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

The group here had a post of cutting fold over elastic in half and it didn’t fray. There have been so many patterns posted lately- all very similar. Some use bias ties and Some use straight grain. My guess is the ones donated to hospitals aren’t going to be
considered long lasting anyway - they aren’t going to survive so Many launderings. I’ve made them several ways for family members and they all seem to work. Read an article today that said high quality quilting cotton in two layers is good for the non medical population. And yes nothing is as good as a fresh N95

You can cut 1/2" elastic up the middle to make 2-1/4" pieces.

Surgical masks were most effective, but all of the materials offered some protection even against very small bacteriophages that are even smaller than coronavirus.8 Surgical masks were 89% effective against 0.02-micron bacteriophage particles, while other materials were rated as follows:
Vacuum cleaner bag — 86%
Dish towel — 73%
Cotton blend T-shirt — 70%
Antimicrobial pillowcase — 68%
Linen — 62%
Pillowcase — 57%
Silk — 54%
100% cotton T-shirt — 51%
Scarf — 49%

I saw on TV they prefer the soft string straps as the elastic is chaffing their ears.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.nbc...mp/ncna1175966

they rate mask material

Do you think you could show us a picture of this? TIA.

Here’s what I did with the fold over elastic .

I made the masks that have the seam down the center and used the full width of the elastic for the back of the head. I have a large head and so the top elastic measures 11 in un-stretched and the bottom 9 in un-stretched. It fits snugly but not too tight nor too loose, and slips nicely over the head with the top band going up over the ears, and the bottom sitting at the below the head and at back of the neck.

Looks great tallchick. I'm making the same pattern, but using knit fabric cut on the length wise grain for ties. I have some 1" very firm black elastic that I might try cutting in half and using like you've used the fold over. Thanks for the length information.

Re: masks
I have been sewing the twist tie wire in the lining seam allowance zigzaging over the twist tie making sure the width is wider than the twist tie and being careful not to hit the wire with my needle. It's working well for me.
Also before sewing the front and lining together I fold up the sides 1/4" and press. Unfold the fold when sewing the upper and lower seams. When it comes time to fold in the ends it works so much quicker.