I've been involved in Scouts BSA for nearly 20 years and have learned a lot about community service and helping others. Their motto "Do a Good Turn Daily" is something that has been ingrained in me since childhood. It fits in nicely with my personality. Throughout my life, I realize that during stressful times, I find great comfort in trying to help others. Perhaps it helps me take the focus off my own situation and shift it to someone else who needs assistance. I feel better when I'm helping someone else who actually wants and appreciates my help.
On March 21st, my friend who is an emergency room nurse, mentioned how she's wearing one mask for an entire day and asked me if I could sew face masks to wear over her N95 mask. I immediately jumped into action and dug supplies out of my personal fabric stash. There are so many patterns out there. I started with the Deaconess pattern that first came out via video. Since then, the CDC has published more guidance on cloth face masks. My sewing factory, aka "sweat shop" was officially open for business. My first masks looked very clinical and dare I say, boring.
I posted these pictures on social media and the requests for masks from other healthcare providers started pouring in - so I kept sewing.
Another knitting friend of mine, who happened to work at a quilting store in her past life, contacted me and wondered if I could use her leftover fabric. I immediately said yes, so she dropped off a big bag of fun prints. These masks were delightfully uplifting!
Another friend put me in touch with a woman in my town who was organizing volunteers to sew. I was able to help connect doctors, nurses, assisted living facilities and more with volunteer seamstresses. More requests kept pouring in, which is a good thing since I've now received requests for more than 1,100 cloth face masks. Several hundred masks have been delivered to hospitals across southern Connecticut, New York, and even as far as friends and family in South Dakota, Massachusetts, Florida, California, and Alaska.
Now three weeks later, I have it down to a system. Every morning and every night before and after work, I do a little moonlighting in my sweat shop (normally referred to as my basement). I work on the masks in phases.
- Cut the fabric
- Iron the pieces
- Sew the masks together with elastic loops
- Turn the masks right side out
- Top stitch the mask
- Sew the pleats
- Photograph
- Distribute the finished masks (preferably arrange a pick up on my front doorstep)
People ask how much the masks cost. They cost me time and effort. I am happy to do this. The healthcare workers are on the frontlines. They're fighting the battle while we stay at home. Sewing masks is the least I can do.
I've also started reaching out to co-workers, clients, friends, and family and asking them if they need face masks for when they must go outside (to get groceries once a week or pick up a prescription). What's the catch? I only ask that you pay it forward. Do a good deed for someone else. Donate to your local food bank. Donate to your favorite charity. Do a good turn daily.
Peace, out!