, and we anticipate your using that item for a lifetime. Enjoy and know it was made with love. Let’s hope we don’t have to use them much longer. I really miss my quilt guild, hugging people, and eating inside restaurants. Stay safe! XO