Masked crusader is sew colourful
APRODUCT developer has been sewing her support for tackling the coronavirus pandemic by creating colourful surgical masks.
Sophie Birtwell, from Oswaldtwistle, started the project to protect family and friends, but soon found demand grew to neighbours and nurses.
Sophie said: “As a product developer and creative person, I wanted to use my skills and knowledge to create what I could to support others, whether that be a nurse or a neighbour.
“Surgical masks aren’t available in abundance and so I took to my sewing machine to make my own. I didn’t intend to make them for a wider audience, but due to them being a bit more colourful and fun, interest seem to grow quite quickly.”
Sophie created more than 20 rainbow-patterned masks and found that the children loved them and felt much more at ease and comfortable.
She added: “This is a very uncertain and uncomfortable time for the world, never before has we been so anxious and concerned for our health just walking the street. I hope that these masks will make people feel more comfortable in taking extra caution in being safe.”
With interest increasing and the maker of the masks covering all of the costs for the fabrics and materials, the masks have now been offered on a non-profit basis to the general public for a contribution of £10 per mask. The contributions will help support the creation of more free masks for NHS workers and cover the production costs of each mask made.
Sophie has also created a step-by-step guide to making your own masks.
For more information visit @sophiebluebell on Instagram or email masksbysophie@outlook.com.