@kjofkw I have seen those types of masks with the channels but don’t know where to find the pattern. I like those because the elastic is easy to replace when worn out.
Thanks for the link, @twoinanddone!
One mask with the casing channel is by MimiG. My friend has made 500+. She doesn’t use one continuous 22" piece of elastic but two 10" (over the ears).
The MimiG pattern is a Youtube, so I don’t think I can link.
Patterns are everywhere, there are aggregate pattern sites, just google?
@thealternative Here’s one. You can use loop elastic or ties. I’ve also made the simple pleated kind with channels on the side instead of sewing the elastic at the corners. https://www.craftpassion.com/face-mask-sewing-pattern/#face-mask-pattern
Has anyone tried making a homemade mask with a valve/vent in it? I see one can buy the vents/valves, but I am curious as to how easy they are to sew in.
Not asking about their effectiveness, etc. Just want to know about the sewing. TIA
I’ve been making the craftpassion mask version linked above for family and friends and have been using the Atwood Rope elastic. Started with that in late April and the elastic is still holding up fine. Also, a friend of mine who works at TJ is wearing them when she works and says the elastic is comfortable for long days of wearing.
I volunteered to make masks for our church to have on hand for services and am switching to pleated masks as they are faster to make. I made some from the Deaconess pattern that starts with 2 pieces of fabric 9x6 inches, those seemed a bit narrow. What are people finding is a good basic size for the pleated masks?
I use9x7 for the pleated masks. A few people have asked for ‘bigger’, usually for men, and I’ve done 8x 10 but those are big.
I only put 2 pleats in because I’m lazy. Jenny from Missouri Star Quilt Co uses 9.x 6 and puts in 2 pleats. She was using bias tape ties so could adjust a little.
I now use the Atwood Rope elastic and do prefer it to regular 1/4" elastic. My friend ordered 10 spools and loves it. I tried opening a bungie cord and that was a disaster. Cheap elastic in it, impossible to get out.
Love this conversation. We don’t have any contacts into the medical community so it’s hard to know what their preferences are. Does anyone?
In the meantime our charity masks that we are making use precut kits from a sewing shop (two width of fabric 2" or so cuts for the side ties, and one rectangle for the main piece). We provide the thread and manual labor. These have three pleats.
Thanks @twoinanddone I’m going to try the 9x7 and see how that comes out.
My pleated ones start with 7 1/2" x 15" rectangle (before sewing) which is folded in half for the 2 layers. Plus two strips approx. 2" x 4 1/2" before sewing, to make the side channels. (3) pleats. Final sewn mask once pleated measures approx. 3 1/2" x 7 1/2" including channels. My sewing skills are minimal, and my seams can vary between 1/4 to 1/2 inch, so they vary in final size. DH uses the larger ones. I use the smaller ones.
The pleated pattern is pressed in a unique way proving for an open strip for added filter and wire nose form near the top. However, the pleated design is too hard for me to add a filter. I prefer the filter opening on the sides as shown on the craftpassion pattern posted earlier. Found that the coffee maker basket filter cut in half fits well.
For the nose forms, I’ve used pipe cleaners and the flat strip found on the top of ground coffee bags. Prefer the coffee bag strips.
Million Mask Challenge folks use 7.5" x 9" for adult masks – three pleats, nose and chin darts, elastic in the seams. This runs big. I’m making some for friends and am making women’s masks in 7*8.5.
Most of the groups who request masks want elastic, though my first 250 were fabric ties.
I also use the pins on the ironing board for making ties.
DH’s elastic stretched out and I replaced it. What a pain. Had to take the entire thing apart. Next time I’ll just make a new one.
A friend asked my daughter to make her three masks. Two layers cotton fabric, surgical style, metal nose bridge, adjustible elastic ear loops.
What would you charge for this?
$25 for the three
For a friend? Nothing.
If the fiend insisted on payIng, I would ask to compensate for materials (or $20-25 would be a fair price based on what stores charge). If there was not such offer, I would make them as a gift as Sybylla said.
Really, the fabrics should cost a few dollars based on sensible materials, Old navy sells 5 masks for 12.50. If this isn’t a real friend, send her that link.
https://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/category.do?cid=1157699
It’s not for a friend. It is for mom’s friend. I think mom’s friend should pay the kid.
I had a couple friends pay me for masks, and I felt bad about it so made them more and wouldn’t accept the payment. If I get paid I feel like they have to be perfect and I am not a perfect sewer.
I am making mine as thin as possible. I think the main purpose is to cover the face and not perform surgery, so breathing is the number one feature I’m going for.
I just went to the eye doctor and she was cleaning the machine and mentioned that sometimes the little lens thing got fogged up. So doing the test on the red/green screen I was like ‘They both look blurry’. We did the other side and I realized the machine had fogged. No wonder why I couldn’t see! I got to pull the mask down (she wasn’t sitting across from me).
Sorry, I wasn’t clear. My friend, not my daughter’s friend. Yes, I would sew them for her for free. But she wanted to hire my daughter to make some for her. You know, like when I overpay the neighbor kid to feed my chickens and water my seedlings when we’re on vacation?
And they are nicer and more adjustable than those Old Navy masks.