These days, wearing a mask seems to be advised for a grocery shopping trip or other forays out of the confines of home. Wouldn’t it be fun to have a ’Roo mask? That was the question that came up on the newly established Austin College Alumni Community Facebook page this past week. Of course, it sounded good, but who was going to make them? Well, Angela Steele McCormick ’03 in Whidbey Island, Washington, and Stephanie Robertson ’03 in Austin, Texas, aren’t letting the miles between them serve as a barrier. They are prepared to make the masks—and scrub caps. And if anyone is interested in helping sew, they’ll be glad to hear about that, too. The demand seems to be exploding online and they’re taking orders for one week.
Finding kangaroo fabric isn’t easy. That didn’t deter these alumnae at all—Angela has found a source to special order fabric in authentic Austin College colors and symbols. The women are making the masks basically at cost; the custom fabric raises the prices a bit higher than masks available through other outlets.
Masks will sell for $10 plus $4 standard first class shipping, Scrub caps will be $20 plus $4 standard shipping. Expect six to eight weeks to receive the masks, unless the fabric comes more quickly. Different sizes (children and adults) and fabric choices are available. Payment is made in advance when the style and selection of product is made.
Order online or visit steelethreadshandmade.com and scroll down to Collections and select Face Masks and Surgical Caps.
Those willing to help with sewing or with questions can reach Angela by email at steelethreadshandmade@gmail.com.
About the Volunteers
They may be hours (and hours) apart—Austin, Texas, to Whidbey Island, Washington—but maybe they’ll sew together over Zoom since that’s the latest thing in communications and connections.
Angela Steele McCormick ’03 majored in international studies with a minor in French, played soccer for four years, and was a member of Kappa Gamma Chi. She is married to fellow graduate Matthew McCormick ’01, who is a Naval Flight Officer in the U.S. Navy. They and their three children are stationed at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island in Washington.
A registered nurse licensed in all 50 states, Angela works full-time from home doing telephone triage for Anthem Inc. “It has been a unique and eye-opening experience to provide healthcare services to people all across the United States during this pandemic,” she said.
Angela also owns and operates a business, Steele Threads, through which she has been sewing and selling custom children’s clothing for the past three years. She has sewn some 150 masks during the COVID-19 outbreak between working and parenting full-time (when???) so was happy to jump in to make some for Austin College alumni. Her already established business site will simplify payments, taxes, and shipping.
Stephanie Birch Robertson ’05 is a partner account manager for Dell Technologies, managing the South Central United States. She’s also a graduate of the Dale Carnegie Executive Leadership Program and is an advocate for women in leadership. Stephanie also has two young children at home so will be balancing work, parenting, and sewing. She’s known as a crafter and baker, though, and those sorts always find time somewhere. Stephanie and her husband, Jeff, live in Austin, Texas, where she had already been busy with making some 100 mask for family and friends and donated more to healthcare workers.
Back at Austin College, she majored in political science and psychology and served on CAB (Campus Activities Board). She also was a founding member of the Greek Review Board. She said she always loved history and one of her favorite experiences was Hunt Tooley’s WWII tour through Europe the JanTerm of her senior year.
Turns out, she and Angela were active Kappas together, and yet another Kappa, Betsy Walling Furler ’89, tagged Stephanie in the post about Austin College masks. Angela and Stephanie connected about the plan, and now, the orders are pouring in.