stittsygirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,601 
Location: In the leaves and rain.
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Post by stittsygirl on Mar 21, 2020 2:08:59 GMT
Providence in Washington just put out the call for volunteers to sew masks. It looks like it’s going to stay local for now and won’t start for a few more days. They are getting the supplies together and will put together kits that will make 100 masks. I’ve signed up and am waiting for further instruction. I have a feeling this will eventually be an issue everywhere, so stay tuned to what your local healthcare facilities might need. Every healthcare facility has been impacted by the diminished supply lines but some areas are better off than others. I'm of the opinion that we're far from peak need right now and we should all probably start sewing as soon as we have our supplies. there will be someone somewhere who wants them. Probably multiples to choose from. I still haven't identified the best pattern but am working with a woman who works at an incredible non-profit based right here, www.directrelief.org. She started an enormous local Days for Girls effort here. She replied this morning that Direct Relief couldn't support our sewing of the fabric masks because they are not "proper" masks (I'm paraphrasing, can't remember exactly what she wrote). Heard from her again a bit ago and thinks that might be changing, to stay tuned. If she shares a specific plan and pattern, I'll be sure to report here. It's heartwarming to see how many of us want to help. Not surprising though. Peas rock!~ I agree, use what you can find. Everything will help. Here is a video tutorial of the mask kits Providence WA is putting together, where they ARE using medical grade, surgical wrap material which isn’t available to the general public. Their masks also have ties and not elastic. www.providence.org/lp/100m-masks |
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Post by flanz on Mar 21, 2020 2:09:25 GMT
If they are high thread count they should work, I would think. Thanks for joining in! |
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Nov 2, 2024 15:40:08 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Mar 21, 2020 2:38:33 GMT
Weird question:
Could a fabric mask be made for non medical using cut up pee pads as an insert?
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pridemom
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,843
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Post by pridemom on Mar 21, 2020 2:40:55 GMT
I think it is a lovely idea, but these types of masks don't do much in the way of real protection. Well I was watching the news tonight and these can be put over the (can't remember what they are called) masks and then it will extend their use. These could then be washed or tossed. The hand sewn masks are also being used for visitors and patients, saving the medical masks for personnel. |
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Post by revirdsuba99 on Mar 21, 2020 2:49:14 GMT
Just a quick note: I heard somewhere today that even IF they finally get official masks, the handmade will be used for others coming in to hospitals etc. Those you are all making will be used by someone. They will be sanitized before they are distributed. And remember cute is good, but there are also males who need masks too!
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zookeeper
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,909
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Post by zookeeper on Mar 21, 2020 2:51:40 GMT
I cannot sew but this is my favorite thread of the year so far!!!! You women are all freaking rockstars!!!
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zookeeper
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,909
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Post by zookeeper on Mar 21, 2020 2:54:03 GMT
The hand sewn masks are also being used for visitors and patients, saving the medical masks for personnel. As the wife of a cath lab tech...thank you!!! My husband's hospital has designated one of their cath lab rooms as a negative pressure room for cases for COVID-19 only. |
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Post by christine58 on Mar 21, 2020 2:58:13 GMT
My niece who is a PICU nurse in Broward county in Florida just texted me and said that she was looking for people who knew how to sew. She ordered material and elastic but doesn’t know how to sew So I reached out to a very good friend who makes quilts, sent her the link Erin sent me with the directions, and my friend Stephanie is going to get started tomorrow and make a bunch for her. Erin‘s husband is a paramedic/fireman also in Broward County and I just worry about both of them.
She told me that all she’s done is pray to her grandpa- my dad-who died the first part of January. She said they have three really sick little kids right now who are looking at removal of care. All 3 are there as a result of drowning.
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ellaknits
Full Member
Posts: 186
Mar 17, 2020 22:21:56 GMT
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Post by ellaknits on Mar 21, 2020 4:07:59 GMT
Ok, I have a prototype from the pattern I posted on the other thread. Hopefully you can see the picture. I need to get something to insert for the ties, but the mask has good structure - it's decor fabric outside, quilting cotton inside, medium weight interfacing in between. You can breathe easily and it covers up to the bridge of your nose - comfy, but boy does it fog your glasses. Anyway. First one done. I will have a curbside pickup in the morning at Joann for more supplies. I'm working on getting the photo(s) to post.
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Post by SAHM wannabe on Mar 21, 2020 4:17:52 GMT
Weird question: Could a fabric mask be made for non medical using cut up pee pads as an insert? I read an article that the masks can't be so thick that they make breathing difficult. This might make breathing too difficult. I think it's great that ideas keep being presented. Our collective efforts will make a difference. |
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Nov 2, 2024 15:40:08 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Mar 21, 2020 5:22:27 GMT
Weird question: Could a fabric mask be made for non medical using cut up pee pads as an insert? I read an article that the masks can't be so thick that they make breathing difficult. This might make breathing too difficult. I think it's great that ideas keep being presented. Our collective efforts will make a difference. Yes you are right , the plastic would probably not let any air through. To bad tho, the plastic could make a barrier and the pad could absorb moisture. |
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Post by beaglemom on Mar 21, 2020 5:33:34 GMT
My niece who is a PICU nurse in Broward county in Florida just texted me and said that she was looking for people who knew how to sew. She ordered material and elastic but doesn’t know how to sew So I reached out to a very good friend who makes quilts, sent her the link Erin sent me with the directions, and my friend Stephanie is going to get started tomorrow and make a bunch for her. Erin‘s husband is a paramedic/fireman also in Broward County and I just worry about both of them. She told me that all she’s done is pray to her grandpa- my dad-who died the first part of January. She said they have three really sick little kids right now who are looking at removal of care. All 3 are there as a result of drowning. Please send it to me. I would love to make her and her husband some. Let me know things/colors/anything they like I have more fabric than I can ever use and I would love to send some to Erin and her husband!! |
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Post by beaglemom on Mar 21, 2020 5:38:22 GMT
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Post by SAHM wannabe on Mar 21, 2020 7:25:04 GMT
This is my hospital system in Washington - Providence - that is very close to running out of masks: TIME I work in sterile processing where we use special material to wrap and sterilize instruments. Tons of this wrap gets thrown out daily in the world. Most of it is soft and pliable and keeps the instruments they cover sterile indefinitely unless it is contaminated in another manner. They say they are testing this material to see how viable it would be to make masks out of it. I know there are small groups that take the used wrap and make sleeping bags out of them for the homeless because the material is fairly impervious to most things. With hospitals cutting back on elective surgeries they won’t be processing as many instruments and will have more of this wrap available. It comes in several sizes - the largest we use is 54”x54” - so a lot of masks could be made from it. I will offer them my sewing skills if they decide to go this direction or keep trying to get vinyl, since I’m not doing much else right now. Chris Cuomo of CNN did an update on Providence Medical Center tonight. He interviewed a doctor from Providence a couple nights ago who was introducing the Million Mask Challenge. She was identified as having treated the country's first coronavirus patient. She was very happy on this evening's show! The community has responded to their plea. She encouraged all those who want to help to reach out to their local hospitals as the demand continues to be great and will get worse. Chris asked her to keep their website updated so others can continue to reach out. Million Mask Challenge |
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Post by Patter on Mar 21, 2020 9:38:40 GMT
Okay, for those asking about ties, this is something I came up with, and I have not seen it anywhere on the internet. Here is what I am doing and using. First, yes flanz, I am using the 6x9 inch rectangles. For the ties, I cut 4 ties per mask at 20" each. I am using 1/2" wide twill. It's very loose, thin, soft, and easy to tie. I think they are a tad long for my face but a larger bow took care of that. I wore the one pictured below for about 30 minutes yesterday. VERY comfortable, didn't fall off the nose or gap at the chin. The bottom ties (down by the chin) actually go up on the head crossing over the tie at the back of the head. Really love it this way. Here is my first messy prototype. I will make the tucks a bit larger in my next ones. I also put the ties at the corner because I thought it might tie better. I am going to try another one with the ties just like a regular surgical mask. Please let me know what other questions you have.  Here is a video about tying a surgical mask. Start at 2 minutes in. I don't like it tied around my neck so mine I put above and loved it! www.youtube.com/watch?v=9VbojLOQe94 |
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Post by Patter on Mar 21, 2020 10:41:33 GMT
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Post by christine58 on Mar 21, 2020 10:43:05 GMT
My niece who is a PICU nurse in Broward county in Florida just texted me and said that she was looking for people who knew how to sew. She ordered material and elastic but doesn’t know how to sew So I reached out to a very good friend who makes quilts, sent her the link Erin sent me with the directions, and my friend Stephanie is going to get started tomorrow and make a bunch for her. Erin‘s husband is a paramedic/fireman also in Broward County and I just worry about both of them. She told me that all she’s done is pray to her grandpa- my dad-who died the first part of January. She said they have three really sick little kids right now who are looking at removal of care. All 3 are there as a result of drowning. Please send it to me. I would love to make her and her husband some. Let me know things/colors/anything they like I have more fabric than I can ever use and I would love to send some to Erin and her husband!! I am in tears. Thank you Sheena....this is truly a RAK. |
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Nov 2, 2024 15:40:08 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Mar 21, 2020 13:16:26 GMT
I'd love to help make some as well. We are on our way to pick up DS to move back home so I won't be able to do much research, but would be grateful if someone could provide some Amazon Prime links to the best twill tape (size, color, etc.) and fabric to use so I can order it while we are on the road.
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pyccku
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,817
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Post by pyccku on Mar 21, 2020 16:53:03 GMT
I'd love to help make some as well. We are on our way to pick up DS to move back home so I won't be able to do much research, but would be grateful if someone could provide some Amazon Prime links to the best twill tape (size, color, etc.) and fabric to use so I can order it while we are on the road. Me too,. A local woman who no longer is able to sew is loaning us her machine (DD knows how to use it) but I'm not sure exactly what to order for either elastic or twill. |
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Post by karinec on Mar 21, 2020 17:31:24 GMT
Is cotton duck a good fabric to use? When I downsized I got rid of most of my fabric, but I can get some of this at HL. Do they need to be lined? I'm sorry I'm confused because I'm seeing conflicting info.
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Post by Patter on Mar 21, 2020 17:42:24 GMT
Okay, everyone, here is the pattern I have worked hard on all morning. I pray it is helpful. Also, I will link the twill.  I prefer using the black twill. Most of my masks will be made with black twill; won't get dirty so fast and hides well. I used white to make the photos easier to see. And please don't mind my "no makeup messy at home day." Don't we all look like that now?  drive.google.com/open?id=1MGBYUuNc5jTYysjLu5qVJ3s3haIa1FTHThe twill tape I purchased is no longer available but there are plenty of other sellers. Here is one: 1/2" Twill Tape" |
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Nov 2, 2024 15:40:08 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Mar 21, 2020 17:46:08 GMT
The link goes to a 1" tape. We should buy the 1/2" version? Also, any recs of fabric? Thanks! |
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Post by karinec on Mar 21, 2020 17:48:35 GMT
The instructions are perfect! Thank you! |
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Nov 2, 2024 15:40:08 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Mar 21, 2020 17:58:59 GMT
Just texted my sister who is a nurse anesthetist at UCSF to get her input. I would love to do this if it helps! Can you check if UCSF would want these if we were to make them? |
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smginaz Suzy
Pearl Clutcher
Je suis desole.
Posts: 2,606
Jun 26, 2014 17:27:30 GMT
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Post by smginaz Suzy on Mar 21, 2020 18:04:46 GMT
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tincin
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,382
Jul 25, 2014 4:55:32 GMT
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Post by tincin on Mar 21, 2020 18:08:54 GMT
I have a friend whose son is a nurse at the local city hospital. He’s stopping by on his way to work to pick up the ones I have completed. He’s going to keep what he needs and share the rest.
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pridemom
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,843
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Post by pridemom on Mar 21, 2020 18:22:16 GMT
I have made two so far. I am using four layers of quilter cotton. A nurse friend is in need of some for work. I am making some of each style for her to try.  |
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Post by flanz on Mar 21, 2020 18:49:07 GMT
Please send it to me. I would love to make her and her husband some. Let me know things/colors/anything they like I have more fabric than I can ever use and I would love to send some to Erin and her husband!! I am in tears. Thank you Sheena....this is truly a RAK. Christina, can you please post that pattern here? |
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Post by flanz on Mar 21, 2020 18:52:26 GMT
I have made two so far. I am using four layers of quilter cotton. A nurse friend is in need of some for work. I am making some of each style for her to try. Nice! I did see a pattern at some point with 4 layers of quilters cotton. Did you happen to try wearing one to see if it's easy to breathe through? Please keep us posted! |
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