FAQs

With the increase in commercial PPE available and the peak of COVID-19 behind us, the group has slowed down on production. We are still taking requests, but please be patient, as it may take longer to complete masks.

Click here to request masks

1. View our roundup of face mask patterns.

2. Review the Frequently Asked Questions.

3. Visit the Sign Up Spreadsheet to sign up to fulfill a request for masks from a local organization, in the quantity and style of their choice.

4. When the masks are complete, contact the requestor to arrange pickup/drop off of their masks and mark as complete on the spreadsheet.

Please join the Facebook group and post to the page with the supplies you have to donate. Sewers who need supplies can contact you directly.

We do not have a centralized way to take monetary donations, but if you have requested masks, the sewer may reach out to you asking for help purchasing supplies.

Please join the Facebook group and post to the page to volunteer to help in other ways.

In some cases, our sewn masks are the only facial PPE available to a health care worker. In doctors’ offices and hospital settings, our sewn masks are often worn over other PPE (such as an N95 mask) to provide extra protection and help make it possible to reuse single-use, hospital-grade masks.

In some cases, the masks will be washed at home (by hand or machine), and in other cases, the masks will be autoclaved (a sterilization machine). Consider this when choosing patterns and materials.

There are no official patterns from the CDC or any other health care governing body, but we ensure that the organizations we sew masks for allow the use of homemade masks for their employees. While fabric masks are not to be used in the care of COVID-19 patients, according to the CDC, fabric masks are a crisis response option when other supplies have been exhausted. Fabric masks can also be helpful in other areas of patient care as supplies of PPE are depleted. In addition, the Joint Commission issued a statement supporting the use of homemade face when standard PPE of proven protective value is unavailable.

Click here to view our pattern roundup.

Please wash and dry all fabric on hot before sewing with it. Masks do not need to be washed before donating (unless you are in a smoking home), as we advise recipients to wash masks before use.

• Bias Tape (homemade or prepackaged) – YES. It works well for upper and lower ties on the masks, it’s latex-free for those who have an allergy, and it will withstand sterilization procedures in a hospital.

• Twill Tape – YES. It works well for upper and lower ties on the masks, it’s latex-free for those who have an allergy, and it will withstand sterilization procedures in a hospital.

• Elastic (between 1/8” - 1/4” wide, or 1-3mm corded) – YES.

• T-shirt ties – YES.

• Shoelaces – OK. We heard that Yale New Haven is accepting.

• Ribbon (grosgrain, not satin) – OK. Make sure the ribbon is not slippery or too thin

• Paracord – OK. The ends could fray so consider knotting or melting wax (although wax would not survive any sterilization)

• Hair ties – MAYBE – Check the package to make sure they do not contain latex

• Yarn – NO – Will melt under sterilization or fray and is difficult to sanitize

• Pantyhose – NO – Will not hold up in sterilization

• Bungee cord cut open – NO - Elastics inside are irritating and contain latex

• Ace bandages - NO - Contains latex and will fray

Refer to the specific pattern you are using, but 2, 10x7 rectangles are good for basic pleated masks

Refer to the specific pattern you are using, but in general elastic ear loops should be 7", ties that are sewn along the top/bottom of the mask should be 43" and ties sewn in the 4 corners of the mask should be 18-20".

Nosepieces are not required in masks, however they do make for a better fit. If you include a nose piece, please make sure the ends are not sharp and will not poke through the fabric or come loose in the wash.

Acceptable materials include: 20-22g floral wire, twist ties (not paper), gardening wire and pipe cleaners

Some available patterns do use interfacing, but it is not required. If you do include it, ensure it has not been treated with any chemicals since the masks will be breathed through.

We have had a lot of questions about filters. We are leaving the decision for filters up to the individual facilities and we are not asking anyone to include filters in their finished pieces. However, the pocketed styles from our patterns list that can hold a piece of filtration material are always welcome.

If anyone is making face masks and needs sewing machine help, Laura Reed Kasowitz at Hartford Stitch has generously offered to help where she can.

If you have other sewing questions, post to the Facebook page and the community will help you.

Members will need to purchase their own supplies, solicit supply donations from the community or ask the mask requestor to supply funds to purchase supplies.

When the masks are complete, contact the requestor to arrange pickup/drop off of their masks and mark as complete on the spreadsheet.

Package completed masks in a clean ziploc or paper bag and label with the recipient's name and organizations. Please include a printout of this disclaimer.