Regarding boob tape - do you have to change it after every wearing? Technically, you’re supposed to wash a mask after each use. So now you have to add new tape? I wear mine for short periods of time and would be replacing that stuff frequently.
I also have very sensitive skin (and a touch sensitivity in general) not sure ho that tape would work.
On another note, the home made masks are mainly to protect others (that’s the party line). Would a boob tape nose seal make a difference?
The better the seal the mask makes, the more protective it is of others potentially getting any droplets from you (and also of you getting droplets from others). This is why everyone is trying for the best possible seal.
If you’re not mass-producing masks, shoelaces could be another solution to PITA effort of making ties.
— They might also be pricey, as I haven’t bought any in the past 25 or so years. For some reason I have several packs of laces in my random sewing supply box.
I recommend using a more elastic type of fabric. thus will follow the shape of the area covered. You can even cut the edges to make hook holes in the ears without the need to use straps. it is more effective.
from : Konveksi Jakarta Timur
@SNLMom Shoelaces could work depending on the kind of mask you are making - for the “Fu” mask, yes. For the pleated type, it would probably be hard to secure them. Agree that making ties is a PITA, even if you have a bias binding tool.
I’ve been testing some of my masks and honestly what feels the best to me are strips I cut from old pantyhose, used around the ear like elastic! Holding up OK in the wash so far, and I am air drying them.
I’ve used the T-shirt yarn for ties and people seem to like it.
OMG! A CC friend mailed me about 7 yards of 54" Brunschwig & Fils madder block printed 100% cotton that she’s had for decades (around $200/yd in 1974) to make masks, and I’m having the worst time cutting this beautiful stuff up. I’ve seen it in magazines and am so tempted to just . make . something . else. I love you, friend, but you’re causing the worst moral dilemma in me. I’m not selling my masks; they’re free to anyone who needs them. Whoever gets these will never know what they have. God bless you and God please imbue these 108 masks with a special kind of immunity. (I know that’s ridiculous, but I need SOMEthing to force my scissors to touch this wonderful stuff.)
@ChoatieMom — I’d also be considering making something else with such valuable, expensive material.
I suppose I COULD sell the masks and donate the funds to the amazing care community my friend lives and works in… But most people would not know how to appreciate this material and would not pay anything near what it’s worth for just a mask. Oh well. That’s not why my friend donated it. I guess I just have to use her gift to honor her intent. So, so hard though. I already asked her if she wanted me to make up the masks and return them to her for her community, but they already have a mask-making team, and she gave most of the bolt to them and the rest to me.
I have the Olson mask pattern down to a production line. I have two sizes. The regular and one printed at 110%.
I made a cardboard cutout of each of the pattern pieces. This allows me to trace instead of pinning each piece. Found some 300+ thread count sheets Amons my mother’s stuff. Quad folded I can get 4 pieces of each inside (cheek and mouth) piece cut at one time.
I have a few fabrics to choose from for the front portion.
The t-shirt ties work VERY well and are quick to cut and insert.
I think I’m down to about 10 minutes a mask - once the pieces are cut.
I’ve mentioned before that I much prefer this pattern to the pleated kind.
Ok, I have been making the simple pleated masks over the past month or so. Today, I was making a few more and I accidentally created a nicer design that has a slight arch at the top of the mask so it fits more nicely around the nose and tapers toward the ears. As I was sewing the wrong sides together, I noticed I accidentally curved my stitches on one side, so I curved the stitches on the other side to create a slight arch. I trimmed the excess, turned it right side out and voila! It doesn’t affect the pleating, and it differentiates the top of the mask from the bottom. My girls really like theirs. I am going to make them like this from now on. 
https://www.instructables.com/id/AB-Mask-for-a-Nurse-by-a-Nurse/
this is pleated with a nose and chin dart. I quite like it, I don’t use binding (I just serge) but just add elastic to sides (for over head not ears)
I made my first masks this weekend using the Deaconess pattern. I was motivated to try it after I found almost 5 yds of 1/4 in. elastic in my sewing stuff. My problem was not having much material to work with so I went through my closets and drawers and found a never used handmade kitchen apron that an acquaintance gave me as a host gift. It was 100% cotton, two designs and had enough fabric to make 10 masks. 
I haven’t decided how I’m going to deal with the nose part.
I also got 8 masks from one of DH’s shirts - 100% cotton broadcloth. I left an opening at the bottom to be able to insert a filter if needed. We’re keeping the ones made from DH’s shirt and donating the others.
Did you guys see the video (not in English but I don’t think you need sound to appreciate it) about the guy with a mask that matches his shirt that his wife made for him?
Yesterday I tried the ribbon for a slot for the nose wire. Unfortunately, I couldn’t get it to work (because the wire goes in slightly bent, so I needed two pieces of ribbon, but then they would fray if you take the wire in/out). BUT - I inadvertently invented something better than that or my previous design (it was a big weekend for me and @amsunshine ) - I used the ribbon to cover the wire, and then zigzagged over that, which protected my needles because of the slippery ribbon and clear location of the wire, and made a much more secure binding for the wire.
Our town just announced a mandate for masks in public in any indoor/outdoor location with fines for noncompliance. And my extended family needs masks, too!
This technique uses 3 rubber bands to seal surgical masks, but I’m thinking it might work over cloth masks, too.
Actually, have read that wearing a length of pantyhose over masks helps them better seal around the face and more protective to wearer and everyone around.
Thanks for all of the tips on masks. I really appreciate it the info.
I have successfully made both Deaconess and Olson masks. The Deaconess seems to be adaptable to different face sizes, but I would like to make some Olson masks for DH and his brother. The standard pattern fits me perfectly, but is probably not going to fit them well or comfortably.
Anyone have any advice (or preferably a link) to a “man-size” Olson? Do I just add 1/4" around the pattern? Print it out at 105 or 108% of actual size? Has anyone tried doing either of these?
Just a small gripe… tried ordering from a certain nationwide craft store named after a woman (for shipping) last night. Multiple times the web page said the item was in stock, then AFTER I enter all the shipping and payment information, it would say, “Oops… not available”. So after much trial and error I found substitute items that were supposedly all available for shipment (entering my information in anew each attempt). Thirty minutes later I got an email that two of my four items were not available after all. They had already charged my card the full amount (a credit for the two non-shipping items did not show up on my card today), and I ended up paying $7.99 to ship two spools of thread (which was more than the total cost of the thread itself). Not worth it!! I requested that my entire order be cancelled, even though their web site says they don’t cancel orders. We’ll see what they say. Otherwise all too brief experiment in maskmaking may be nearing an end.
@ChoatieMom If it’s not too late, I’d keep the fabric and to compensate make an appropriate donation to a local food bank or some other organization in need. Or buy fabric that is appropriate to mask making and similar in value, which would probably yield more masks.
I’m not going to lie, there are certain fabrics in my stash that are easier to give up than others.
@amsunhine. I’m having a hard time visualizing your curved technique. Is it concave or convex?