There is a national movement of volunteers sewing fabric facemasks and gowns for hospitals, and we have been tremendously humbled and gratified by the number of people in our local community who have called and e-mailed us about making these. We gratefully accept – we need them – especially, right now, hospital gowns are needed.
Below is some general guidance for those who wish to help by sewing these items to donate for use by Grace Cottage.
Important Infection Prevention
Before starting this project, please ask yourself the following questions:
- Have you been in contact with anyone suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19 in the past 14 days?
- Do you have fever, cough or shortness of breath?
If you answer “NO” to both questions, thank you for making masks.
If you answer “YES” to either or both questions, please DO NOT make masks.
Making Medical Gowns
Right now, hospital gowns are in especially short supply. If you want to try your hand at this, we would welcome these donations. Refer to this video for directions:
Here are the text directions:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vE4D5dh-nDlgYaZ0jRvDcyFVL4_mobKi/view
Face Masks Materials & Downloadable Directions
- Front piece: 100% unused cotton fabric – no metallic fabrics
- Back piece: tightly woven unused cotton, like a tea towel or cotton flannel
- 1/4″ or 3/8″ flat elastic (to make with ear loops) OR 3/8″ or 1/2″ ribbon (to make with ties)
Instructions:
- Cut cotton fabric 9″x6″ and put right sides of fabric together. If using elastic, cut 2 pieces 7″ long. If using ribbon, cut 4 pieces 18″ long.
- Be sure any fabric design is placed horizontally when you start sewing. Starting at the center of the bottom edge, sew to the first corner, stop. Sew the elastic or ribbon with the edge out into the corner. A few stitches forward and back will hold this.
- 3.Sew to the next corner, stop, and bring the other end of the same elastic or ribbon to the corner and sew a few stitches forward and back.
- 4.Now sew across the top of the mask to the next corner. Insert elastic or 3rd ribbon and sew with the edge out.
- 5.Sew to the next corner and sew in the other end of the same elastic or 4th ribbon.
- 6.Sew across the bottom leaving about 1.5″ to 2″ open. Stop, cut the thread. Turn inside out.
- 7.Pin 3 tucks on each side of the mask. Make sure the tucks are the same direction.
- 8.Sew around the edge of the mask twice.
Delivery to Grace Cottage
We are accepting delivery of masks on the covered ramp in the back of the Heins Building/Community Wellness Center at 133 Grafton Road, Townshend, VT.
If you would like to mail masks via U.S. Mail, send them to:
PO Box 1
Townshend, VT 05353
UPS or FedEx deliveries can be made to 185 Grafton Road, Townshend, VT. Call Grace Cottage Foundation at 802-365-9109 for more information if you have questions.
