Harrison Thorp 12:24 p.m.
Thursday, March 26, 2020 12:25 pm

Stitches Alterations and Needleworks owner Joanne Piazzi is keeping busy making masks to aid in the fight against coronavirus. (Courtesy photos)

ROCHESTER - Stitches Alterations and Needleworks may be closed, but that doesn't mean there are idle hands inside the shuttered shop.

Far from that.

Storeowner Joanne Piazzi keeps as busy as ever these days making homemade masks for use by first responders, health care workers and anyone else on the front lines during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"I am making some, but there are hundreds of other making them, too, all across the Seacoast," Piazzi said on Tuesday. "I am trying to use this time wisely, helping anyway I can."

Just a few of the man protective masks Joanne Piazzi has made at her downtown shop.

She said mostly she's making them for health care workers and others who use a washable cloth mask that is fitted with an n95 filter.

Piazzi said that since last Friday she's received about a dozen different patterns based on how the masks are being used in various settings.

"I have to know what they want," she said. "I had a nurse send me a pattern, and I worked from that."

Piazzi said over last weekend she fashioned some 30 masks and she continues her mask making when she can.

Piazzi said she's not accepting money for her masks, because, "It wouldn't be right."