Help A Hero: Make a Mask

Every Thursday during these crazy times we are highlighting ways you can show that #ChiDoesGood. Last week, we helped raise the spirits of lonely men and women in nursing homes who cannot get visitors right now. This week we want to do more than raise spirits. We want to help in the global fight with the coronavirus pandemic.

What can we do? How can we help without exposing ourselves? While most of us are homebound at the moment, some people do have to go to work each day, and that includes our health care workers. Each day, they are going to doctor’s offices, nursing facilities, hospitals, and clinics to help others. From speaking to some of these individuals, one thing is clear- there is a shortage of supplies, and we need to help out. Many companies and factories have transitioned their energy to provide supplies and we are going to do something similar- we are going to make masks to help the nurses and doctors stay protected.

The wonderful people at Joann’s are ready to help us too. They have a full webpage dedicated to making medical masks. All you have to do is have a sewing machine at home. If you call Joann’s, they will provide supplies, and instructions. Just drop by and they’ll bring it all out to your car. The best part? You can bring the finished masks back to Joann’s and they will get them to a hospital, so you don’t have to risk exposure. By doing this, not only are you doing a mitzvah, but you are showing the world that #ChiDoesGood, even in the most dire of situations.

To make a mask, just follow these instructions and/or watch the video at the bottom

SUPPLIES* & TOOLS:

• Cotton Fabric – at least 12”X9” (Any light-medium weight, non-woven interfacing is appropriate for this project.)
• Lightweight Fusible Interfacing 12” X9”
• 1/4” Elastic
• Basic Sewing Supplies

*Note- Joann’s will provide these supplies. All you have to do is sew the mask according to the directions

DIRECTIONS:

1. Download the pattern
2. Cut 1 pattern piece, on the fold, out of the cotton fabric and lightweight interfacing
3. Apply fusible interfacing to wrong side of cotton fabric using an iron.
4. Fold fabric right sides together, matching 9-inch (8-inch) sides.
5. Sew along the 9 (8) inch side, using 1/4” seam allowance and leaving a space 3” wide in the center to turn mask right side out.
6. Cut 2 pieces of elastic 7 inches long. Insert into the corners of the two open ends of the mask and pin into place. Sew across sides, backstitching well over the elastic, to secure the elastic in place.
7. Turn mask right side out and press seams flat.
8. Using pattern as a guide, fold up 3 pleats on each side, making sure the pleats are folded in the same direction. Pin into place.
9. Top stitch around the entire mask, securing the pleats and closing the opening.