UT Extension FCE Clubs and 4-H Youth Need Help Sewing Fabric Masks for Sevier County

Sevier County Family & Community Education (FCE) Clubs and 4-H youth are asking you to join in meeting this tremendous need for fabric masks through the statewide TAFCE Masks of Love Project.

If you are making masks, and do not know who to give these to – please consider assisting with this project to help Sevier County!

These fabric masks are easy to make, and definitely a valuable way to help others if you can sew, and have fabric at home. UT Extension in Sevier County will be a drop off point for the masks on Wednesdays and Fridays, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. From office, masks will be distributed to community agency needs. Please read below for more information.

These masks are fabric face masks. The masks are not intended for use as personal protective equipment, so they do not provide total protection from coronavirus, like an N95 mask. However, some protection is better than none. Remember: do not wear these masks in public thinking it will protect you from the virus. The best way to avoid the virus is to stay home. 

This community project is for individuals who have fabric & materials at home. We do not request anyone to go purchase fabric, nor host a sewing party with friends! We still need to respect “Safer at Home” community policies.  Of course, also if you are sick, please do not participate.

Check out the TAFCE Masks of Love page on Face Book, and join others in this mission.

 Steps to Making Fabric Masks:

1. Choose cotton, tight weave fabric. No flannel. Before sewing, wash fabric in warm or hot water with regular detergent and dry thoroughly at the highest setting appropriate for the fabric. This prevents future shrinkage of masks.  It is recommended for recipients to wash masks before initial use, and launder routinely after use. Healthcare providers will know how to sanitize the cloth masks for their purposes.
2. The pattern recommended is a Simple Fabric Mask with three tucks. (Recommendation – Vanderbilt Hospital.)  Use only two layers of cotton fabric, no lining or filters.  Please steam iron completed masks.

Download the Fabric Masks Pattern here.

(If you have made masks from other patterns, we will include them in collection for present time)

How to videos for Beginners (If needed) Only Use 2 fabric pieces per mask, NO LINING

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dY3aS1L7S-4 – using other ties . …. OR

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4FB–BOyTiU –using elastic

Drop completed fabric masks off at Sevier UT Extension Office in Sevier County

The Drop Off location for completed masks is a box on the front patio of the UT Extension Office in Sevier County, 752 Old Knoxville Highway in Sevierville, TN 37862 (by the Sevier County Fairgrounds).  Masks may be dropped off beginning Wednesday, April 8 and will continue on Wednesdays and Fridays as long as there is a need, from 10 a.m.–2:00 pm. The office is closed due to COV19; however, staff is working from home.

For questions, please email Linda Hyder, UT Extension at lhyder@utk.edu. If no computer access, you may call 865-453-3695 – and leave a message for Linda.  Messages checked daily.

Thank you for rising to supply the need for Face Masks in Sevier County! We are Community!