The Makers: Making masks.

The Makers: Making masks.

The Makers is a presentation of Preferred Credit Union.

Like many individuals in Michigan, Brooke Malliett has taken up a new hobby while unable to work during the COVID-19 Stay Home, Stay Safe Order: mask making. Malliett is not a sewing novice, her interdisciplinary furniture design studies in Detroit included classes in dress making and a project sewing creepy dolls. Sewing came in handy after the birth of her son while she made him cloth diapers, clothes, and toys. Admittedly, she had not touched the craft sense moving back to Ludington six years ago. Malliett is unable to work at her family owned Hobby Crest Resort and Event Center and decided to pull out her fabric and sewing supplies and put them to good use. Malliett’s sister-in-law, who is currently working in a Detroit hospital, has communicated the healthcare need for fabric masks and the type of design that functions best. With elastic and bias tape supplies running low, Malliett was fortunate enough to be lent a bias tape maker so she can continue making her special masks.

Many other people in the community are giving their time, talent, and resources to make fabric face masks for family, friends, healthcare workers, grocery store employees, etc.

Becky Alway, owner of The Reverie Retreat in Scottville, has led the charge of organizing several mask makers in the Scottville area. Alway has made dozens of masks for people including several doctors and hospital personnel, who have utilized them outside of work: www.thereverieretreat.com.

Sue Riffle of Pig Patch Farm Quilt Shop has made several dozen masks and recommends a pattern by Bonnie Hunter that uses cut up t-shirts for the ties: https://quiltville.blogspot.com/2020/04/you-askedso-here-you-go.html. Riffle also recommends a pattern designed by a nurse for nurses that fits over a disposable mask: https://www.instructables.com/id/AB-Mask-for-a-Nurse-by-a-Nurse.

Marcia Hawks is using a pattern she found on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCJcE-r7kcg&t=6s. Hawks modified the pattern to only use batik fabrics and she included an extra white layer to identify the inside.

With the help of a generous supply donation, Tracy Scheid of The Taylor Shop is donating a few thousand handmade masks to those in need. Ludington community and front line workers may fill out this form to request a mask: https://www.jotform.com/form/200976365837063  

Ludington Beverage employee Danielle Kowalski creatively used a washable can koozie to make a facemask. Watch the full tutorial at: https://www.facebook.com/LudingtonBeverage/videos/676659586499247/

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