Join the Fabric Face Mask Production Project
Getting Crafty Has Never Felt So Good
Face masks are in short supply, even for first responders and medical staff. While medical grade face masks are the best first line of defense against viruses such as COVID-19, supplies are in hot demand. According to the CDC, fabric masks are a crisis response when other options are limited. Sustainable Ballard is chipping in to help – will you join us?
Volunteers and supplies are needed!
VOLUNTEERS: We can use people who can cut fabric or sew masks or transport materials and finished products.
SUPPLIES: We are looking for cotton fabric, thread and bias tape. If you’d like to donate any of these, please let us know.
Mask Making Steps: Assemble, Cut, Sew, Deliver
Read the following to determine which role is best for you and THEN fill out and return this form to Jody by email.
Assemble materials:
A. Fabric must be light-colored (so it’s easy to see when it’s soiled), cotton or cotton blend, high thread count and breathable is best. Examples: pillowcases, sheets or quilting fabric. Fabric must be pre-washed and dried. Minimum size: 8 3/4″ x 7 1/2″
B. 1/2″ bias tape – purchased or made – 2 yards per mask.
Cut materials:
Fabric pieces should measure 8 3/4″ x 7 1/2″ — After using up your own fabrics, get fabric to cut more pieces or get pre-cut pieces from Jody. Delivery/pick-up is available as necessary. Consider volunteering to be a cutter so that sewers can work more quickly.
Sew masks:
Download the Pattern
(Ignore the delivery instructions since we are making these for local use.)
Deliver masks:
To 2428 NW 56th Street for distribution.
What happens to the finished masks?
We are using stopthebug.org to let us know where masks are most needed. Over 50 Mask Makers are participating – contributing materials, washing and ironing, cutting, sewing, and transporting. More than 1,399 home-made masks have been distributed to the Ballard Food Bank, Mary’s Place,
Odessa Brown Children’s Center, the Duwamish Tribe, New Beginnings, Solid Ground, El Centro de la Raza, Children’s Home Society, Jubilee Women’s Center,senior centers, smoke shops, taverns, convenience stores and other essential businesses in the 98107 and 98117 zip codes that are trying to stay open.
Jody Grage, Sustainable Ballard board member, is coordinating a home-grown sewing effort to get masks to small businesses in Ballard. Questions? Suggestions for improving the process? Additions to the listserve? Source for materials? Please contact Jody (by email).
