Category Archives for Uncategorized

My Hand Sewn Fabric Face Mask

Since medical experts recently recommended that we all should wear facemasks when we go out to protect others and ourselves from the Coronavirus (Link to Mayo Clinic) I have been searching the interwebs for masks. After scouring online retailers for a few days, I had no luck finding a facemask in stock that was inexpensive, made of decent quality materials, had generally good reviews, and was most importantly reusable. So, I finally decided to make one.

Having made the decision to make a facemask, I had to find instructions on how to make one without a sewing machine, since I don’t own one. It was hard finding facemask instructions online that didn’t require the use of a sewing machine; but last week, I finally found a tutorial to make something more substantial than folding a bandana through two elastic bands. In actuality, that bandana solution would be enough protection for me if I have to venture out briefly, but I wanted something more long-lasting that I could use with some sort of filter; and the tutorial I found teaches how to hand sew a fabric mask with a pocket for a filter.

On Friday evening, in preparation for my mask-making project, I went searching to find the supplies I knew were scattered in boxes or on shelves in closets throughout my home. The primary materials I needed were some fabric, fabric tape, and elastic. Surprisingly, I found more fabric than I realized I had. However, instead of using fabric gifted to me by family or friends from their overseas travels, I used an old poly-cotton curtain I knew I would never hang in any window ever again.

On Saturday morning, I brought everything I needed together: my iron, ironing board, scissors, fabric, fabric tape, a ruler (and measuring tape), a pencil, needle and thread, some straight pins, and two hair elastics.

M͟y͟ ͟H͟a͟n͟d͟ ͟S͟e͟w͟n͟ ͟F͟a͟b͟r͟i͟c͟ ͟F͟a͟c͟e͟ ͟M͟a͟s͟k͟ ͟-͟ ͟M͟a͟t͟e͟r͟i͟a͟l͟s͟

 

After watching the tutorial that I found, via Daisy Multifacética’s Instagram page a few times, I got to work. Considering the fact that beyond replacing the odd button or repairing a tear in a piece of clothing, I hadn’t sewn anything in years, it was a relatively smooth process.

As I sewed my facemask by hand, I listened to chatter from my favourite weekend current events show. Unfortunately, I missed chunks of some discussions because I had to replay sections of the facemask tutorial a few times to make sure I was doing each step correctly. I measured and re-measured the fabric before cutting it, and then I sewed small stitches as evenly as I could to ensure it wouldn’t fall apart after one wash. With all the steps involved, I finished making my first mask relatively fast. The show I listened to runs for two hours; and I finished cutting, sewing, and ironing to flatten folds and seams by the time it ended.

M͟y͟ ͟H͟a͟n͟d͟ ͟S͟e͟w͟n͟ ͟F͟a͟b͟r͟i͟c͟ ͟F͟a͟c͟e͟ ͟M͟a͟s͟k͟ ͟-͟ ͟A͟p͟r͟i͟l͟ ͟2͟0͟2͟0͟

 

In the end, I’m glad I did some research to find an inexpensive alternative to buying cheap, disposable masks.

If anyone is interested in making a fabric facemask that doesn’t require the use of a sewing machine, the link to the tutorial I followed to make mine is below.

I hope you all continue to be safe and stay healthy in these difficult times.

 

♦ ♦ ♦

 

NO SEWING MACHINE Cloth Face Mask – Daisy Multifacética

 

 

No More Dark Thrills

I don’t usually like watching horror or occult-themed shows or movies, and definitely not alone. However, in keeping my mind occupied there is a certain show I can’t seem to turn away from when it’s on the screen that falls within these genres. Truthfully, I go searching for it to catch up on episodes I’ve missed. The show is Penny Dreadful and airs on Showtime Networks. Eva Green a former “Bond girl” and former teen heartthrob Josh Hartnett play lead characters. The main cast is rounded out by Timothy Dalton’s role as an adventuring, aristocratic Victorian gentleman, which he plays as brilliantly as he once played James Bond; and while I’m not as familiar with each member of the supporting cast, they each play their parts brilliantly.

After watching a shocking episode on Sunday night, it disappointed me to learn online last night that it was the unexpected series finale. The show was in its third season. The blurb on the Showtime Network website describes the series’ concept as, “Some of literature’s most terrifying characters, including Dr. Frankenstein and his monster, Dorian Gray, and iconic figures from the novel Dracula are lurking in the darkest corners of Victorian London. They are joined by a core of original characters in a complex, frightening new narrative. Penny Dreadful is a psychological thriller filled with dark mystery and suspense, where personal demons from the past can be stronger than vampires, evil spirits and immortal beasts.”

As terrifying as some as the plot lines are, they fascinated me and made it impossible for me to turn away. I find it believable that within each of us lurks a primal beast just below the surface of our skins. Not to mention the myriad unknown creatures living in the darkest corners of the world and the immeasurable powers they might wield, what some might characterize as supernatural. It frightens and intrigues me to think that we might only see and exist in a small fraction of reality, and that there is a constant battle between the forces of good and evil; not in a religious sense but in relation to the negative and positive energies that fuel the universe and how they emerge. How do we decide which of those pulls to yield to and to what extent we can resist temptation from each pole?

A more intriguing question is whether it is even possible to withstand such powers alone; or if we must, as the show suggests, rely on the strength of others to carry us through darkness. And greater still, is this unending struggle the reason love, in all its forms, is capable of pushing beyond so many perilous situations, especially when we allow ourselves to be vulnerable enough to receive it? Maybe I’m seeing more symbolism than what’s actually present in this chilling dramatic series, but each time the darkness rises up it is one form of light or another that breaks it down. If anyone watched this show, I’d be curious to know if you agree with me.

 

Penny Dreadful – Remember Us Better Than We Are

 

I’m In Pain but I Don’t Want TLC

I got online this afternoon to distract myself from my pain by connecting with the world outside my approximately 700 square feet. When I opened my WordPress reader some Time Magazine article headlines shocked me. They were about the Duggar family of TLC’s reality TV show ‘19 Kids and Counting’. I’ve watched a few episodes of this family’s odd life – at least what I consider odd. As the title says, the Duggars are a family of 19 children. They are devout Independent Baptists, which means they “believe in strict separation from the world” and interpret Biblical Scripture literally. Additionally, they are adherents of the far-right Christian Patriarchy movement also known as Quiverfull who homeschool their children; believe “God has granted men authority over their families” (i.e. the emphasis is on the headship of the father or patriarch); “preferably, men should be in charge in the workplace”; and that “women’s sphere of influence is the home”.

As I learned this afternoon, this conservative Christian family that I’ve seen project an air of righteousness and morality has a pretty big skeleton in a closet in their large family home. The eldest son of the Duggar family, Josh, admitted that 12 years he “molested underage girls, including some of his sisters, when he was a teenager.” The Time Magazine articles went on to say that after Josh confessed, his father, Jim Bob Duggar, “waited more than a year before contacting police”. Then instead of being charged and punished by the justice system for this crime that he characterized as just inexcusable behaviour, Josh Duggar’s family arranged for him “and those affected by [his] actions to receive counseling”. From what I read on social media that counselling might not have occurred. You can read one article here: TLC Pulls 19 Kids and Counting After Josh Duggar Molestation Claims.

I was so stunned when I read his statement and Time Magazine’s repeated use of the term “past indiscretions” that I had to find more information about this horrific situation. I found so much information on online it was like a bloody train wreck from which I couldn’t look away. Instead of doing my daily reading and looking for ideas to further my creative interests I got sucked into the escalating fray of people calling for TLC to cancel ‘19 Kids and Counting’. The general argument being that “what TLC has been putting on the air since 2008 with the Duggar family is, simply, a moral fraud”.

I have to agree with that judgement. From where I sit, the parents of Josh Duggar hid information about his criminal acts to gain a platform to promote their beliefs and interests which include, but are not limited to: anti-contraception, anti-abortion, anti-LGBTQ rights, absolute submission of women to men, and creationism. More importantly, they hid this for financial gain. They chose fame and fortune at the expense of their daughters and the other children that their son molested – who by all accounts received little support. They did this at the expense of their son who most likely did not get the psychological help he needed at a critical age and stage of development to understand and control the disorder that is pedophilia. Their actions are not only immoral they are also criminal. And TLC needs to send a strong message that these societal ills cannot be tolerated and cancel this show.

From what I saw on social media today there are droves of people who do not agree with my position. They feel that Josh Duggar made a “mistake” and he should be forgiven. But my increased pain level and blood pressure at the thought of the long-lasting harm he – and his parents – caused those little girls makes me disagree.

 

Queen – Under Pressure