Diversion from Worrying about Coronavirus (Covid19)

Most Americans are now “hunkered down” trying to avoid the Coronavirus (Covid19).  The problem is what to do while you are mostly confined to your home.  I know there is always laundry, cooking, and housecleaning, but most of us need a diversion from these activities at least once in a while, especially if you don’t have small children to “entertain” you!  And even if you do, you still need a diversion, maybe during the children’s nap time.  My diversion is sewing.

I know there are lots of you who haven’t sewn in years and may not know where to start.  First, get out your sewing machine and give it a test drive.  It will probably need a good cleaning and oiling (for mechanical machines) if you haven’t used it for a while.  If it needs more than you can do, call someone who repairs machines and make an appointment.  During this crisis, some quilt shops will come out to your car to get your machine and return it to your car when you go to pick it up.  If you need sewing supplies, you can call them and they will get the supplies together for you and mail them or you can pick them up.  I think more businesses are taking this approach to help their customers during this crisis. 

I am going to post a series of easy, small projects to sew that I hope will pique your interest in sewing again.  Sewing is relaxing and may take your mind off the current situation at least for a while.  It also exercises the brain because you are constantly making decisions and solving problems.  These projects will probably not require a pattern and only a small amount of fabric. 

The first project is a potholder.  I don’t know about you, but I sometimes have problems with sewing on bias tape, so this first potholder does not require the use of bias tape.  It is self- bound.  

The supplies you need are listed below.  These are in addition to a sewing machine, scissors, thread and a rotary cutter (optional, you could use scissors).

Supplies

1 – 10” piece of 100% cotton for the back piece

1 -    8” piece of 100% cotton for the front piece

1 -    8” piece of 100% cotton batting

1 -    8” piece of insulated batting such as Insul-Bright

 

With the 10” back piece wrong side up, center the piece of cotton batting and the piece of insulated batting on the back piece.  Then place the front piece on top of these three pieces with the right side up.  Use a couple of pins to hold the four pieces in place.  Then quilt them together by stitching rows about 1 ½ inches apart. 

  

Place a ruler on one corner of the front piece and measure out ½ inch.  Then use your rotary cutter to cut off the ½ inch at the corner.  Make sure when you measure the ½ inch, the opposite end of your ruler goes through the opposite corner at the same spot.  This will ensure each corner is measured accurately and will be cut at the same angle.

  

Next, fold up the ½ inch until it just touches the corner of the front piece.  Then press.  Repeat process for all four corners. 

Press ¼ inch up on two opposite sides of the back piece.  Then fold the back piece over the front piece.  Use clips or pins to hold in place and stitch close the edge.

 Next press ¼ inch up on the remaining opposite sides.  Fold the back piece over the front and stitch in place.  When you come to the corners, one side should just barely cover the other.  You can stitch down the corners, if desired.

Your potholder is complete.  The more you do, the better you get at turning up the edges and making the corners meet.  These make quick and economical gifts for bridal showers, Christmas, birthdays, or other occasions. 

If you haven’t used your sewing machine in a while, I hope you will get it out and make a few potholders or some other project you have in mind.  Stay safe and healthy!

Judy