I’ve lost all interest in sewing during lock down. I can’t entirely explain. I think it’s because we’re still running at the plant. We manufacture labels and labels are in BIG demand right now: hand sanitizer labels, cleaning supplies labels, food labels. The list goes on and on.

And our day is filled with a million new tasks– wipe every surface, shoes on/shoes off, take ANOTHER shower, clean the phone, clean the door handles, schedule grocery delivery. It’s honestly exhausting. But I feel guilty because I GET to do this stuff every day. I should be thankful.

This week it was made official: In 15 days, our entire plant needs to have masks. This is according to our Governor. And if we don’t have masks or if we don’t make our employees wear them, they will shut us down.

Of course you can’t FIND masks. No one has them in stock. NO ONE.

Many, many, many wonderful quilters have been busy bees making masks and donating them. It makes my heart happy to know so many people are pitching in to help. And I feel overwhelmingly guilty that I’ve not done the same.

Guilt is a major factor for me during this whole pandemic. My family is safe. My company is running. Our Team is healthy. My refrigerator is full. My son is at home, on the couch, taking his last final for law school. And all of that good stuff could go away at any moment.

Hold up. Maybe it’s less guilt and more fear.

At any rate, this weekend I may turn on my trusty sewing machine and whip up masks for our team–so we can keep running. Because I’m scared to death that our presses are going to stop.

Yep. It’s fear. Masking as guilt.

Makes sense.