Sunday, April 26, 2020

Slow Sunday Stitching


Welcome to Slow Sunday Stitching where we celebrate the art of creating things with our hands. Any hand stitching activity is welcome here :)



daughter
I have been spending a lot of time making the dreaded "m' word in my quilt studio. It's all negative energy and extremely draining for me, but I'm doing it because... well, it needs to be done to protect the people we love, and to protect those we don't even know! I made masks for my family and friends, and made matching caps for my sister and niece who work on a COVID unit.


sister
I do enjoy when they send me photos of my "work in action", and tell me how much they appreciate my efforts, but truthfully it makes me so angry that I am working on COVID response clothing so my loved ones can do their jobs with less pain, and why haven't people thought this through before?!?! 



Handwork has fallen by the wayside this week, with only hand stitching buttons onto caps so my sister's ears don't fall off. Well, I guess her ears won't actually fall off, but when she has to take Tylenol just to go to work and endure the daily pain of wearing N95 masks... well, just... wow! I have to ask why hasn't this problem been solved a long time ago? Why am I trying to MacGiver a solution to this professional practice issue?!?!

So, all of this to say, I haven't taken a single stitch in any of my relaxing hand stitching projects. That must be remedied today for sure.

Please encourage me (and all of us) with your hand stitching projects. I can't wait to see what you are creating and look forward to visiting with you today.


23 comments:

Created by Kathi said...

The hand work and machine work you have been doing is VERY important ... esp to your sister and her ears! So sorry she is having that ear pain from the heavy duty N95 respirators... They weren't made to be used for 12 hours straight for sure.
Enjoy your selfish sewing today and get back to the masks and hats on Monday!
Have a blessed week Kathy and thanks for the linky! Kathi

Frédérique - Quilting Patchwork Appliqué said...

Sewing masks is so much important, this is what we can do to help. Yours are beautiful!

Faye said...

You sound like you're struggling at the moment and I am very sorry to read that, but do know that your efforts are helping to keep yourself and your family safe and everyone else too. I keep having to remind myself of the good things in my life at the moment, and actually, the list of good is longer than the list of bad. Admittedly, the bad things are big, but focusing on the small good things has helped me to take stock of my life. Sending positive vibes from England! x

SandraC said...

Sewing buttons on caps is exactly what I am doing this morning. My son works in a hospital and has asked for more caps for his crew. You're right, we do it because we can, but it's done begrudgingly

julieQ said...

I too am sewing buttons on headbands. I wish you did not have to make masks, dear lady...I dislike it that the negative energy is there for you. Hugs! Wish I could do something to help!

CathieJ said...

I will be making extra masks for relatives today so they all have at least 2. I am almost out of elastic though so I may have to figure out how to make those with ties. I want to keep my kids and our moms safe. Hubby and I already have two. How wonderful that you are making the caps too. I think the reason no one has ever made these items more comfortable is that they never had to be worn for such extended periods of time. It is so very sad and scary.

Chantal said...

Making those dreaded "m" is a necessary evil at the moments. I share your frustrations towards this issue and why it wasn't resolved a long time ago by the manufacturers of N95 masks. Reward yourself after making a few masks. I do and it helps. I still have to make some more too, so I'm with you. We can do this Kathy, yes we can. ♥ ;^)

Carole @ From My Carolina Home said...

The main problem is the demand for the masks is at unprecedented and unforeseen levels. Who would have been able to predict a global pandemic in our age of modern medicine? I applaud your efforts to help, and hope that the manufacturers can increase their output of N95 masks, that other manufacturers can join the efforts, and that it is over soon.

Deanna W said...

I have to agree with you about the "m" word. Why in the modern world we live in, is there not enough stuff for our medical people. I am also frustrated that we are making masks for the general public when they don't realize why!Now they all think it is safe for them to go out, the mask will protect them...no!!!Just stay at home!! Rant done.

So to get through all this I sew and sew and join you on Sunday or any day that you chose to blog. Come on friend, put on your big girl panties and let's get our quilting mojo going!!Sending hugs in case that is what you need more!!

MissPat said...

Take some time today to practice your slow stitching mantra and allow yourself to breathe and relax. It's for your own good health, both physical and mental.
Pat

Kathy S. said...

I am working on more dreaded "m"s this week as well. It is nice to see the photos of your handywork. My sister-in-law has been texting me a photo of her each day this week of what mask she decided to wear for the day. The photos of her look great with her hardhat. She works in a potato chip factory. Chips here in Ohio have been flying off the shelves and apparently in other states as well. Guess some take out their frustration of things by crunching away (me too sometimes...) It's good for the chip industry, but I hope others aren't spreading things because places continue to be in business for the almighty dollar. Happy stitching. Hope you get some relaxing stitches in this week. Your daughter looks adorable in her mask by the way. ...and oh, your poor sister. Yes, our essential workers shouldn't have to endure pain from their PPE.

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

I made about 60 masks and it drained the energy out of me. I didn't realize it at first - I spent one day making some and felt horrible all day then I took a couple days off and spent another day making them and realized part way through the day how depressing it was and each day spent making them I felt the same way. Instead of feeling good that I was helping I was feeling depressed because of the reason they were needed. I guess no country was ready for a pandemic and they should have been - there has been talks for years of something like this happening and then instead of being prepared all countries were caught with their pants down and not ready.

Deb A said...

I'm so sorry for the way you are feeling. Know that your family and friends appreciate all that you do. I think you need to schedule 'you stitching time' each day just for the happy therapy that is much needed right now. Big hugs to you.

Karrin Hurd said...

I made about 20 masks and it drained the energy out of me. I didn't feel like doing anything else. Sure hope you get some time for your hand projects, sounds like you mentally need it! Hugs, Karrin

Linda M @ Pieceful Kingdom said...

It's wonderful what you are doing, but I hope you are able to get back to some slow stitching soon. It will sooth your soul. I understand your frustration at the lack of preparedness and equipment. My daughter has been facing the same problems at the medical examiner's office - they are on their last box of surgical gowns and PPE is in extremely short supply. Stay safe and stay sane.

Kate said...

I'm not a fan of the need to make masks either, it's a sad state that there is that need. Not much we can do about the reason for the need, at least we can make it better for a few people. Hope you get in some sanity slow stitching this weekend.

Angela said...

Blessings to your dear sister. My DIL is in the same situation. It is a tough situation.

Sherrie said...

Hi Kathy,
Hope you get some stitching done this week. Have a great day

LIttle Penguin Quilts said...

I think we all feel the same way about the mask-making - it doesn't fill you up creatively, like other kinds of sewing do. I know your efforts are appreciated, though. Hope you get some time on a favorite project today, though!

Sarah said...

I think a lot of people have hit the wall right now, so you are not alone. Keep up the good work what you are doing is fantastic and sure appreciated by all (and I don't mean just the mask making I mean keeping the slow Sunday sewing linky going) Take care!

AnnieO said...

Sorry the stress of mask sewing makes it hard for you to enjoy your stitching time. It is a sad thing that workers must wear the masks for their entire shifts and not just for certain times and activities. I hope this eases up over the next few months, but it doesn't seem that likely :(

Sending you virtual--virus free--hugs from Sunny SoCalif!

Miaismine said...

Oh Kathy, I hear you...I hear you! I have been making masks as well, both for donation and for special orders. I am so glad you will have some down time for your special slow stitching. I'm finding I absolutely must slow stitch a bit every night, especially if I've spent the day sewing masks.

You know, it's via your blog that I've realized I am surrounded by wonderful like minded people who love to slow stitch. They're like my family as my local sewing friends are "fast stitchers". Thank you for providing me with such a joy on Sundays!

Take care my dear! Hugs to you and your family!

Cheryl's Teapots2Quilting said...

I'm alternating working on masks and my projects. I was getting burned out just making masks.