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Post by craftedbys on Mar 31, 2020 17:51:40 GMT
When this was put out a little I was really excited to be able to do something to help and also use so much of the fabric I inherited from my mom.
I spent one morning cutting out tons of the 6x9 pieces from the instructions and have sewed several masks to donate, but now I am getting overwhelmed. There is no way I can make all of these, for whatever reason it takes me a long time to sew one together.
My anxiety about the while situation is getting worse, especially when I am worried about my 92 year old father who is quarantined in his senior living apartment and is getting upset yet refuses to come and stay with us. I also worry about DH who has to go to work every day. Actually, to be honest I am a worrier by nature and the list is endless.
Anyway, sewing and quilting used to be my happy place, what I did a bit each day to fill my tank and give me peace. Now whenever I go in my sewing room I get anxious seeing all of these masks and after only about 30 minutes I have to stop sewing. I haven't worked on any of my projects in almost two weeks.
So now I feel like a failure and just want all of this out of my sight. I don't know if getting rid of all of the fabric and pieces cut out will help my mental health or not. Hopefully, I can find someone who wants to make these to donate.
I'm not sure why I am posting this other than to just get it off my heart and mind in hopes someone will understand. Thanks for listening.
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Post by jenjie on Mar 31, 2020 18:08:48 GMT
Gentle hugs. I’m sorry. Don’t worry about the masks. If you want, you can offer the cut pieces or fabric to a local friend to make.
We all want to do something but we can’t all do the same thing. We just can’t. and that’s ok, bc nobody can do ALL the things but everyone can do something.
One friend is mailing cards to the relative of someone she knows who lives in a retirement facility and is lonely. She also sacrificed her box of face masks she uses when she cuts the grass. I was able to deliver that one box to a nurse friend and she was so happy to receive it.
Another friend, who lives in one room in a retirement facility, thinks she isn’t doing anything to help. But her neighbor down the hall is lonely, struggling, not eating. She visits with her although she’s nervous about it, takes her food, gets her to eat. I said what you are doing is VERY important.
I call said friend so she has someone to talk to.
Your heart is in the right place and probably the best thing you can do for others is to make sure your oxygen mask is on. Take care of yourself. Disconnect from what doesn’t uplift you. Talk with people who do. And maybe an opportunity that’s perfect for you will present itself.
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Post by peano on Mar 31, 2020 18:11:11 GMT
Perfect answer, Jenjie!  |
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Coffee Mom
Full Member
Posts: 200
Dec 18, 2018 0:16:30 GMT
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Post by Coffee Mom on Mar 31, 2020 18:29:24 GMT
It is 100% okay!!! I understand. Sewing masks has been causing me dwell on the sadness of the whole situation and I have had to take many breaks. I told myself that once I finish up this last bit, I’m done. We still made a contribution!! I’m also sure someone would gladly take your cuts- that alone is a huge time saver for someone else!
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Deleted
Posts: 0
May 11, 2024 12:03:40 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Mar 31, 2020 18:35:40 GMT
Don’t feel bad! You’ve done the bulk of the work by sourcing the materials and cutting them out. Post on FB or ND for volunteers in your area to help sew them.
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Post by peasapie on Mar 31, 2020 18:38:23 GMT
My machine broke and i'm frustrated being unable to sew. I ordered a new machine - figured I'll get this one fixed when the stores are open again...
I can put you in touch with the FB group I belong to for mask making if you want to ship the pre-cut fabric to someone else. And please be easy on yourself. We are all struggling just to stay afloat!
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muggins
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,861 
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Post by muggins on Mar 31, 2020 18:41:44 GMT
There are many people on my FB and Nextdoor apps who are making masks. Offer the cut pieces to someone else. They will be happy you did all the cutting:)
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Post by elaine on Mar 31, 2020 18:42:29 GMT
You certainly shouldn’t feel bad at all! Sewing should be your escape, and now you’ve learned that trying to make masks takes that escape away from you. Just look at it as a learning experience. Please do not stress about this.
I’d be more than happy to sew them for you, if you’d like, and then either mail them back for you to donate, or donate them to the location of your choice. I’d like to give you your sewing-as-a-stress-reliever escape back.
I’ve been making the more complex AB pattern, and would find the other pattern a nice change.
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Post by revirdsuba99 on Mar 31, 2020 18:58:24 GMT
Please stop stressing. Let someone else finish them. Sewing is your pleasure, keep it that way!
((((((((((((((((((((((HUGS)))))))))))))))))))))))
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scrappinghappy
Pearl Clutcher
“I’m late, I’m late for a very important date. No time to say “Hello.” Goodbye. I’m late...."
Posts: 4,306
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Post by scrappinghappy on Mar 31, 2020 19:00:51 GMT
You have done SO MUCH already just by cutting all the fabric. Find a local facebook group for mask sewers and donate all your cut pieces and extra fabric. They have MANY sewers who could make masks if they weren't slowed down by the need to cut.
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FurryP
Drama Llama
To pea or not to pea...
Posts: 6,971
Site Supporter
Jun 26, 2014 19:58:26 GMT
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Post by FurryP on Mar 31, 2020 19:05:32 GMT
This whole situation is very stressful. It is ok to let some of that stress go. It does not make you a bad person. Your heart was in the right place. Let it go.
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lisaknits
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,356
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Post by lisaknits on Mar 31, 2020 19:23:28 GMT
Please give yourself a break! You should find someone to pass on the work you've done! I am sewing the N95 masks (to cover the official N95s). Our group delivered several yards of donated fabric to me which I laundered and ironed before tracing and cutting into 84 pieces using the recommended pattern. After I finished that task, this morning I found out that the particular fabric I was given was NOT 100% cotton as is required for the hospital we're working to help. So, time for me to take a breath and start over. Luckily I'd only ironed and cut half of the fabric, and not all of it! I am especially pissed at myself since I'm a quilter and should have realized the fabric wasn't all cotton. Jeez. I stewed about it for 10 minutes, then had a snack, and now I'm taking a break. This is a tough time right now! Take some deep breathes and be gentle with yourself.  |
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Post by tracyarts on Mar 31, 2020 19:39:00 GMT
I was asked to make masks by a family member who is involved with a lot of charity organizations. Since I can sew, and used to sew for a living, she felt that I could just knock out a stack of masks in a snap.
I can't. My brain doesn't function the same anymore, and I have an extremely hard time sewing now. Even simple projects. I had enough of the proper materials on hand to make some masks and fumbled my way through two before reaching the end of my rope. They turned out fine, but it was mentally exhausting and very stressful.
So I won't be able to do it. I feel really bad about that, but it's just too much for me. Not sure why sewing is so hard now, other than the thought process required to do it comes from the part of my brain that is damaged, and it takes too much energy for my brain to reroute everything.
I'll make what I have materials for (5 or 6) and then that's it, and it'll probably take me until the end of next week to do them all.
But it's just the way it is.
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pyccku
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,817
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Post by pyccku on Mar 31, 2020 19:46:06 GMT
My daughter has been sewing masks ever since we got the ties in from Amazon. She'd be happy to take your supplies and sew them up. I think she's made about 60 masks so far, it doesn't take her long at all.
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Post by **GypsyGirl** on Mar 31, 2020 20:22:21 GMT
So now I feel like a failure and just want all of this out of my sight. I don't know if getting rid of all of the fabric and pieces cut out will help my mental health or not. Hopefully, I can find someone who wants to make these to donate. That would be a great solution to your problem. I'd post an offer on your Next Door or Facebook saying how many pre-cut masks you have available to pass along to someone to finish. You could leave them in a bag for porch pickup. Please don't beat yourself up for not finishing them. You've already done the hard part - preparing the fabric and cutting them out. Nothing wrong with doing it assembly line style and letting someone else do the next steps! I hope you are able to find peace after passing them along. |
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Post by flanz on Mar 31, 2020 20:57:41 GMT
What Jenjie said!
We all do what we can do... no one is judging you!
And if you can pass along the cut fabric, all the better.
PLEASE take care of yourself, others surely need you! We do too!
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J u l e e
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,531
Location: Cincinnati
Jun 28, 2014 2:50:47 GMT
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Post by J u l e e on Mar 31, 2020 21:27:49 GMT
Hugs to you both craftedbys and tracyarts. We have a saying in our house that we have damn near worn out these last three weeks - there’s grace for that. We’re all a little off over here and it’s spilling over into literally everything. It’s so hard. But there’s grace for that. Give yourself lots. |
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Post by librarylady on Mar 31, 2020 22:19:33 GMT
I was so afraid of getting myself in a mess like that. I would cut 2 out and complete the sewing of those 2 before cutting out more. I made 14 and decided my back didn't want to do any more. I feel bad about that, but a person only has so much to contribute.
I'm still making blankets for the Linus organization, so I am not a total slacker.
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Post by revirdsuba99 on Apr 1, 2020 0:45:09 GMT
So I won't be able to do it. I feel really bad about that, but it's just too much for me. Not sure why sewing is so hard now, other than the thought process required to do it comes from the part of my brain that is damaged, and it takes too much energy for my brain to reroute everything. I'll make what I have materials for (5 or 6) and then that's it, and it'll probably take me until the end of next week to do them all. Offer the fabric to someone, but also ask if they could make a few for your relative. Worth a try! |
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Post by crazy4scraps on Apr 1, 2020 1:04:09 GMT
I was so afraid of getting myself in a mess like that. I would cut 2 out and complete the sewing of those 2 before cutting out more. I made 14 and decided my back didn't want to do any more. I feel bad about that, but a person only has so much to contribute. I'm still making blankets for the Linus organization, so I am not a total slacker. This is me too. I have a full plate with trying to keep my kid on task with distance learning. I made one for my friend and quickly realized it wasn’t something I had hours to devote to doing, no matter how good the cause. |
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