Photo: Sandra Kline
Thumbnail photo: Getty
There are many selfless citizens here in the Southern Tier who have answered the call to help during the COVID-19 crisis. Sandra Kline is one of those citizens and has spent her days inside crafting fabric masks for use by UHS healthcare professionals! Best of all, Sandra also inspired some friends to join in and start making masks. I'd like to give a MASSIVE thank you to Sandra, her friends, and everyone else out here making masks daily. The selflessness and willingness to to step up and try helping with the mask supply shortage is both commendable and inspiring!
For those who read this and decide you'd also like to help, UHS is welcoming homemade family mask donations with a few specifications that should be followed.
According to UHS:
Printable information on the fabric masks, including the instructions on how to make them, can be found here.
Details about making/delivering fabric masks for UHS staff
- The pattern is courtesy of The Turban Project
- Use tightly-woven cotton fabric on both sides.
- Please remember that both women and men in a variety of roles may wear these masks.
- When your masks are complete, email us at UHSFoundation@nyuhs.org to arrange for delivery. We also have drop off locations at:
- UHS Delaware Valley Hospital: DVH Community Pharmacy, 1 Titus Place, Walton from 8 AM - 8 PM M- F Saturday and Sunday 8 AM- Noon
- UHS Chenango Memorial Hospital: UHS Occupational Medicine, 54 E. Main Street, Norwich from 1 PM - 4 PM M-F.
- UHS Wilson Medical Center and UHS Binghamton General Hospital: Vestal Orthopedics Building, Vestal Parkway, M-F 9 AM - 5 PM, Saturday 8 AM - 11 AM
- Collected masks will be immediately sent to laundry/processing to be prepared for use.
- Any surplus masks will be distributed to other organizations in need.
How to make a Face Mask
What you will need:
- Cotton fabric, a pretty print is best.
- Rope Elastic, beading cord elastic will work (you may also us 1/8” flat elastic)
- Cut the elastic 7” long and tie a knot at each end (DO NOT knot the ends of the flat)
You can make two sizes: Adult or Child
- Put right sides of cotton fabric together
- Cut 9x6 (Adult) or 7.5 x 5 (Child)
- Starting at the center of the bottom edge, sew to the first corner, stop. Sew the elastic with the
- edge 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 the 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 edge 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” 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.
It is so easy to make this.
Be sure any fabric design is placed horizontally.