Put Your Sewing to Work in the Fight Against COVID-19 Virus

If you know how to work a sewing machine you can join the fight against the coronavirus pandemic by sewing cloth face masks at home.

HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital is accepting masks for use in the hospital. There is a priority on producing more masks as the number of COVID cases increases daily across the state and country. Bundles of masks (25 placed in Zip Lock bags) can be left at the hospital entrance by Maple Street. The slot is marked “Drop Masks Here.”

St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital offers these instructions from The Turban Project for making face masks that comply with Centers for Disease Control standards.

How to make a face mask at home

You will need a cotton fabric, a patterned one if preferred, and cotton flannel for the backing.

Have rope elastic; beading cord elastic will work (You may also use 1/8 inch flat elastic).

Cut the elastic 7 inches long and tie a knot at each end 

You can make two sizes: adult or child.

Sewing Instructions

• Put the right sides of cotton and flannel fabric together. Cut 9x6 inches for adult mask and 7.5x5 for child.
• Starting at the center of bottom edge, sew to the first corner and stop. Sew the elastic with the knot out into the corner. A few stitches forward and back will hold this.
• Sew to the next corner, stop, and bring the other end of that same elastic to the corner and sew a few stitches forward and back.
• Now sew across that top of the mask to the next corner. Again put an elastic with the knot out.
• Sew to the next corner and sew in the other end of the same elastic.
• Sew across the bottom leaving about 1.5 to 2 inches open. Stop, cut the thread. Turn inside out.
• Pin 3 tucks on each side of the mask. Make sure the tucks are the same direction.
• Sew around the edge of the mask twice.
• Be sure any fabric design is placed horizontally.
• You’re done.

Full video tutorials are available through The Turban Project on Facebook or the website – there are also instructions offered by the hospital on making masks with cotton straps with no elastic needed. For more information on mask donations or other supplies, contact HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital at (217) 342-2121 or log on to https://www.stanthonyshospital.org/covid-donate

(This article was written by Herb Meeker, Effingham County Government Public Information Officer. He can be reached by calling (217) 254-8654 or at hmeeker@co.effingham.il.us)