PVPA

Sewing for our Medical Professionals

Medical professionals in the Pioneer Valley are already worried about the shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE). In particular, the supply of N-95 face masks is concerning.

To make the N-95 masks reusable, some medical professionals have asked citizens to help by making cloth masks that can be worn over the existing N-95 masks. PVPA has answered that call! Led by Petula Bloomfield (art/fashion teacher) and Zevey Steinitz (Dir of Teacher Development), we already have over 50 individuals in the PVPA community working to help our local medical professionals do their jobs safely.

If you'd like to help, further info and drop-off instructions are posted at the bottom of this page.

Sewing Instructions

The pattern can be found below

With right sides together, join the curved center seam. Repeat this step for both the outer and inner fabric.
Lay top layer right side uppermost on a surface. Place an 11” elastic to top corners with ends slightly extended from the sides. Place inner layer with wrong side uppermost over top layer. Pin in place. Sew both layers together leaving a 2” opening.
Turn mask inside out and sew opening closed.
Edge stitch around the mask.
Fold a pleat on each side and insert cloth ties or ribbon.

A PVPA student working on a mask at home.

Sewing Patterns

Construction with ties rather than elastic

Additional Info and Drop-Off Instructions

What materials should I use for the mask?

The materials can all be cotton. The inner layer should ideally be made from a softer cotton material. The outer layer may be made of any decorative fabric, but the more tightly woven the better.

Do I need to sanitize the masks?

They will be sanitized by the hospitals. However, please wash the finished product in hot water and run them through a dryer on the hottest setting.

How/where do I bring them?

Please be sure to enclose the masks in a plastic bag. The following are the current drop-off locations:

PVPA. 15 Mulligan Drive, South Hadley. There is a plastic drop-off bin to the left of the main entrance doors. (The building is closed - no staff on premise.)
JoAnn Fabrics. Hampshire Mall, Hadley.
Williamsburg Grange. 10 Main Street, Williamsburg. Front porch drop-off.
Cooley-Dickinson Hospital. 30 Locust Street, Northampton. North Entrance (specific hours only. Please confirm with them.)

Resource Distribution and Collection

As we have information about how folks can get access to materials, we'll include it here.

Please email zsteinitz@pvpa.org or pbloomfield@pvpa.org for information on pick up or drop off of finished masks.

What if I have other questions?

If you have questions, please reach out to one of the following:

Petula Bloomfield, Visual Arts & Technical Theater teacher. ( pbloomfield@pvpa.org )
Zevey Steinitz, Director of Teacher Development. ( zsteinitz@pvpa.org )

Share the Message on Social Media

If you help contribute to the cause, please be sure to share the message with others on social media!

Image design by Max Germer. Used by permission.

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