Looking for fabric masks for you and the family? Here are five Illawarra small businesses that currently have them in stock.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
There are several things to look out for when choosing or making a cloth mask, according to this article on The Conversation:
- Use two or three layers of fabric.
- Choose fabric with a high thread count (so a tighter weave, for instance from a good quality sheet is generally better than a fabric with a looser weave that you can clearly see light through).
- Fabrics made with more than one type of thread (for instance cotton-silk, cotton-chiffon, or cotton-flannel) may be good choices because they provide better filtration and are more comfortable to wear.
- Make sure any cloth mask fits well and seals around the face.
Read the full article here.
1. Makuta Masks, Kiama
After a spate of suicides in the southern Illawarra, concerned community members set up Makuta Masks to raise money for established suicide prevention organisations for school age youth. The masks - made from double-layered, tightly woven, high-quality cotton - come in adult and kid sizes and cost $10 to $15. Shop here.
2. Ratha's Place, Oak Flats
The charity-run cafe provides training and employment opportunities for people with disabilities. Money raised from the sale of the three-layer masks, which sell for $12 each, supports the small charity. Shop here.
3. South Coast Scrunchies, Calderwood
Olivia from Calderwood sells 100 per cent cotton masks out of her Etsy shop in a range of patterns for $12 each. Shop here.
4. DingleBees, Wollongong
Ally's masks are made with two layers of 100 per cent cotton fabric and elastic ear loops, and have a pocket containing a removable filter. Available in small, medium and large (medium and large come with nose wire) for $18 each. Shop here.
5. The New Normal, Wollongong
Irene's Etsy shop stocks masks for women, men and kids in a range of prints for $18.95 each. The 100 per cent cotton, re-useable, washable masks have a filter pocket, nose wire and adjustable ear loops. Shop here.
If you have a small business in the Illawarra stocking fabric masks, leave a comment on our Facebook page and we will add you to the list.
Our COVID-19 news articles relating to public health and safety are free for anyone to access. However, we depend on subscription revenue to support our journalism. If you are able, please subscribe here. If you are already a subscriber, thank you for your support.
