Krisb

I asked some friends if they would like a fabric mask for public. Of course they did. So did their family members. Started on Monday. Became lost in pattern variations and made some tests. Made a fitted mask, but I am 100% out of elastic and it didn’t work well with fabric ties, so....on to another different type of mask that was almost like origami. It was fun to make, and DH is using it, but it also needs to be individually fitted...so on to pleated surgical masks. Yay! Had a telemedicine visit with my endocrinologist and decided to change insulin pumps, which also meant changing my continuous glucose monitor.

Spent much of Tuesday on hold with either the glucose monitor company or the new pump company. Filled out beaucoup forms to fax, but the fax failed (I think, the printer is out of ink so the fax report is a blank sheet of paper). Scanned and emailed them instead. Cut out 25 pleated surgical masks. Easy cutting—four pieces per mask vs the 6-8 for fitted masks. And the ties became 1 1/2 in x WOF, double folded. Got ambitious and decided to finish the ends of the ties. Took the previously cut fabric for those fitted masks and threw it in the scrap bin. Went grocery shopping with my new face mask on. There were more Instantcart shoppers than customers. Came home and went to bed.

Today, sat down and organized chain piecing. My primary care physician called to change my appointment on the 23rd to video. My bridge partner called and wanted to know if I could play online Friday. DH wanted me finish a mask quick so he could take it to his golf buddy, so of course it took three times as long. Now it’s noon and no sewing done yet.

Sit down at my big machine and start. Top tension is too high. Turn the dial lower and it turns, but the tension mechanism doesn’t move. Put that machine in time out until repair guy is available.

Switch over to my Sparrow, which I simply adore. Quickly chain piece the 25 mask pieces, turn and press. The phone rings again. One of the people I am making a mask for wants to specify manly colors for her DH and DS and would I want to see if the ”stretchy kind of rubber stuff” she has will work for ear loops. Holding a towel to my mouth to absorb the blood from my bitten tongue, I say yes to masculinity, no to stretchy rubber-like stuff. This call takes almost an hour, My niece calls and says the tension is off on her machine, and which dial should she turn. Then she says never mind, she found the manual. The adorable child in my avatar insists on talking to Aunt Kris. Another hour flies by.

Meanwhile, back in the sewing room, the thread and the Sparrow decide they don’t like each other. The thread snaps with almost no effort. Take it off the machine and put it in the freezer. Maybe tomorrow. Take my last spool of white (out of natural, out of light gray,) and put it on the machine. The needle breaks. One if the screws on the face plate won’t move a mm. Thst machine will also now go to the hospital later to be sure there’s nothing bad inside, but can’t stop now. Look everywhere for 15x1 needles. I have 100 DBx5, 200 HLx5 , 20 DPx5, but a simple 15x1–nary a one in sight. Go to Walmart. Buy thread and needles. Come back and sew one mask. 3 down, 22 to go, Declare victory. Going to bed now.

Covid-19 phrase for today: Elastic is the new toilet paper.