Sewing masks as a way to help: Grandmother, granddaughter create almost 60 masks for family, friends and community members

GALENA TERRITORY–At home in quarantine, River Ridge High School junior Kaitlin Kilgore wanted something to do, so along with her grandma, Kaye, she decided to put her skills to work to benefit others and fill a need.

As they have countless times before, the Galena Territory granddaughter-grandmother duo pulled out their sewing machines and got to work making masks, first for family members and friends. They watched a few YouTube videos and decided which approach they preferred, printing off the pattern and then adapting it a bit. Kaitlin likes to create smooth masks, while her grandma makes masks that have folds in them.

For the ties, Kaitlin said, they used a variety of supplies, starting with shoelaces and ponytail elastics.

When those ran out, they moved on to T-shirt fabric, which they’ve found works really well when cut into strips. It doesn’t fray and ties nicely.

Once the first few masks were complete, Kaitlin reached out to Irene Thraen-Borowski, her graphics teacher at the Jo Daviess-Carroll Career Technical Education (CTE) Academy in Elizabeth.

By that time, Kaitlin was ready to do more and asked Thraen-Borowski if there was a way to log some community service hours for the National Art Honor Society (NAHS) by making masks for people in the community.

Without a second thought, Thraen-Borowski gave the go-ahead and even gathered up extra fabric she had at her house to donate to the cause.

“Art is basically my whole life,” said Kaitlin, who really enjoys her NAHS involvement and plans to attend the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design after high school.

It didn’t take long and the first batch of 30 masks was ready to go, said Thraen-Borowski, who gives Kaitlin all the credit for coming up with this idea and seeing it through.

“We just started making more,” said Kaitlin, who moved to the Territory her sophomore year from the Chicago suburbs and really loves art and Thraen-Borowski’s class at the CTE.

Kaitlin said she sews when she can, working it into her schedule of e-learning. She’s been known to dedicate an entire day to sewing, but it’s something she loves to do, so it works out well. She has an area set up in the lower level of her house, where she can spread out and work.

Kaitlin and Thraen-Borowski devised a system in which they exchange items by hanging them on the mailbox at the end of Kaitlin’s driveway, where Thraen-Borowski can swing by and grab them. It’s a way to ensure no contact during the pandemic.

Thraen-Borowski has distributed the masks to grocery store workers, elderly residents, her parents and another student’s parent who requested some. The masks are being put to use. They’re now making masks that will be handed out to clients of the Mop Shop in Elizabeth.

The reactions she’s heard from mask recipients have been encouraging.

Her cousins, who received masks complete with puff balls on the front to represent cat noses, really liked them. She’s also heard through Thraen-Borowski that those receiving the masks are appreciative.

“It does feel good,” said Kaitlin, who is glad to know people are using the masks to stay safe.