Kansas City Ballet Company Apprentice, Mia Steedle, joined the company this 2020-21 season during the COVID-19 pandemic. And like many, she started making face masks towards the beginning of the pandemic for friends and family, and then also for some community initiatives that donated them to homeless shelters and hospitals.
INSPIRATION STRUCK
“At some point while making them, it occurred to me that a face mask has the opportunity to express your style, interests, or your team spirit,” Mia said. That’s all it took. She realized it was a great way to support Kansas City Ballet.
She created custom Kansas City Ballet fabric using a website called Spoonflower. Designs can be printed on any type of fabric.
Each mask requires four main steps: cutting, stitching in the elastics, pleating and top-stitching. Mia works on a handful of masks at each step before moving onto the next. It takes her a few hours to make a dozen masks.
Each mask is $20 to start. Additions like a nose wire or adjustable elastics can be added for $1 or $0.50 respectively. Shipping is built into the price. Proceeds benefit Kansas City Ballet’s Relief and Recovery Fund.
“I consider making these masks as my way of thanking KCB for welcoming me into their family in the midst of a pandemic,” Mia says. “I am so grateful to be here dancing with the company! These masks as my way of contributing to the KCB Relief and Recovery Fund and helping to spread some KCB spirit among our audiences and throughout the community!”
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Place your orders @MerdeByMia on Etsy. Your mask will ship within three to five business days. If you’d like to become a KCB Hero and help by donating to the Relief and Recovery Fund, visit out fund page or contact Jennifer Wampler, Chief Development Officer.
