Local Residents Pitch In By Making Masks

Nancy Hershberger of Breezewood, a member of the Log House Quilt Guild of Johnstown, learned through an email from another member of the guild, of a shortage of protective masks at a local healthcare facility.

Hershberger shared the email and her news with John and Minerva Zimmerman, owners of Zimmerman's Bernina Sewing in New Enterprise, where she is an instructor.

The Zimmermans agreed to include the email as part of their weekly emails to their customers in mid-March.

The Zimmermans then rallied a troop of mask-sewing volunteers to help.

Hershberger researched and found an easy, workable pattern and the Zimmermans provided the fabric.

A short video tutorial on how to make the masks can be found at the Facebook page of the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art, Bedford. On Facebook, search for "@SAMABedford."

According to Zimmerman, as soon as word got out, Pyramid Healthcare in Duncansville, requested 200 to 300 masks to be made as soon as possible.

One of Zimmerman's customers who lives in Northern Cambria was working to fill a need at an area prison.

"They need them now," Zimmerman said.

The Zimmermans have been delivering fabric to Mennonites who have donated their time and sewing skills to making masks for area businesses.

"The Cove Mennonite community has been a huge contributor to this cause," Zimmerman said.

Zimmerman said that he and his wife, Minerva, decided that they would do what they could without charging a fee because of the urgent need.

"There's no time for that (money concerns) right now," Zimmerman said.

Making masks

The masks are made with two different patterned fabrics, a request from caregivers to make it easy to know which side is which. That way, if the mask is removed, the user will know which way to put it back on.

According to Zimmerman, the pattern and specifications for the masks continue to change as more is learned about the coronavirus.

"Things have changed a couple times since the beginning. Just make sure to have the latest information," Zimmerman said.

Zimmerman was adamant that people understand that the masks being made are not intended to replace the N95 masks and should not be used by or around anyone who is a known carrier of the virus.

The N95 mask covers the nose and mouth and can filter very small particles from being breathed in by the wearer. The masks being made by volunteers are more to stop the wearer from spreading the virus and to keep the wearer from touching his/her face, as the virus is believed to be carried on droplets and enter the body through the mucous membranes (the mouth and nose.)

Giving back

Kevin Smith of Martinsburg had been thinking about making face masks to donate for more than a week. His sister told him about an area business, Zimmerman's Bernina Sewing, that was organizing a mask sewing and distribution effort.

"My parents, Charles H., Jr. and Shirley Smith of Plum Creek, taught me to always be there to help others. People have helped me out so this was my chance to help. To give back," Smith said.

Being the owner and founder of Smith's Custom Seats, Martinsburg, making masks wouldn't be difficult because he already had the equipment.

The sewing machine he uses for his business is designed for leather pieces and was no good for sewing the thinner fabric material. Re-tooling to work with cotton could have been a long process and he was thinking of giving up before he ever started.

His sister reminded Smith of the old machine she had given him a long time ago.

"I tore it all apart last year to use the stand. Never thought it would fit in the same spot as my other machine," Smith said.

After a few adjustments and a different belt that he just happened to have "laying around the shop," Smith was ready to make some masks.

Phyllis Keim, Smith's mother-in-law, had some old quilting supplies that she donated, so Smith found an approved pattern and started cutting.

After speaking with the president of one of the area senior living facilities to determine if this was something that could be used, Smith got a very appreciative "okay."

"That night, I cut cotton for about 100 masks," Smith said.

As of Tuesday evening, April 7, he had made 582 masks.

Mask Specifics

The fabric must be 100 percent cotton with a very tight weave. The pattern that Smith uses requires a piece of material cut to 12 inches by 11 inches with three pleats ironed in and round elastic or 1/4-inch flat elastic.

On April 1, Smith was able to deliver 35 masks to The Village and 35 to Homewood and continues making masks daily. As of April 7, Smith was preparing to stitch a batch that would bring his total to 575 masks.

An "Unknown Seamstress" in New Enterprise, who wishes to be anonymous, says she "felt a push from God" to give mask-making a try after reading a story about a woman in the Midwest who was making and donating masks.

Feeling compelled by God to act but feeling quite sure that no one would respond, the Unknown Seamstress posted that she would be making masks and putting them in a milk box behind her house for anyone willing to come to get them.

"They are free to anyone who feels the need for them," the Unknown Seamstress said.

Almost immediately, a relative asked for 35 masks for her co-workers and the requests haven't stopped. On her most productive day, over 47 masks were completed, she said.

"I try to keep anywhere from six to 12 masks in the box. I can make about four masks an hour," she said.

The Seamstress said that prayers are answered every day. Just when she thinks she is at the end of her supplies and is wondering how to replenish, someone shows up with fabric or elastic, she said.

The Unknown Seamstress is now working to fill orders as needed and to keep her milk box full.

There is no charge or donation request but money is left in the box regularly, which is then donated to her church. The Unknown Seamstress has given more than $200 to her church.