Face Masks: Not Just for Halloween

Remember back-in-the-day when kids were getting ready to go out for Halloween and masks were discouraged in favour of face paint.  Boy have times changed!  

I've tried a new face mask pattern.  This one is the Aplat-Mask, it's an origami design.  

This is the first one I've made of the origami design and so far the only complaint I have is the elastic cord that I used.  That's an easy fix.  And the only reason is that I wear glasses and it's just too bulky with an elastic cord and the arm of the glasses competing for top-of-the-ear real estate.  Otherwise, it's a great fit.  

The pattern calls for two layers of canvas fabric.  Instead, I used two layers of printed quilting cotton plus one layer of white cotton.  If you don't feel like sewing your own, you can purchase a ready-made one from their website.  

Project Details

Seams:  2.4 length straight stitch

Seam finish:  No interior seam finishing but the outer edges were top-stitched.  

Tips:  There is no one perfect face mask pattern that will fit everyone since we're all different shapes and sizes and some of us wear glasses while some don't.  So I won't endorse any of the face masks patterns that I've tried over the others.  The best that I can tell you is to experiment and find your best fit.  

Fabric:    0.24 metres 

Elastic Cord:  0.80 metres

Pattern:  Aplat-Mask Free Download

Additional Tools & Supplies:  Computer, printer, paper scissors, fabric scissors, tailor's chalk, pins, pin cushion, iron, ironing board, thread clippers, sewing machine, and a zipper foot.  

Stay Safe and Happy Sewing!  

Can Knowing Your Fibres Save a Life?

According to a study in Occupational and Environmental Medicine, researchers assessed that pre-menopausal women exposed to acrylic and nylon fibres were at greater risk of developing breast cancer post-menopause.  

Synthetic fibres have not been my favourite to sew or wear for many reasons.  The possible link to cancer being one of many.  Environmental impact, pilling, static cling and the list can go on and on.  

So I was quite surprised that the Roots brand tuques (toques for you non-Canadians) featured in the Hats for Hope fundraising campaign were made out of synthetic fibres.  

They're made with 100% acrylic and a polyester lining.  Okay, maybe I shouldn't be surprised.  For years decades manufacturers have been cutting costs by incorporating more synthetic fibres into fabric production.  And it's difficult impossible to find a toque that isn't made out of acrylic now-a-days.  

Brain Cancer Awareness Day is a wonderful fundraising effort to raise awareness on this terrible disease that affects so many.  And I applaud their efforts to raise funds to find a cure.  

Maybe, skip the synthetic tuque and go straight to making a donation while educating ourselves and others of the products and lifestyle choices that may have serious consequences down the road.  

Stay Safe and Happy Sewing!  

In Sewing News Today...

It's been about six weeks since I sat at the sewing machine to sew.  These past months my sewing mojo took a serious hit while I pushed myself to sew things that hurt me to sew.  Over the past few months, sewing wasn't an escape or something that gave me a sense of joy.  It became, at times, a painful reminder that I didn't have time to process what was going on around me.  Thank you to the readers who left comments and reached out and even though I didn't respond, your messages were thoughtful and appreciated and I just needed a "break."  

Cancer reeled it's ugly head and took away someone dear to me. Again. It hurts. It really hurts. The sewing machine is packed away. I can't even imagine sitting down to sew right now. At this time, I can't imagine a time when I will want to sew again.  

If anything I've learned during this time is that you should never let someone nudge you into a project that you are not able to take on because of space limitations, lack of focus, sewing abilities, or physical challenges. It will mess you up.  

But if you are looking for a sewing project and would like to help. You can pick up where I have left off for now.  There is still more work to do if you want.  No pressure.  I'm not trying to nudge anyone into sewing something that is out of your comfort zone.  If you're looking for a small and meaningful project I do have a suggestion.  

Sew some scrub caps for palliative care nurses.  You can not imagine how something so small can uplift these angels who care for our loved ones.  Or sew more face masks for homeless shelters and families of cancer patients so that we can keep our communities safe.  

Stay Safe, Be Kind and Happy Sewing! 

September in Review...

Not much sewing this month.  I've been waiting for the stars to line up to get the cloak cut but how I planned my September has not turned out to be what I've planned.  Much like most of the year.  September has been difficult but here we are at the end.   

I found a new home for one of the sewing machines.  It is being cared for by a young person who is showing some interest in learning how to sew.  It felt good knowing that it went to someone who has some interest in learning this skill.  I hope it brings joy into their life.  

And I broke the fabric fast this month and picked up lining fabric to replace a drapery sheer 😞. I was so close with the fabric fast, if only I was able to stay away from fabric stores.  So close.  Hopefully, the rest of the year will have a spark of joy in the sewing room that can expand to the rest of the world.  

Right now, I don't feel like spending my free time sewing.  My heart is not into it.  It's time to turn off the lights on the sewing table and at this time I don't know what tomorrow will bring.  

On another note, these items were de-stash this month.  

• 1 sewing machine
• 1 tomato pin cushion
• 1 copy of Sewtionary
• 1 package of tailor's chalk
• 1 package of knit sewing pins
• 4 packages of sewing needles
• 1 package + 0.20 metres of Knit 'N Stable tape
• 2.4 metres of fabric
• 1 previously used pattern
• 1 new pattern

In the meantime, I have a few books I would like to work through.  

Stay safe and Happy Sewing!

In Sewing News Today...

Shopping for lining fabric last weekend did not work out.  The line up to get into the store was insane and I didn't have the luxury of time.  

I still do not have the luxury of time but this weekend I did manage to get up extra early and make it there before the store opened.  Others had the same thought and even though I was not the first in line this morning, I was part of the first batch of shoppers let into the store.  

I did foolishly think that this would be a quick in, pick out lining fabric, and get outta there, sort of errand.  Boy, was I wrong!  The line-up inside the store to get fabric measured and cut was a way longer wait than the pre-opening outdoor line-up.  

It was all worth it in the end.  I found a selection of lining fabrics on sale for $1.00 to $2.00 / metre.  I still can't believe it.  I loaded up the shopping cart with all of the green shades I could pull, hoping that one of the rolls would have at least 11 metres on them.  And thanks to God, it happened the one bolt that I hoped and prayed would have enough yardage did.  I will admit that there was a bit of excitement with finding the lining fabric at a bargain price when everything else has been going up ridiculous amounts.  

One hurdle done, now to find the time and place (I need several large folding tables pulled together.  It's that big of a project.) to have this cut out before I can get this sewn.  Maybe next weekend.  

Be Safe and Happy Sewing!

A Sewing Challenge: Butterick 4377

A couple of months ago I made a toile for a costume cloak, Butterick 4377.  And until recently, the project has been on hold while waiting for the fabric.   

Right now it's in the trunk of my car waiting for a time and place to lay out this project and get all the pieces cut out. In the meantime, I'm trying not to be concerned about the fabric that was chosen to line this project.    

Can you guess what type of fabric was sold to the individual instead of lining fabric?  

Drapery sheer fabric.  For the lining.  

What. The. Fudge.  

It's not like lining fabric is scarce. I just want to know who in the fabric store told the person picking out lining fabric that this was an appropriate choice?  

That salesperson needs to be fired spoken to and educated.  

This is why I don't like sewing for others.  The wrong type of fabric can ruin a project.   

It's like shopping for clothes.  Never trust the sales person.  They're there to make a sale.  Period.  

This past week this project has been stressing me out before I get knee deep into it. Let alone get it cut out.

I've been thinking that I'll have to sew French seams since it won't look good if you can see serged edges. The thought of sewing French seams with drapery sheer fabric on such a large project has me wanting to give up sewing. Okay, maybe not that far. Maybe more like throw me into a deep spell of procrastination.  The more I research sewing this type of fabric the more it has me stressed out. 

And it's not a project that I can, nor want to, turn down.    

So I'm planning on going shopping for lining fabric, proper lining fabric.  Yup, I'm breaking my fabric fast.  I'm doing it to save my sanity. 

Hopefully, I can find a suitable colour and get this project done.  In the meantime, I think I will sleep better tonight knowing that the drapery sheer nightmares are behind me.  

Happy Sewing!

New Coat: Butterick 6244

I'm a little late with trying out this pattern. Butterick 6244 was released in 2015, the following year it was voted "Best Pattern of 2016" over at Pattern Review. Oh, and there are over fifty reviews on the site for this little number.  

I have to agree this draped front coat is a pretty sweet pattern. It's almost a perfect pattern. It's missing pockets which was easily corrected by borrowing the side pocket pattern from another coat pattern  (out-of-print Vogue 8934).

The pattern suggests finishing all of the seams with a flat felled seam finish. Although I do like the look of a flat felled seam finish I went with using my serger to finish the seam edges. I did flat fell the center back of the collar since this section would show when worn.  

The serger was utilized for the rolled hemming feature instead of the 5/8" narrow hem suggested in the pattern instructions. I really like how it turned out. 

The fabric is a boiled wool that has been in the stash for many moons. It might look familiar. I used this fabric a few years ago for this project. I actually picked this fabric to test out the pattern and even though I want to revisit this coat pattern in another wool fabric I actually think I will wear this toile often. It makes me happy when this turns out this way.  

Project Details

Seams:  Straight stitch, 2.4 length

Seam Finish:  Interior seams are serged, back collar is finished with a flat felled seam and the hem is finished on the serger.  

Tips:  Experiment with different seam finish options before settling on the suggested finish in the pattern.  

Fabric:  2.4 metres

Interfacing:  0.2 metres of Knit 'N Stable tape

Patterns:  Butterick 6244 and OOP Vogue 8934

Additional Tools & Supplies:  cutting table, pins, pin cushions, measuring tape, scissors, tailor's chalk, iron, ironing board, clapper, thread clippers, sewing machine, serger, walking foot, screw driver and wee break or two.  

Happy Sewing!