Fold over elastic help
 

Like many, I’m also working on masks for employees, family and community. I only have fold over elastic and I have never worked with it before. What is the best way to incorporate it into a mask? It seems to be not as stretchy as regular elastic. I would prefer the elastic to go behind the head vs the ears for comfort since at least half of what I make would be going over existing n95 masks for our employees PPE. Like so many we have a extremely limited supply and are trying to prolong the life of each mask as much as we can.

This should help. https://tuesdaystitches.com/all-abou...how-to-sew-it/

Until you mentioned fold over elastic, I had never heard of it, so don't have any suggestions for you. But, instead of elastic, you could also use bias tape for ties.

I just read that you shouldn't use bias tape for ties because they stretch. 🤷

When I make my ties for face masks, I use a bias tape maker but don't cut the fabric on the bias. There's no need to make them on the bias.

I saw where t-shirt ties could be used instead, so I tried it. Works great. Cut the tshirt or knit fabric vertically for a less stretchy tie..it still stretches but doesn't roll as badly as a horizontal cut. I cut mine 1 1/4" and folded in half. To attach to pleated mask, find the centers of mask and tie; fold each tie over the top and bottom of the mask, and stitch tie to mask with a straight stitch, back stitching at beginning and end. No need to stitch the whole tie edges as the knit won't ravel. hope this is clear.

oh munner-I didn't think of the stretch of the bias tape. It's difficult to know to use, I've seen U Tube videos where they used bias tape.

My sister is using FOE for mask she is now making she is using a button on one side that the opposite side can slide over the button at the back of the head. The FOE is attached at each end of the mask as if going behind the ears. Because it is to wide to be really comfortable behind the ears making it this way works a bit better. She is cutting each piece of FOE 8".

Here our facilities and hospital has requested fabric ties only- the elastic doesn’t fit everyone and is very uncomfortable. They want to be able to tie their masks so they fit each individual. Tshirt knits, bias cut fabric and and elastic all stretch out and soon are not fitting- hot water wash & drying also degrades their usefulness. Check with who you are making them for to see what they prefer- if the masks are only used once and thrown out or if they are being laundered and reused makes a difference too.

I have never heard of fold over elastic. Would it be possible to cut it in half? I had bought 1/2" flat elastic and cut that in half for the masks I am making for our local hospital employees. You could also make string straps made with fabrics. Good luck to you