My sister, Pauline, was born an angel. Nothing else can explain so loving and generous a nature. The Covid-19 pandemic only accelerated her benevolence to others. By mid-March, she was reaching out to her friends and family on Facebook for a sewing machine.
“Looking for anyone in Sooke who may have a sewing machine that I can either borrow or buy” she posted on March 21. “I’ve found a pattern for fabric face masks with a pocket for filters and I thought I could use my time to make a bunch to donate to VGH.”
It’s not like she had any past experience or inclination to sew that I know of, but I knew we could help. My partner had a sewing machine that was never being used anymore. It was in great condition and I know there were times when we felt guilty that it wasn’t being used anymore. Perfect opportunity to de-clutter, support all our valiant front-line care workers and my sister at the same time.
“We have one here,” I posted, “if it works for you! I would be happy to dig it out. It sits inside its own little table or you can put on a table top.”
Bam! She came the very next day to pick it up—table and all—and loaded it into her car.
The next day I see a Facebook post from her that she has already had scads of fabric donated too!
“Update – that was fast! I’ve got a sewing machine and the Cloth Castle in Langford is donating materials! Amazing!
Anyone who has a sewing machine and wants to do something to help your community, please consider making these!
#itfeelsgoodtohelp.
2 days later she posts another Facebook update:
After picking up a big box of donated fabric to start making face masks, the dang needle broke! It’s the only thing I didn’t pick extra up!! It took me awhile to figure out the sewing machine and then testing a few patterns but I finally got a few face masks made!
After a marathon of Mask Making, this what ‘taking a break’ looks like to my sister:
“Took a little break from making masks and have successfully made some scrub caps! Got enough to make a few to send to my Vic Gen nurses and then back to masks!
Hey all! Who has buttons?!? I’m talking jars of buttons not just a few!”
And by the 7th day she made the Mask Deliveries:
“So happy to have dropped of 7 dozen masks to the nurses at the Vancouver Children’s Hospital today!”
And of course we were delighted to receive a couple of personalized masks from her too!
- Vancouver
- BC
- v8v
- Canada
