JOANN employees noticed sewing groups around the country were banding together to provide hand-sewn cotton masks for hospitals that were in short supply, so the fabric store stepped in to help.
“As a company, we were inspired by our customers who are pitching in during this unprecedented crisis, and we wanted to do what we can to contribute,” their announcement states. The store has donated all the materials, so you won’t need to pay for anything.
Here’s how it works:
Employees at JOANN stores have been busy preparing kits of pre-cut mask patterns, elastic, and other materials. The stores are still open, but they're offering curbside pickup for the masks. Employees will be watching for customers to drive up, so all you have to do is drive up to the store and a worker will meet you outside and hand as many kits as you like through your window. They’ve coordinated with doctors and medical professionals to make sure the kits only include materials accepted by hospitals, so all you have to do is sew them together.No shopping, cutting, or prepping patterns required; you don't even have to wash the fabric before you begin, since the prep work has all been done for you. All 860 stores across the country are participating, and a JOANN representative told us you don’t need to reserve kits ahead of time.
Once you’ve picked up the materials, take them home and sew the patterns together:The JOANN site has a helpful how-to video to walk you through the process. When you’ve sewn all your masks, drive back to the store, drop them off (you don’t ever have to get out of your car!), and JOANN will donate the masks to a local hospital or clinic in need.
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