Central Coast nurse sews masks, scrunchies to boost spirits of co-workers

After watching videos to learn how to sew, a Central Coast nurse took a different type of needle to make masks and accessories to cheer up her colleagues.

Looking for relief from the confronting reality of life on the Covid frontline, surgical nurse Amiee Hegarty has swapped needles to make hundreds of masks and accessories to cheer up her colleagues.

Mrs Hegarty turned to YouTube to learn how to sew in her down time from the surgical ward at Gosford Hospital and her handiwork now brings a smile to the faces of others on the frontline.

Central Coast nurse Amiee Hegarty sews face masks, scrunchies and headbands as a gift for her colleagues at Gosford Hospital. Picture: David Swift

Amiee Hegarty with her dog Tina. Picture: David Swift

Some of Amiee Hegarty, 26, has been sewing face masks, scrunchies and headbands as a gift for her colleagues at Gosford Hospital. Picture: David Swift

“I got tired of staring at the television about a year ago and I thought I’d go and buy a sewing machine. I had no idea how to sew, so I went on YouTube and made a quilt for my friend… she loves it,” Mrs Hegarty said.

“Then I started making scrunchies, headbands and masks. I’d make so many and bring them into work and everyone just loves them, so I just keep on doing it.”

The self-taught seamstress can stitch up a mask in 15 minutes and also makes peg holders, napkins and dog coats, which her Great Dane cross mastiff, Tina, wears around the house in winter.

Mrs Hegarty had never thought of picking up a needle and thread in the past but has now made well over 300 accessories for friends, co-workers, and other health staff in the hospital using playful materials from the clearance box at Spotlight.

“Headbands are a huge success at the moment because I sew little buttons at the bottom of them and they can hook the mask on the bottom, so it hides their grey hairs, and it saves their ears,” she said.

“Locking myself in a little room and sewing suits me down the ground.

“I love seeing them coming into work wearing the little scrunchies. When I bring them in, it just brightens their day too.”