President's Mask Making Etc. Updates
~Karen Pickford, President
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July 22, 2020
Good morning Mask Making team!
Did you enjoy a few days off? The following day after my last update, Governor Newsom announced that students will be required to wear masks when schools reopen. This morning, I received notification regarding the need for more adult masks, as well. So I guess it’s time to start your machines again!
Children’s masks:
For children’s masks, I would like to request that we use the Orange Dot mask pattern. I’ve received nothing but positive feedback from parents using this mask for their children. The good thing is that children will keep them on - which is not the case with all masks as they become more uncomfortable. Elastic should be used rather than ties to avoid the hassles that could occur in the classroom dealing with the ties. Since the Orange Dot pattern just calls for reducing the mask size to 75%, I’ve prepared the measurements for you for 3 different sizes: 70% works for children 2-5 years old, 75% works for 6-10, and 85% works for pre-teen, teen and smaller adult faces. If you do not have the pattern I sent on the 6/04 Mask Update, please contact me or check the Mask section of our website. Please also refer to the modifications that I’ve suggested for construction. 85%: Cut fabric 8 1/2" x 14 or 8 1/2" x 7-1/4" (2 pieces sewn together)
Cut Interfacing 7 1/2" x 5"
Binding for ends is 2" x 3.5"
Stitch lines are 2" & 4 1/2"
Elastic is 6"
75%: Cut fabric 7 1/2" x 12 1/4" or 7 1/2" x 6 1/8" (2 pieces sewn together)
Cut interfacing 6 1/2" x 4 5/8"
Binding for ends is 2" x 3.5
Stitch lines are 1 7/8" and 4 1/4"
Elastic is 6"
70%: Cut fabric 7" x 11 3/4" or 7" x 5 7/8" (2 pieces sewn together)
Cut interfacing 6" x 4 1/4"
Binding for ends is 2" x 3.5
Stitch lines are 1 1/4" x 3 3/4"
Elastic is 5"
We will probably be focusing our efforts on providing masks for Goleta Union School District since we have had some connections with them already. Hopefully other mask-making groups will help with other school districts. There are between 4000-5000 students aged 5-12 in GUSD. The majority of masks needed will be the 75% and 85% sizes, as children under the age of 9 (3rd grade) will not be required to wear them. Please keep children and ages in mind when choosing fabric. Bright colors, animals, sports, geometric shapes, storybook figures, school novelty fabric would all be appropriate choices. I have some available if you need it, along with interfacing and elastic. I have been using a special variety of twist ties for the noses and will probably be able to get more for you to use as well. Do not use pipe cleaners (they rust) or wires that stick out. Wires must be completely enclosed within the mask for safety. Just let me know what you need.
Adult masks:
We have an ongoing request to provide masks for Unity Shoppe at a rate of about 50 per week. Our supply of adult masks is getting fairly low. Preferred styles are the Orange Dot Mask or the Olson style. Please try to use a layer of interfacing to add extra protection. This morning I had an additional request from Unity Shoppe to provide 50 masks for staff and clients during the holiday season. I am finalizing the details, but they mentioned using solid red. It may be possible to line the masks with holiday fabric, but that is not yet confirmed. I would like to request using the Orange Dot design for this request as well, especially for the staff members who have to wear their masks for long periods of time. If solid red is required, I will try to purchase the fabric at Grant House (if available) so that the color is consistent.
Also today, Rochelle Schneider (our Corresponding Secretary) forwarded a request from Domestic Violence Solutions. They are in need of masks for women and children. There is no specific request for style, color, etc. so these could use any of the different styles that you prefer to make. I have not yet received a specific requirement in terms of numbers from DVS, but will include that in my next update if available.
Thank you all for your efforts on this project. Our active group has dwindled down to a very small group and I’m hoping we can get more people involved with these new special requirements. Please share this information with your friends. Not all guild members are on this email list - only those who have actively participated at some point during the last 4 months.
Thanks again, and as always, stay well!
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July 16, 2020
Hello everyone,
My how time flies - the last update was about 3 weeks ago. I'm happy to report that we have officially crossed the 5000 mark! That's a lot of masks from a core group of 10-20 makers. You've done a tremendous job.
We are still filling an ongoing small request from Unity Shoppe for about 50 masks per week and I am working on an order for GUSD for 150 masks. This project turned into a small fundraiser for the Guild - which will help our finances since we are unable to have our quilt show in September.
In my last report, I mentioned switching to making children's masks - and several of you have been working on these smaller sizes. It is still unclear what is going to be happening with the schools and whether students will need masks. I currently have about 600 masks available should the need arise - 200 of which are requested for St. Raphael's Catholic School. I am personally hesitant to continue making and collecting children's masks if there will be no need.
I believe it may be time to wind down this project, until such a time where an increase in need is detected. If you are working on masks now, I will still be happy to receive them and hold until requests come in. But for now, we probably don't need to create a lot more. If things change, you will be the first people I contact! So give yourself permission to sew something fun!
For those of you who are not members of Coastal Quilters' Guild, I would like to invite you to participate in our Zoom meetings. We are currently having 2 "Coffee Break" meetings per month (on Fridays at 1:00) with one of our members as a featured guest. However, beginning in August we will hold our regular evening meeting (2nd Thursday at 7:00) via Zoom and will begin to have "sort of" regular programs and online workshops. If you would like to participate, please contact me and I will send you the registration link. We also plan to continue the "Coffee Break" meetings, but will reduce them to once per month. Our next "Coffee Break" is on July 24 at 1:00. If you like what you see, we invite you to join our Guild and become a part of a creative group of people.
Thanks to all of you who have risen to the challenge of making masks for our community. I'm including a link that one of our group members sent me a couple of days ago that validates what we have been doing. We are helping others and we are helping ourselves.
Stay well and keep in touch. I'd still like to do a final tally of personal distribution at some point.
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June 24, 2020
Hi everyone,
It’s been almost two weeks since my last update, but not a lot has happened, so this may be short. I hope everyone is staying well during this alarming up-tick in the number of cases and hospitalizations.
It seems that many of you have grown weary of mask-making - and understandably - as the number of masks I’ve received has dwindled. But that’s okay, because so have the requests. In fact, I think I can safely report that we are currently caught up and have some inventory to fill the ongoing Unity Shoppe request for now. So feel free to take a break and create something wonderful just for yourself. You have all been so generous and selfless in rising to this sewing challenge. I will certainly contact you if we have a surge in requests for masks. I know you can all use a break from this task.
I have been in contact with the superintendent of Goleta Union School District regarding the need for masks for students in the fall. So far, nothing is definitive as even they are getting conflicting information. She will keep me posted if the need arises for student-sized masks. We have a request from St. Raphael’s for student masks, and I currently have enough on hand to fill that need. If you would like to continue making masks, I would suggest making the smaller sizes for kids. I encourage you to use either the Olson pattern or the Orange Dot Pattern. Please use interfacing (I have plenty to spare since my order finally arrived.) Please indicate which age group your masks will fit (i.e. 2-5, 6-9, 10-13.) I have made several using the Orange Dot pattern using 85% reduction for age 10-13, 75% reduction for age 6-9, and 70% reduction for age 2-5. So far that seems to be a good fit for the children who have tried them. I also encourage you to use elastic or hair bands for the ears as ties could end up being a hassle for teachers in the fall. They can slip off or become untied.
I also discovered a neat little trick for those who like to be able to hang their mask around their neck when not in use. I sewed a small button on each side of the mask and got an eye-glass holder band at The Dollar Store for $1.00. It works great and it’s removable when not needed. Please contact me on the Supply Request thread if you need anything. I still have plenty of just about everything.
Stay well and happy sewing.
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June 4, 2020
Hi everyone,
Does it seem as if we’ve been making masks for a lifetime? I want to congratulate everyone because as of today, we have just hit 4000 masks - on the dot! There are 50 of us that have contributed - some with a few and some with hundreds! Thank you for keeping up the work.
We are continuing to provide masks to Unity Shoppe for their clients - a weekly order of 50 masks, including some for children. We also just completed a request for Isla Vista Youth Project for 100 adult and 100 children’s masks. And Food From the Heart has requested as many as 170 masks for their clients after we already fulfilled their needs for their volunteers.
I know that some of you have become a little burned out, and it’s understandable to take a break. In fact, I encourage you to do so when you need a reprieve. I personally think that I must have a bit of ADD when it comes to sewing and quilting, because I get bored doing repetitive stuff. However, it seems that trying a new pattern gets me going again. That said - I have fallen in love with the “Simple Mask” pattern from Dora Cary at Orange Dot Quilts. The pattern was suggested to me a couple of months ago, but I set it aside thinking it looked kind of complicated. Nothing could be further from the truth. It’s a very easy mask to make - and I’ve made some modifications to simplify it even more. She has printed pattern pieces - but they are not necessary except for clipping the corners. Be sure to print the pattern at 100%. You can also print it at smaller sizes if you are making masks for children. She suggests 75% for children - which would probably fit a 6-10 year old. This is the most comfortable and best fitting mask I have made to date (and I’ve tried several.)
If you’d like to try this mask, I’m attaching my modifications, as well as a video that is useful to see for a couple of the procedures. The pattern is free from Orangedotquilts.com. I also have a different version of the nose piece than what she recommends. They are basically the strip that is used on coffee bags, etc., I think.
If you are in need of supplies, I have the following:
Nose pieces (referenced above-for Orange Dot Mask)
Bias tape
Elastic (¼” medical grade - very soft)
Fabric - Lots of children’s fabric just delivered! Plus lots more!
Interfacing - non-fusible, non-woven
Pipecleaners
Hair bands (for Olson Masks)
Video link: https://youtu.be/UaZBm_V8Flg
Modifications of Orange Dot Mask by Karen Pickford
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5/26/2020
I was just checking back and can’t believe it’s been over 10 days since my last update. With every day seeming much like the day before, it’s no wonder that time passes without noticing. Our current production of masks is 3496 - almost to the 3500 mark. And by later today, I know we’ll be over that, as I’ve been advised that almost 100 masks are being delivered soon. We are currently keeping well supplied with adult masks - but have a couple of requests for children’s masks that have yet to be completed. I have made an agreement with Unity Shoppe to supply 50 adult masks and 10-20 children’s masks per week for the foreseeable future. Isla Vista Youth Project has requested 100 adult masks and 100 children’s masks to distribute with food they deliver to their families.
Last time I sent you the pattern for the Olson children’s mask and mentioned that I had modified the Homestead to be smaller. I have decided to stick with the Olson mask, as the Homestead is a little harder for children to use. I think the preference will be to use the Olson style mask with elastic or hair bands rather than ties. However, I don’t believe we need to make pockets. I just completed 40 of them and I cut the 4 pieces (2 of each) from the same “front” pattern and left one end open for turning. I added interfacing using the “mouth” pattern. If you’ve made the adult Olson masks, hopefully this will make sense. We currently have plenty of masks made from cat fabric - but if you have not yet delivered them, they still can be used with other recipients. We are still in need of the special black and white fabric that I have distributed to some of you, so if you’ve made those, please drop them off with me as soon as you can.
If you are in need of supplies, please let me know. I have some fabric that would work well for children’s masks, but not an abundance. I also have non-fusible interfacing, ribbon, hair bands, bias tape and elastic. Please contact me by separate email, rather than replying to this one, if you need anything. I’m sure that many of you are becoming worn out with making so many masks. Please take breaks and do something that you enjoy - whether that involves sewing another project or getting out to enjoy the sunshine. Thank you for all you are doing. We’ve made a big difference and have received lots of appreciation.
All the best,
Karen
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05/18/2020
These are 4 of the chiefs from SB county fire wearing our masks.
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05/15/2020
Hi again mask-makers & friends, I just wanted to send out a brief note before the weekend.
Requests:
I delivered another 155 masks to Maravilla on Wednesday. I also contacted Unity Shoppe and they are in need of more, so I will package up what I can for them to pick up this weekend. I suspect that may be an ongoing need, as they are giving them to their clients who come to shop. They may be in need of some children’s masks, as well, but I will confirm that later.
We are working on the masks for ASAP. Twenty-five have been delivered and we need 100 more right now.
Please let me know if you hear of other needs in the community. Because we take great care in cleaning and packaging our creations, I’m hesitant to drop them in the boxes for collection used by The Food Bank and Sansum Clinic. They take the donations they receive and wash them in some way. We include “Use and Care” notes and occasionally sample filters (for pocket masks) that could be ruined in the process. You are more than welcome to contribute directly to these causes, if you prefer.
Supplies:
I now have non-fusible interfacing available - currently I have eight 10 yard by 60” pieces cut and ready to distribute to anyone who needs them. I will be able to get more when this runs out - so please let me know if you need any.
I also have 500 yards of ¼” medical grade elastic which works well for the masks with ear loops. And I have 50 or so yards of the regular ¼” elastic that would work for the loops that go around the back of the head. We also had a small donation of the small round elastic if anyone prefers to use that.
Thanks are due to Laurie Gross-Schaefer, who is a local designer leading her own mask-making group. We’ve been sharing ideas and resources for several weeks, and I greatly appreciate all she is doing to help this cause. She is responsible for sourcing the elastic and interfacing which the Guild is able to purchase from her at cost. In some ways, we’ve sort of formed to create our own mask making “network.”
If you are working on masks for ASAP, I have several pieces of cat themed fabric. There is one print, a black and white fabric, that is the preferred fabric for ASAP, as it closely resembles their logo. There are about 10 ½ yard pieces of that, as well as other fun prints. I have these fabrics sorted into separate shoe boxes, so you can look through to pick what you need - just let me know when to put it out. We’ve also had donations of fun fabric for the childrens’ masks, which I have packaged in another shoe box. Attached is a copy of the Olson mask pattern for children. I have also modified the Homestead mask, and will send that out as soon as I am able to create the new instructions. The size is different, but I’ve also changed the backing so that the split is near the top instead of being right in the middle. Hopefully, I’ll be able to explain that clearly.
Have a lovely weekend, and please contact me if you need anything.
Olsons Childrens Pattern
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05/12/2020
Hello everyone,
It’s been awhile since my last update - I hope you don’t think I’ve dropped the ball. In the meantime, I was writing articles for our Guild newsletter, so I guess that kind of took the place of this update.
The article I wrote for the newsletter was turned in on 5/1/20 - and at that time we had just gone over the 2400 mark. As of this morning, we are at 2822! The masks just keep magically appearing in the bin.
Our last deliveries were 119 masks to Maravilla, 300 to Channel Islands Post Acute and 60 to St. Raphael’s Catholic Church. St. Raphael’s has also requested 200 student masks for the fall - so we are beginning the process of finding suitable children’s patterns. I will get those out to you as soon as we have written and/or video resources for you. When making the childrens’ masks, think bright and cheery fabrics, school related fabrics, animals, etc. If you need additional fabric, I have a crate at your disposal.
I have also been in contact with the superintendent of the Goleta Union School District on the subject of masks for students. She said that at this point, the SB public health doctor is not recommending masks for kids as he believes they spread more germs than without them. She will let me know if that opinion changes and the need for thousands of student masks becomes necessary.
One of our Mask Group members has received a request from ASAP, the cat rescue group, requesting 125 masks for their volunteers. They would like for us to use “cat” fabric. If you do not have any, this volunteer has donated several yards for the project. Please let me know if you would like me to cut you a piece, or pieces for making masks for this special project. Please use the “supply request” email that I set up some time ago - or at least a separate email rather than responding to this email. For the most part, the requests for masks have dropped off considerably in the last 2 weeks. I have had a request to purchase masks, but have referred them to the spreadsheet created by the Santa Barbara Mask Network http://www.sbcmasknetwork.org/ which lists those people who are sewing masks to help make ends meet while their regular sewing jobs are on hold. This website also has a link for making surgical hats, which I have listed below. I was told by a former nurse that this may be an item that will become needed if anyone is interested in switching gears and trying out this pattern.
https://masksnow.org/patterns/convertible-carecap
If any of you have requests for large quantities of masks, please have them contact me at president@coastalquilterssb.org and we will be happy to work on filling their requests. We currently have a small stockpile, so they should be able to have their needs filled quickly
Keep up the good work - and please stay well.
What we’ve learned from making 167,000 masks: https://youtu.be/N4r8nwFdUxY
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04/29/2020
Good morning everyone,
I hope that you have had some time for rest and relaxation - and maybe a little break from mask making since my last update on 4/22. I personally got to catch up on some much-needed weeding in my backyard, and am anxious to complete the landscaping project I started last fall. The front yard is mostly complete, but the back yard has been waiting.
As of yesterday, our total production passed 2250! Even given the opportunity for a break, you continued to deliver masks all this week. We were able to meet our obligations with some to spare. However, we now have a couple of large requests and are trying to accumulate 100-300 for Maravilla residents and 275-300 for residents and staff at Channel Islands Post Acute. I’m very happy to be able to help these facilities - especially Maravilla, which has provided a no-charge meeting room for our Board Meetings for several years.
Yesterday’s Santa Barbara News Press featured a front-page article on our mask-making project. If you missed it, you can go to our website to read it (coastalquilters.org.) It was well-written, and well-researched, as I did not provide the reporter with all of the details she included in the article. Thank you, Linda Boynton de Sepulveda, for also contributing your comments to the article - I’m sorry she didn’t recognize your doctorate in nursing, however! So the article was mostly accurate - but my email address was missing a letter. Therefore, people reaching out to us will have to be extra persistent and creative to find us. Some have already gone to our website, which was printed correctly, and found us that way. I expect our requests for masks will increase because of this article, so keep up the good work.
An issue that has been raised is related to the people who have lost their sewing jobs due to the pandemic shut-down. We do not want to take work away from these individuals. Therefore, for organizations and businesses having the means to pay, we will be referring them to sewing professionals who are trying to supplement their income due to loss of regular jobs. I have been in contact with Grant House to see if there is a list or other way of reaching these people, and am awaiting his response.
We have also received another nice donation from UPC Work Inc. bringing our total donations to over $1200. Some of this amount includes cash contributions from friends and family wishing to “purchase” masks from our group members. When asked, we suggest they make a donation as we aren’t in the business of selling them. I also received another beautiful orchid (see photo attached) - this one from The Dream Foundation in appreciation of the masks we provided to them. The only way I know to share is to send you all a photo.
As always, please contact me if you need supplies using that other thread started a couple of weeks ago. I have some interfacing available - and expecting more in about a week or two. Elastic is available, as are hair bands and spools of ribbon. Please remember to make the ties long enough - based on the pattern you are using. The Homestead masks, for example, require 50-54” of ribbon or ties in order for them to fit - which is a little longer than some of the other mask patterns.
I look forward to hearing from you and receiving your packages.
Please stay well.
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04/22/2020
Hi everyone,
I've been so busy finishing my 100+ masks that there was no time for an update in the past few days. Now it's time for some catch-up administration work.
As of this moment, our mask count is up to 1942!! You guys are awesome! I delivered 124 masks to GUSD yesterday for their food servers and office staff and they were so appreciative. We will be receiving recognition at their next Board Meeting as part of the "gifts received" portion of the agenda.
And speaking of recognition, we have a couple of nice articles about and/or including us in the news recently. See below for links if you have not seen them yet.
One of the Food Bank recipients collected $30 and left it in an envelope under my doormat - which will be donated to the Guild for supply reimbursement. The Cottage Radiology Department left a nice note along with an orchid at my door - I feel I need to share that with all of you, so I've attached a photo.
I'm currently filling requests by SB County Fire for 50 masks and for Santa Barbara Fire Station #1 for 200 masks. I believe I have enough to cover these for now, but I suspect we will be receiving more requests, such as the one I received from a bank employee this morning (number not yet determined.) So while we don't need to work at quite the frenetic pace, I would hope that you can continue making masks as time and materials permit and drop them off when you can.
My order of interfacing is confirmed to have been shipped, but it may be a couple of weeks to delivery. I currently have about 10 yards I can share as well as some elastic and more grosgrain ribbon. The separate email for supply requests seems to be working better than attaching your request to these update threads.
Thanks again for all you are doing. Keep up the good work.
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04/17/2020
Good afternoon, everyone,
I've been feeling a bit like the movie "Groundhog Day" lately - every day seems pretty much the same as the day before. I can't say that I'm getting bored, though, as this project has been keeping me very busy.
The current mask count is almost 1550 and I'm sure will reach 16oo by the end of the day. Thank you to all of the very prolific sewists out there - and to all of you who can only make a few. So far, 40 individuals have contributed to the count. It all adds up and we have been able to keep up with the requests coming in. In fact, right now, we probably could entertain a few more organizations requesting masks, so I've reached out to a few to ascertain their needs. As a result, Goleta Union School District (my former employer) has requested 130 for their food servers and district office staff. I hope to be able to make that delivery on Monday.
There is a possibility of our little group (not so little anymore) being in the news - so stay tuned. United Boys & Girls Club is issuing a press release today highlighting our efforts on this project. Goleta Monarch Press requested information. And yesterday, I was interviewed by phone by a reporter from the Santa Barbara News Press. She followed up requesting photos - so we'll see what comes of it. Obviously, none of us are in this for fame and fortune - but it is nice to be recognized for the effort all of you have put into this. I'm very proud of the work we all have done - and I hope that comes across in any publicity that might come of this.
I think I may have found a source for interfacing and ordered 25 yards last night. I'm not holding my breath, as I've experienced too many orders cancelled after thinking they were on the way. I will keep you posted on this. In the meantime, I have some fusible and non-fusible interfacing that I can share in approximate 1 yard amounts. I also have elastic, hair bands, ribbon and bias tape. Please request supplies using the email I sent the other day for that purpose. That has worked out well, as I can delete the email after fulfilling the request.
This morning, Kristin Otte shared the following video with me. At times like this, we all can use a laugh - so I would like to share it with you, too. I hope it works for you!
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04/17/2020
Hello everyone,
Thank you so much for keeping up the production of masks. I added up the list yesterday and we have almost reached the 1100 mark! And that is not counting those that you have made and distributed to your family, friends, and neighbors. I will be working on that list when the priority needs calm down a bit. We also have about 30 of you who have turned in masks. That's a rather small group to produce so many of these masks. We currently are still trying to fill requests for around 225 masks. So please keep up the good work and ask others to join us.
For supplies, I now have more interfacing, but not massive amounts. I do have massive amounts of hair bands for anyone making the Olson mask. I also have grosgrain ribbon in black, cream, and gray if you are in need of materials for ties. I have rolls of bias tape in Gray and Brown for this same purpose. We have more fabric just donated from our Community Quilts stash if you are running low on fabric. And there is a new supply of elastic for anyone using that. Please let me know what you need and I will get it ready for you.
I was contacted this weekend by Judi Weisbart, who has been given the official role with SB County of "Operational Area Face Covering Community Coordinator." I believe the purpose is to have a database of individuals and groups who are making masks for our community. I believe our organization is working well, and will probably not have need of their involvement in terms of distribution, but I will be happy to keep them posted as to our needs and output.
This method of communicating with you all (regular updates) seems to be a good way to get information TO you, but it's a less than perfect way for me to get information FROM you. When you respond to these updates, it creates a long string of emails, which I always read. However, if there is an action required, sometimes I need to search back to find where your message was attached. To improve that, I am going to send all of you two separate emails: 1) for supply requests/donations and 2) for the number of masks you are distributing on your own. I hope this will help me to keep up with this information. If you need something that does not fit within these two topics, please email me separately so that it does not get lost in the string.
For mask makers unable to deliver masks to me, please remember that we have a few volunteers who are providing this valuable courier service to us. We want everyone to remain safe.
Stay well and keep sewing!
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04/10/2020
Hello everyone,
Just a quick update today - because I have 100 masks cut out and ready to stitch.
Linda Boynton de Sepulveda kindly donated a large supply of elastic and some more interfacing if you are in need of these supplies. I also have some 5 yard packages of elastic to share. I also just received many 50 yard spools of grosgrain ribbon - some from Marty and some that I ordered myself. This should work well for the new Homestead mask pattern.
Please let me know if you are in need of any supplies, including fabric. I have a few boxes, and Diana Hamilton dropped a bag from her stash as well.
Thank you to everyone who is quietly working to make these much needed masks. With yesterday and today's drop-offs I was able to supply 135 of the 300 requested by Work Inc. They are very appreciative. If you are the anonymous person who dropped off 47 pleated masks today, please let me know. I would like to include your name on my log.
Keep up the good work. I appreciate all you are doing.
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04/09/2020
Good morning mask makers and friends,
The current mask count (not including any that you all are distributing on your own) is over 700 and all of them are either delivered or spoken for. In fact, I have requests for at least 450 more to fill as soon as possible. I'm sending out another plea to our guild members to try to pull more into our group. We can use all of the sewists we can get.
In my last update, I sent you a link for another more simple pattern to use for the masks if you would like. Mary Frolli has kindly put the instructions in words (and pictures) to make it easier to follow. We also made a few modifications to the original in order to simplify it even more. The document she created is attached to this email. The only confusing thing about this mask is how to put it on, so I've created a card to include with each of these masks to help explain the process, and provide a link to the video.
Some of you have probably seen the news that the Bucket Brigade in Montecito has created a contest and is giving prizes for the most masks made. Please be very proud of yourselves that you are doing this project for altruistic satisfaction and do not need to be rewarded. One of our recipients (Boys & Girls Club - for Food Bank) is highlighting us in a press release, so perhaps we will get some good press. And others are giving us a "shout-out" on social media like Facebook.
I also now have more interfacing, thanks to our group member, Diana Hamilton. So far, my order has not arrived, nor has the order for hair bands. I also have a box (or three) of fabric I can put out if you are running low. Just a reminder about fabric: because the masks may be microwaved for sterilization, please do not use fabric that has metallic threads in it. If the masks have non-removable metal strips, that would not be an issue.
That reminds me. One of our non-member sewists had a great idea for a removable strip for the wire or pipe cleaner. Stitch a casing across the nose piece using twill tape or bias tape that is wide enough to slide the wire in, but removable for washing or microwaving.
Please keep me posted on your progress. I hope today and tomorrow will see lots of drop offs in my box. Remember, if you need someone to pick up your masks, let me know and it will be arranged.
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04/07/2020
Good morning quilters - and friends,
Overnight I received requests for 50 masks for GVCC's food bank volunteers and 200-300 from UPC Work Inc. for their staff members. I still am waiting to have enough to fill our previous requests for about 200 masks. The requests are rising faster than we can keep up with. For that reason, I am going to be switching my production to an easier mask. This mask pattern (link below) is a simple mask to make, has a pocket for additional filtration, and fits extremely well around the face. In fact, it's the first one I've made that I can wear without fogging my glasses - which is a sign of a good fit. Thank you, Liz, for providing this link.
This does not come with written directions, but is pretty simple to follow. I made a few modifications to make it more effective as well as simpler.
Basic supplies:
10" x 8" fabric for front (1)
10" x 8" fabric for back (2) - or see modification below
Pipecleaner (instructions say 7", but 6" is sufficient) - or plastic coated wire
54-55" Clothesline, cording, shoelaces or handmade strips for ties
1) Instead of cutting 2 - 10 x 8 pieces for the backing, I cut 2 - 4 1/2" x 10" pieces, stitched the partial seams with a 1/2' seam, pressed open and top-stitched down the seams
2) I put a piece of interfacing on the 10" x 8" piece, but did not extend it all the way to the side so that it did not cover the casing area
3) Put a 6" pipe cleaner in place instead of the wire and secure in place before folding the edges for the casing. I bend the ends of pipecleaner over to avoid poking through the fabric.
4) If you have 54" shoe laces, they can be used in place of the cording - or you can make ties
We are still waiting for additional interfacing to arrive, although I do have a small amount to share. In addition, to those making the Olson masks, one of our generous helpers (thank you, Stefani) has ordered thousands of hair bands which should arrive today or tomorrow. I'm happy to share these - as I will not be making enough masks to use all of them!
Liz Zok and I both added notes to Next Door asking for volunteer sewists, and I believe I've had one volunteer already from that source. Please reach out to your sewing friends and ask them to join our effort as well. There is a surprisingly small number of Guild members involved at this stage - unless they are sewing silently and going to surprise me.
And now, I will get back to my machine. I'd like to leave you with this inspiring article which was sent to me by a couple of people in our group. Thanks for sharing. We can all use a pat on the back from time to time.
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04/06/2020
Hi everyone,
I hope you were able to have a restful weekend - but then, nowadays, who can tell the weekend from other days.
Many of you are sewing masks for family and friends - which is wonderful! Please send me separate emails about the numbers, as your messages are getting lost in a long string of messages within the group. I'm working on creating an actual Google Group, so that might help with the back and forth communications.
As of this morning, I've counted over 605 masks either coming through my distribution channels or delivered by you to your friends and family. I know I'm missing some, though.
Please keep sewing! We also still have requests coming in. Currently we need at least 100 masks for Assisted Home Health for their facilities along the south coast. Also we need 100 for volunteers at Boys & Girls Club helping with the Food Bank distributions. I am also expecting a request from Ridley Tree Cancer Center, which was referred to us by one of our group members. Right now, I have on hand less than 20 ready to be distributed.
If you can let me know an estimate of how many masks you will be delivering to me and when, it will help me allocate our resources. And if you need someone to pick them up from your home, we have a few couriers willing to help with this.
Thanks for all you are doing to keep this project going. It truly takes a village at times like this. Remember to check our website to see photos, as I'm able to forward them to Bonnie. coastalquilters.org
Stay well - and remember to take care of yourselves.
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