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Quiltmaker Organizes Mask Making

Kirksville; Missouri; United States

Once the news reports stared occurring about COVID-19, I felt desperate to help in some way. I knew I had to help find materials that were safer to use than simply two layers of fabric. I researched online to find sources, called professionals that I knew for advice, and began finding ways to obtain these materials that were not available to the general public. I also watched hours of videos and searched sources to find easy but high quality methods for making masks. While I was in the process of getting materials, I talked with several other friends who were feeling the same way and having the same thoughts/concerns as I was.

After talking, a Googlesheet was organized to take requests that community members could use to submit numbers of masks that were needed by their organization. We focused on getting the word out to healthcare organizations, or others that would have essential employees. A Facebook page was also developed to let people track their progress. Once the donated materials came in, I distributed them to those that were helping make masks for our group. As the facemasks were made, we distributed them to the group that requested them. The materials donated for the project by healthcare or healthcare supply organizations include: Cotton ties, nosepiece metal strips that bent, and hospital grade surgical sheeting (bacteria resistant, water resistant, but breathable). All fabric used for the facemask fronts, elastic, and ribbon, bias tape, cording or fabric-made ties were donated by the people sewing from their own funds and fabric/materials stash.

Since starting to make masks, personally I have made well over 300 masks (I stopped counting) and five surgical masks for healthcare providers and volunteers that help with children in the community.
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Masks

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Masks

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Masks

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Masks

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Masks

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Masks

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Masks

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Masks

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Masks

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Masks

I also have made three quilts for people who I know were having a difficult time with the stay-at-home orders with their small children or because they are expecting their first baby. As a quilter, I felt drawn to make quilts for them as a way to let them all know that even though we are all separated and can’t see each other, the love and care I have for them does not change. I wanted to let them know that they were not forgotten. We did a Zoom video talk after the packages came so that it seemed almost as if we were together. It was amazingly refreshing and filled all of our souls.
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Baby quilt

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Baby quilt

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Baby quilt

Most of facemasks I have made went to CNAs and Direct Support Professionals and other essential workers for an agency that works with people with disabilities. The agency purchased some specialty fabric for the inside liner that I made to insert filters. They also purchased some cotton twill for the ties.  However, before those materials arrived, I made my own fabric ties and my own fabric for the inside and liners. Other facemasks went to YMCA volunteers who are delivering food to children in the community, elderly people in our community who need to go out, staff/faculty/students at a local university, a traveling nurse/other nurses/speech pathologists in AR, CO, WA, NE, an ER doctor, and many others. All of these were donations of my time and most of my own materials.
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Surgical cap.

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Surgical cap, back.

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Andrea O'Brien

Written by O'Brien, Andrea; The Splintered Spool;Covid-19: Quilters Respond (2020)

Quilts and Health
 

  • Quilts and Health

    Documentation Project

    Michigan State University

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