Costume Designer Turns Talents To Mask-Making, Mobilizes Sewists

WEST CHICAGO, IL — Heather Gray has a gift for sewing that has connected her with sewists across the country. So, when Gray learned of the need for safety masks at hospitals throughout the United States due to the new coronavirus, she knew she could help.

Gray, who designs boutique children's costumes and accessories, mobilized a team of independent sewists via her online platform, GS Handmade, to start crafting masks for those in need.

Gray told Patch, "We had all been discussing the spread of the virus in the U.S. in our chat group, and we had all just come off volunteering to make items for the displaced wildlife in Australia because of the horrible wildfires. That kind of inspired us to get to work for this crisis in the U.S. We knew there was a shortage of [personal protective equipment] for healthcare workers, and patterns for DIY masks popped up on sites we frequented like YouTube and sewing machine maker Brother, so we all just got to work."

Gray, who told Patch her "skills are in the organizing and encouragement department," said she took charge of managing who would make what and deciding where to send the donations.

The donations took off, Gray told Patch. She said, "We just got a paid order from an [Illinois-based] nursing home group for nearly 3,000 additional masks, so we're all working on those as well, because we know the need is great and the timing is imperative to protect the most vulnerable."

Gray told Patch she wasn't surprised to see members of the sewing community rise to the challenge. "It's kinda what we do," she said. "We always say, 'community over competition and people before profits.'"

How You Can Help

Gray told Patch she and her team need cotton or quilting fabric for their cause. She added that the need is even greater for 1/8 inch elastic to secure the masks.

Those who want to contribute can donate money to the GS Handmade PayPal. Gray said the funds will be distributed among the sewists to buy more supplies.

If you sew and would like to contribute your skills to the mask-making efforts, email Gray at goosiegirlboutique@gmail.com.