Sewing in the time of COVID-19 – Week 29
I think we can all agree that 2020 is a surreal and exhausting year, and somehow we find ourselves in the last quarter of this annus horribilis. (That’s Latin for horrible year.) One season has flowed into the next, and I mark the passing of the seasons here more for myself, because I am still trying to catch up! This last week I was ordering fabrics that will ship in the Summer of 2021, for Christmas 2021. If not for these acts of faith in the future, I’d have a hard time thinking past the end of this year. I know you can relate. But nevertheless I can tell you that we have some gorgeous collections on order for 2021! I’ve previewed some Quilt Market collections and there is some crazy-wonderful pandemic creativity going on out there!
I encourage you to watch the SAQA Textile Talks, which are so inspiring while we are staying at home. eQuilter is not only a sponsor of these weekly online talks, but we are also a sponsor of Dr Carolyn Mazloomi’s new exhibit – “We Are the Story”. The recording for the Textile Talk about this exhibit is now available online.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. As you know, we give 2% of sales to a list of charities, and one of them is for Breast Cancer Research. As of this month eQuilter has donated $312K to this one cause, and I thought it is a good time to talk about why this is one of our 7 charities listed when you check out.
Paul and I are committed to donating to find a cure. Both of our mothers are breast cancer survivors. My mom had it when she was 46, and is still living with the aftermath of her treatments, at age 83. Paul’s mother is no longer with us. She had it twice. I lost a very dear friend who I’d known since I was 19, when she was 52. She left behind 3 bio kids and 7 adopted kids. And then there are the countless girlfriends who are survivors, many of them who are reading this newsletter now.I have another survivor friend who had a double mastectomy, who lost her mother and sister to the disease, and she has 3 daughters who are potentially at risk.
To all of you who have faced this disease, for yourself or a loved one, we continue to send money each month in hope of a cure. We buy every single Pink Ribbon fabric collection that raises money for this cause. We wish our suppliers would make more of these fundraiser collections. Many years ago I designed such a collection for Robert Kaufman Fabrics, and they donated .25 per yard. They raised $27K from that collection. So I also urge designers to ask companies to consider collaborating on projects such as this.
Together, with compassion and commitment, we CAN make a difference.
with Hope for the Future,
Luana and Paul
