Wesleyan's Head Librarian uses sewing skills to make masks during COVID-19 pandemic

When the COVID-19 pandemic began dominating the news, Wesleyan’s Head Librarian and Library Director Kristi Peavy noticed pictures of homemade masks showing up on her Instagram feed and immediately knew how she could help. 

As a quilter, Kristi keeps a large selection of quilting cotton and other supplies on hand in her craft room. She knew there was a need for masks in her Byron, Georgia, community and she had the supplies to help. She contacted her brother-in-law, a local nurse, to ask if homemade masks would be accepted. She found a pattern online and made the first batch of masks for her brother-in-law and his wife, who is also a nurse. Then she made more.

“I made more than fifty masks and donated them to my local hospital. Since then, I've made them for family, colleagues, former students, neighbors, friends, and friends of family.” To date, Kristi estimates she has made more than one hundred masks. “I’m so sad that masks are necessary, but I’m glad to have the skill, supplies, and time to help my community. I will continue to make masks as long as there is a need for them."

Kristi also oversees the new Makerspace housed in Willet Library. The room is equipped with sewing and embroidery machines, Cricut cutting machines, knitting materials, and more. Last semester, Kristi and President Fowler hosted two “Sew with the President” workshops to introduce the space. Both events were at capacity as students learned to make pillows and to sew pillow shams. Students enjoyed making towels at a workshop last November.