News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
A Crossville woman has found a way to repurpose the masks she made for first responders during the pandemic.
Angela Witzel said that through the organization Protecting the Plateau, she and fellow volunteers made over 15,000 masks in just three months. She said that using leftover masks, she decided to create a quilt that documented this time in history.
“I think quilts are just a wonderful way to show fabrics that were used in that time period,” Witzel said. “And people just love quilts and they love old quilts. So I just thought this was a beautiful way to show the history of it and to thank the people who put their lives in danger to help keep us safe.”
Witzel said that she wanted the quilt to look like it was made from a mask. She said that she settled on a dragonfly motif for the quilt becomes it symbolizes resiliency.
Witzel said that while she designed and sewed the quilt herself, it wasn’t without assistance.
“Thank you to Beth Bridges for your support,” Witzel said. “Teresa Haynes for material cutting lessons and doing the embroidery, Barbara Warner McQuaig for teaching me how to make a yo-yo, Luann King for the quilting, and Sally Neckvatal for the idea of creating a quilt.”
Witzel said that the quilt took about two weeks to make and that the 75”x85” is currently on display at her store, Dogwood Exchange.
