We are in unprecedented times, plague, death and loss of life, liberty and physical social interaction. This will not be in my usual style. As it is diary based; to keep me sane, to keep everyone else in my household saner.

Let me give you some history first. A lady called Hannah Clair Somerville : https://hannahclairesomerville.com/section/427830-1-year-of-stitches-2016.html set herself a challenge to fill an embroidery hoop with a few stitches a day. My textiles tutor at the time suggested some of us have a go, and the group Jan’s stitch a day was formed https://www.facebook.com/groups/677306469110376/. At a recent sewing group meet up before, we went into lockdown someone suggested we do a lockdown stitch-a-day. I have bad mental health at the best of time, and a person I was talking to suggested I write a diary. Hence, I have started my stitch down diary.

Day 1: Not quite embroidery related but it is the start of lockdown. I have prepared my fabric with overlocked edges to stop it fraying. First day of stitches locking down the fabric frays.

Day 2: And my stitches to start. Seeding.

Seeding is the start of lock down, seeds as it starts here.

Day 3: Satin stitch. Satin stitch in the form of a leaf, to remind me things are still turning nature is recovering. It is amazing how fast things are recovering in nature without all the pollutants.

Day 4: Blanket stitch. White blanket stitch, my mood, I am in pain and confused, today I am rather short and spiky.

Day 5: Single Fly stitch. Things are a balance and hanging by a thread, my mental health is getting wobbly.

Day 6: Arrow stitch. Things are emotions are coming in waves. Just like the pain of my Crohns. It is all I can do to keep sane, the colour teal relaxes me. We all need to ride the tide right now.

Day 7: Cross stitch, six strand. Cross stitch as today I am cross with my hubby. He cut flowers down in the garden yesterday thinking I had left an area of weeds. He’s not said sorry and said I nag. So cross that I feel confused and anxious about talking to the doctor over my Crohn’s. Feel I will be fobbed off. Been a heavy day today.

Day 8: Bullion Knot perle thread. Bullions knots, remind me of pills. Just been given a prescription by the doctor that means I will have to now stay indoors. I will be tied up in knots by the end of this. But in pain and need those pills.

Day 9. Couching Trellis. Perle thread both in purple and green. Did it in the shape of a cage as from today I start my meds. No going out the house for me and feel really caged in no exercise. Asked hubby three times, to walk across the road and too get me a packet of fruit pastilles (I needed them and they are essential to my waistline and my mental health). Nope he did not get them. I will be breaking out this of cell if he does that again. I mean the shop is twenty steps if that.

Day 10: Running stitch. Two tone with perle cotton. Today has been a manic day. The stitches have run away with themselves. I have spent the day organising the Grimsby, Scunthorpe and Goole https://www.facebook.com/groups/217748016205668/ branch of For The Love of Scrubs sewing group https://www.facebook.com/groups/1500699350098765/. Requesting help, trying to source fabric and patterns. With three members this morning to over twenty tonight and local businesses on board too. All helping or want to help, it has been amazing.

I feel useful. My stitches have just gone wherever no planning and I allowed them to as well so it freeing for the mind.

I have always wanted to do logistics. Maybe now, once this is over I can put this on my CV and I might find a job I can do without if affecting my health so much.

If there is one thing this pandemic has taught us is that, everyone is equal and we all have a part to play.

Day 11: Detached Chain stitch. Today’s detached chain stitch six strand with a slight twist three anchor points instead of one. Note I should have used fewer stands. Did not like these, but keeping them because I did not like them.

Today’s stitch also represents my head, it’s detached and all over the place. Bounds of energy and I am like a manic chicken. Might be the tablets as they are also detached despite my best effort and those scrubbers (sewing folks for scrubs) we still haven’t manage to make the chain. Links still missing and I forgot when dealing with people, little bits of information and often otherwise, some go pair shaped. Bit like my stitches tonight.

Day 12: Two stranded Fly stitch. Okay today was again manic. Looking good on the scrub front, we have an old furniture factory shop now helping with cutting and making. The main group has over 20.000 members. In our group we now have over 30 people. All wanting to help.

Not sure if it is the tablets or something else, why I am manic but it is good. I feel like a baby tigger. I have chosen to do fly stitch as it is like plants growing from the ground. The green variegated thread new life. First week of lockdown being locked in, so far been too busy to have noticed. But, tomorrow we need shopping. This is where Deanna and I would go out once a week together. We cannot do that now.

I will have to trust a husband who only every buys for himself (ie pack up stuff) and does not think what to get with regard meals planning. I try and do a meal plan but not been good as you never know what is in the shops now.

Day 13: Two stand Glove stitch with variegated thread. Today things were less manic. Feeling a little melancholy to be honest. Hubby did the shopping, he was like a baby with the list. Although he did have to go to three supermarkets to get it all a credit to him well done.

However, I am meant to be one of the shielded. Therefore, he left all the shopping on the floor for me to wipe down and disinfect. My lot clearly do not get it, when I point it out they either do not listen, do not care or tell me to stop fussing.

The scrub group admin eased today. That is another reason why I choose to do Glove stitch. It is an edging stitch and was used like its name suggests. I think now we are getting the edging right in the group and things are slowly acting like a glove.

I missed going out today to do the shopping. To see what was there, to see the changed world. But I guess I should be in no hurry to queue in windy car parks where people do not want to speak to you. We are meant to not stand next to each other. I did not know ignoring was a thing as well.

I had hoped fabric would arrive but alas it has not. Never mind it should come next week along with the pattern and I can relax and my make my first pair of scrubs. A small confession, this is a test pair and for my auntie who is a care worker. The pattern and fabric out of my own pocket for this one. Other fabric for future scrubs will be sourced through the group as funds are tight for me.

 

Watch this space will be back in …

..time.