Ready to Hand: Saori Philadelphia

The new "Little People Read and Make" group had its first meeting on the deck this morning. We read "Mono Gets A Mask", decorated cotton face masks, learned a hand-washing song ("Tops & Bottoms"), sang songs and learned about "cranky rolls", celebrated our new friend J's 3rd birthday, and finished up with some serious water play. Success! Next week we'll be reading Jon Klassen's Shapes Trilogy and learn to make simple books for our own stories, wash hands some more, sing s...ome more, maybe have a mini-music session with instruments, and of course, play with water. Which means we'll probably need a new name: the "Little People Read, Make, Sing and Play With Water" group. There will be a two sessions next week: a morning and an after-nap session. Space is limited (3 families/session) so get in touch if your family would like to participate. I have a deck safe for gathering and projects, and a basement studio full of art supplies. If you have ideas for similar projects for our smallest neighbors to gather safely, let's talk! See more

The SW CC Mask Project is taking orders for washable, adjustable, comfortable and colorful cotton face covers for neighbors in SW CC and CC. These are simple cotton face covers that help prevent asymptomatic transmission by the wearer; they are not medical grade masks. We ask a contribution of $10/mask and use the funds raised to purchase supplies for our efforts to provide masks to the community, and especially free masks to needy neighbors. Requests can be made through the ...SW Center City Mask Project page - https://www.facebook.com/groups/swccmaskproject/ NOTE: Be sure to indicate your residential cross-streets when you ask to join the group. Requests are limited to one household, 2 masks/person. Masks sizes available: XS (3-5 yrs), S (6-10 yrs) and L (everyone else). See more

Neighbors ... Is this what you think the sewing machine in the bottom of you closet looks like? FEAR NOT! I will give you FREE FT sewing lesson to learn how to ...use that machine to make masks with the kits offered by the Sew Face Mask Phila group (https://www.sewfacemasksphilly.com/) Just let me know you are interested by filling out the Volunteer form on the SW Center City Mask Project page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/swccmaskproject/ PLEASE pass this information on to folks you know with similar sewing machine anxieties!

Here are the templates for the masks I am making for my family, neighbors and community. I have made 200 +/- with this design, and now use strips of clean T-sh...irts for the ties which make it completely adjustable, comfortable and easier to wear. It is a simple, no-frills 2-layer cotton face covering that prevents us from spitting on neighbors when we venture out to the market, to the pharmacy, or to walk our dog. We are otherwise indoors. This is a modified version of the RCoA mask pattern in circulation (https://www.sewfacemasksphilly.com/masktutorials) combined with the size requested by nursing professionals. I redesigned it to fit the widest range of adult faces (fewer templates) and to be completely adjustable. NB: there is no filter pocket or nose wire - it's fit its built into the shape (three curves), so pay attention when you trace, cut, sew and press the three curved sides. Since I am trying to supply hundreds of masks to essential workers in my community and families in my neighborhood, I have stream-lined the design and construction process. I URGE YOU TO MAKE THESE FOR YOUR FAMILIES, NEIGHBORS and OTHERS! To make the mask: 1. wash all your fabric in hot water and dry hot (prevents shrinking later) 2. trace and cut 2 of the front pieces 3. trace and cut 2 of the lining pieces 4. Start sewing USING A 1/4" SEAM ALLOWANCE: a. match right sides together on the front pieces and sew the long curved center seam. Repeat for the (shorter) lining pieces. Do not press these seams open. They do not need to be clipped or top-stitched either unless just can't restrain yourself. b. sew the front and lining together by butting the seams and pin (or use clips - which is what I do) and sew along the long curved edges - take care when you arrive at the center seams to pivot and preserve the shape. If you put your needle down, you can easily lift the presser foot and pivot slightly. You should have two long seams and two short open sides. 5. turn the mask inside out and press the long seams well. You can fold it in half and press the center seam flat now. 6. Make the side casings for the ties: fold and press the sides of the front piece toward the lining by 1/4", then fold again 5/8-3/4". Both sides. If you iron this well, you don't have to pin this (saves time if you are trying to make many of these!). 7. Finish the stitching - working with the lining facing you (so you can see the edge of the casings), stitch down the casing on the bottom of one side close to the inside fold (leaving the opening of the casing wide enough to take a tie or shoelace), continue to top-stitch the top curved edge of the mask, then stitch down the folded edge of the other side casing. If possible, DO back-stitch when starting and stopping on the casing sides to reinforce the stress points. It is not necessary to top-stitch the bottom edge for this mask to function effectively and fit comfortably. 8. Cut a T-shirt according to the photo tutorial shown here. Stretch the slices, cut once, and lace through the mask starting from the BOTTOM of one casing, over to the top of tthe other casing, and back down. You should have a loop at the top and long ties at the bottom. DONE. Note: The top loop is intended to make this mask adjustable and easier to wear, but if that doesn't work - cut it in the middle so that the mask can be tied twice instead of once, Your call. MAKE MORE. SHARE EVERYWHERE - start with family, local health professionals and essential workers. Then find out who is immuno-compromised or elderly in your neighborhood and share with them. Then make more and give them to everyone else. I ask for small $ donations to buy cloth and other tools from folks who will or can contribute. Not a requirement. I have requested donations of freshly-washed T-shirts for the ties. Some neighbors can help iron and cut the cloth for me to sew. Some are cutting up men’s button-down shirts for mask linings. You can organize the same community effort in your community. DO IT, since we are all going to need to wear this kind of face covering for the next few months.