As coronavirus began to impact Little Rock, I wanted to find a way to help. Unable to work in my typical roles as a massage therapist or yoga instructor, I realized my background in nursing did not include the skill set needed to care for hospitalized COVID-19 patients.
A nurse friend who works at Arkansas Children’s hospital reached out in our mom’s group at church asking if anyone could sew or was available to make cloth masks. I had basic sewing skills (thanks to a grandmother figure’s patient guidance when I was 8) but no machine. Another friend had a sewing machine but no sewing skills. She generously donated her machine, a few others contributed fabrics and I was ready to figure this out. The machine was great but was missing a few pieces to be fully functional. Mind you, I am not a master seamstress, but I was determined to help, so I studied the manual and located the parts and was able to get the machine purring! Now, to make masks!
In order for cloth masks to be functional, they must include multiple layers of filtering fabrics. We scavenged for tightly woven 100% cotton fabrics that could serve as the outer layers. The filter layer was purchased and donated by a friend. Once we had identified and located the necessary fabrics, I cut them into the mask pattern. I created an assembly line with the three layers and four strips of soft T-shirt material for ties. This is where my 5-year-old daughter was especially helpful!
After several days of reading and experimenting with different patterns, I settled on two designs for cloth masks. One mask has a built-in filter and is designed for short term use such as running errands. The other mask is for long term use (like at work) and has a pocket to add an optional filter (so the filter can be replaced easily). The filter in the built-in masks is a layer of Oly Fun, a craft fabric. The filters to add to masks can be a variety of different things such as coffee filters, dried diaper wipes, or cut up air filters. All masks can be machine washed and dried.
With each mask sold, one mask is donated to a person on the front lines helping those impacted by COVID-19. In addition, the proceeds of each mask will be donated to the Arkansas Dream Center, which is providing meals to Arkansans in need. To date, I have sold 202 masks, donated 245, and funded 281 meals.
To order masks please click HERE. Masks are available for pickup in Argenta (downtown North Little Rock) or can be mailed. The cost per mask is $10 and, if applicable, a $3 shipping fee per mask. To learn more about the Arkansas Dream Center, please visit www.Ardreamcenter.tv.
ORDER HERE: https://forms.gle/8yT1htpP8ENmfiQt8
