Hi Everyone,
Happy May! Hope you're all safe and well. I thought I'd put a little blog post together as I get A LOT of messages and emails asking who is running mask making groups, scrubs groups etc. So I thought it might be useful to put all the information I have gathered in one place.
Firstly SCRUBS AND SCRUB CAPS:
So mum has been making scrubs for a local hospice as part of a local sewing group. There might be local groups in your area, and each one requires different colours, sizes and products. So please contact them first before you start stitching.
They all require fabrics that can be washed at high temperatures, which is why only certain cottons and cotton blends are accepted.
'
For the Love of Scrubs' is one of the main community groups for this campaign. If you search on facebook, there are local versions of the group to join. They can help find you patterns, fabric and tell you who needs what.
You can also join one of the Scrub Hub community groups which you can find
HERE. Similar system, loads of regional groups to help.
SCRUBS BAGS:
Scrubs bags are very useful apparently, and as long as they're a good size, most hospitals can use them. There are loads of great patterns online and again joining a local group can help. I've done a step by step tutorial on the Hobbycraft Blog which you can see
HERE.
EAR SAVERS:
Now after speaking to loads of people, including some nurse friends, The best ear savers are the stretchy headband ones with a wide band and buttons behind the ears. Not only do they make masks more comfortable, they're comfy on long shifts, and those who have to wear full face screens don't get blisters around their foreheads. All good news!
There are loads of how-to patterns online. And again, I have done my own step by step tutorials on the Hobbycraft Blog
HERE on how to make your own.
Please check with your local groups and communities what sort of thing they want. A lot of hospitals have been inundated with items, so it's better for them to only be sent what they need so we don't give them extra work to sort it all out.
Lastly FACE MASKS:
Now this is a tricky subject. Please please contact local groups to check who you can send face masks to and what type they need. Cotton face masks are not medical grade and most hospitals can't use them. BUT some are combining them with the appropriate PPE to make their medical masks last longer. Care homes are also in need of some, but it's best to check local groups first.
On a personal level, mask wearing can help when visiting vulnerable people, going to the supermarket or just wearing out and about to stop you touching your face as frequently. Obviously we're not trained to know how to properly put on and take off our masks, but if you wash your hands before putting them on and taking them off, and wash the masks after every use outside the house, that's perfect.
Filters can be put inside different masks to help stop water droplets getting through the cotton, but again, they won't be medical grade. Coffee filters and Sew-in interfacing seem to work the best.
I have another step by step tutorial on the Hobbycraft blog, on how to make a simple face mask, which you can have a go at
HERE. I have seen the other 'shaped' masks that you can also make. Both are for personal and preventative use. More information on local groups and another mask pattern can be found on the Lucy & Yak Website
HERE.
Elastic supplies are running low due to the making of such items, my shop is running out and suppliers can't get it in fast enough. You can use cotton bias binding as ties instead if you can't get hold of any.
The main point is, check your local groups before making anything if you want to donate your sewn items locally. Don't feel pressure to sew them at all and please don't worry about all this. We're all just getting through this crazy time together. Some of you are probably like me and are just crazy busy, but if you want to help, you have the resources at least.
Keep Safe, keep well and keep sewing.