BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- Tech. Sgt. Tatiana Cookingham of the 117th Air Refueling Wing Maintenance Squadron supports local military personnel by sewing much needed face masks April 8, 2020.
The response was in an effort to help fill a base wide need following the COVID 19 outbreak.
“I just pulled my sewing machine out of the closet and set up and it seemed like a no brainer,” said Cookingham. “I have the stuff, I have the knowledge on how to do it, I’ll just do it.”
At first the process was slow due to matching the size and material requirements from the Center for Disease Control she explained, but production became easier the more she made.
The masks are made from tightly woven cotton material and has been available at some local stores.
Elastic has become more difficult to find locally but she has been able to order it on the internet.
Cookingham has been sewing since she was a little girl and appreciates her grandmother taking the time to teach her.