Enduring the restrictions put in place due to COVID-19 over these past few months has been harder for some than others — it's been especially difficult for those who live away from their loved ones.
Hannah Swan lives in Halifax but usually spends a great deal of her time at home in Sydney Mines.
She is a substitute teacher and has been off work since schools were closed in March. While she was able to visit with her parents Karen and Eldon Swan earlier on, as things progressed with the pandemic and the restrictions grew, she was unable to return home.
“I haven’t been home for several weeks and it is really hard not seeing my family and friends. I used to travel to Sydney Mines every other week and then it got to the point where I couldn’t travel at all and I wasn't even sure when the next time would be that I could get home.”
The 25-year-old said though she misses her family and friends, she does her best to keep active.
“When I am in Halifax, I don’t want to just be in the house and do nothing so I spend my time sewing. My mom taught me some of the basics of sewing a few years ago and I sewed a bit over the years. I thought there would be no better time to work on a few new projects then while I am off work.
“I didn’t take to sewing right away, but now I find it to be relaxing and I also find it challenging. I like to figure out how things are supposed to come together. Sometimes I use a pattern and other times I try to come up with new designs on my own.”
Given that the fabric stores were all closed for COVID-19, Swan said it was a little difficult to source supplies, but she was able to find it when she needed it.
“I was lucky that one of the places I get fabric was offering curbside pickup so I was able to place an order and get supplies that way.”
Over the past few years, Swan has designed and created a number of different pieces. She said she likes to make clothes and enjoys wearing fashion she creates herself.
“I try to make things that I know I can wear to work or out with my friends. Whenever I have on a dress or a skirt that I made myself and people comment that it is nice, I usually just say thanks. Sometimes I will say I made it myself and they are surprised because they say it looks like something I bought.
“Sometimes I see a pattern in a book for a top or skirt that I wouldn’t necessarily be able to buy in a store. It's great that I can just buy the pattern and the material and have fun making the piece myself. I think that is what makes sewing so much fun, it is the uniqueness of what you come up with. I also find that when you put a little more work into a piece, it ends up being better quality and will last longer.”
Whether it is making a dress for herself or doggie bandanas for her Goldendoodle Maddie, Swan said she feels like the time she spends sewing is time well spent.
“I think the more I sew the better I get, so having all of this time these past few months has allowed me to improve my skills a lot.”
While Swan has accepted that she will not be returning to the classroom until September at the earliest, she is happy that she will be able to return home soon.
“It is so nice to be able to plan a trip home. I will be in Sydney Mines very soon. It probably means that I won’t get much sewing done, but I will keep busy with some of the hobbies I like when I am there like taking my dog for long walks, spending time with my friends and camping.”
“Not getting home these past few months has been hard, but I understand that this is a difficult time that we are all going through it.
"It is important that I do my part to make sure I am safe and that the people around me are safe as well."
Sherry Mulley MacDonald is a freelance journalist and author. She is a lifelong resident of the Northside with a fondness for the community in which she lives.
