I use bias tape at the top to make a pocket, and I insert 2 twisted pipe cleaners. That works really well to fit the mask to the nose, and it can be removed when laundering.
I am not fussing with the wire for the nose. I am using double sided fabric tape (think boob tape used for low cut dresses). I think it’s sold as ‘fashion tape’. Taking out the wire before washing seems like something I’ll always forget. Won’t forget the tape, because it’s stuck to my face:)
I’m a quilter and have a large stash of fabric so have been making the pleated ones with a nose wire and elastic or ties and a pocket for a filter.
My son made a dozen and has takers for all twelve. We used Lycra fabric for the ear pieces and my husband 3D printed adjusters so they are pretty much one size fits all. He wants to make more and I can get more fabric. Nice to see his cohort wants masks.
I use grosgrain ribbon that I make a narrow channel or pocket to fit the wire or folded heavy duty aluminum foil. D prefers the foil over the wire. She removes the foil before washing and reinserts it after the mask is done with the dryer.
Having the ribbon channel also makes it clear where the nose wire is and which is the inside va outside of the mask.
I made about 2 dozen of the pleated masks and over one dozen of the Fu-style fitted masks. All my masks have ties I made from the bedsheet or grosgrain ribbon or similar. I didn’t have any elastic.
Because I can’t tolerate wearing any mask, I edged several longer pieces of cotton fabric that I can wear as light scarves while covering my nose and mouth.
@cap
Here are instructions and links for Olson, including kids sizes https://www.sewcanshe.com/blog/simple-step-by-step-tutorial-for-the-olson-mask-pattern
I’ve made one Olson, a pleated with ties, and two pleateds with elastic (I’m almost out of elastic!) As a person with long hair, I found the ties to be a huge pain, even though I don’t love the feel of elastic over my ears with glasses. Also the ties took longer, and didn’t stay on my (small) head) well. I’m only wearing my mask for grocery shopping, so I can put up with the elastic feel for that long. I can definitely see how wearing elastic behind the ears for a long time would be irritating!
My Olson mask definitely took longer to make. More sewing, and much more cutting.
It feels more comfortable on. It isn’t very tight at the nose, however.
I find the pleated masks are much easier to make. I am leaving a filter pocket but so far not putting anything in there, but I have the option! I also just sew a small channel at the top (as in a seam about 1/2 in from the top of the mask) and then slide in a coffee bag tie for a nose wire, it works great. Then I remove it for washing. This is for the pleated mask with filter, so it has a small hole in the middle on the inside for inserting the filter…that how I get to the inside of the mastk to slide in the wire.
Just to make it clear based on some comments above, social distancing should occur at ALL times - not just when you don’t have a mask. Even with a mask, minimum 6 feet apart. 
Ah, I see that many/most of you are using removable wire types. I had been trying to get something sewn in (like an underwire idea) that could also go through the washer/drier. And I was successful, it’s just a PITA to sew.
I made a pilgrimage to the grocery store this morning & was pleased to see almost everyone wearing a mask. I think just one youngish woman was without.
Just a thought about pleated or fitted. Any pattern with a seam down the middle, plain or frenched, compromises the integrity of the fabric by poking needle holes right where you breathe. No fabric mask is providing surgical-grade protection, but avoiding any type of hole or gap is important. Of course, fit is important, too, but single-piece masks can be made to fit quite well with a nose piece and a chin dart. For those who don’t like nose inserts, a dart on top as well as bottom makes a nice fit. The goal is to avoid gaps. Adding a solid filter to either type mask makes it less porous, but I would say a filter is a requirement in a seamed mask.
For those making ties, I posted on the other thread that our stitchers group is using this heavy cotton twill:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07HHGXHFB/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
It’s listed as 25 yards. We wanted 100 yards, so I ordered four, and it came as one ginormous roll, like a big cheese wheel. It’s perfect, though, and reduces the tie effort to just cutting lengths and either sewing or using stitch witchery to bind the ends. We’re also using short lengths of the twill for nose-insert casings on the inside top of each mask.
For those of you looking for elastic, we have had good luck with this vendor:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B078SC5RVQ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Also, one of our group ordered these nose inserts but we haven’t received them yet:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0876BDWY4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
ETA: We’ve been taking our cues from the hospital across the street from our community. They prefer ties, pleats, and nose casings so workers can decide if they want an insert or not. As mentioned on the other thread, glasses can be problematic with nose inserts, so the hospital asked that we leave the casings empty and let the workers decide what/if to insert.
For ties:
I crochet a chain of yarn for each tie.
It’s interesting you bring up the underwire idea – I was not sewing in any wire because I was thinking it couldn’t go through the wash (I was thinking it would rust or something). But you’re right, we have underwire bras, why not something in the nose bridge?
On the other hand, have you thought of just using a strip of bias tape (premade or homemade), and just sewing wire inside of that? Zigzagging over wire sounds like a PITA to me, too, and your experience seems to confirm that. Also, what kind of wire do you use?
@amsunshine - I’m not sure I understand your idea with the bias tape - would the bias tape be sewn into the mask alongside the wire? How does the wire stay in? I have been using mini paper clips, which seem to be the right size and bendability (recommended by that same Ohio lady whose pattern I’ve used). BTW her video is somewhat sexist, be warned! (“You’re making masks to fit big doctors and also those young girls working”)
You use bias tape, grosgrain ribbon, twill tape or similar to make a channel or pocket where you can insert the wire. You can sew it closed or leave it open so you could replace the wire as needed. I’ve left mine open. You place the channel at the top inside of the mask, where the nose will be when th3 mask is worn.
My idea is (and I haven’t tried it yet, but I may soon just to see how it works): After completing the mask, take a piece of double folded bias tape (maybe about 1/2 inch wide and a little longer than the paper clip, for instance) and place it on the inside of the mask on the nosebridge area. Sew along three of the edges (the two long edges and one short end). Then, slide the paperclip inside the “pocket” you’ve made by sewing the bias tape edges, and then sew the 2nd short edge shut. Does that make sense?
eta: The grosgrain ribbon would also work for this. Hmm. I think I have some and may try that instead of bias tape.
Yes, I’ve made a 3-sided pocket in this manner to hold the nose bridge piece with grosgrain ribbon. Works perfectly!
Yes, that is just what I have been doing. Little bias tape pocket. Before I had been sewing the wires into the top of tha masks and broke all my extra sewing machine needles. Plus the pockets let the user remove the wire for washing or to replace it with something that suits them better.
Oooh, I think I have a roll of this somewhere in my drawer from prom season way back when. Thanks for the idea!
I’ve been using the Deaconess masks pattern (pleats, no filter, no nose wire). My oncologist runs the cancer center at the hospital where she works, and most of the medical staff are using our masks to cover N-95 or other medical masks. They also give them to patients who come in without a mask.
Also have been making masks for a program that offers supportive services for the developmentally disabled (a good friend’s son is one program and she’s on the board), and for the interfaith organization that runs the shelter for whom we’ve been making quilts. (Folks have donated a ton of fabric for the quilts; we’re using some of that for the masks.
I’ve thought about the tie pockets, but it’s yet another step and it take long enough already. I have tons of floral wire, but that would need processing to use.
Am going to experiment with the nose pleat. Do you put in the pleat before you have pleated the sides? I look at the mask and think that a pleat would add bulk/irritate my nose.
I don’t have “boob tape in this house, but have read it resolves the nose fitting issue just fine.