Hi dear friends.

What a troubled time we are living through. My oldest daughter is the assistant manager of the hospitalist team at my old hospital. Hospitals in  Seattle and around the country are begging for people to make masks. Many hospitals have already run out: see guidelines below.

“Prior to modern disposable masks, washable fabric masks were standard use for hospitals,” said Dawn Rogers, MSN, RN, FNP-C, Patient Safety & Infection Prevention Office in a release to media.  “We will be able to sterilize these masks and use them repeatedly as needed. While it’s less than ideal, we want to do our best to protect our staff and patients during this pandemic.” 

In their instructions, the hospital asked:

• Use tightly-woven cotton fabric.
• Please remember that both women and men in a variety of roles may wear these masks.
• When your masks are complete, please call 812-450-8673 in Seattle to arrange delivery. (You will be met in a facility parking lot at a pre-arranged time.) PLEASE CHECK WITH HOSPITALS in your area.
• Collected masks will be immediately sent to laundry/processing to be prepared for use.
• Any surplus masks will be distributed to other organizations in need.

Construction.
I used 11.5 x 9" piece of tight cotton fabric. Batiks would be good.
1.Fold sides 1/4 and iron...then another 1/4' sew shut
2.Now fold bottom as above, iron and pin.
3.Cut a 4 inch piece of piece of pipe cleaner  and place inside the top fold. Pin at both ends to hold pipe cleaner in the middle.
4.Now add 1/4" elastic strips. 
5.Bigger heads -14" for top strap - 8 " for bottom.
Smaller heads - 11.5 top strap - 7' for bottom.
Sew bottom and top fold and secure elastic with a stitched seam. 

•   

                                      There will be no one to take care of us if we don't protect our first responders. 
        I KNOW THE QUILTING COMMUNITY CAN DO THIS!! LETS GO GUYS!


I am trying to help home school the grands. Today we are drawing pictures of Super Novas from the NASA.gov website.  Then we can research what a Super Nova is.  


Reaching out to each other (from the confines of our home) is going to be important to keep the blues away. Fortunately, a great antidote to anxiety is a focused mind. 

Here is a special free pattern for everyone who needs to work on a project of hope for summer and better times.



https://media.rainpos.com/4826/hopes_promise.pdf

Use your favorite appliqué technique.  Begin by making a tracing paper/clear plastic positioning aide of the entire pattern. Slide all the pieces under the clear plastic or tracing paper to position them.  If you plan to fuse, you will need the mirror image of this pattern.

 Start with your humming bird.  Make as a unit and set aside until your vine is complete.

Cut out the vine.  Allow a small overlapping extension between the lighter and darker segments. Remember vines and leaves move, so do not worry if it is not exactly like mine.

Materials list

Back sky ground fabric for 150% enlargement.  Pre-cut - 13 x 17”

Flowers - Variety of light, mediums, and dark petals from similar color family.

Birds - multiple small scraps, 6 inch wide approximately.

Look at pictures of the variety of species and colors. If you like the ruby throated variety-- use the same color you used for your flowers, for their throats.

 

Thank you. Stay safely at home as much as possible. Sending love and Hugs
Kathy