Mask making trouble
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 682
In making the masks with the three pleats I sew the seam on the inside at 1/4 inch. then turn and pleat and sew 1/2 inch from edge so you are sewing thru fewer layers. I broke needles on my regular machine and may Serger doing the masks. I prefer to make the shaped masks as they stay on better and not so many layers.
#22
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Greater Peoria, IL -- just moved!
Posts: 6,058
Here's a picture of some of my early masks, I'm using the z-fold style plus the binding. You can see that wonderful striped fabric and how it helped me! (that's my favorite, I have two identical)
#23
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: kansas
Posts: 6,407
I second what Rhonda and others have said--bring that seam in about 1/4" so you are not sewing the seam allowances in the mix--should reduce the layers some. And on the pleated style I've found that if I don't overlap the pleats it sews so much better. I had to make 8 dozen "medical weight"--meaning 4 layers of fabric-and it was really rough on my machine--which is getting "spa" treatment but it takes so long these days!
Friend just posted a mask pattern from YouTube (not sure of name)that has the pleats in the front so that it stands off the mouth (not as hot and safer, too). It also looks like much less bulk at the edges too. Think I will try that for next round for family.
Friend just posted a mask pattern from YouTube (not sure of name)that has the pleats in the front so that it stands off the mouth (not as hot and safer, too). It also looks like much less bulk at the edges too. Think I will try that for next round for family.
#24
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Florida
Posts: 5,896
I was making the folded ones also for a while. I spent yesterday learning how to make the fitted ones from a free pattern on Craftpassion.com. I'll be making this kind from now on. I loved their pattern because I had requests from family for a nose wire and a filter. I purchased aluminum nose pieces from Amazon. An this pattern the filter pocket is the entire mask so, a blue paper type filter can completely be placed inside and this one can be used for a cover only. It works so good, I have quit making them in batiks and have started to use printed quilter's cotton. Batiks are just too hard to breathe thru this type of mask.
#25
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Flagstaff, Arizona
Posts: 9,475
I have made several masks with the 3 pleats and I go very slow and lengthen my stitch. I will agree it is a bit hard to do. Good luck to you and maybe you could find an easier pattern that your machine will like better and it won't be so hard for you to secure the pleats in.
#26
Super Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 2,821
Here is a link on how to use a seam jack - http://shesasewingmachinemechanic.bl...re-sewing.html I have the one like the pointy one, that comes in handy for turning point, sewing on buttons, making creases or pressing seams
Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.
Not affiliated with off-site link(s)
Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.
Not affiliated with off-site link(s)
I'll make a seam jack today. and give it a shot.
bkay
#27
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 2,867
I
Friend just posted a mask pattern from YouTube (not sure of name)that has the pleats in the front so that it stands off the mouth (not as hot and safer, too). It also looks like much less bulk at the edges too. Think I will try that for next round for family.
Friend just posted a mask pattern from YouTube (not sure of name)that has the pleats in the front so that it stands off the mouth (not as hot and safer, too). It also looks like much less bulk at the edges too. Think I will try that for next round for family.
#28
Super Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Pacific NW
Posts: 9,386
This is why I was confused about the 12 layers. All the patterns I've used either have the pleats stacked next to each other, or the sides where the elastic/ties go through is the outer layer of fabric only.
#29
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 1,092
I haven't had any problem with my 301 or 404, but if I did, I would move my line of stitching in a bit so I wasn't stitching through the seam allowance along with the mask. I've seem masks with the stitching in about 1/4" - maybe that's why.
Currently, my favorite pattern is the fitted one by Twig and Tale.
Currently, my favorite pattern is the fitted one by Twig and Tale.