I’m using a machine from my friend. It was her mothers, purchase around 1990 and is a Husqvarna. I have one in the same line)in storage) but about 6 years newer and they definitely worked out some of the kinks (like the needle can’t stop in the fabric for turns - really? - and the thread cutter is hidden behind a screw). After using it for a while, I read the manual. LOTS of good tips, tension adjustments etc. It also suggested popping the throat plate off and cleaning under there ‘occasionally.’ Guess what? ‘Occasionally’ means more than once every 30 years! There was so much fuzz in there I could have made a sweater out of it.
I also have a 1968ish Singer that I still have because it makes better button holes.
@Coralbrook, I’m doing the pleated masks without nose wires. They’re being used for chemo patients and folks in supportive adult services and homeless shelters. I also took a bunch to my oncologist and they are using them as covers for N-95 masks.
I’ve thought about adding the nose dart, but it’s yet another layer to see through. I’ve been wearing one of the pleated masks without nose adjustments and as long as I tie it well, it’s fine. Made the same mask for DH with elastic and he has no complaints.
I wouldn’t use a Featherweight on these masks – the friends I know who have one use it for piecing quilt blocks or for workshops because it’s so easy to transport.
Tension – also check your manual to see if the bobbin threads clockwise or counterclockwise. I actually loosened the foot pressure tonight and it’s going over the pleats much more easily.
Did you see the one by the Texas nurse who wanted to make a mask that would protect her staff and nurses? She used surgical draping and made something that is supposed to work as well as an n95.
That Texas pattern is very interesting, and uses the HVAC filter material that I have here ready to go. Since it was tested and approved by her hospital, I guess that HVAC filter is OK. It has a special turned over pocket in the design for minimizing carbon monoxide buildup inside the mask. If I read the instructions correctly you end up with 4 layers you are breathing through, two outer fabric layers and two filter layers inside. Yikes!! How do these poor people breathe all day???
I have a friend who has a small business making Hawaiian fabric stuff like canoe covers, instrument bags, etc. she started making masks over a month ago and has sold over 1,000 in the last month and donated 200. She is doing the Olson pattern with pocket (customer provides filters) and some pleated. She was lucky that she had a ton of fabric in stock but has been scavenging for elastic. She’s been able to stay afloat from the income. She is so busy, her H and young kids have been drafted for threading elastic, tracing patterns, ironing etc.
Since no one is performing surgery in my masks, I’ll just stick to the pleated style!
And try to adjust my foot pressure to sew over the heavy pleats easier. That may involve getting out the manual since I cannot remember
I have a beautiful Baby Lok purchased for sewing a lot of dance costumes for shows over the years. It has a million buttons for fancy quilting and embroidery stitches that I have never used!
I don’t understand the Texas mask instructions…they seem to be missing a number of steps. I also don’t understand how the elastics on that mask work. In the final photo, I only see one 1/8" white elastic at the top…and then a thicker 1/2"? red elastic half way down. Does it make sense to anyone else?
I really doubt the design quirks are that relevant if you can get the fit right, the Tx nurse is using surgical non woven fabric and HVAC filters, civilians are not going to be doing that. I looked at the skimpy instructions and the lack of any images of homade fabric versions and assume that these are not being made by home sewers. She is using wide elastic (like lingerie/ swimmers or foldover) on the bottom (red) which I concur is nice and much more comfortable but not viable for disposable masks IMO. This isn’t washable but I suspect an hour in a hot car in San Antonio makes that pretty moot.
Yes, fit is the key. If it’s not tight-fitting, adding a “shell” from part of a leg of pantyhose can help most masks be a better seal and provide better protect the wearer and those nearby.
And if panty hose doesn’t do it for you, the various buffs, on amazon, or in Walmart will also be good over woven fabric masks.
This sort of thing, too thin for stand alone masks.
<<<<Since it was tested and approved by her hospital, I guess that HVAC filter is OK. <<<<
It looks to me like most employers couldn’t give a stuff about the safety of their staff and that allowing the nurses to wear whatever they can cobble up out of the supply closet should be of zero reassurance. Chief nurse probably gets zero patient exposure and looks like she would be a real high risk herself, homemade safety kit is not what our nurses deserve IMO. How the diy masks were tested and if they are approved by any authority is not disclosed. There are just too many feel good stories that do a disservice to HCPs.
We are just making homemade masks that are better than nothing for non clinical settings. To protect other people from our spittle LOL.
Regarding getting over the pleats, you can take some folded up cardboard and put it under the back of your presser foot to make it easier to sew through the pleats. Look for a video about Jean-a-ma-jig or hump jumper alternative.
If anyone is looking for a source for elastic, I ordered from Atwood Rope. They are making an elastic for masks made from spandex and polyester, 100 Ft. for $9.99.
They shipped it out the day I ordered it, I asked for expedited shipping and I got it 2 days later. The elastic is very nice feeling, soft and not irritating.
I’m using my 30 year old Bernina sewing machine and it is great. I’ve only had it serviced once many years ago and have cleaned it out a few times.
I have my mom’s Singer from the 60’s and LOVE it. Just making basic pleated masks though. Unfortunately my sewing skills don’t match the machine quality. I can follow old fashioned patterns, but seem to have a mental block with online videos. .
Thanks, @cellomom2! Just ordered some from Atwood. I had ordered some from another source and it’s been delayed twice. Think I’ll cancel that other order.
Me too (ordered 2 spools from Atwood). I’ve been using bias tape and making bias tape, but some people like the elastic better (I do when I’m just running into a business for a minute or picking up take out).
I figure we’ll all be wearing masks semi-permanently so will soon need to make 4th of July masks, and Halloween masks and Christmas masks…
