Example County 4-H Maskcrafters ๐Ÿ˜ท

Jen closeup

Created by Jen Berman Contact

Fight COVID-19. Together, let's make and deliver 1,000,000 masks!

There is a nationwide shortage of protective masks. And YOU have the skills to help! 4-H is partnering with Covid Mask Crafters to obtain donations of sewing supplies, sewers to make masks, and volunteers to do pick-up and drop off of supplies, launder masks and deliver or ship them.  Click Show More:
 
In other words, we need your "hands for larger service." This is an ideal project for parents and 4-H members to complete together.
 
It is imperative that we follow the instructions/guidelines below. COVID Mask Crafters has gone to great lengths to ensure that we are helping rather than creating work/confusion for our over-burdened frontline neighbors.
 
Only make the DIY masks outlined below. Do not randomly deliver unsolicited masks. 
 
There are 5 critical volunteer needs:
 
Chief Coordinator- Volunteer needed to coordinate cutting, sewing, supplies, and pick-up/launder/delivery effort within your county following these steps:
 
1) Connect with Covid Mask Crafters hubber (local Covid Mask Crafters volunteer) in your area. If there is one, you will be provided with that info. 
 
2) If there is no hubber in your area, chief coordinator will coordinate delivery of masks to organizations and/or agencies  that have identified a need on the Covid Mask Crafters website. Jennifer Berman will provide that info for your county. If there isn't one,
 
3) Chief coordinator and other volunteers can contact local organizations and/or agencies to assess their need for masks. As you identify needs, please ask the organization or agency to fill out the request form to be listed on the Covid Mask Crafters website.
 
  • Formalize this request via email by including the following verbiage:
It was nice speaking with you today, and we're excited to get to work on crafting hand-sewn masks for you. Please register your request on the Covid Mask Crafters website (click here). As you are likely already aware, hand-sewn masks do not replace N95 masks or surgical masks, nor do they protect the wearer from small droplets or aerosol droplets containing the COVID-19 virus. It is imperative that you follow the strictest level of health and safety protocols that govern your organization. This may be your local Public Health Department, your state Public Health Department, the Center for Disease Control, or another organization. 
 
4) If no needs are identified in your area, or you have met all of the needs and have surplus inventory, you will ship the masks to the nearest Covid Mask Crafters hubbers, or the nearest organization/agency listed in your region here. Jennifer Berman can provide you with your nearest hubber's contact information.
 
5) When your group has satisfied an identified need, update Covid Mask Crafters so they can update their website.
 
Donations- Below is a list of the supplies needed for mask making. Sign up if you have any of these items to donate. Elastic can be purchased online at The Creation Station. They have an excellent supply. 
 
Supplies Pick-up / Mask Laundering / Mask Delivery / Shippers: A supply coordinator is needed to coordinate supplies pick up and drop-off, mask laundering after they are made, and mask delivery , or shipping, when completed and provide status info to the chief coordinator. Volunteers are also needed to pick up and deliver supplies to sewers and then pick up masks, launder them, and deliver or ship them to organizations.
 
  • Note: Pattern can be made with elastic or bias tape (or homemade bias tape) ties whichever you have the most of.  Elastic can be purchased online at The Creation Station
 
  • Note: Wash all masks in hot water and dry on high heat place in plastic bags (like Ziplock) prior to delivery or shipping. 
 
Include a note that contains the following information  - download a printable version here: https://planhero.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/product-information-sheet.pdf
  • "These are 100% cotton hand-sewn face masks crafted by volunteers.
  • These masks are "Non Medical".
  • They are not sewn in a 21 CFR 820 facility, nor a facility with a 510(k) clearance.
  • These masks are Not Recommended for Surgical Settings.
  • They are not guaranteed against antimicrobial, antiviral, infection prevention or reduction.
  • Please consult your local Public Health Department and/or the Center for Disease control to ensure that you are practicing the strictest health and safety protocols with them."
 
Volunteers must have access to a vehicle and have a valid driver's license and automobile insurance. Volunteers should not be at high-risk for COVID-19 (i.e. elderly and/or having a compromised immune system) since they may come in contact with other people during pick-ups/drop-offs.
 
Cutters: A coordinator is needed to coordinate cutters and provide them with approved patterns. Volunteers are needed to cut fabric. 
 
  • Note: Wash all fabric in hot water and dry on high heat before cutting! Use fragrance-free detergent, if possible, and do not use dryer sheets.
 
Sewers- A coordinator is needed to coordinate sewers and provide them with approved patterns. Sewing volunteers are greatly needed.
 
  • Note: Pattern can be made with elastic or bias tape (or homemade bias tape) ties, which ever you have the most of. See Sewing Directions below.
 
Masks Made and Delivered:
 
  • Chief Coordinator: Please make sure that all of your Made and Delivered masks are accounted for on this Signup List.
 
  • All Other Sewers: While we encourage you to work via the process outlined herein, if you have already made and delivered masks to other organizations/entities, please make sure you enter them on the signup below. We are excited to see our grand total!
 
**********
 
How to sew a DIY mask:
 
There are many mask patterns out there. For the purpose of mass production, 4-H has chosen to sew the DIY mask because it is the mask most requested by organizations in need.
 
1) Read through these instructions before cutting.
 
2) Start by washing 100% high thread count cotton in hot water and dry in high heat. Use fragrance-free detergent, if possible, and do not use dryer sheets. 
 
3) Then taking one yard (or more) of 42" wide fabric, fold the fabric in half so that the selvage edges are together with selvage edges running left to right on your cutting table (so 21" wide).
 
4) Starting at the selvage edges, measure 7" down and cut a strip (left to right). If you are working with a yard, you will end up with 3 strips measuring 7" x 36".
 
5) Cut the strips into four 9" sections. You will end up with (12) 7" x 9" sections.
 
 
7) If you do not have elastic, you will need to make ties that are 36" long. Bias tape can be used for ties or you can cut an 1" x 36" wide strip of fabric. Fold bias tape or fabric strip to an inch width and stitch with a top stitch finishing each end. 
 
8) Watch this video for a quick and easy tie modification to the DIY mask.
 
Voila!
 
9) Wash all masks again in hot water and dry on high heat prior to delivery or shipping. Use fragrance-free detergent, if you can, and do not use dryer sheets.
 
 
This is "sew" important. Thanks for your help!
 
Show All Spots
Show Open Spots