So we have all seen the posts about making and sewing your own Medical masks. In fact, we wrote this article a few weeks ago (feels like years since we started isolation). BUT what if you can’t sew? I mean, I can use a sewing machine but straight lines and hems is as a far as my sewing talents go. (Adding learn to sew patterns onto my lockdown bucket list).
There has been a lot of discussion about the morals of people selling medical masks.
Here is what I think.
Medical masks, face masks, surgical masks have always been sold to the general public. No one was handing them out free two months ago when we were warned of this pandemic. The pharmacies and online supplies were all selling them. They made money, their suppliers made money.
So why is this different? Okay there is a pandemic and we are “All in this together” but guess what? Some of us aren’t in it together. Millions of people around the world, do not have a working partner, do not have someone to go get supplies for them and maybe they are a single parent trying to put the basic food on the table for their kids. Maybe they are alone and have just lost their job with no one to share the burden with. But the thing they do have in common is that they can sew, they can put their skills to use and provide handmade “state required” masks for their community.
Why should they be paid?
Well….. Firstly they had to pay for the supplies, a little bit of fabric and some filters, maybe some elastic or ties. No one gave them those items for free! They had to pay for them. Then they would have sewn that mask in their own time, taking time away from their family to work, yes work! Because even if something is handmade someone still “worked” on it.
There are all these movements to provide help to small businesses, cafe and restaurants who are doing it tough right now. Millions of handmade artists have also lost their markets, public selling places and craft booths too. They need your support as well.
So why should you buy a handmade mask? Because obviously you can’t sew one or you would be making your own, so put a few dollars into someone else’s pocket and keep a handmade business alive.
Which handmade masks are the best?
When buying from Etsy be sure to pick a handmade artist who has existing sales. That means someone has bought their product and reviewed it already. Choose a mask that you will feel comfortable wearing. If you are not sure try different styles to begin with.
Stay safe, Stay home!
Looking for Patterns? Check these out.
Are you a charity group who is looking to connect with handmade artists or perhaps you can sew and would like to help. Join our Sewing For Charities Facebook group.
This is an excellent explantation of why certain people need to charge for the face masks they make. Crafters make their living selling their wares at craft shows, which have now been cancelled indefinitely, while their personal expenses like rent, utilities, insurance, etc. continue. I myself have been in the craft show business for thirty years, but have decided to donate materials (have you seen the price of elastic?) and labor to making faces masks for medical personnel, friends, and relatives. Not everyone is able to do this. Most craft people are very honest and caring, so think about what has happened to their income before judging them. However, there will be some who overcharge, but they will hopefully be in the minority. Shame on them.