'Any little bit I can help is good': Seamsters create handcrafted masks to meet demand

Beth Findley doesn’t work in the health care industry, but given that it’s all hands on deck during the coronavirus outbreak, she’s still doing her part.

Which, in her case, means a lot of sewing.

Findley was browsing the internet when she learned about the nationwide “Million Masks Challenge," in which those with sewing abilities are trying to assist with a N95 mask shortage by making their own.

“And I started to see those (handmade ones) and thought, ‘Oh, that’s awesome.’ ”

She was able to use her seven years' experience sewing to create a mask based on patterns online and tweaked it a bit for her own purposes before posting a picture online.

“And I found other people making them, too,” Findley said.

A local Facebook group was made by Linda Pohar and Amber Barrett called Illinois Valley Mask Initiative to organize their efforts and find those in need of a handcrafted mask. The group is just one of many surfacing in the past week as Illinoisans turn their attention to how they can help one another. Gov. JB Pritzker on Sunday called for volunteerism from healthy Illinoisans to help health care workers and increased blood donations.

Findley said she started receiving interest from others as well, such as an order of 50 for staff at Ottawa Pavilion and around 20 for the facilities department at OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Ottawa.

She estimates it takes her about 15 minutes to make one, but she's shortened that down from around 30 minutes when she started.

“I’ve made so many now, I’ve made sort of an assembly line,” Findley said.

A similar group of seamsters have formed in Streator.

Streator resident Nina Vaughn has set up the Streator Coronavirus Residents in Need Facebook page to help reach homebound people who cannot leave the house because of health issues or those who need help obtaining resources to take care of their family.

Vaughn has also started making facemasks, using materials like vacuum bags or filters and cloth, along with other members of the group as a way to help deal with the shortage.

The group was founded by Vaughn, Amy Ragusa and Lois Newborn.

“Streator always comes together in a crisis,” Vaughn said. “I wouldn’t want my roots anywhere else but here. Streator is so full of huge hearts that I think often get misjudged.”

Vaughn's group has been providing more than just masks. They’ve been running for groceries and prescriptions for those who can’t leave the house, as well.

The masks, while not of the same quality as an official N95 mask, work for those with a shortage and Findley said they are also being used to cover an official mask to protect those masks so they can last for a longer period of time.

The problem now, however, is the crafting has led to an elastic shortage.

Findley said it’s becoming difficult to find online due to the demand as well as in local stores.

So, she went to social media again for assistance and found many strangers offering to collect elastic from their own supply as well as from the supply of family members to support the effort.

A worker at Ottawa Pavilion also donated a large supply of elastic and left it on Findley’s porch.

She was rewarded with many masks to bring back with her to work.

“I’ve never met her before in my life,” Findley said with a laugh. “But she was so grateful so I made her a bunch.”

Findley said she’s just glad that she has a role to play during this ordeal.

“It feels awesome. I’m glad that I can help even just a little bit. The real heroes are the healthcare workers on the frontlines facing this virus,” Findley said. “I can just sit in my house all safe and sound but they’re the ones I commend for their work. Any little bit I can help is good.”

Additionally, she notes the community feedback on the masks and the collaboration among sewing enthusiasts as well as healthcare workers has given her a closer connection with her community.

“Even though we’re all quarantined and separated from our community, I’ve never felt closer to my community than I do right now,” Findley said.

To join the Illinois Valley Mask Initiative, visit fb.com/groups/529406207713809.

For more information on the Streator Coronavirus Residents in Need group, visit fb.com/groups/1382847691887083.