Masks For a Cause

By Carmen Miskel

Got nothing to do? Got a sewing machine? Here’s a fun craft that doubles as a super relevant community service project during this coronavirus pandemic. The shortage of disposable masks around the world has been a problem for local hospitals and doctors, such as Advocare Main Line Pediatrics in Narberth. They still see children and need to protect themselves from any respiratory symptoms these kids may have. 

One way you can help is by making homemade disposable masks for the kids seeing their doctors with any fabric that you may have at home, and donate them to Main Line Advocare. 

This video from Dr. Kucharczuk, explains the need for the masks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBjRrkk3U-M&feature=youtu.be. 

It’s not hard at all. My sewing knowledge doesn’t really exceed 8th-grade FACS class, so if I can do it, you can too! Plus, you don’t need to go out and buy any fancy cloth; you can use any fabric you may have lying around. For mine, I used old scrap fabric for the outside and new Ikea towels for the inside lining. 

Here’s a super easy tutorial from freesewing.org, where you can print this PDF as a template. Then, follow these instructions, also from the Free Sewing website. If you’d like, you can skip the ironing steps–they don’t make a very big difference. 

To learn more about freesewing.org’s cause, you can check out this article. 

Drop-offs can be made at Main Line Pediatrics Narberth, 701 Montgomery Avenue, Narberth, PA 19072. For those who aren’t local to Narberth and don’t want to travel far, you can see who in your immediate area may need these and donate them there as well. Additionally, the CDC has recently announced that those going out in public should use protective face masks, so you can also make some for you and your family.

Stay safe and healthy!