Masks
These past couple of months have been brutal. Coronavirus has swept us all into a state of uncertainty, isolation, and fear. I’ve been socially isolated with my kids, as my husband has continued to go to work (and the grocery store). I’m grateful that we have been healthy, and have not (at least so far) suffered major financial loss. However, I am acutely aware that many people have not been as lucky as we have. Then I remembered that famous Mr. Rogers quote, “When I was a boy and would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’”
So, I looked for the helpers.
I started sewing masks to donate when I cam across Face Masks for Heroes, a local organization of volunteers who have been collecting and distributing hand sewn masks to local hospitals. They have compiled links to various patterns approved by all the different care facilities, and provided clear instructions for safe donation of completed masks. As of today, they have donated over 5,000 masks and 115 surgical caps - an amazing achievement for our small community, and one that I am proud to have contributed to.
When a dear friend asked me to make masks for her family, I quickly said yes. She then graciously gave me a bag of fun fabric to make masks for whoever needs them, and I was off.
Around this time, I found The Masked Sewists - a collective of people in SE Wisconsin who rallied together to make and distribute masks across four counties. They organized safe drop off and pickup locations for folks to acquire and donate supplies. Some folks dropped off pre cut fabric, others used 3D printers to make and drop off bias tape makers.
They also run a dedicated Facebook group, where people can ask for advice and tips, share patterns, and more. I learned so much from this group, and I remain so inspired by their dedication.
If you have a sewing machine and want to give it a try, I highly recommend checking out The Masked Sewists (even if you live outside SE Wisconsin) to get started. Making masks have been a great meditative exercise, and it has felt so good to be able to provide some measure of help to my friends and community.
For this batch, I dipped back into my personal fabric supply, and found this gorgeous batik, that I have owed for approximately 400 years, and knew it’s time had come.
I got this fabric on a once in a lifetime trip to Malaysia with my childhood best friend, and have been carting it around with me ever since.
It was especially meaningful to me to send these masks out to some of my dearest friends and family (hi Mom!), because this fabric is so nostalgic and dear to me.
I am still making masks for whoever needs them, so don’t hesitate to get in touch if that is you. I wish everyone peace and good health, and hope that we can all find small ways to give back and support each other during these times. Thank you to everyone who is on the front lines, and their families. Medical professionals, delivery drivers, grocery store workers, municipal employees - you are the helpers. We see you.