IMPORTANT DROP OFF INFORMATION: Beginning March 26th, masks will be collected Monday-Friday at Entrance A, Franciscan Hospital in Michigan City from 10 am-12 noon.
How to help:
Thank you so much for your willingness to assist with making masks for our healthcare team!!! It is so beautiful to see so many in the community coming together in support of our healthcare workers on the front lines! Franciscan Health Michigan City has two types of masks that we would GREATLY appreciate receiving:
IMPORTANT DROP OFF INFORMATION: Beginning March 26th, masks will be collected Monday-Friday at Entrance A, Franciscan Hospital in Michigan City from 10 am-12 noon.
A couple of requests before production and delivery:
Thank you so much for your help in this! Please know the Sisters are praying for you and your families! May God bless each of you!
Sister Petra
Sister M. Petra Nielsen, OSF
Vice President Mission Integration
Franciscan Health Michigan City
3500 Franciscan Way
Michigan City, IN 46360
Tel: 219-877-1447
- A simpler surgical mask for patients and guests. (To involve them in helping protect our staff.) Instructions are attached and also can be viewed in this video from Deaconess Hospital: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tBg0Os5FWQ
- A mask for caregivers made from three layers of quilting cotton that includes a wire to help fit to the face and a pocket to insert a coffee filter, duck cotton or some other type of filter. Instructions are attached as well (Hospital Staff Mask Pattern). If you have questions about the caregiver design/pattern, please contact Jennifer Feeney: feeneyja@gmail.com
IMPORTANT DROP OFF INFORMATION: Beginning March 26th, masks will be collected Monday-Friday at Entrance A, Franciscan Hospital in Michigan City from 10 am-12 noon.
A couple of requests before production and delivery:
- Please wash the fabric in hot water before making the masks
- Please wash the completed masks in hot water (both to shrink and clean). Note—for the hospital staff mask, the wire needs to be removed before washing.
- Please pack the completed, clean masks in either a clean plastic bin or a clean bag. (Please no boxes!)
- If you would like to donate an unopened package of coffee filters for us to also distribute to staff with the caregiver masks, that would be appreciated!
Thank you so much for your help in this! Please know the Sisters are praying for you and your families! May God bless each of you!
Sister Petra
Sister M. Petra Nielsen, OSF
Vice President Mission Integration
Franciscan Health Michigan City
3500 Franciscan Way
Michigan City, IN 46360
Tel: 219-877-1447
What To Do If You Have Trouble Finding Elastic
Elastic is selling out quickly because of this project. What do you do if you cannot find any?
There are a few options
1. Knit elastic (NOT braided) can be cut down to be made thinner. 1/4" is the width you want
2. 1mm-2mm beading elastic may be more available. It can be ordered from Amazon. You would need to go with a different color than white, but color does not matter. If you are making the simple mask pattern where the elastic is sewn into the fabric, the beading elastic must be knotted first and sewn over a few times so it stays secure. It may take a week or two to get it from Amazon, but there will still be unmet need for masks.
3. If you have it, thin elastic headbands can be cut and sewn in.
4. Fabric straps can be used. You can also use ribbon (tie a knot on the end of the ribbon so it does not fray). They must be no wider than 1/4" and long enough to tie around a person's head. In then end, fabric straps last longer. But the elastic is easier to use.
There are a few options
1. Knit elastic (NOT braided) can be cut down to be made thinner. 1/4" is the width you want
2. 1mm-2mm beading elastic may be more available. It can be ordered from Amazon. You would need to go with a different color than white, but color does not matter. If you are making the simple mask pattern where the elastic is sewn into the fabric, the beading elastic must be knotted first and sewn over a few times so it stays secure. It may take a week or two to get it from Amazon, but there will still be unmet need for masks.
3. If you have it, thin elastic headbands can be cut and sewn in.
4. Fabric straps can be used. You can also use ribbon (tie a knot on the end of the ribbon so it does not fray). They must be no wider than 1/4" and long enough to tie around a person's head. In then end, fabric straps last longer. But the elastic is easier to use.