Pentictonites sewing fabric masks, selling hundreds in days

Photo: Contributed

Derrie Selles with friend Christina hard at work making fabric masks in Penticton.

People all over the South Okanagan are channeling their extra time into helping the community through sewing masks to aid in stopping the spread of COVID-19, selling and donating hundreds of them in recent weeks.

Penticton artist Derrie Selles has traded in her paintbrush for a sewing machine, making homemade cloth masks to fill the growing need in the community.

“I too have lost my income so I thought about what I can do to help in this crisis. I know my way around a sewing machine so I started making cloth masks,” said Selles, who was working at Arts Up Studio on Ellis Street until it was temporarily closed like so many other businesses around town.

Selles doesn’t know how many masks she’s made, but likely hundreds. She has been asking those who are able for a $10 donation per mask to keep the production going. For those in financial crisis, she is happy to provide one for free.

She has supplied many seniors in the community with masks as well as families and individuals still having to work.

The attitude of health officials across North America, including here in B.C., has changed and now they are recommending wearing masks to help in the prevention of spreading the virus.

Homemade masks don’t protect you from getting the virus, but they do prevent you from unknowingly spreading it to others through droplets from your breath, coughing or sneezing.

Since then, demand has outpaced Selles' ability to make homemade masks fast enough.

“They have been flying out the door,” said Selles. “I can’t even source elastic anymore. I’ve called all over Penticton and Kelowna. If anyone has any elastic they could share, that would be great.”

Selles has had to enlist several friends to help keep up with the demand.

Living in Penticton most of her life, Selles would like to thank the many people for their generous donations and support.

“I had one woman wash and iron all this cloth to donate to me,” she said. “I had another person e-transfer money as a thank you for doing this. It’s been really heartwarming.”

If you would like to order masks, send Derrie Selles a message through Facebook Messenger or email [email protected]

Summerland resident Ashley Jestin has also been selling hundreds of her homemade masks since being unable to find work in the film industry during the pandemic.

“COVID-19 happened and I had tons of fabric in my house so I started sewing masks. Just last week, I sold over 600 in five days. Each person I sell to I ask for a flat sheet for a donation so I’ve been keeping up with demand,” she said.

“I’m still making about 50-100 masks a day and still delivering to the most vulnerable. It’s pretty fun staying home and still being helpful to the community.”

Penticton resident Lindsey Matthews started “Mask Mission” about a month ago. For every mask she sells, she donates masks to health care workers across Canada.

“This all started when I needed a mask during the COVID-19 outbreak to continue working in a government deemed ‘essential service’ role,” said Matthews on her Mask Mission website. “Of course, with all of the PPE shortages, there was no way I would be taking away any much needed masks from healthcare, so I decided to get creative.”

Find the Mask Mission website here. 

Poppin's Quilt Parlour in Penticton and Cherry Tree Quilts in Summerland are both offering fabric for purchase for anyone looking to donate fabric or make their own masks.