2020: The Year of the Mask

It's been almost a year since we chatted here. What has life been like since I retired in November 2019?

First, the holidays came and went quickly, as did our planned Eastern Caribbean cruise in early January. I did a quick contract project for my former employer. And then...Pandemic.

Mask-making Begins

In mid-March, as lockdowns began, we discovered a local demand for masks. Our neighbor, a physician's assistant in an oncology office, mentioned that supplies were difficult to come by, including masks.

With our extensive fabric stash, Mrs. DTFM and I offered to make and donate some masks for their staff, and we started researching patterns and instructions, settling on a simple two-layer pleated mask design.

Those first 23 masks behind us, we offered to donate masks to family, friends and our church family.

Ramping Up

As requests came in fast, we sewed masks every afternoon for four hours, quickly ran out of elastic, and pressed a 1000-yard spool of cotton twill tape into service, switching to masks with ties.

Meanwhile, elastic was nowhere to be found locally, so in order to replenish we placed an order through amazon.com, which would ultimately take 2 months to arrive.

Along the way we also donated masks to a few charities, including those who assist the homeless, and disadvantaged children; we also provided masks to local middle school teachers. It was rewarding to find such a valuable use for the fabric stash which had been accumulated over decades.

Special Requests

While most of the masks we supplied were the simple pleated style, we also received requests for other styles.

For the day school staff at our church, we donated curved, fitted masks with clear vinyl windows over the mouth.

We used that same design to create masks for our church staff, replacing the clear vinyl window with a printable fabric insert with the church logo. And we donated to our church choir masks with darts that allow more space around the nose and mouth; much easier for singing. So far our mask donations exceed 830; it's been so rewarding to be able to help, and to have something meaningful to do with all the time on our hands! Now, since ready-made masks are available everywhere, requests are infrequent.

More Specials

Mask and tie sets? It's a "thing."

I received a mid-year commission to create a matching mask, tie and pocket square set for a special event. I already had made a matching bow tie and mask for myself.

Seasonal Masks

Approaching Hallowe'en and Thanksgiving, I did make a few seasonal masks.

Then my thoughts turned to Christmas and doing something more unique. In our trim stash I discovered some Christmas ribbon, and thought that would make a nice addition to the mask.

Personalize Anything With Trims

Embellishments like trims and appliques are an easy way to personalize sewing and craft projects. I wondered where customers can find a nice assortment of trimmings online these days, as many people are currently avoiding shopping in person at local stores, and I started searching online resources. The most extensive assortment I found was on a site called Trims By The Yard.

https://www.trimsbytheyard.com/

This site has a wide selection of just about every trim imaginable, plus appliques, accessories, buttons & closures, tassels, bridal items, tulle, and, of course elastic and bendable wire strips for mask-making. Shipping on orders over $35 is free in the US, and they seem to have an excellent return policy...and they'll send samples for $1.00 each.

Until next time, look around your home for opportunities to upcycle or refresh old clothing, pillows and more with some trims or embellishments, and keep those sewing machines humming!

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@danthefabricman

danthefabricman@yahoo.com