Zigzag donating masks to frontline workers

Zigzag donating masks to frontline workers

By Maurice Garvey

A SMALL business owner is making the most of the challenging time, by creating and donating masks for frontline workers.

Zana Ivascenko Damjanovic, owner of Zigzag Stitch Alterations in Templeogue, can hardly keep up with demand after initially making masks for local businesses.

Zana Zigzag Stitch compressor

Zana Ivascenko Damjanovic with one of the masks

“So far, I donated some masks to individual nurses, other front line workers including nursing homes, some vulnerable people also,” said Zana.

“Method is slow. The only help I get is from my husband (Tihomir) and masks are always gone before I can make a bigger batch.”

Originally from Lithuania, Zana lives in Tallaght, and started Zigzag Stitch ten years ago.

Prior to the Covid-19 crisis, her staple business was alterations and dressmaking.

“I also work with a number of corporate partners providing evening gowns, wedding dresses and formal menswear.”

The masks are made with three layers of 100 per cent cotton and according to Zana, black masks are “stylish and seem to be the most popular.”

Zana Zigzag Stitch 2 compressor

Embroided masks

Customers can also request personalised masks that can be embroided.

“I also happily share the template with anyone. All it takes is a picture that you can print and use.”

Looking ahead, Zana, like thousands of other small businesses, hopes to get through the crisis on the other side.

“Small businesses whose cash flow is disrupted and don’t have capital behind them, have so many things to pay and staying afloat is more than a challenge, even with support we are getting.

“When things come back to normal, we don’t know what this new normal will look like.”

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