In mid-March of 2020, as businesses began to shut down and the PPE shortage became the nation’s biggest concern, FABRIC began its transformation from fashion incubator to PPE manufacturer making FDA-approved reusable isolation gowns for large and small healthcare facilities.
Two months in and AZ Apparel Foundation has raised $350,000 to purchase the additional equipment needed to fill desperate orders for PPE as quickly as possible. 46 machines were added to what once was FABRIC’s runway. 54 sewing technicians and staff members were added to the team. Two additional factories were recruited. Over 20,000 gowns have been produced and as the new team gels, the production gets faster and the quantities go up. This is only just beginning.
Read more about this story of perserverance and passion to serve the community in our latest BLOG post.
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Attn designers nad sewing enthusiasts!
We were contacted by a man who used to own a 5M sq ft apparel manufacturing factory in Palm Springs 10 years ago. They made lingerie, swimwear, and bathrobes. He transported everything to Congress AZ 10 years ago and is now ready to get rid of it all. He's going to open up the storage on May 24th to sell it all at very low prices and give away some of it.
If you are interested in attending the sale, CONTACT HIM and tell him we sent you.
His message (full transparency):
My machines are not new, but some great specialty ones.
Heavy duty OverLock (serger), single needle, and light weight lingerie machines.
display fixtures, garment racks, pattern paper, scissors, cutting tables, Eastman Knife, round knives, rhinestone/snap dies. elastic (all sizes) laces, trims,
Until I get everything out of storage and organized I have no idea of the specifics.
1 MILLION GOWN CHALLENGE
Be a part of the solution and help equip our healthcare heroes with the protective gowns they need NOW! Join us in a community grassroots effort to reduce the PPE shortage by creating medical gowns for our health care heroes. FABRIC (an FDA registered entity) and Arizona Apparel Foundation, 501(c)(3) non-profit, have designed an open source gown kit, using readily available substantially equivalent materials, for the home sewing community. With proper care the gowns can be cleaned and reused. Get your kit today! Let’s do this together and be the solution! #HCP1MillionGownChallenge
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