Monday 6 April 2020

HELP OUR NHS :: Headbands with Buttons

Due to the ever changing situation we find ourselves in there is a need for items in the NHS that was not there just a few weeks ago.  Staff members who never normally need a face mask now require them on a daily basis.  The length of time that people are wearing them has increased dramatically aswell - from maybe a 5 minute consult to an all day shift.  This has had an adverse side effect  of incredibly sore ears!

NHS staff are a resourceful lot and one nurse took it upon herself to find a solution - put buttons on a headband and attach the mask to the buttons instead of behind the ears.  


It worked!  Ears are saved and NHS workers are more comfortable throughout the day.

CAN YOU HELP?

I am part of a group that is centreing its efforts on the South Warwickshire Foundation Trust and Warwickshire and I have had an urgent request for these headbands from Warwick Hospital.  They are quick and easy to make and do not require much fabric.

HOW TO MAKE THEM


Here are written instructions from a nurse at LRI Hospital

UPDATE - feedback has suggested
1) making the bands longer (to fit a bigger head) and wider. Please adapt the template to suit. The pattern can be elongated or change the elastic to 5.5’’
2). It is not essential to enclose the elastic, that is just for completeness but definitely not essential
ALL FEEDBACK is much appreciated.

Cotton fabric to be washed at 60 degrees
Follow the pattern and cut 2 of the main headband pieces and 1 of the small rectangle to cover the elastic
Take the two main pieces and place right sides together
Press a 1/4 inch seam on the short end of all four ends
Sew 1/4 inch seam along the long edge on both sides
Turn right sides out and press (I used the safety pin trick)
Fold rectangle in half lengthways and sew 1/4 inch seam along the long edge.
Turn right sides out
Place elastic into tube
Sew along one end of tube securing the elastic into that.
Gather up the fabric and repeat at the opposite end securing the elastic into the seam.
Take the finished elastic tube and place it into the main headband, pin and sew. Repeat for the other side.
Sew a button to each side where your ears are. This will allow the face mask to be hooked on.
Please add a handmade by .... label if you can. I’m sure that will mean so much to the recipient ðŸ’™ ðŸŒˆ


Here is a picture with measurements for you to make your own template


These instructions were written by Sarah Fitchford of The Hemmingbird


To stay up to date with what's going on locally in Warwickshire please do join our Facebook Group - Warwickshire Scrubbers!

IF YOU WANT TO MAKE SOME HEADBANDS THE NEED FOR THEM IS URGENT ONCE THEY ARE MADE PLEASE MAKE CONTACT WITH ME AND WE CAN ARRANGE COLLECTION/DELIVERY - LET'S GET THESE TO THE PEOPLE WHO NEED THEM NOW!

We are also making lots of scrubs aswell and would appreciate any help towards raising funds for the material.  I have set up a GoFundMe page and any donation, big or small, will be so appreciated and go to a fantastic cause ....



NEW WEBSITE LAUNCHED!!

I am so pleased to announce that my new website has been launched.  It's taken me some time to build and it's not all finished yet b...