youtube in the time of social distancing

A fellow designer asked, in a group discussion, what ways social distancing has changed our businesses. I could think of numerous answers, from more downloadable patterns being bought, to less distributor orders coming in. But the biggest thing that occurred to me was YOUTUBE. 

We are watching it more here. I can tell lots of people are watching and using the computer, due to slower online speeds and lower resolution images (bandwidth issues). Even if it's slower, I sure appreciate still being able to connect with the rest of the world this way. Just like many other people in the country, we've had changes in our family with my husband's employer sending everyone home and shutting down his department. We don't know if and when we will go back to his job and I'm sure they don't know either. March 12th will stay in my head as the day he walked in the door just after lunchtime and my first thought was "what are you doing home NOW?" because it was about 4 or 5 hours earlier than he normally comes home. 

Oh boy. Things just got REAL real.

This is the time to stay in and stay healthy and not spread unknowing virus to someone else. I am thankful we are well. We know people who are sick. I know it could be so much worse. We are healthy. We are fortunate to have that and to have each other. My husband and I- we are a team and we are in this together.

So back to youtube...
My husband is home. My husband is very helpful. He's cutting fabric and filling pattern orders. He is the best. But he also has skills to edit and do animation. And I've been talking about doing youtube for awhile and I've just not had the time and the energy, and blah, blah, blah, a million other excuses for not doing it. It dawns on me that I can do something in my day that is in my control in a world that feels out of control. Sewing and making things brings me happiness and peace and a sense of accomplishment. I can share that. So I get beyond my fears and insecurities (did I look too fat on camera? Should I really be wearing THAT?) and jump in. Because now is the time. 

My kitchen is a great place to do this because it has a beautiful source of light. I just feel good in this room. We had a flood that ruined our floors a few years ago and had to rip out the whole kitchen and redo it so it also feels current and fresh to me now. And it's not cluttered. I love my workspace, my office/sewing studio, but its a little...um...full. Okay, a lot full. I think the kitchen also speaks to me of family and gathering and sharing and I think of those things with quilting too. So kitchen it is.

I was happy just to even get my first video up. We ended up replacing it because it needed a little re-doing. The second video still needed numerous takes. Luckily there is editing and you can cut some things out, like when I look at my husband, who is off on the side saying "slow down!!"  He is helping me to learn and get better. 

My goal is to have at least one new video a week. They are not long. Just to share something or give you a glimpse into my world. I can share my Moda Blockheads blocks. I can show quilts. I can just tell about some of the ways I combine color. I plan on doing a studio tour inside my oh-so-crowded sewing space (once its reasonable clean). Perhaps you have something you want to see? If so, let me know!

This feels like a needed change for me to be able to still connect to other quilters. We need to reach out within our homes and stay-at-home-orders and quarantine and still feel like we are part of a bigger picture of humanity and activity. I am so very thankful that I have sewing and quilting as an activity and business to keep me going and keep me occupied and sane. I hope to share a little of that slice of my world through this video connection. 

So check out my channel. Subscribe. Select the button to get notifications of new videos. Really, a week ago I didn't even know that button existed! Now I do. I hope you enjoy my little snippets. Stay in, stay healthy, stay productive. We are all in this together!