April 2020 – Two Terriers Studio

One thing I love about quilting is the community of makers. While it may seem like a solitary craft, a quiet escape for someone who likes to create, for themselves or others, there really are so many additional layers and elements that make it all happen. There are fabric designers who create gorgeous art which then moves to fabric by a host of manufacturers; the pattern designers who create new layouts or reinvent traditional shapes or encourage improvisation. There’s thread, batting, sewing machines, brick and mortar shops and online venues. There’s also the “tester” or “editor”. That’s where I came in on this project. I’m so thankful to have crossed paths with Tara Curtis, creator of @weftyneedle. You may know Tara by way of the Wefty Needle or Wefty Miter and her beautifully woven fabric designs. If not, go check out her work; I suspect you’ll want to be weaving by nightfall. Tara gave me the opportunity to test her pattern, the Lotus Blossom Quilt, before it became available to the public and I’ve been hinting at it’s release on Instagram for a few weeks now.

As a pattern tester, I get to mesh my passion for words and fabric. Something you might not know about me is that my education and professional background is in writing, editing and publishing. When I’ve been invited or signed up to test a new pattern, I rarely know what it looks like or whether it falls into my sewing skill set, but I am usually confident that I can at least assist with the written words of the pattern. It’s even better if the pattern contains elements out of my comfort zone. That’s where we grow & learn.

The lesson for me with this pattern was in appliqué and slowing down. It seems I have a habit of fast sewing with one bare foot. Not so great for curved appliqué. I had to temper myself and take my time.

This pattern comes in two sizes, crib and queen. I opted to make the crib size as my goal was to machine quilt it myself and I have not quilted a queen size project on my domestic machine (yet). I also wanted to use fabric I already owned. I had just recently returned from Missouri Star Quilt Co., where I purchased a bundle of the V & Co., metallic ombre dots. If you love the look of these ombre fabrics, seen in a “sample”, they are even better in full-size, real life. It wasn’t until I had laid it all out that I noticed the glow that came from the ombre effect. It was even better than I expected and perfect for this design. I also used V & Co. ombre solids for the blossom petals, except that one, center bloom.

When quilting this, I used straight line, “in the ditch” stitching and added a few additional lines in the wider bands of fabric, stopping at the edges of the petals, which were each outlined. I’m hoping to learn more about free-motion quilting, but until then, it’s straight lines and hiring my friends with long-arm quilting expertise!

The Lotus Blossom Quilt by Two Terriers Studio

I’ve mentioned this before, but it bears repeating, especially with this photo. My husband cheers me on in my quilting endeavors and he also willingly travels around with me as I look for perfect settings and photo opportunities. For those who know him, you know he’s tall. TALL. He’s in this photo. Do you see him? No. He has mastered hunkering down, (keep in mind this is a crib size quilt), as well as having perfected the “fabric pinch” so that we don’t see his hands creeping around the bound corners. Together, we get it done. What I’m curious about is what this must have looked like from the perspective of the house across the bridge. Maybe next time. That could be an interesting shot.

Tara released this pattern today, April 15th, and it is available on her website weftyneedle.com by PDF download. Do yourself a favor, and check it out. She has highlighted other makers who tested this for her and I think it’s terrific that given the same instructions, we each made something unique. She also explains her inspiration for this design, which is even more fitting today than it may have been months ago as we saw this pattern for the first time. It’s worth reading about, please take a look. As we all move through this period of uncertainty with Covid-19, new boundaries, staying home and attempting a new normal, there can be something calming in creativity. I am so thankful for my sewing community, and for Tara giving me this opportunity.

-Stacey

It’s April 2020 and for weeks (months, at this point) we have been experiencing a global pandemic from Novel Coronavirus / Covid-19 that has left many of us wondering what the heck is going on, what it means for us personally and how we manage through this unprecedented time.

We started “social distancing” in late February and early March; we prepared our homes and family for isolating as this invisible nightmare passed, but here we are, still waiting for a return to what we know as “normal”. I can’t imagine what our new normal even looks like yet.

My primary concern was keeping my family and loved ones safe. Besides self-imposed isolation, #stayhome, wash your hands, and disinfect everything in sight, what could I do? That “let me fix it” gene kicked in and I started making face masks. Hearing that the supply of medical grade personal protective equipment (PPE) was not only low, but might run out, I realized I wasn’t going to be ordering any for personal use. Never in my 9 years of sewing & quilting did I think I would be making protective gear. But I am; and I’m now making them for others too.

I have zero interest in profiting off of a pandemic. I’m offering these handmade face masks on my Instagram account (@twoterriersstudio) while I have the time and supplies to make them. I’m asking readers to cover the cost of shipping ($7.75 flat rate, USPS Priority Mail) and to make a charitable contribution of $5.00 per mask. In the event of a large, bulk order, shipping fee may increase. I’m accepting payment by PayPal. When I get to the end of making masks, I will be donating 100% of profits to charity, so any contribution over this amount is appreciated. I’m tracking every sale by state, # of masks and contribution and that will be a follow up post at some point. At this time, I am only shipping within the continental United States, as I am doing this from home & not going into the post office. I think it’s a full circle of compassion…I’m using a skill I learned from others to make a product that might help people stay safe, and their contribution is in turn helping someone else. This may be a scary and negative time, but goodness prevails. Right?

I must say, my handmade masks are NOT medical grade; they do not have a filter insert and I would not promise that they prevent Covid-19. I can say that they are made from quality quilting cotton that has been washed and sewn in a pet-free, smoke-free studio by a maker who has practiced social distancing since early March and who shows no outward signs of being infected. For those who have worked with me before and ordered custom totes, bags and other items, you know that I work to make sure your color and style preferences are met. That is not happening with face masks. I’m not taking color preferences or custom designs. This is a function over fashion moment. My masks do feature two fabrics so that the user knows which side was next to their skin and which was exposed to the outside. The masks are all machine-washable and should be washed frequently. If you’d like the pleats to be crisp after washing, a quick press with a hot iron will work.

If you or someone you know needs a mask, please visit my Instagram account @twoterriersstudio and direct message me there with your name and quantity needed. I will follow up as promptly as possible. I am taking time off until April 13th to celebrate the Easter holiday with my family, but will be in communication after that time.

My hesitation in making masks for people outside my immediate family is that there is a VERY fine line between helping others and creating a false sense of security. I kindly ask that anyone wearing my masks please educate themselves with the safety guidelines set forth by your physicians, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) or ever-changing, published/professional guidelines. I am not a doctor, a nurse or health-care provider. I know these masks are not foolproof, but I wear mine with the mindset of “better than nothing” if I need to go outside. I cannot and do not ensure this will protect you 100% from an infection. So, I’m happy to make these, but expect that buyers educate themselves as we are all learn about this disease and how to be safe. (UGH, all the disclaimer stuff; wish I didn’t have to say it.)

I wish you all good health in these trying times. Many heartfelt thanks to our healthcare heroes who work tirelessly each day to keep each of us safe. I hope we all do our part to make their jobs easier so that they, too, can return home safely to their loved ones.

Month: April 2020

The Lotus Blossom Quilt

Face Masks