While we can’t get together at our regular meetings, you may be looking for patterns and ideas for sewing while stuck at home.

Below are links to (mostly free) quilt patterns and other project ideas to keep us busy and inspired. Do let us know of other patterns that we can easily access from home, and I can add them here.

Masks

Mask making is very popular, and at the moment in Ireland there is advice though no obligation to wear them in public transport and in shops. There are many different patterns and instructions available for making masks, a couple of links are below. You will have to judge for yourself which pattern is most suited to you.
Please keep in mind that homemade masks provide varying levels of protection and never replace hand washing or social distancing measures. Homemade masks are (usually) only meant for use in a non-healthcare setting and don’t make you safe by themselves…

COVID-19 CLOTH FACE MASKS FOR ALL IRELAND – Facebook group using a specific pattern and coordinating makers with users
DIY Face masks with ear elastics (youtube)
Face masks (Good Housekeeping)
Pattern for a mask with ties (sweetredpoppy.com)
Face Mask With Pocket & Nose Wire Sleeve (craftpassion.com)
Face mask with ties (madeeveryday.com)
pattern from Emily Lakdawalla (lakdawalla.com)

Quilt patterns

While not everyone has time to sew, many of us will find ourselves with lots of time at home and in need of some distracting activity. Fortunately mmost of us have a “bit” of a stash, too… And if not, find links to our regular shops on the “Helpful Links” page. Below are some (mostly) free patterns I have come across recently, let me know if you know of any others:

Plaid-ish scrap quilt (Kitchen Table Quilting)
Bonnie Hunter Unity Quilt Along (Quiltville blog) – temporary for free
Sewcial Distancing quilt (The Sewing Shed blog)
Moda free patterns (Moda)
Weekly block patterns – Block Heads 3 (Moda)
Modern Quilt Blocks (Amy Ellis) – one free new block each week
Baltimore style blocks (Sew of Course)

Or go back to basics with a simple scrap quilt. Cut any scraps into equal squares and just start sewing them randomly together (by hand or machine). A good size to cut is 2″ or 2 1/2″, but any size will work. Even when it doesn’t look like much at first you’ll be surprised to see how those unwanted leftovers come together into a gorgeous quilt…!

Other craft patterns

Crochet a rainbow (Kerry Lane Designs) – small decoration of hope
Beach hut tote bag (Sew of Course) – you’ve seen this at meetings, now you can make your own
Applique pictures – campervan, caravan, beach huts in three different posts (Mrs Moog Sews) – pay what you can afford