Can you sew? Have you a stash of cotton fabric?

Photo by Laura Ingalls Gunn at decortoadore.net

I read a lot of historical fiction about the times of the two World Wars - and even the Civil War.  In those books, women spend a lot of time rolling bandages, knitting bandages, and otherwise making  medical supplies.

If you've been reading or listening to the news, you know there's a shortage of medical supplies in this country that's endangering the lives of medical professionals and first responders.  If you sew and you have a stash of cotton fabric (especially quilting fabric,) you might be able to help by making face masks.  If you are on Instagram or Twitter, search #millionmaskchallenge.

You can drop them off at Joann Fabrics and they will distribute.  Here's a link to their information page:

Joann Make to Give Page

 My internet friend Laura Ingalls Gunn has a great blog post:  https://decortoadore.net/2020/03/how-to-sew-hospital-face-masks.html 

You Tube tutorial:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VgHrnS6n4iA

Another You Tube tutorial  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCJcE-r7kcg 

New York Times article: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/25/business/coronavirus-masks-sewers.html?action=click&module=Top%20Stories&pgtype=Homepage

Another Times article with patterns, and even a no-sew hack:  https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/31/opinion/coronavirus-n95-mask.html?action=click&module=Opinion&pgtype=Homepage

Yet another Times article!  https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/05/well/live/coronavirus-homemade-mask-material-DIY-face-mask-ppe.html?action=click&module=Top%20Stories&pgtype=Homepage 

If you yourself use face masks, perhaps you can make and use your own (washing in hot water and bleach to sterilize)  and donate your supply of commercially made masks to a medical professional!

Cribbed, Cabin'd and Confined

That title is a quote from the great Mr. Shakespeare, and it perfectly expresses how I am feeling today. Spring can't come too quickly for me so we can get outside and garden.

If you too are stuck at home, here are a few things you could do to prepare for better times - by which I mean Great Escape.

Try a new craft - I'll be working on making a couple of hummingbird feeders and some birdbaths to prepare for my GE workshops.  If your new craft is fun and easy, why not offer to present a workshop at Great Escape?

Missing basketball? Read a book about the Fab Four- aka the Supremes - our Great Escape Book Club theme this year is our four female Supreme Court Justices - Sandra Day O'Connor, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Sonia Sotomayor, and Elena Kagan.  See this post for the reading list! 

Take a walk in the woods - and take some pictures of the woods in early spring.  Save them to contrast with the fall woods at Great Escape, which is only 6 months away.

Clean your closets, attic, garage and cellar.  Are there any treasures for the Great Escape Auction - perhaps a great basket that you could fill with themed items? Or make something really nice!  This year's theme is sunflowers - perhaps that will get the creative juices flowing.

Cook one of our Great Escape recipes!  Antipasto kabobs or soups, chili and beans!  Or my favorite salad!