junegerbracht

Creative Grid ruler/template is great. Have to use 28 mm rotary cutter which I have trouble getting to cut well. I use larger cutter on three sides and the smaller one on curved side - sometimes I just trace curved side and cut with a scissor. Also find mask fits better with optional pleats. Overall a good purchase.

illinois

What are you using for the wire on the bridge of the nose?

bearisgray

For a while I was using 18 gauge copper wire - but now I think that is too flimsy.

Now I am using a green plastic coated garden wire.

Homespun

I have made about 550 and have given most away. I like using t-shirt strips for the ear loops.

GingerK

Redgarnet222 could you please post a link for your mask pattern--even if it is 20 odd pages. Thanks to all who have posted links. I need to look at a few alternatives to wesewgotthis mask patterns. I'll definitely be looking at the 3D pattern. Does it have a nose wire?

Like Bear, I use green plastic coated garden wire. I gently pull back the ends and snip off a tiny bit more wire. That keeps the wire from poking or rusting.

I use elastic put thru beads for the ear loops. They are easily adjustable.

annievee

I like these postings, so helpful. In the beginning, masks and instructions were all over the place as far as the fitting, etc . My kids and grans live away so I was just guessing at sizes. Hubs was good being a model ! Yet when masks were received, some worked and some did not. I did send the bandanas I had for sons-in-law to use.
I will try again especially for the grans still in grade school. The newer patterns seem to be a better fit and instructions very good. I still get depressed while making them. Will keep reading this post.

bearisgray

One nice(r) thing about making masks - not much fabric is involved - so if it's a dud - oh, well.

Unlike a quilt that did not turn out.

At first, the masks seemed to fall into two main categories - the ones that started out as a rectangle and were either pleated or gathered at the sides - and then what I called the "nose bra" ones - but it seems like there are even more variations out there now.

I did see elastic available through etsy and ebay - but was wondering about the quality, softness, and stretchiness of it. Have/Did any of you order that elastic and how was it to use?

I had some 5/16 inch swimsuit elastic in my stash - and as far as elastic goes, that was comparatively soft/comfortable on the ears, and very stretchy. I also had some 1/4 inch elastic that was hard/sharp on the edges.

I make a casing for the wires so they are removable. The process is very similar to the casings where there is a tie on a hoodie or on the waistband of pajamas or sweats. Basically, make a buttonhole near the top fold (or seam) line, make the rest of the mask "as usual" - and then sew a line about 3/8 to 1/2 inch below the top fold/seam line. It is easier to start cutting the hole in the buttonhole before doing the rest of the assembly. It can be done at the very last, but it's easier to do it sooner than later.

I had some stretchy 1/2 inch wide tubing that I use for "neck bands" - I cut a piece about 15 inches long and sew it to the bottom of each mask. The mask is sort of like a pendant when not being worn on the face.

bearisgray

The neck band eliminates the "where do I put this thing when it's not on my face?" issue/problem.

bearisgray

I have been cutting the pleated face masks 9 x 6.5 inches or 9.5 x 7.5 inches.

For the smaller ones, I fused a piece of 5 x 5.5 pellon 911ff to the center of the outer layer.
For the larger ones, I fused a piece of 5.5 x 6 ti 6.5 pellon 911ff to the center of the outer layer.

When I ran out of that, I used a non-woven interfacing cut the same sizes and then sewed the pieces to the outer layer.

As an experiment, I laid out various combinations of fabric - interfaced and not - on paper - and then sprayed them with a mister.

The area where the fabric was interfaced - definitely helped keep the paper dry for some time.

QuiltE

Great job BearIG ... on all accounts!!

But if it is keeping the paper mostly dry ... can the person breathe?
Maybe best to give it a true wear test for breath-ability?
Likewise for the other layered styles.