Masks are saving lives in the fight against COVID-19. They are in HIGH demand, but SHORT supply. Let's work together to make masks for our local community. While these masks are not intended to replace the N95 mask which offers the greatest protection against COVID-19, nor surgical masks, they can offer some protection for workers and people in lower risk environments. Here is information from the CDC about homemade masks. 

 

We are coordinating a local effort to make masks and we need donations of sewing supplies, sewers to make masks, and volunteers to reach out to organizations who may need masks and to run errands.   

 

We have identified a DIY mask pattern that is frequently being requested by organizations in need. To complete this important DIY mask making effort, there are 6 critical volunteer needs:

 

#1 CHIEF COORDINATOR - Volunteer needed to coordinate contacters, donations, errand runners, cutters, and sewers.

 

#2 CONTACTERS- Volunteers needed to reach out into the community and identify organizations such as local hospitals and urgent care clinics, senior living facilities, assisted living facilities, memory care facilities, nursing homes, and child care facilities to assess their need for masks. Masks are also needed by grocery store and pharmacy workers, delivery drivers, sanitation workers and members of the farming community. The need is endless!!! 

 

#3 DONATIONS - Below is a list of the supplies needed for making the DIY mask. Sign up if you have any of these items to donate. Fabric and elastic can be purchased online at The Creation Station. They have an excellent supply. 

 

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Note: The DIY mask 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. 

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#4 ERRAND RUNNERS- A coordinator is needed to coordinate the errand runners and to provide status info to the chief coordinator. Volunteers  are needed to pick up and drop-off supplies, launder masks after they are made, and deliver masks when completed.

 

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Note: Wash all masks in hot water and dry on high heat place in plastic bags (like Ziplock) prior to delivery.  Include the note on this PDF

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Note: Do not deliver masks to organizations that have not requested them. They may get thrown away.

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#5 CUTTERS: A coordinator is needed to coordinate cutters. Volunteers are needed to cut fabric. 

 

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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.

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#6 SEWERS- A coordinator is needed to coordinate sewers and provide them with the DIY mask sewing instructions. Sewing volunteers are greatly needed.

 

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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.

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There are many mask patterns out there. This DIY mask pattern is frequently requested by organizations. 

 

1) Read through these instructions before cutting.

 

2) Start by washing 100% high thread count cotton in hot water and dry in high heat to prevenet shrinkage after construction. 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.

 

6) Watch this video for construction. 

 

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.

 

9) Wash all masks again in hot water and dry on high heat and seal in a Ziiploc bag prior to delivery Use fragrance-free detergent, if you can, and do not use dryer sheets.