Here at ABQ Sewing Studio
There’s a rare moment of calm here this morning giving me an opportunity to chat with you. It’s mid-May, 2020, and we are a couple of months into this new way of living and hopefully, you are at least starting to get your head around the idea that this is going to last a good long while.
I say that with a big sigh. I miss you. It’s lonely, even for somebody like me who is used to working alone. I’m pretty sure you are feeling the same way, missing interaction with friends, family, and even us lowly shopkeepers.
So many of you are making a difference
I’ve talked to many people over the phone and heard a lot of stories about what you are doing to make the world a safer place.
Thousands of masks have been made and distributed using my pattern. The same goes for my scrub cap and face shield.
The thank yous I have received from you are very gratifying – especially after working so many hours trying to keep up with your orders, inquiries, and shipments.
My many customers in the USA cause me to pause. The situation has bordered on desperate in many places south of the Canadian border. My heart goes out to those of you trying to protect yourselves and your families.
It’s hard to find mask-making supplies in the US; even fabric seems to be scarce from what I’ve been told. I’ve never heard such heart-wrenching stories from moms trying to keep their kids, who are working in health care safe. That’s all they want, to be safe.
A big thanks to my suppliers
I want to acknowledge my supplier in Ohio for keeping the PUL supply chain running. Warehouses that distribute my supplies are super busy and trying to keep orders moving with a skeleton staff.
My Canadian supplier of all things quilting including elastic for masks has been operating with just two people. They have absolutely outdone themselves sourcing elastic and I am in awe that they were able to supply me when there seemed to be no elastic to be had anywhere else.
Without these unsung heros, all of you mask makers would be in real trouble. They have been working around the clock and practically living at the doorstep of Toronto International Airport waiting for elastic from Asia to clear customs. Well done, Angie and Dwight!
Updating our online store
But now it’s time to get back to work. I’ve been inputting fabric and notions into our shopping cart system at night and will continue to upload more of our supplies on a daily basis.
You’ll notice a change on our shopping site. Because I’ve added so much fabric there’s a whole new section for it. We have a variety of quilter’s cotton that’s suitable for mask making, quilting, clothing and bag making. You’ll also find cork, denim, shot cotton, rayon, and PUL.
Working on a plan for virtual classes
Kelley and I have been discussing how we can put her to work doing online classes so all of you can get together again virtually. There are lots of ways we can still connect (once I get a moment to work on them)!
Happy Mother’s Day
To you moms out there, I’m wishing you a belated happy Mother’s Day, and I’d like to express my thanks to you for working so hard to look after so many people.
Questions and orders
As you know, you can call me during working hours with your questions and orders, or order online at shop.amongbrendasquilts.com. Because I have so many parcels to take to the post office before their cut-off time I have set up new shop hours for ABQ Sewing Studio. I will be here Monday – Friday from 10 am till 3:30 pm.
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