Masks take trendy turn in US

A woman wears a colorful face mask.

By Jane Han

SEATTLE ― Now that masks are officially encouraged ― and even mandated in some cities ― across the U.S., people are scrambling to find face coverings to help protect them and others from the coronavirus.

But crunched with a severe shortage of face masks, the American mask scene is becoming noticeably snazzy as everything from denim to used summer dresses are getting transformed into face wraps.

''I had a bag full of gently worn clothing I was going to donate," said Angela Pierson, 43, who lives in Tacoma, a satellite city in the Seattle metropolitan area where more than 8,700 confirmed cases have been reported so far. ''I didn't get a chance to make the donation yet so I'm now sewing them into masks for my neighbors in need. It turned out to be an even better donation."

It sure did as a crippling national shortage of masks is failing to meet the demand that has spiked to new highs after the U.S. federal government belatedly issued new guidance advising the American public to wear face coverings when venturing outside.

Finding a mask in retail stores has become virtually impossible and the same goes for online shopping sites.

''I've now come to accept the fact that securing a medical grade face mask for me and my family is humanly not possible at this point," said Jim Eyal, 38, who lives in San Francisco. ''So what do I do? Make one myself."

He gathered up every pillow case he had at home, washed and sanitized them, and printed out one of a myriad of mask templates online. He, like many households in the U.S., had a basic sewing machine at home so it turned out to be a pretty simple weekend project.

''The kids ended up with a really cute Hello Kitty patterned mask and my wife got a pale pink one with flowers," said Eyal. ''We're all pretty satisfied and plan to make more for family and friends."

Unlike Eyal, not everyone is into do-it-yourself (DIY) so a growing number of businesses are tailoring to that soaring need.

Local seamstresses, tailors and other textile-related small businesses are teaming up to sell the new necessity and also to donate to medical and grocery store workers.

''It's almost as if I was preparing my whole life for this," said Jane Moody, 52, who is part of a local sewing group on Facebook with More than 500 members. ''I try to offer as many designs as possible. If you must wear a mask, might as well go stylish."

Moody's inventory includes popular sports team logos including those of New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints and Boston Red Sox.

''I'm cranking out about 50 masks a day'' she said. "It's exhausting, but super satisfying that I'm making something that is so needed.''

Fashion brands such as Alice & Olivia and Helmstedt, among a growing number of others, are offering non-medical use protective masks ranging anywhere from $10 to $30 a piece with most or all of the profits going to various efforts supporting the response to COVID-19.

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