20+ Hospitals Asking for Fabric Face Masks that You Can Sew
Find a hospital near you to sew fabric face masks and other protective gear for!
I don’t think any of us can believe what uncertain times we are living in. The news is difficult to watch and read, and I see fear in so many people’s eyes. People that I would love to reach out and hug – but I can’t because we are staying 6 feet apart!
In all this commotion, I am so grateful that I know how to sew. Many of us have been making DIY facemasks to help provide protective gear for the brave doctors and nurses that are fighting this devastating virus on the front lines. You can see the pattern I’m using here.
Here is a statement from the CDC regarding homemade fabric face masks:
HCP {healthcare personnel} use of homemade masks:
In settings where facemasks are not available, HCP might use homemade masks (e.g., bandana, scarf) for care of patients with COVID-19 as a last resort. However, homemade masks are not considered PPE {personal protective equipment}, since their capability to protect HCP is unknown. Caution should be exercised when considering this option. Homemade masks should ideally be used in combination with a face shield that covers the entire front (that extends to the chin or below) and sides of the face. {source of quote at cdc.gov}
If you are wondering who needs help like this, we put together a list of hospitals and facilities that are asking for donations of handmade face masks and other items.
This list is in no particular order. Perhaps you might see a hospital near you – or you can ship the masks.
Children’s Hospitals of Philadelphia
Vanderbilt University Medical Center In Tennessee
CAMDEN CLARK Medical Center In West Virginia
Atlantic Health System in New Jersey
Cooley Dickson Health Care Massachusetts
Community Health Network in Indianapolis, Indiana
Hartford Health Care in Hartford Connecticut
Lafayette General Health in Lafayette, Louisiana
Volunteer Mask Group in Richmond Virginia
Peace Health in Vancouver, Washington
Hospitals and Clinics in Arkansas
John Muir Medical Center – Walnut Creek California
Kaiser Foundation Hospital – Fontana California
St. Francis Medical Center Colorado Springs, Colorado
Gritman Medical Center in Idaho
Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital in Georgia
I also encourage you to check the website of your local hospital (or call them) because there is probably a need right in your own community. If you know of other hospitals asking for help online, please leave a link in the comments so I can add them to this post.
Thank you for your help in this unprecedented time. I have found that busying myself with this project has made me forget to check the news and has relieved me of some of the stress. I hope that you find the same thing is true for you!
I also made an easy photo tutorial of the Olson Mask Pattern so anyone can make it.
Take care. Be healthy. And keep sewing!
xoxo,
Disclosure: some of my posts contain affiliate links. If you purchase something through one of those links I may receive a small commission, so thank you for supporting SewCanShe when you shop! All of the opinions are my own and I only suggest products that I actually use. 🙂
I so appreciate your blog and posts. I have pinned this and hope others with share widely. Not only to hospital care workers need these masks but the hospital cleaning staff, and staff working in supportive care facilities, first responders, medical clinics, police, cashiers. These masks will be appreciated.
Here’s a site that says they have a continuously updated list of places looking for masks. https://www.deaconess.com/How-to-make-a-Face-Mask/Mask-Donations
Hi Carolyn,
Thanks for sharing this. I really likes your suggestion to use HEPA certified air filter from 3M. I went ahead today to buy one air filter. I couldn’t find HEPA certified air filter but I chose one that has the best filtration system.
Just a head’s up, these filters are directional! There are arrows on the packaging showing which side the air should flow through. So the side with the arrow going out, should be placed against the skin so the air coming in filtered properly. People should mark which side it is on their home made filters so the users know how to place them in the masks for maximum protection.
Thanks for your time making these videos and all tip and trick. I started sharing them with people that want to make masks.
Danie
Thanks so much for providing this information on the masks
i can’t find the template for the mask that use the hair ties.
Here it is: https://www.sewcanshe.com/blog/simple-step-by-step-tutorial-for-the-olson-mask-pattern
Thanks so much Caroline for doing this for all of us. After destructing the filter removing nearly 400 glue strips successfully, I have a question: the filter paper clearly has 2 distinct sides, a fuzzy and a smooth surface. Question is, when inserting the finished pleated filter piece, which side do you suggest should be facing the incoming air and which should be closer to the mouth in that filter pocket?
Fuzzy side out.
Hi Caroline Using the Filterete F1 when placing the pleated filter into pocket which side of Hepa filter sheet should be closest to the front of the mask to catch the incoming air, the fuzzy side or the smooth side?
Fuzzy side out.