When I said I was done with masks, I spoke too soon. As I was putting away my sewing machine, I had one of those Eureka moments. Why not make face masks for the worry monsters that Knit-for-Nowt gives to therapists who work with traumatised children? I contacted Clare who runs the group and she thought it was a great idea because a lot of these children will be coming across adults who have to wear face masks and some children are afraid of them. I think there will be more traumatised children than ever after this year's events. If I had had to miss so much school and stay at home for months as a child I know I would have been climbing the walls.
Clare gave me a few basic measurements and I sewed some masks in various shapes and sizes. She will try them against the worry monsters that are sent to her and let me know what works best. Then I will write some instructions for other people who might want to sew some. They are quite easy. In fact, the two white masks in the photo came from shirt cuffs donated to me by Hubby. These would be extremely easy for anyone with a serger machine to make. I don't have one of those and my old sewing machine can't cope with raw edges. So I won't be making any more. But I included them as an example of what can be made.
Clare requested cheerful material for the masks. I splashed out and bought some from Ebay. A little goes a long way especially if you use scrap material as a backing layer. I also recycled some material I have been holding onto for years. The orange hippo material in the centre of the photo originally covered a beanbag that we used to use to prop up Daughter when she was a baby. I've always l liked the material and knew it would come in useful for something. I was thinking of bags or cushion covers. Little did I know what it would eventually be used for.
I hope everyone is well. Stay safe....
What a great idea Una I bet Claire was delighted. Your masks are so bright and cheerful the kids will enjoy seeing them on their worry monsters. Thank you for your idea's for Mikey over on my blog, animals are a good idea and he's also into dinosaurs, food for thought. :) xx
ReplyDeleteI think you're wonderful!
ReplyDeleteGenius! And I agree - you are wonderful!
ReplyDeleteI so wish I was interested enough in sewing to get a sewing machine and make masks. I guess I have to limit my support to just wearing one! :-)
ReplyDeleteI made some masks early on, for family. Then recently I found a group of ladies in our county called the Masketeers! They make masks for local charities, who in turn give them to needy people locally. Ladies who cannot sew, donate funds to buy fabric and elastic. It's a great arrangement.
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