There is a new calling today for people who sew. The mission - to help keep medical professionals and those they look after safe.

Victoria Klaus, of Moore Township, has added her sewing skills to the many individuals in the Lehigh Valley who are making personal protective equipment (PPE) during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Klaus has been working with fabric for a long time. When she was young, she watched her mother sew and make quilts. About five years ago, she learned how to sew and began making items for family and friends.

“I started making masks in the middle of March when I heard nurses and doctors had a shortage of PPE,” Klaus said.

On Facebook, Klaus read about nurses and doctors asking for handmade fabric masks. She saw St. Luke’s University Health Network and Lehigh Valley Health Network posted on their websites they were collecting fabric masks as well as supplies to make them.

All of the masks Klaus has made - more than 100 as of press time - have been donated to individual doctors and nurses who work at St. Luke’s, Lehigh Valley Hospital and a private doctor’s office in New Jersey.

Some of the fabric patterns include dragonflies and watermelons. She has also made ones in solid colors.

“I am just using as many bright and happy prints as I can to hopefully make the doctors and nurses smile,” Klaus said.

Fabric is not the only thing Klaus needs for the masks. Elastic is required for the project as well. Klaus said elastic is in short supply in the Lehigh Valley. Thankfully, she has a large roll from previous sewing projects.

“Elastic is used in many of the mask patterns,” Klaus said. “I know many (individuals) who are making the masks and are having a hard time finding more (elastic).”

Klaus has received requests to make a lot of masks. She works on them for a few hours a day.

“From start to finish, it takes me about 15 minutes to make one mask, depending on the style. The ones with elastic take a little less time,” Klaus said.

Before the masks can be donated, “the fabric must all be washed before cutting out and sewing the masks,” Klaus said. “This helps to make sure the fabric will not shrink or change size when they are washed again after use.”

Once the masks are fully completed, she places them in resealable bags, so they can transport easily and cleanly.

Klaus is sewing the masks herself and is not part of a group.

“Different doctors and nurses are asking for [various] styles of masks, such as some with elastic and some with cotton ties. Meeting their individual needs is important to me as I want them to be able to use the masks they are given,” Klaus said. “To me the group efforts are amazing, but doing it individually means that I can make masks in specific styles to meet their needs.”

For those who are interested in making masks, Klaus recommends they find out the requirements of area hospitals. She added grocery store employees, mail carriers and delivery personnel, who are also considered essential, are now asking for homemade masks since they come in contact with people as well.

Making the masks helps keep Klaus busy, especially when the stay-at-home order seems like it will be in place for a while. She said making PPE also helps keep her positive.

“Making the masks has allowed me to feel like I am helping, even if it is just a tiny bit,” Klaus said. “I know I can’t be a doctor or a nurse, but in a small way, I feel like my efforts are helping those who need it the most.

“It helps to know that my efforts are helping those on the front line with something they need. This is the way I can help them,” she said. “I will make every effort to support them.”