I just bought few masks in different colors from this site.
https://boomernaturals.com/
I got a three pack of these from Gap. They are cute and come with an adjustable nose piece. https://www.gap.com/browse/product.do?pid=654615162&cid=1158590&pcid=1157839&vid=1&grid=pds_5_56_1#pdp-page-content
The sewers and seamstresses in my neighborhood charge $5 per mask. Each mask is 20-30 minutes of work total, FWIW.
I have been making them for free for friends and family. Still plugging through a batch of 24 I cut earlier in the week and started sewing yesterday.
I have some really nice homemade Olsen style (the ones not pleated) that a friend made for me. In addition, I have three cotton jersey ones from The Paper Store. I needed to adjust the ear loops because they were too long.
I know some of you would prefer not to purchase something made in China…but these facemasks from Target are well priced and comfortable. I have the KIDZ size for myself and they fit perfectly. Got S/M for DH. 2/$4.
The Old Navy masks are my new favorites.
I wore one at work last night for four hours straight.
If you’re looking for a high tech mask-- try Bilio. Made from recycled polyester yarns combined X-Static–a silver coated yarn that has anti-microbial properties. Sized XS/Youth, S/M, L/XL. Helpful sizing chart on the website.
Fabric that mask is made from is similar to CoolMax found in sports clothing.
https://www.biliomask.com/shop
I ordered one and waiting for it to be shipped.
More information about the masks: https://www.npr.org/2020/07/06/881504418/want-to-create-a-better-mask-its-harder-than-it-seams
Has anyone tried the mask from Starks Vacuum company? My mother wanted a pretty color mask and they have a lilac and good reviews. She isn’t out much, but would like a couple of mask that fit well. She also has asthma, so would like one that doesn’t pull into her mouth.
She did figure out a way to stay in a mask longer; if she is going to an appointment, or the grocery store, where I don’t want her to go, she uses half a spray of her inhaler before leaving home. She said that allowed her to breath better with the mask on.
I would like to respectfully add to the conversation some observations. Our household is, indeed, making dozens (into the hundreds, actually) of masks free for a charitable organization to distribute. I grew up with parents that volunteered in many civic organizations back in the day. It’s what our family always has done to give back to society. Makes it functional.
That being said, it is incredibly important to value the work one does. Particularly since some work is considered, traditionally, to be of less financial value. Sewing is one of those skills that is oftentimes devalued.
When an experienced sewer/sewist/seamstress/etc. makes masks, they often bring a lot to the table. They understand design and construction (so, both art and craft). They use machines and tools properly (or, as best as their skill set allows) to manufacture, in this country, a product. They use fabric, thread, elastic, along with their machines and tools, which depreciate/need expensive maintenance/get used up (it costs about $75-$100 here to service a regular sewing machine). The skills and costs of using proper, well-woven fabric, are considerable.
When you sew, you often pre-shrink the fabric (some people make masks first, then tell recipients to wash before wearing). You prepare the paper pattern, in some cases. You cut out your fabric, and perhaps elastic/cord/whatever your tie situation is. You sew and iron constantly when constructing a mask.
In short, it is a LOT of work. Most mask-makers get a system down and after developing a sense of the process, can work in batches to make things go a little bit faster. But still, the cutting out of materials, followed by the sewing and ironing, takes a lot of time. (As to cloth mask effectiveness, that’s a separate debate.)
What I’d like to articulate is that in a time of pandemic/increased health risk, people who could sew had expertise that, suddenly, was vitally important - since supplies couldn’t be gotten from off-shore. These skills, historically and also due to off-shoring of the garment industry, were in general devalued and rendered low-paying.
This is an opportunity to keep money back in our economy, and value the time, skill, and materials that go into making a fabric mask - which is reusable, and environmentally-conscious.
Not here to judge, since everyone’s situation is different and time/money is a factor in our purchasing choices. However, if you can make a mindful difference in this case, here’s what it is:
Buyers: instead of purchasing from stores like the big T or ON, or online from the big A, if the time/money factor isn’t an issue, consider buying domestically-made masks directly from a company’s web site. This could be from indie sellers on craft sites, or from a company that is making them en masse.
The impact: more money in the domestic economy at a time of great need.
Mask makers: when we give our work away for free, we impact it’s value in the long-term, and weaken it’s worth. (No judgement, but this is a fact.) If you are giving some of your masks away for free, take a moment to let the recipient know the amount of cost/effort that goes into it. This isn’t to make the recipient feel bad, but to let them know the worth of the product. You should feel proud to have made it, they can be proud to wear it.
The impact: domestic manufacturing is respected and the cost of doing business/giving products away isn’t devalued. When it is devalued, it makes imported goods economically more attractive (because they are cheaper). This weakens our country down the line.
America needs to get back into manufacturing, full stop. This is a small but important gesture to getting our economy back on track. (Perhaps not everyone agrees with this stance, but what is the alternative, then, for our kids and grandchildren?)
Props again to our healthcare/service/community workers that are doing a tremendous job while working under increased risk to their personal health.
I’m very happy with my Zazzle masks. Soft and prettier than expected.
Much appreciated, @thealternative !
Our Big Research U says this about branded face masks - royalties will be directed to its public health fund:
“The University is permitting the production of UW branded non-medical grade face masks. Licensed face masks are available for both internal consumption/giveaways and the retail market.All royalties received by the University from sales of licensed face masks will be directed to the UW Population Health COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund. Royalties will be waived if the product is paid for by UW funds, is customized to a specific UW entity or event (e.g. School of Nursing, President’s Circle, Dawg Dash 2020), and is not being resold, even for fundraising purposes.“
My H bought the Target masks that @thumper1 linked to in the pink color; they are brighter pink in real life. My oldest son, who is a letter carrier, gave me a hard plastic comb-like device that you put the ear loops into to adjust. This both keeps the loops off your ears (I have read that wearing the masks constantly can damage the cartilage of your ears) and helps the mask fit me properly. H wears the same mask without the device with no problems. We clean them in the washer dryer.
Thanks for your post @thealternative I appreciate and agree!
I looked on Etsy and have bought some cute masks as gifts. I got a friend 2 masks with the pattern of her favorite dog breed and split the $20 cost with another friend. We would have spent the same taking her to lunch for her birthday, but we couldn’t do that this year. The vendor said that part of her proceeds would be donated to the rescue association of the breed involved. The best part of it is that my friend and I have totally opposite political views, but this was something apolitical that showed how much I care about her (she survived COVID).
I am thinking of ordering Maltese puppy masks for H and I to honor our grand-dogter.
My favorite masks (and my husband’s fave) are from Rothy’s (the shoe company). They might be sold out.
@thealternative I recently learned, through a mutual friend, that another friend of mine, a talented seamstress, was making masks to donate and giving them away. After having purchased several masks that weren’t great, I called her and offered to buy some from her. She had already donated dozens of masks and given several to a relative who needed them, so she insisted I take “as many as I wanted” and refused any payment. She seemed happy for me to take more than 20 beautiful masks for me, my husband, and my vulnerable brother and sister, since she knew we would make good use of them. They have all raved about the masks, saying they are the best they have.
I am fortunate to have such a generous friend. (My Mom made beautiful clothes but I never learned to sew). I’ve donated to a food kitchen in her name, and plan to buy her peaches every week from our local Farmer’s Market as long as the Freestones last.
After sewing several masks and ordering a few more from Etsy sellers, I recently found United Sewing Automation in Mt. Airy, NC, which sells 3-ply disposable masks. I ordered a box of 50 and they arrived in three days. I’m going to put them in ziplock bags both to keep in our cars and to give away.
@thealternative – I’ve been making masks since mid-March. Up to 600 at this point. About 85% have gone to charitable organizations, including Million Mask Challenge in MD/VA/DC. I’ve had friends and fam ask to pay me for the masks I’ve made, and I’ve asked them to pay it forward as they are able to a food bank or social cause that’s meaningful to them.
Yes, quilt quality fabric isn’t cheap, and my machine will need a spa day when this is over, but I’m fortunate to have a sizable stash and the time to sew. I’ve bought two spools of elastic, a bunch of stamps and three yards of fabric for special requests and backing. A friend and I have been coordinating making quilts for women at a local shelter, and people have been generous over the past several years in donating their time and surplus fabric for this project. Making masks has been my way of paying it forward.
OTOH, I know some people are making masks to replace for lost income. I have zero problem with that. The local quilt store that supports our charity quilting is also offering masks on consignment, made by sewists in the community. The $7-8 they charge isn’t nearly enough, but that’s an ongoing problem in the creative arts.
FYI, if you need disposable masks, heck Costcos - they carry boxes of 50 disposable masks. Like this:
https://www.costco.com/homedics-earloop-style-face-mask,-50-disposable-masks.product.100667311.html
Boomer Naturals just donated 15,000 face masks to our county’s Boys and Girls Club! 
I’m also curious about the Starks masks. My problem with most masks is that the angle coming down from the nose to the ears down the cheek isn’t drastic enough - the mask cheats up my cheeks and interferes with my eye sockets, making it hard to see. Starks looks like it has an angle I can live with.