Volunteer sewers stitch an estimated 350,000 face coverings
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From today it will, for so many in the UK, be compulsory to wear a face covering on public transport, and volunteer sewers across the country have been stepping up their efforts to ensure communities are prepared.
The fashion designer and founder of the #BigCommunitySew, Patrick Grant – a judge on BBC’s Great British Sewing Bee – estimated that over 350,000 face coverings had been made.
Paying tribute to the sewing community, he said they had become a “volunteering powerhouse” and wasn’t surprised that sewing machines were now in short supply.
“You can’t buy one for love nor money,” he said. “For thousands of people, sewing has gone from being a hobby to an essential service.
"Sewing machinists have been looking after the NHS, providing hundreds of thousands of scrubs, and now they’re doing the same for the wider community in making face coverings.
“I always knew they would step up and rise to the challenge.
"But the scale and commitment of this effort has taken my breath away and moved me to tears at times. We’ve heard some of the most heart-warming stories of people looking out for their neighbours and using sewing as a very simple and practical act of kindness.”
Howard Bogod of Singer Sewing Machines UK added that this national effort meant manufacturers were struggling to keep pace with demand.
“We have seen a surge in sales of sewing machines during the course of lockdown as people have had the time and motivation to make face masks, scrubs as well as working on other sewing projects,” he said.
“Just as important has been a big increase in demand for needles, which suggests people taking their old sewing machines out of storage and starting to use them again."
Since it was launched on May 12, over 75 sewing groups across the country have joined the #BigCommunitySew to distribute face coverings to neighbours, key workers and community groups.
They have put face mask trees in streets and ensured that many vulnerable people have received face coverings through initiatives with food banks and charities supporting homeless people.
Businesses across the country are getting involved. Aldi, which is backing the campaign, has donated 1,000 fabric bundles to the cause.
Campaign founder Patrick Grant added: “I’d like to encourage more businesses to get involved, either by giving time or assistance, or simply by paying for the materials that local volunteers desperately need. Blackburn Rovers' generosity will mean that every person in Blackburn receiving foodbank parcels will get a free face covering. I'd like to see more businesses supporting the efforts in their communities.”
More info at www.bigcommunitysew.co.uk
