Sewing for Lives
Sewing for Lives is a community full of thousands of volunteers across the United States creating mask covers to donate to our medical professionals! Our volunteers are reaching out because the Center for Disease Control and other media outlets have informed the public that medical personnel may have access to a limited mask supply. We have in progress thousands of mask covers that will be mailed to healthcare facilities across the US.
The inspiration for this project came upon the CDC’s new last resort face mask recommendation. (CDC PPE strategy Link [cdc.gov])
“Healthcare Providers (HCP) use of homemade masks: In settings where facemasks are not available, HCP might use homemade masks (e.g., bandana, scarf) for care of patients with COVID-19 as a last resort. However, homemade masks are not considered PPE, since their capability to protect HCP is unknown. Caution should be exercised when considering this option. Homemade masks should ideally be used in combination with a face shield that covers the entire front (that extends to the chin or below) and sides of the face.”
These machine washable covers are not intended to prevent infection nor replace personal protective equipment but rather cover the medical grade masks. At which, the cover can be washed and reused over the medical grade mask. If you are a first responder or a health care facility in need we urge you to visit our website, www.sewingforlives.com and sign up your facility into our database. Our volunteer seamstresses are waiting to hear from you.
Other instructional videos for additional face mask designs:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-vIyLMgUhg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZnVk12sFRkY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8x2WAlL-0Q
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNX0cRrYj6U (design pattern that includes filter material)
Additional Resources
Mask Pattern Diagram https://www.silhouettepatterns.com/html/features/tips/maskpattern.pdf
Vanderbilt University https://www.vumc.org/coronavirus/how-donate-hand-sewn-face-masks