Apr 3, 2020 | Social Distancing
By Shelly Sommer
An interesting sewing challenge has popped up, to make fabric straps for medical-grade face shields needed by doctors and nurses in Colorado.
Some of you may have seen a news item about make4covid, a network of makers who are manufacturing real PPE for front line health workers in Colorado working directly with COVID patients. The network spun out of Engineering at CU Boulder and they have a goal of producing 10,000 face shields for our doctors and nurses.
And guess what they need to hold on those face shields? Sewn fabric straps!
I’m going to be sewing 50 straps for this project and I’d love you to join me. If you’re interested, we can make our own little network to produce straps over the next couple of weeks. The straps are pretty easy to construct—they’re basically a fabric tube with a bit of elastic inserted and a buttonhole on each end. The other part of the challenge is following some special cleaning and handling procedures (wiping down surfaces and tools w/disinfecting cleaner before starting work, placing in process and completed straps in sealable plastic bags, etc.). They are pretty strict because they’re trying to provide a consistent product made under controlled conditions. But they have a handy worksheet for it and the procedures are easy enough to follow.
If you think you might be up for making some straps, either email me (Shelly’s email is in the member area) or join the network yourself at https://make4covid.mn.co/ (join the “Sewing – Back Strap Team” once you’re in). These shields are going to save some lives and together we can get more of them out to the medical folks who need them.
Mar 21, 2020 | Social Distancing, Social Sewing
For a couple months we will be putting out a weekly improv quilting prompt on our Instagram account @bouldermqg. Follow us there so you can play along. We want this to be a fun and stress free way to sew with each other while we are social distancing. Use our hashtag #bouldermqgathome to share what you are creating (this challenge, and any other sewing you are doing) and to see what your fellow guild members are up to.
WHAT IS IMPROV?
If you have never taken on an improv quilting project you might shy away from the uncertainty. And during this time of life uncertainty we don’t want to cause any more worry or stress. Improv simply means to put something together without planning it all in advance. A good way to sew for the pure joy of it.
This does not mean that you can’t use rulers or that you can’t limit your fabrics or color pallet. You can choose to create in a free-for-all manner, but most quilters will probably choose to set some guidelines for this challenge project. Below you will find a list of some ideas for boundaries you could set:
- Sew for only 20 minutes per day on this challenge
- Use only fabric from my scrap bins
- Do not use rulers
- Make three 6” blocks per prompt/week
- Use a piece of the same fabric in each week’s prompt
- Use rulers and straight seams
- Pre-select all fabrics/colors and stick to that pallet
- Start with a center medallion and add each week’s prompt to grow the quilt out
These are only some suggestions of guidelines you could use for this project. Your first task is to come up with your own list (or not). Remember, because it’s improv you can always change the rules mid-project. There are no quilt police here.
You can also check out our Pinterest board on improv quilts for inspiration.
HOW THIS CHALLENGE WILL WORK
Starting on National Quilting Day, March 21, each week(ish) a new prompt will be posted on our Instagram account @bouldermqg. The prompt will be given each week and you should make the units/shape or incorporate it into a block(s) or section of your quilt. The amount and size you make is up to you so just have fun!
Sew whichever weeks you want and share your progress with #bouldermqgathome. We are keeping it simple and flexible because a lot of us are juggling working from home, school and kids at home, and cooking every meal at home. If we are late on posting the prompt or you have an idea for an upcoming week, let us know! We might just be busy with life or we may have just plain forgot!
Because we are keeping this whole thing flexible we can add more weeks if there is a lot of interest and participation or continued social distancing orders, or we might decide that there are plenty of other things to sew and this project isn’t getting the love and attention it needs. You can check out some other ideas about social distancing sewing on our blog post Staying Connected During COVID-19.
Mar 19, 2020 | Social Distancing, Social Sewing
I’m sure all of you are starting to feel the effects of social distancing as we deal with this global pandemic. There definitely will not be a March open sew or an April evening meeting, and an April open sew seems very unlikely as well. We will hopefully be able to have a virtual evening meeting, but wanted to give some more ideas for staying connected and busy.
We are planning some creative prompts to work on during your social distancing. Keep an eye on Instagram and the blog for more on that. Make sure you’re using and following #bouldermqgathome
GROUP QUILTS
Our Vice President Laura L. is collecting blocks for a Social Distancing quilt. You can read the full post here and you can see other blocks being made at #socialdistancingquilt
@stephskardal and @southbaybella are collecting blocks for a #solidarityquilt You can read the original post for the details.
@highfiveandsilverlines is working on a Collaborative Quarantine Quilt. See her post and contact her for more information.
The Wisconsin Museum of Quilts and Fiber is also doing a Quarantine Quilt.
QUILT/SEW ALONGS
There is a one day, live quilt along happening on Sunday, March 22. The Elvira Quarantine Quilt Along is free and a great idea if you want to accomplish something this weekend.
If you want a quilt that really captures the COVID-19 experience, you might consider partaking in the #FreshlyQuiltedTP QAL that @carolynfriedlander and @elisabew are doing.
@blairs is hosting a #wisecraftportal QAL. It just started and runs through April 27, the perfect project for being at home. Read the full post and sign up here.
Heritage.Threads is encouraging people to participate in a low-key sew along in April. She’s calling it the #SanitySewalong and I love the idea. It’s a sew along for you, just make something you’ve been wanting to!
OTHER THINGS
The Modern Quilt Guild will be doing a series of webinars and project tutorials for the next few weeks. This starts tomorrow with a virtual tour of the MQG member resources. This is a great way to learn about everything available with your MQG membership.
BOULDERMQG BOMS
Let’s not forget about the BoulderMQG BOMs! We have the first block from the 2020 Mystery BOM and the next one will be up April 1.
And there’s still the 2019 Color Theory BOM and the 2018 BOM.
Again, make sure you’re using and following #bouldermqgathome to stay connected.
