Maple Grove Woman Sews Masks For Health Care Workers

Health care workers on the frontline of the covid-19 fight require protective gear. Local and residents, including a woman from Maple Grove, are doing what they can to make sure they have the tools they need to stay safe.

Former Nurse Ginger Pahos sews masks.

Ginger Pahos’ downstairs basement looks like a mini-sewing factory. Several retro sewing machines line the top wall.

“It’s fun to collect them. They all work,” said Pahos.

She is used to making quilts, pillows, and dolls, but these days her sewing machine is running non-stop for what she calls, a passion project. Holding up a swatch of material, she said,” I came up with a design, the finished product is a mask that looks like a surgical mask, except for its much cuter.

The seasoned seamstress is also a former nurse at Minneapolis Children’s hospital. She retired about a week ago and said she had to reuse masks.

“We have a special room that was allocated for the storage of masks, so when your shift is done, you put that paper bag into that room and then when you come back for your next shift, you pick up your mask again and have to reuse it,” Pahos explained.

After seeing the high demand for masks, Pahos put her sewing skills to good use, cranking out homemade masks. She says health care workers can wear protective gear, in addition to their surgical masks.

Pahos has made about 25 masks so far, and she plans to offer the first batch to her former coworkers.

Maple Grove