Masks of Kindness

Mask making (and wearing) has become a ‘hot topic’ which we’ve been carefully following to make sure we can offer sensible advice on ‘to sew or not to sew’. 

It is clear that masks alone are not the full solution, but that they could be part of it, and it’s great to be able to take an active and creative part in your own and your communities wellbeing.

It’s good to use skills and materials on hand in ways which are useful and potentially beneficial to community health and wellbeing - acts of kindness etc. - even if you’re just wearing one yourself to be considerate of others. There’s also the social connectivity of so many people sharing and encouraging one another, and seeing the strength of sewing as a shared experience that helps us connect with friends and strangers alike. 

Masks make the invisible (and therefore subconscious) visible (and very conscious). It impacts our awareness of the pandemic in a much more tangible way than regular hand washing, and social distancing, and even staying home full time has done so far.  Perhaps that’s how they are effective? 

From xkcd.com

Here are some good links to learn more: 

• https://thespinoff.co.nz/society/06-04-2020/siouxsie-wiles-toby-morris-should-we-all-be-wearing-face-masks-to-prevent-covid-19-spread/
• https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/coronavirus/120792801/coronavirus-doctor-launches-masks4all-campaign-to-get-kiwis-wearing-masks
• https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/making-your-own-face-mask-some-fabrics-work-better-others-n1175966

There are also a lot of patterns, tutorials, and related resources available on the Masks 4 All Otago facebook page.

We are working (within our current capacity) with other groups to develop a coordinated approach, so materials and information are available as needed. 


If you know of someone who would appreciate receiving handmade masks, or if you are keen to make more masks for (non-medical) essential workers in your community, please connect with the facebook group, or email Ling Ansell (masks4allnz@gmail.com), or you are welcome to email us at Stitch Kitchen.

(University friend) GP Sophie Febery, founder of Masks4ALLNZ facebook group.