Isobel Holland

I wasn't thinking about keeping a record, I was just sending images to the scrubs coordinator as I got batches ready. I didn't photograph everything - I made lots of scrubs bags, more hats and scrubs, but didn't photograph them. I started making scrubs as a result of seeing requests on Facebook. I don't know if you remember, but there were lots of heart-rending messages from doctors, nurses, care staff, every one on the front line.

Isobel Holland

The little square was for a Yorkshire Covid quilt, but I haven't heard about that since I sent the square. It was made of scraps from scrubs I made.
I don't know if the masks count - I have made lots and lots for family and friends, but not part of the For the Love of Scrubs effort.
I have had to shield throughout, and making scrubs definitely gave me a way to fight the pandemic and help front line workers while I myself was safe at home. It definitely helped my mental health.

First of all I made masks for my friends and family, then paid orders for friends and friends of friends. I am a quilt maker, dress maker and general textile person, so had cotton, interfacing and elastic to hand. Thank goodness for the internet, which was my source of information about the best materials, patterns and sewing techniques for masks. I am still making masks - at least I can do something to keep my family safer.

The first sets of scrubs, scrubs hats and laundry bags were made out of fabric I had to hand and out of donated fabrics, mainly duvet covers and sheets. One set of salmon pink sheets was clearly old but unused - I guess from an older person's bedding stash. It was quite funny coming across fashions in bed linen now long gone - bedding too good to throw out but too old fashioned to use until a greater need came along. Later on we were working with specialist scrubs fabric for local gp practices and hospitals.

Sewing gave me a purpose and anchor in a very uncertain time. From the beginning I knew that a respiratory infection would mean masks were vital, as was good hygiene, even while the government dithered and people protested. I had to shield from the beginning - it is horrible having to hide away while others are putting their lives on the line. Being able to contribute was essential to my mental health. Making scrubs for strangers and masks for my family helped me as much as them, I am sure.