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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

SwaddleDesigns Creates Cloth Face Masks at Seattle, Washington, Baby Blanket Manufacturing Factory

04/07/2020
SwaddleDesigns turned their baby blanket manufacturing facility into a factory producing non-medical cloth face masks in Seattle, Washington.

According to company officials, on March 18th when SwaddleDesigns learned the CDC crisis strategy to approve the use of non-medical cloth face masks if no medical-grade face masks were available; SwaddleDesigns founder and CEO, Lynette Damir R.N. said she knew her company could be of help. “I started to review published studies that compared the filtration effectiveness of different fabrics. I knew I could do better than the bandana or scarf that was being recommended.”

Lynette spent the next several days designing, fine tuning, test fitting and washing her design, a company spokesperson said. The end result was a well-fitting mask that would stay secure. On the following Monday, she started the process to switch SwaddleDesigns baby blanket production facility in Seattle to making 2-layer cotton masks for non-medical applications. The masks, designed to filter airborne particles, are made from 2-layers of USA Cotton Flannel, which is soft, lightweight and breathable. The masks can be machine washed and used over and over again. Currently, SwaddleDesigns is selling the masks, and offering wholesale discounts for those who wish to purchase 100+.

“With the recommendation for the general public to wear non-medical cloth masks, many people are sharing DIY mask instructions and patterns, but many American do not have a sewing machine,” says Damir. “Initially, we were donating masks, and I’ve donated all that I can afford, being a small business, but still have the materials and sewists to make more. We are doing our best to keep-up.” SwaddleDesigns is hiring additional employees to keep up with the demand for face masks.

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