TUESDAY UPDATE

HOW'RE YOU DOING ON MASK-MAKING?

I've shared various places to drop off masks you've made that will be distributed to locations that have requested them.  I've taken the batch I made to the hospital.  Many more are in various stages.  

Days for Girls now has a place on their website where facilities can  make a request for masks, and then a the leader of a chapter in that region receives an email asking if they can fill that request.  Yesterday I got two that way, and one through another DFG chapter leader on Facebook.  I have none ready to go.

If you are sewing fabric masks at home, and not for a specific request, please consider dropping them in the box I have outside on my driveway side porch.  Email for the address.  

Here's a website to request that somebody pick up finished masks from you, if you're not driving anywhere.  Go to I have materials for making masks that I want to donate (such as fabric), click NEXT and you're on your way.  They will pick them up and deliver them to a facility that's requested them.

I PROTECT YOU.  YOU PROTECT ME.

While we all know the N95s should be reserved to protect medical workers, the cloth masks apparently are pretty effective at helping us keep our germs to ourselves.  Like the Czechs are saying, "I protect you.  You protect me."

GROSGRAIN TIES

If you're making the style mask that uses ribbon for ties, I now have some 1/4" grosgrain to share with our DFG mask makers.  The cut ends need to be waved close to a candle or other flame/heat source to melt the fibers so they don't fray.  

I'm using the grosgrain ribbon for the ties with the Belgian style mask--I posted the pattern at the end of the previous post.  The mask is made of cotton, and has a pocket to insert some sort of wire (folded pipe cleaner,  bent paper clip, etc.) to hold it snug around the bridge of the nose, plus a pocket where a filter can be inserted.  

Let me know if you need grosgrain, bias tape, cotton fabric or some 1/4" elastic.  

EDITS AND TWEAKS

The more I work with a pattern, the more I want to refine it.  If you've printed out my instructions (previous post) for the Belgian-designed mask, please note that I've made some minor changes and you may want to reprint.  Or wait a day or two , and see what else I add.  This evening I used a construction method that I think saved me time--I'll post if that proves correct.

MUCH MORE ABOUT MASKS. (updated Monday at 8 pm)

HOSPITAL OUT OF SURGICAL WRAP

I just talked to Sherrie, the head of  volunteers who has been coordinating the distribution of kits for making masks out of the surgical wrap.  Because it's used for wrapping instruments used in surgeries, and surgeries are way down, they've run out of the wrap.  Slocum is expected to bring some by, but she doesn't know how much nor when more kits will be ready for us to pick up.  And, it will still be one per person as they run out so fast and so many of us are wanting to make them.

She also told me that some people are making masks using the wrap, and not returning them.  Please don't do that--they need those for their staff members who work with patients!

A day or two ago they posted a request for us to make cloth masks.  Please do that!  You can drop them off there, at Peter Defazio's office, at Lane County Public Health or at my house. 

FROM THE CZECH REPUBLIC

The Czech Republic took the uncommon step last week of making nose and mouth coverings mandatory in public spaces, prompting a grassroots drive to hand make masks.

If everybody wears a mask when they go outside, look what happens.  Masks fundamentally prevent the transmission from you to others.

I protect you.  You protect me.

And here's another link about masks for everyone.

Here's another from Science Magazine.

MASKS OUT OF BASEBALL UNIFORM FABRIC

What to do with all those yards of pinstripes for making baseball uniforms, when the season is cancelled?  How about masks?

TEN MILLION A WEEK

A textile company is organizing other corporations in a national effort to ramp up production of face masks for healthcare workers.

Read morSTERILIZE MASKS?e here: https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/coronavirus/article241413386.html?fbclid=IwAR3ihF2tnxW9PXF9l9cfknAZWc-i_tCqokos8hsiXZAKvEoxMnhiRPtSOJ0#storylink=cpy

WILL YOU MAKE A FEW TO HELP OUT LOCALLY?

Can you take some time to make a few masks?  Pass them out to your friends and family.  And if you have more time (remember, we are sheltering at home), crank out a bunch that can be distributed to all the places around town that are caring for others.  Your choice of where, or drop them off here.  I have a tub on my driveway porch.

I gave tips and links to some patterns in emails this week.  The internet has those and many more.  The one I'm currently using is from Belgium. I'm pasting it below:

BELGIAN FACE MASK

These directions go with the video and templates at this website:  https://makefacemasks.com/?fbclid=IwAR0ti1Gq-vSyVHgix1kv1sGumKTTF12PZV0K4IO1uw7J8S7mqivlDBQVcac

I added the pocket for a paper clip, pipe cleaner or ? at the bridge of the nose.  As with the pocket for the filter, it's there if they want to use it.

Use good quality fabric with a high thread count, not the same for the inside and outside.  I’m currently using white on the inside     

                                               Height            Width.      (of mask)

Front Fabric 8-1/8  x  7-7/8

Back fabric 7-1/4  x  7-7/8

Ties Four 20” (1/4”—1/2 ”wide) 

                               This a very generous length, especially around the neck. I'm making
  tweaking this and making the lower two ties 16" each.

1. Fold and stitch 1/4” at bottom edge of both front and back pieces
2. Fold front bottom up an additional 1/2” and stitch at side edges
3. Press the pleats and pin or Wonder clip
4. Stitch pleats at edges

(I ACTUALLY COMBINE STEPS 2, 3 & 4 AND STITCH THAT ALL IN ONE GO.)

5. Put fabrics right sides together and stitch at top (1/4” seam allowance)
6. Pin the 4 ties at the corners, length to the inside
7. Stitch the sides, reinforcing where the ribbons attach
8. Turn right side out.
9. Stitch pocket at top center, leaving opening to insert nose “clip”. To make a pocket, find the top middle of the mask.  Your pocket should be 3” wide, centered, with an opening of 5/8”-3/4”.  Just stitch like this:

_____________________top of mask _________________

   I                                                                             I

   I                                                                             I

   I_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ __ _ _ _. _ _ _ __             I            

KIT MAKERS TURN TO MASK MAKING

We've had a wonderful response from local sewers to the shortage of medical masks.  Our Days for Girls chapter volunteers as well as so many others have been cranking out masks in a variety of styles, sharing tips and new patterns, places to get supplies, places to drop off completed masks, etc.  There's even a new Facebook group for local mask makers.  If you're on our email list, you're probably sick of my recent emails about all of this.

I'm thrilled to see that it's not just a local boom in mask-making, but that it's people who sew all around the country stepping in to help with this need.  

Here's an article from the New York Times yesterday.

And while I have your attention . . . no, we won't have a workday on the first Saturday in April.  I urge you to work on masks at home though.

STAY HEALTHY, PLEASE!

PERIOD POVERTY IN KENYA

Nice article in Aljazeera about period poverty in Kenya.

TV COVERAGE OF A DAYS FOR GIRLS CHAPTER

Please ignore the Jerry Springer (!) commercial at the beginning of the news piece.  I spied a reddish print in a shield that we've used in ours.  Several times a week? I'm very impressed.

NO TAMPON TAX?

Interesting article from the BBC.  The tax was supposedly used to benefit groups supporting vulnerable girls and women . . . but that means only menstruating women were supporting these efforts, rather that the population as a whole.

NO MARCH AND APRIL WORKDAYS 

This nasty Covid-19 is disrupting so much.  I hope that we citizens can keep ourselves and our germs away from each other so that it really can't get the foothold they're expecting.   We can do our part by not getting physically close to each other when that is an option.  And, skipping some workdays IS a smart option.  We now know we won't be meeting at least until after April.  Stay tuned, please.

This morning, I received an email from Celeste Mergens, Days for Girls founder and CEO.  I share it with you:  

Dear Days for Girls family, We hope this message finds you well. As a global health organization, the safety of communities and all Days for Girls volunteers, team members, supporters is very important to us. While coronavirus (COVID-19)* continues to impact us all, we wanted to take a moment to reach out and share our ongoing commitment to best health practices. Effective immediately, all DfG volunteer community events around the world are advised to be paused or postponed until after April 30th. This includes Chapter and Team sew and assembly days, and events, though people may continue to serve at home privately. In addition, Days for Girls is closely monitoring and following the guidance of the World Health Organization (WHO), to ensure that we are doing our part as responsible global citizens. We urge you to do the same and follow all travel and public gathering guidelines given by your local public health and other relevant agencies.

Take everyday precautions: Stay home if you’re sick… at all.  If you have fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical care early.  Stay informed and follow the advice given by your healthcare provider. Take everyday preventive actions: Wash and encourage others to wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing, or having been in a public place. We are global champs at this, let’s put that expertise to work and set an example. If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 70% alcohol. To the extent possible, avoid touching high-touch surfaces in public places – elevator buttons, door handles, handrails, handshaking with people, etc. Use a tissue or your sleeve to cover your hand or finger if you must touch something. Wash your hands after touching surfaces in public places. Avoid touching your face, nose, eyes, etc. Clean and disinfect your home to remove germs: practice routine cleaning of frequently touched surfaces (for example: tables, doorknobs, light switches, handles, desks, toilets, faucets, sinks & cell phones). Avoid crowds, especially in poorly ventilated spaces. Your risk of exposure to respiratory viruses like COVID-19 may increase in crowded, closed-in settings with little air circulation especially if there are people in the crowd who are sick. Avoid all non-essential travel including plane trips. If COVID-19 is spreading in your community, take extra measures to put distance between yourself and other people to further reduce your risk of being exposed to this new virus. Stay home as much as possible. Consider ways of getting food brought to your house through family, social, or commercial networks. As this unfolds, we will all be making adjustments to the way we live, work, and volunteer. Let’s work together for the good of all. Should you have any questions or concerns about a specific upcoming event or activity, please reach out to your regional representative or direct supervisor. We are committed to working together to support one another through this rapidly evolving situation. Let’s be champion hand washers and have good courage. With precautions, we can help keep more people well and soon things will return to normal and we’ll enjoy shared larger gatherings again. Stay safe. You matter. With gratitude, Celeste Mergens and the Days for Girls team Mary and Lynne, Days for Girls Australia Terri-Lynn and Louise, Days for Girls Canadian Society Helen, Days for Girls New Zealand Jane, Days for Girls UK Katy, Days for Girls USA *To learn about COVID-19 we ask you to visit the FAQ compiled by WHO or your local equivalent.

MARCH 7TH UPDATE--WORKDAY CANCELLED

NO MARCH 7 WORKDAY

I'm sorry to say that we won't be meeting this Saturday.  However, Our Sewing Room will have their regular hours for members, so if you want to drop something off, just tell them it's for Days for Girls.  See you in April!

FROM ALICE, AN ENTERPRISE LEADER IN NAIROBI

It's officially launched in Kenya!!!!!!
THE RED LINE CAMPAIGN. 🛑🛑🛑🛑🛑🛑
We are drawing a Red Line on Menstrual Shaming.

No more lost days.
No more lost dignity.
No more lost lives.
All due to unmet needs of a basic natural function that connects us all.
We Stand together. Join us. DaysforGirls.org

Today was one of the most significant day in the history of Days for Girls in Kenya. All the Enterprises converged in Bomet county-Kenya led by our very own Founder/CEO of Days for Girls Celeste Mergens to launch the Red Line Campaign in Cheboingon'g Primary school and Bomet township primary school.
In Bomet county is where dear Jacqueline 11years old girl committed suicide because of the Shame she experienced after her menses began and she soiled her dress while in class, her classmates laughed at her and she was so embarrassed. She went home and the mother told her to go clean herself and she would tell her more about what's happening. It's so unfortunate after she went to clean herself in the river she was found dead, hanged herself. So sad.
Today Jacqueline Mother joined us in the campaign and this was her words.( " I am here to create awareness and encourage parents to be close to their children and be supportive to them, my daughter should be the last girl to take her life because of the Shame of Menstruation. I commit to continue helping girls, boys,men and women about this subject on Menstruation and let them know it's a natural blessings and we should all embrace it.")
The first lady of Bomet county met with our CEO yesterday and other DFG leaders and she committed to be in forefront to be an Ambassador of Menstrual hygiene management. 

WILL YOU JOIN US?

#DaysforGirls
#RedLinecampaign
#Endingmenstrualshame

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GREAT FABRIC SWAP

The Springfield Library is just diagonally across the street from Our Sewing Room's back alley--upstairs in the City Hall building.  On Saturday, they are having a fabric exchange.  

Just a heads up, in case you have fabric you no longer want and that wouldn't be great for our Days for Girls use.  You can take it in to the circulation desk in advance.  Some of you might want to check  it out Saturday to see what they have that we can use for our kit components.  It's free, and if there are leftover pieces that would work well for DFG, I get to grab them before they are donated to St. Vinnie's.  But it's all free so presumably, earlier is better to check it out.       

Got fabric? 

Want different fabric? 

Have we got the perfect program for you! 

Please join us from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, March 7, 2020 for “The Great Fabric Swap,” at the Springfield Public Library in the Library Meeting Room. 

Bring your clean fabric to the event to trade for different fabric. 

Donations of clean fabric will be accepted in advance at the front desk of the Springfield Public Library. 

Don’t have fabric to trade? 

That’s okay, you’re still welcome to attend and take home fabric. 

This program is free and open to the public. 

#wheremindsgrow #springstitchers

#wheremindsgrow