Updates & FAQs

Updated 05.08.20 at 20:46 PST

Updates

Newsletters

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07.06.20 – Re-opening survey & raffle
07.02.20 – Stay safe & get creative
06.18.20 – A gradual re-opening
06.12.20 – Virtual classes for you to enjoy remotely!
06.01.20 – Seattle Makers Break-In
05.15.20 – Washing Covid-19 away
05.08.20 – We’re throwing everything at Covid-19
04.24.20 – Gearing up for new gear
04.16.20 – All hands on deck at the makerspace
04.07.20 – News from the front
03.31.20 – Update on donations
03.25.20 – Statement on current plan
03.16.20 – Statement on closure

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FAQs

Q: I have made sewn masks and/or 3d printed parts.  How can I donate them to the makerspace?
A: First off, thank you for your generosity!  Secondly, we have some guidelines about how to make your donations safely here.  You can drop of your donations at the makerspace when you’re ready – driving directions are here.

Q: Can I volunteer to come help at the makerspace?
A: We are having limited numbers of volunteers physically work a the makerspace, wearing personal protective equipment and keeping 6′ distance between people (for more information on our hygiene techniques, go here).  If you are willing and able to come volunteer at the space, email Dimitri Hunter ([email protected]) who is coordinating the volunteer effort.

Q: Can I request sewn masks and/or face shields for myself or someone else who needs it?
A:  Masks and shields can be requested via the request form.  You are welcome to place orders for other people – just let us know on the form whom it’s for.

Q: When can I drop off donations or pick up sewing kits?
A:  You can do this around the clock.  We are keeping sewn mask kits stocked out front, and you can bring by donations and leave them by the front door at any time.  If you are shipping your donations to us, simply ship to:
Seattle Makers
500 Aurora Ave N, Suite 201
Seattle, WA 98109

Q: Since you closed to the public, what are you doing instead?
A: We’ve closed to members and the public and are instead fabricating PPE products (see details here) and giving them to whomever needs them for free.  Our plan is described in full here.  We identified the delays below that were slowing down the impact these could be making:

Delays in getting them to doctors:
1) FDA approval required for hospitals, and nothing we make will possibly pass them in time to make a difference.

Delays in getting them to service workers:
1) Approval from store managers and corporate
2) Payment for masks/shields
3) 1 to 1 sales is very slow, despite the majority of people wanting to buy these

The spread and cost is exponential, so we are choosing to act first.  We are confident the community and/or hospitals will fund the project eventually, but we need to make the impact now.  We’ve had several thousand dollars donated already, with a goal of $8,000 per month to keep us open.  You can donate directly to the project via our fiscal sponsor or via GoFundMe.

Q: If people are given a product from you and want to donate to your cause, how will they know where to donate to?
A: Each item will have a card with a stamped message that says:
“This [$X] [item] was made to reduce spread of COVID19.  Please consider donating at seattlemakers.org.”

Q.  Is this project working with hospitals? Don’t the doctors need masks/shields first?
A: Our sewn mask and EVA face shield prototypes were not approved for use at hospitals, but are still helpful in reducing the spread of disease for essential workers and personal use.  We have enough materials for thousands of these non-medical products and so are fabricating these to give to the community.

For medical use, we have a 3D printed model that has been approved by the NIH and is available for printing (details here).  If you have a 3D printer, you can print as many as you can (using PLA or PET) and bring them to the makerspace.