I quilt a lot and have been quilting consistantly over 25 years. If you count the quilted pillow I did in high school - with calicos - the only quilting fabric available, and the quilt I started in college, it’s been about 40 years. That’s a lot of time playing with color and fabric! I love playing with new fabrics to see how I can use them with different patterns but I also enjoy extending the life and use of scraps and repurposing fabrics in new ways.

Many years ago, I saw an exhibit of the Quilts of Gee’s Bend and was inspired by some of them that had used cut-apart jeans and garments to create the quilt tops. They must have been incredibly heavy and hard on the hands to sew.

I collect worn and used jeans (cotton is the best), and cut them apart to get flat fabric again. I save the side seams and inseams too. Eventually I will make a coil rug with them when I have enough. I love the variation in shade of denim in a pair of jeans but also in my collection.

When I think I have enough variety in shade of blue, I come up with a pattern that I think will work for an all jeans quilt. The pieces and blocks are bigger than than what I use with quilting cottons. The seams are wider and the whole quilt is heavier too.

I spent some time on my current ongoing jeans quilt today. I have wide bands that I think of like bricks in a row that are separated by narrower bands of bricks set side by side with their narrow ends facing out. Most of the wide brick rows have been made. Now I have a lot of cutting of small squares ahead to make up the narrow rows.

I love this process of laying out fabric and auditioning and seeing if all the colors and shades are balanced. Working on the jeans quilt had me thinking about how much I enjoy the creative challenge of repurposing and reusing fabric that many would toss. It’s environmentally kind but it’s also satisfying to have, use and touch these fabrics which have had lives and experiences and group them together in pleasing ways for another adventure.

What do you like to reuse and repurpose?

Face masks are now a necessary part of life probably until we have a working vaccine for Covid-19 and most everyone is protected.

That being the case, what kind of mask do you want? Would you like the option of elastic or ties with your face mask? Would you like it to be reversible and have a pocket to add a filter or liner? Would you like it to be washable and reusable? Would you like high quality craftsmanship and good cotton fabrics?

I’ve made fabric face masks for my family. I’ve tested the mask fit and then because of my family’s preferences added elastic loops AND a long fabric cord to use to secure the mask. I personally use the elastic loops vs. the tie about 50-50. The tie/cord is useful because the mask can be worn around the neck until it’s needed for use.

I now am making masks for others and have started putting some of my finished ones up in my Etsy shop. I have lots of fabric and lots of elastic so I will be adding more options weekly.

For every two masks that are ordered, I will donate one mask.

The masks that I’ve been making come from an online pattern from Sewitonline.com. The masks are reversible with two distinct colors of fabric. There is a pocket between the layers if you wish to add a filter or additional layer of fabric.

I suggest hand washing and air drying the masks. They will last much longer and be in better condition. The masks can be put in the washer if necessary. Tie the ends of the fabric cord together so it doesn’t unthread itself in the wash.

Let me know if you’re interested in particular colors or sizes. I have a lot of fabric to choose from!

If you are local, we can make arrangements for a drop off. Otherwise I have them for sale in my Etsy shop because of the better shipping rates than if I went to the Post Office to send them

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Reuse and Create Anew

Handmade reversible and washable fabric face masks for sale