I make everything on an industrial sewing machine (which is not at all mobile!) so I was quite worried about how I could continue to work without the piece of machinery I rely upon for my livelihood. Luckily, a friend kindly lent me her domestic machine so I was able to work from home.

With everything feeling incredibly uncertain and the shop launch on hold, I started to pick up on the rising need for sewers prompted by the PPE shortage. Inspired by fellow sewists using their skills to help make scrubs and hospital gowns, and worried about the increase in use of plastic-based disposable masks, I started to work on making reusable cotton face coverings.

It really took off and it's been a pleasure to provide a colourful, earth-friendly alternative to something which has now become part of our daily lives.

It's also given me the opportunity for some down-time hand-sewing as I'm using the fabric and paper paper scraps to make a patchwork hexigon quilt, using a technique known as English Paper Piecing.

I love the idea that this could be a family heirloom one day. I hope in the future when I'm looking back on these strange times, I'll look at the quilt and remember all the silver linings and the warmth with which people came together.