Elastic shortages, fabric vacancies and sewing crazes swept Tamworth and the region up to November last year, but this time the city is prepared.
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Dottie Gilchrist has almost a room full of masks ready to go, and fellow mask-maker Lene Benson has packs of masks set to walk out the door when the calls come in.
And for Stitch Between the Bridges, it have been "inundated" with elastic and fabric supplies after running completely dry at the end of last year.
The stockpiling comes not a moment too soon, it seems. After two weeks of almost radio silence, Ms Gilchrist has fielded almost eight phone calls this week alone.
"I've had some at a shop in Nundle, and they sold about 20 over the Christmas period," Ms Gilchrist explained.
She said with people starting to feel the COVID fear again as Sydney outbreaks take hold, more will come forward in need of the home-made touch.
Ms Benson had taken a reprieve over the season, however has all the materials ready to go, with a few generic sizes at the ready for those in a hurry.
In one day, she has had a number of inquiries for masks after nothing over the holidays.
"I am still making them to size if needed, however I do have packs here ready to go out the door," she said.
A spokeswoman from Stitch Between the Bridges said navy and black fabric sold out last year.
With the colours great as a neutral option, especially for men, they were one of the first things to sell out.
"It sold out like you wouldn't believe," she said.
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"We have had a lot of travellers come into our shop here, and we noticed as soon as they opened up the borders from QLD and Victoria, mask materials went out en masse."
She said this week so far, no one has outwardly expressed desire to make masks, and says perhaps the locals have already stocked up, with the hand-made masks being reusable after a good wash.
Keep your eyes out for Ms Benson's stall at the Australia Day Willow Tree markets.
"I feel like everyone should have a mask in the car or pocket from here on in," she said.