Like many people, I’ve taken up mask-making during the ‘pandemic pause’ time of home isolation, and surprisingly, I have LOVED re-acquainting myself with my (very basic) sewing machine.

I’ve also been so happy to use fabric samples I had from my collection on Spoonflower and I will confess the light and bright springiness may have also lifted my mood as I sewed.

When I posted my masks in my instagram stories, I received a lot of requests about possible sales of my masks, and I HAD hoped to make a few to sell for the benefit of charity. But in truth, my output is quite small. I’m just not a very speedy sewer, and the demands of keeping my business afloat amdist all the home cooking and dishes has sadly put a damper on my sewing time.

I also had a lot of questions about which pattern I used and I LOVED this pattern and tutorial SO much, I wanted to share it here. I set the video tutorial up on my laptop, next to my sewing machine so I could watch a step, pause the video, sew, watch the next step, pause the video, sew, etc. – then it was very easy! The elegant design even has a liner/ pocket for a filter and a channel to insert a wire so it fits well across your nose.

I will be occasionally carving out a little time to keep sewing. I’ve just started sewing a few masks for my boys – not in a floral fabric, but using an adorable orange tenugi I brought home from Japan – a memory that also picks up my mood as I work.

Finally, since I feel that no post on face masks would be complete without a photo of someone wearing one, here I am in a very unglamorous selfie, smiling at you, possibly a little unkempt, but ready for the pandemic. Be well, and happy sewing, my friends!