What's New...
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PPE Face Masks
Sewists around our country are meeting their community's Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) needs.
Home sewn masks serve as mask covers to extend the use of commercially made protective masks which are in in short supply. Add to that the number of people caring for a contagious family member at home and our community residents who depend on masks because their immune systems are too low to protect them from infections.
Individuals in Sarasota and Manatee counties are encouraged to contact our chapter directly with their requests.
Health care facilities and organizations using home sewn masks as covers or PPE substitutions are encouraged to post their requests on We Need Masks.
Current guidelines suggest mask wearing by the general public may reduce virus transmission. Studies show washable, reusable masks made from cotton are between 66-73% more effective than wearing no masks. When proper mask wear, hand washing and a 6 foot social distance are practiced, virus transmission is decreased in the general population. The most important practice to follow is to isolate yourself and your household from contact with others and keeping a 6 ft distance from others if you must leave the safety of your residence.
The Mask Manual is based on WHO guidelines has been widely distributed in India and contains instructions on how to make a mask from any recycled cotton garment and rubber bands.
The Mask Manual- contains information comparing surgical masks to cotton mask, mask wearing, sewn masks, how to make a simple mask if you can't sew or don't have a machine and other credible mask information.
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All Chapter Meeting and NG Meetings are cancelled for March and April to reduce the transmission of Covid19 (Corona Virus) in our community.
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Educational Programs
$10 donation at the door
Bring a brown bag lunch
Next program is May 20th
Camp Shirt with Jan Loy
Butterick B6070 by Connie
Crawford
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Volunteers are needed to present in 2020. Please contact us if you can teach
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Our Feb-Mar-Apr issue is available for Download
Deadline for next issue is Apr 1st
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UPCOMING NG PROGRAMS
May 4: Pins & Needles -Scissors/Needle Holder
May 9: Creative Sassy Sewers -Check with NG Leader
May 16: Anything Sews -Collage Techniques
May 25: Sew Chic -No Meeting/holiday
May: SIG Lingerie -Check with Leader
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Next CAB Meeting May 8th
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We donate thousands of hours each year to community service sewing to meet the local needs of people.
Sharing Our Love by Sewing Masks
During this time of uncertainty and sheltering-in-place, many are wondering what we can do to help. With the shortage of masks causing problems in doctor's offices, clinics, home care settings and hospitals, we can make a difference. ASG is working with our partner, the Sewing & Craft Alliance through a national website that has been set up to match those who can sew masks with those who need them.
Locally there are two urgent needs on this listing, Manor Care in Venice and Solaris Heathcare in Port Charlotte. Their contact information is available using this link.
Please visit https://www.weneedmasks.org for
more information.
How WeNeedMasks.org Works
- Registration: Each facility on the Locations Needing Masks tab has completed a form to request masks and has identified the style of mask they are able to accept. They also have an option to request their own pattern be used.
- Listings: If there are no facilities listed in a specific state, it means that no organization from that state has registered on the site. As needs are filled, the facilities have been reporting and are removed from the list.
- Fabric: The pattern and instructions on the website refer to using cotton weave or 100% cotton fabric, which the healthcare facilities are aware of. They may also include special instructions if they choose.
- Safety: Each facility manages the use of fabric masks according to their own guidelines.They understand the masks are not considered full protective gear; however, the CDC has approved the use of fabric masks as a last resort. Some are at the last resort stage.
- Use: In some cases, fabric masks are being used on patients exposed to COVID-19 but not yet exhibiting symptoms, while others are used by healthcare workers over their N95 mask to extend its usable life.
- Counting Masks: There is a link on the website where you, as a mask provider, can report the # of masks you have sent to a listed facility. Please only report those that are sent to the locations listed.
- Does it really help? While there are some large hospitals listed, many locations are smaller and will not be first in line to receive commercial masks when available. At least one location indicated their workers are using paper towels as masks until they can get something better.
Various Mask Patterns, Instructions & FAQs
2020 Annual Meeting
ASG Volunteer Forum
Classes at Pennie Fabrics
When you do your regular Amazon shopping at smile.amazon.com/ch/65-0891250, AmazonSmile donates to our Sarasota/Gulf Coast Chapter of the American Sewing Guild.
THANKS for letting us sew...
Opening your doors to our Neighborhood Group meetings means A LOT to us!
Central Manatee Library, Bradenton Frances T Bourne (Jacaranda) Library, Venice
Sew Worth It, Sarasota South Manatee Library, Bradenton
* "The fact that a group is permitted to meet at SCFD meeting rooms does not in any way constitute an endorsement of the group’s policies or beliefs by SCFD or Sarasota County Government."
What is an NG? Its a Neighborhood Group!
We are real people meeting in real buildings to sew real things. And we have a blast. So take a moment to step away from the world of virtual reality and mosey on down to your nearest NG. Better yet, bring a friend with you!