Many students in Dane County will need to mask up when they head back to school this fall. After the Madison Metropolitan School District announced mask protocols when students are inside or on transportation, many schools have followed suit: Verona, Oregon, Stoughton, Monona Grove, Waunakee, McFarland, Sun Prairie and so on.
To prepare students for these requirements, the Meadowridge Public Library hosted a “Sew Your Own Mask” event today, welcoming students to come participate.
Elementary and middle-school-aged kids gathered around craft tables, cutting their masks from large squares of fabric printed with designs ranging from red and yellow flames to scenes from “Batman.” Youth Services Librarian Athnie McMillan-Comeaux helped facilitate this process in coordination with a volunteer and two other library staff. She hopes this made masks more accessible.
“You know, masks are another school supply that families need this year, and so I thought this was a great way to help kinda facilitate access while also teaching kids a skill and providing kind of a hands-on experience,” says McMillan-Comeaux.
Kids were assisted in learning how to use many different materials, including rotary cutters, fabric, pins and sewing machines. The fabric at today’s event was donated from library staff and The Electric Needle, a sewing store located on the beltline.
This is the first mask-sewing event that Meadowridge has facilitated. McMillan-Comeaux says that they don’t know if it’ll be happening again in the future but that it’s a possibility.
“You know, if it goes well and kids want to do it again, then absolutely. You know, I try to let kids lead with what programs they want as much as possible, so if they want to do it again, I’d definitely consider it,” says McMillan-Comeaux.
One kid that I talked to today was excited to make a mask with her favorite color: blue.
Kids were able to drop in at Meadowridge Public Library today anywhere from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. The event was recommended to kids ages eight and up to prevent any mishaps with sewing materials and machinery.
Reporting for WORT News, I’m Hailey Griffin.
