SEAMSTERS UNION

SEAMSTERS UNION

9-26-2020

The Seamsters Union was a group of volunteer mask makers who produces masks collaboratively with upcycled material. The group was active from April to September 2020, and donated over 7,000 masks to support some of Hawaii’s most needy population. They terminated their efforts on September 26, 2020 as reasonably priced masks have become readily available. [see video]

Seamsters Union Protocol

Mask Pattern

There are numerous masks patterns available. After thorough research and feedback from medical practitioners, the Seamsters Union produces universal fit cloth masks. They incorporate the use of ties made with T-shirt yarn, rather than elastic, for reasons of durability and the latex content of elastic. It also includes an opening to insert disposable filters, or N95 masks in order to extend their usage.

Ties

  • Cut T-shirt horizontally in 1″ wide strips. Do not use hems or heavy printed areas. Lightly printed areas are fine as long as the ties curl nicely when pulled. Sleeves from Men’s Large shirts and larger can also be used.
  • Ties must be at minimum 55″ in length stretched out. Kids ties can be one continuous length or two joined ties of roughly equal lengths.
  • Adult ties minimal length 21″ (stretched out)
  • How to Join T-shirt Yarn Without Sewing

Kid Mask

Ties must be at minimum 55″ in length stretched out. Kids ties can be one continuous length or two joined ties of roughly equal lengths.

Adult Masks

Minimal length 21″ (stretched out)

DIY Loop Turner to Thread Ties

Bend a medium weight florist type wire or large paper clip to form a loop. Tape or leave tips open. Place tie in the loop end and thread through the mask channel.

Face and Channel Pieces

Adult
Face Piece – 8×15″
Channel Piece – 2” x 8”

Kid
Face Piece – 7×10″
Channel Piece – 2” x 6”

Tips for Cutting Face and Channel Pieces

  • To speed things up notch and tear as much as possible. Suggestions:
  • Cut about .5″ notch and tear off any folded and sewn edge.
  • Do same for the perpendicular edge, or all three remaining edges.
  • Use one torn edge to figure out how best to make use of fabric size. Notch and tear, or cut.
  • Iron face pieces if possible, bundle pieces separately or as sets, and label with quantity. Return to Material Transfer Points.
  • If fabric is too hard to work with (ie. won’t keep neat pleats, acts like synthetic, too thin, thick or porous, etc), put them aside. We have, and can get, more good material.

8- Overview for Sewers

Overview (PDF)

Face Piece Section I (2:25) / Section II (3:16)

Attaching Face Piece to Channel Section I (1:38) / Section II (0:27) / Section III (4:19)

QUICK REFERENCES

FABRIC GUIDE

CDC RECOMMENDATIONS

BIAS TAPE JIG USAGE


7,214 MASKS DONATED

+ 438 adults + 283 kids – to Portland, OR for wildfire mitigation
+ 25 adults – Alquero Family Clinic
+ 58 adults & 126 kids – After School All Star
+ 100 adults – Bayada Home Health Care
+ 147 adults – Baja and Navajo Nation
+ 26 adults – Benchmark Behavioral Health System-Hawaii
+ 40 adults – Bus + Handivan Drivers
+ 220 adults & 70 kids – Boys and Girls Club Summer Program
+ 10 adults & 50 kids – Councilman Kym Pine Houseless Services serving Wai‘anae Coast
+ 641 adults & 128 kids – Community Learning Center at Mā‘ili distributed through scheduled Food Drops to needy folks in Wai‘anae, Nanakuli, Mā‘ili, and Helelua
+ 45 adults – Hawaii Health and Harm Reduction Center (Food Distribution Division)
+ 43 adults – Hawaii Meals on Wheels
+ 223 adults & 50 kids – Hawai‘i State Hospital
+ 15 adults – Hawai‘i Youth Athletic Organization on behalf of Kuakini Social Workers
+ 35 adults -Healthcare School of Hawai‘i
+ 350 adults -Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies
+ 200 adults – Hina Mauka aka Alcoholic Rehabilitation Services of Hawaii
+ 300 adult – Home Instead Senior Care for the kupunas they service and their families
+ 20 adults – Hui Aloha
+ 50 adults – Institute for Human Services
+ 40 adults & 40 keikis – Kahauiki Village
+ 20 adults – Kailua Intermediate School Special Needs Program
+ 185 adults – Kaka‘ako & Honolulu Houseless Encampments via Hawai‘i Health and Harm Reduction Center (Houseless Support Division)
+ 10 adults & 20 kids – Kamaaina Kids After School program (Kaleiopuu Elementary and Keoneula Elementary)
+ 120 kids – Kamakua Hawaiian Immersion School
+ 186 adults & 50 keiki – Kāneohe Free Pantry –
+ 20 adults & 50 keiki – Kids Hurt Too
+ 66 adults & 90 keiki – Kokua Kalihi Valley Community Health Center
+ 270 kids & 20 adults – Lunalilo School
+ 15 adults – Mālama Meals
+ 300 adults – Native Hawaiian Church for Halawa Prison for released prisoners, prison employees, and inmates
+ 200 adults – Next Step (Kaka‘ako) and Keauhou (Mo‘ili‘ili) Houseless Shelters
+ 141 adults – O‘ahu Resilience Hubs (KEYS project kupuna program)
+ 110 adults – Partners in Care
+ 364 adult & 15 kids – Partners in Development
+ 100 kids & 20 adults –  Project Hawai‘i
+ 50 adults – Salvation Army KROC Center in Kapolei
+ 40 kids – Schofield Army Child and Youth Services civilian family members
+ 100 adults & 35 kids – U.S.VETS (Wai‘anae Civic Center)
+ 100 adults & 150 kids – Waipahu Intermediate School
+ 20 adults & 20 kids – Waipahu YMCA
+ 198 adult & 459 kids – Weed and Seed (Kalihi-Palama & Waipahu)
+ 236 adults – Women’s Community Correctional Center (WCCC)
+ 50 adults & 50 kids – The Yes Project
+ 124 adults – Doctors/nurses/staff at Castle, Kāpiolani, Kaiser, and Queens, etc.