neotoma

I made three masks for greenygal recently -- one without nose wires, two with nose wires made out of 18 gauge jewelry wire.



The prints are from Spoonflower, from their fat quarter sale in April. The fabric is cotton poplin; I used an undyed muslin for the interior side of the masks. The ties are polyester bias tape that I bought in 55 yd spools, because I don't find ear-loops at all comfortable, but ties are pretty adjustable.

Better views of the flying pig mask and the steampunk octopus mask.





I have more fabric and will probably make more masks.

I finished the Contact Spread portion of the MKAL last night -- 2 hours and 20 minutes to knit 10 rows, with 269 stitches on the needles at the end. That's Clue 1 done.

I already have Clue 2, and if I do at least 10 rows a night, I will be finished with that by the time Clue 3 is released on Friday.



I also dug out the sewing machine sanj left with me when she went off to grad school forever ago. It is a Singer Touch and Sew model 636, and weighs a ton. It's probably an all-metal machine from 1960s. I think I can get it operating, and since there was approximately 6 yards of muslin packed with it, along with some fat quarters, my attempts at mask-making will proceed apace. Eventually.

With the new directive to wear a face covering when out in public, I have gone into my small stash of fabric looking for quilting cottons that I can make into masks.

I am buy no means great at sewing, though I've made linings for felted bags I've made; I'm competent enough, and I found two yards of the pig print I'd saved for lining a felted pig-shaped bag that I've had half finished forever. I can can certainly sacrifice most of it to turn out a few masks.

But first, I've found a flora print that will be the prototype mask; I'm reasonably certain it's 100% cotton, which is the recommended fiber.

I've also found my lucet, with the cording I made in the hope of making my own shoelaces (I couldn't find any short enough for a particular pair of shoes!), that might work as ties for the mask.

Wish me luck.

The American Sewing Guild had their annual conference outside of DC this weekend. I was foolish, and went to see what they had in the vendors' room/exhibition hall. gblvr came with me, for moral support, mutual cooing, and because she has a car; I supplied carry-baskets, which got a lot of compliments, as usual.

The ladies running registration were tickled that we had just walked in off the street, and so were many of the vendors. They were almost all helpful and willing to talk, even after I admitted my novice status.

The clothes on display for various competions were absolutely gorgeous, and I regret that I forgot to bring my digital camera. For example, there was a strapless wedding gown at the Professional Association of Custom Clothiers booth that was *entirely* smocked.

( In which I am enthralled by the fabric porn )

gblvr did a good job of keeping me away from sewing machines, but I did get the name of the local Husqvarna agent. I want a Viking serger badly, as the only serger I ever used was a 4-thread Viking, and it was a dream to work with. I can't *afford* a Viking, of course.