Onebyone

The first go around I made about ten masks for family. I was over it very fast. LOL I haven't made anymore. Disposable masks are cheap at Sam's Club. I tossed a box in my cart each time I was shopping there and have enough for family use. .

Onebyone

I had more colds and congestion wearing the masks this last two years then ever. Dr. said people breath shallow while wearing a mask and that doesn't help. I started cutting out the layers of a disposable mask leaving the top layer. That works for me in places that request mask wearing. It's better then no mask and keeps the judgmental eyes of others off me.

MosquitoBait

I made 300-400 masks last year and a few dozen requests this year. Now I'm only making for family - wide or long faces where regular masks don't work. I'm done now though. I only have enough elastic to make maybe a dozen masks.

Jingle

I never made any masks. I no longer wear them. Only wore as long as the store required them. Now I would just go to a different store. I spend very little time around strangers. When it's my time it is my time.

DrosieD

I figured we'd still be wearing them. I never really stopped. Always wear one in the supermarket. The honor system was implemented but obviously too many took advantage of not wearing one without a vaccination so we're all wearing them again. I've still got my container of supplies and always have fabric on hand. My neighbor who is a teacher with both of her children vaccinated opted to keep the kids home again this year for online learning. She's the mother that makes sure the kids keep up with their work and the kids are the kind that will learn. All being said, don't forget your flu shots either.

DrosieD

As a retired nurse, one layer of mask isn't enough. Toss those. The ones I make have 2 layers. The back layer has an area to insert a filter. Yes, it's a lot to breathe through. You can purchase mask spacers to insert in the filter area also to make it easier to breathe. I wasn't going to have my family vaccinated but, when I watched one day at the doctor's office my Alzheimer's husband rubbing his hands over the counter I had to make the decision as to which would be best. He's not one to cover his mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing. Look around the stores, many others are like that. I've always been one to wipe shopping cart handles during cold and flu season. Ladies and gents, it's here to stay.

sewingpup

oh, masks. I did read up some on making them...there was an article that I read that had done some testing on the materials to use and good quality quilting cotton is one of the better things to use but you need to use the tighter weave stuff. One article I read actually said to use three layers. Also it is important to make sure it fits good so air is not leaking around the nose or sides. I liked the ones I made where I put pipe cleaners in the seam that goes over the nose. they do get a bit crinkled after a bit but help the nose part fit better and I also made ties out of tee shirt material. Just cut it into about 1 inch wide strips and gave it a pull, made cording that has a little stretch in it and made a casing along each side, so when I tightened the ties, it fit good along the sides too. I did sometimes put a surgical mask under my cloth mask as surgical masks don't always fit very tight. I see lots of folks wearing their masks with their noses showing or their straps not tights or with the exhalation valves that do nothing for others. I think if we had done more training on the proper fit of any mask, it would help. I currently have found some N95 ones that I wear when I know there are going to be more people.....Like when I go to the doctors office. I still am doing curbside pickup whenever I can...just see too many people removing their masks to cough or sneeze or talk or not even wearing one at all. Got leery at the grocery store when no one had a mask on this summer as I know my county is not a 100% vaccinated. Still have plenty of supplies for mask making...but I made a lot last year and stay home a lot so the disposable ones ones work for now. Just wish all folks would take this seriously so we can get over this. I miss going to my guild meetings. Our ICU is just about full here. Yet folks are gathering without masking.

beatys9

I've made just over 800 masks so far - started last March for family & friends, then sent masks to the Navajo Nation and then making them with a group of other sewers in our neighborhood for everyone in our community who requested one through our Buy Nothing Group. The sewing group made over 2500 masks total & 95 Isolation Gowns for workers with a local non-profit that assists developmentally disabled adults in the community (they lost a worker to covid and could not get disposable gowns at the time). Lately, I've been busy with kids masks for back to school. I think it helps it to be more fun for the kids if they have fun fabric masks to choose from. Last month I made 350 My Little Pony masks for a local MLP convention. They were a big hit. I agree that N95s are better than fabric but I always put an N95 filter in my mask to improve performance (they are all sewn with a pocket for the filter).

Onebyone

Most of my family are in the medical field. The masks, if not medical grade and worn correctly, will only keep the bigger droplets of air borne stuff out. It will not keep the virus from getting past the mask. People need to told something that makes them feel safer and wearing a mask does that.

CanoePam

I still have masks I made for DH and me, plus the kids and grandkids still have theirs I also made. Back to wearing them now. I am hobbled recovering from shoulder surgery, or I would be making more. A year ago I bought a bolt of logo fabric for the local university, and that has proved VERY popular for masks. I don’t sell, but I if someone wants to reimburse me, I tell them to make a donation to a local food bank.