Facial Masks - Coronavirus

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  • #261
Gotta be some competition for those Scooby & flamingo ones- very cool!
Haha! I asked my kid what were the colors the dog groomers wore and she said purple. I asked what color the store’s logo was and she points to a neon green. Then she says but I doubt you have anything like that. LOL! I just looked at her. Set my cutting blade down and pulled out Scooby! She just rolled her eyes. (This is my kid that started out in Engineering in 9th grade and still thinks sewing is a foreign language.)
 
  • #262
This is one of the better ones with ties on top and bottom. Most people I’ve seen wearing this style have big gaps on the side because you can’t pull the ties tight enough to fit well.
I was wondering about those gaps too. I’m no seamstress, but there are so many designs out there, and not all are a good fit. I think some patterns are to cover medical masks while others are for the average person heading to the grocery store. Some of these patterns seem to be trying to mash those 2 groups together- and it isn’t working well.

So far I’ve purchased 4 masks, with one clear winner. About 14 months ago I bought a PM2.5 filter mask for my daughter- in case she had problems with the smog from HK study abroad program. That mask has a separate seam/cut at the chin line to go under the chin perfectly. Elastic ear loops run through a side seam- so it gathers snugly with no cheek gaps- instead of being attached at the corners. It has the metal bendy thing for snug nose contour. The one interior filter slot is placed so that flaps overlap, protecting the filter- instead of having open access at 1 or both ends. As such, the filter stays centered perfectly instead of moving slightly right or left. It is a flawless design & I’d buy 10 more if I could get my hands on them.

Anyhoo- since then I’ve bought 3 more off Etsy for family members. Sewing quality is superb, but the designs & fits suck compared to that the first one.

I think it has been the norm to wear masks in China for years- for allergies & asthma exacerbated by extreme smog. So with the air pollution problem going on for years, they have really perfected the pattern there. These are to fit people out & about- not for medical professionals trying to protect or extend the use of an N95 mask. Jmo.
 
  • #263
Haha! I asked my kid what were the colors the dog groomers wore and she said purple. I asked what color the store’s logo was and she points to a neon green. Then she says but I doubt you have anything like that. LOL! I just looked at her. Set my cutting blade down and pulled out Scooby! She just rolled her eyes. (This is my kid that started out in Engineering in 9th grade and still thinks sewing is a foreign language.)
Sewing is a foreign language! I am completely inept. But I know great fabric when I see it!
 
  • #264
I was wondering about those gaps too. I’m no seamstress, but there are so many designs out there, and not all are a good fit. I think some patterns are to cover medical masks while others are for the average person heading to the grocery store. Some of these patterns seem to be trying to mash those 2 groups together- and it isn’t working well.

So far I’ve purchased 4 masks, with one clear winner. About 14 months ago I bought a PM2.5 filter mask for my daughter- in case she had problems with the smog from HK study abroad program. That mask has a separate seam/cut at the chin line to go under the chin perfectly. Elastic ear loops run through a side seam- so it gathers snugly with no cheek gaps- instead of being attached at the corners. It has the metal bendy thing for snug nose contour. The one interior filter slot is placed so that flaps overlap, protecting the filter- instead of having open access at 1 or both ends. As such, the filter stays centered perfectly instead of moving slightly right or left. It is a flawless design & I’d buy 10 more if I could get my hands on them.

Anyhoo- since then I’ve bought 3 more off Etsy for family members. Sewing quality is superb, but the designs & fits suck compared to that the first one.

I think it has been the norm to wear masks in China for years- for allergies & asthma exacerbated by extreme smog. So with the air pollution problem going on for years, they have really perfected the pattern there. These are to fit people out & about- not for medical professionals trying to protect or extend the use of an N95 mask. Jmo.
I agree. I bought one just like what you describe and it’s the perfect fit. I’ve looked and looked and can’t find a pattern with that extra chin piece.

If I was my grandmother, I would carefully take it apart and make a pattern out of it.
 
  • #265
I agree. I bought one just like what you describe and it’s the perfect fit. I’ve looked and looked and can’t find a pattern with that extra chin piece.

If I was my grandmother, I would carefully take it apart and make a pattern out of it.
Yes! That’s what my precise mom would have done too. Then she would have sewed it back together with impeccable precision & it would be impossible to tell it had ever been deconstructed. If I did that, however, it would end up as if I’d sewn a bra inside out & accidentally stitched the cups together. There is no hope for me with golf or sewing. Ever. Thank God for y’all taking this on!
 
  • #266
Duplicate dbm
 
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  • #267
I just happened to click on this thread. I am in awe of all of you!!
I was never a sewer, wish I was. I don’t even know what bias tape is!

I second that! I haven't contributed to this thread - other than a cute video of nuns taking a break from sewing masks to play basketball - and am very impressed with the fine efforts of fellow 'sleuthers who are sewing protective masks. I have a beautiful sewing machine but don't see well enough to sew any more. I also haven't driven at night or on freeways for more than 20 years because of my poor eyesight. Were I able to see well enough to sew, I definitely would have done my part. Bless all of you who are sewing protective masks :)
 
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  • #268
When DH and I returned from our trip to Nino Salvaggio's for food last week, I posted on another thread about my glasses fogging up while wearing a mask in the store. That evening, Dr. Frank McGeorge did a feature about this on WDIV (Channel 4, Detroit) :D How to keep your glasses from getting foggy while wearing a mask
 
  • #269
The pleating took a little bit to figure out but it worked pretty well. Cried making the first one because I’m making masks for kids, not just any kids but family.

when I was getting gas the other day, I saw a woman in a mask and her daughter (3-4?) in a little mask, and she was carefully and studiously wiping off an apple for the little girl.... it was taking her a long time to do it.
 
  • #270
When DH and I returned from our trip to Nino Salvaggio's for food last week, I posted on another thread about my glasses fogging up while wearing a mask in the store. That evening, Dr. Frank McGeorge did a feature about this on WDIV (Channel 4, Detroit) :D How to keep your glasses from getting foggy while wearing a mask
Yeah- none of that kept my glasses from fogging. So I bought 3M’s foam gasket protective eyewear to wear with my mask & that works. I look REALLY STUPID but my eyes, nose & mouth are as well-protected as possible & with family members who are immune compromised, that’s all I care about. Don’t want to contract this nasty bug & put anyone else at risk. I’m decades past giving a hoot about how dorko I look at the grocery store.

Side note, I did wear those glasses & mask to the liquor store last weekend. I was wondering if they would ask me to remove my mask to compare my ID but they didn’t even card me! I could have been twelve.:D
 
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  • #271
This is one of the better ones with ties on top and bottom. Most people I’ve seen wearing this style have big gaps on the side because you can’t pull the ties tight enough to fit well.

I think elastic, or some stretchier fabric really helps with fit, because as you move, breathe, etc., ties are bound to loosen or shift, depending on how long you wear the mask.
I was wondering about those gaps too. I’m no seamstress, but there are so many designs out there, and not all are a good fit. I think some patterns are to cover medical masks while others are for the average person heading to the grocery store. Some of these patterns seem to be trying to mash those 2 groups together- and it isn’t working well.

So far I’ve purchased 4 masks, with one clear winner. About 14 months ago I bought a PM2.5 filter mask for my daughter- in case she had problems with the smog from HK study abroad program. That mask has a separate seam/cut at the chin line to go under the chin perfectly. Elastic ear loops run through a side seam- so it gathers snugly with no cheek gaps- instead of being attached at the corners. It has the metal bendy thing for snug nose contour. The one interior filter slot is placed so that flaps overlap, protecting the filter- instead of having open access at 1 or both ends. As such, the filter stays centered perfectly instead of moving slightly right or left. It is a flawless design & I’d buy 10 more if I could get my hands on them.

Anyhoo- since then I’ve bought 3 more off Etsy for family members. Sewing quality is superb, but the designs & fits suck compared to that the first one.

I think it has been the norm to wear masks in China for years- for allergies & asthma exacerbated by extreme smog. So with the air pollution problem going on for years, they have really perfected the pattern there. These are to fit people out & about- not for medical professionals trying to protect or extend the use of an N95 mask. Jmo.


found this good article about the N95 mask- how it is made etc. It is made of finely spun microfiber, but it is also electrostatically charged- wonder if that is what is lost when these are "out of date." I try to remind myself that at its worst, the grocery store is not the ER.

Making An N95 Mask For COVID-19 Coronavirus? What You Need To Know
 
  • #272
Yeah- none of that kept my glasses from fogging. So I bought 3M’s foam gasket protective eyewear to wear with my mask & that works. I look REALLY STUPID but my eyes, nose & mouth are as well-protected as possible & with family members who are immune compromised, that’s all I care about. Don’t want to contract this nasty bug & put anyone else at risk. I’m decades past giving a hoot about how dorko I look at the grocery store.

Side note, I did wear those glasses & mask to the liquor store last weekend. I was wondering if they would ask me to remove my mask to compare my ID but they didn’t even card me! I could have been twelve.:D

anti-fog for lenses

cat crap - بحث Google
 
  • #273
I think elastic, or some stretchier fabric really helps with fit, because as you move, breathe, etc., ties are bound to loosen or shift, depending on how long you wear the mask.



found this good article about the N95 mask- how it is made etc. It is made of finely spun microfiber, but it is also electrostatically charged- wonder if that is what is lost when these are "out of date." I try to remind myself that at its worst, the grocery store is not the ER.

Making An N95 Mask For COVID-19 Coronavirus? What You Need To Know

Sorry to ruin it for you. Here Are the 10 Dirtiest Places in Every Supermarket
 
  • #274
Here is another tutorial for no-sew masks.

Julie Creus
 
  • #275
This is one of the better ones with ties on top and bottom. Most people I’ve seen wearing this style have big gaps on the side because you can’t pull the ties tight enough to fit well.

The bottom ties need to go on top of the head so there are no gaps
 
  • #276
I agree. I bought one just like what you describe and it’s the perfect fit. I’ve looked and looked and can’t find a pattern with that extra chin piece.

If I was my grandmother, I would carefully take it apart and make a pattern out of it.

Is it like this? Looks a lot like the Olsen masks people are already making, maybe a little tweek needed ?
IDK, I'm better at looking at patterns than actually sewing. ... I can read the map, but I don't drive.:-)

https://www.amazon.com/Opla3ofx-Chi...ords=child's+dust+mask&qid=1587272071&sr=8-47

I think this one shows detail better. disregard whatever that plastic thing is....https://www.amazon.com/Fansport-Mou...keywords=kids+dust+mask&qid=1587274406&sr=8-1
 
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  • #277
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  • #278
Is it like this? Looks a lot like the Olsen masks people are already making, maybe a little tweek needed ?
IDK, I'm better at looking at patterns than actually sewing. ... I can read the map, but I don't drive.:)

https://www.amazon.com/Opla3ofx-Children-Protective-Coverwith-Replacement/dp/B086GBB8SZ/ref=sr_1_47?dchild=1&keywords=child's+dust+mask&qid=1587272071&sr=8-47

I think this one shows detail better. disregard whatever that plastic thing is....https://www.amazon.com/Fansport-Mou...keywords=kids+dust+mask&qid=1587274406&sr=8-1
Yes, that one has the chin piece.
 
  • #279
  • #280
The issue is, there really is a need for different types of masks, depending on the person and the need.

1. My husband, age 80, with COPD. He needs a "real" mask, that will be protective when he is out. And still trying to figure out how to manage the oxygen cannula with a mask.

2. My son, age 29, driving a truck around the country. He needs a mask for some areas that have mandatory mask wearing directives. Just a face covering. He hates masks. And has a beard.

3. My daughter, age 26, who has to wear a mask 8 hours a day during her shift at work. She doesn't want one too hot. She hates the current paper ones.

So, Mickey is making masks this week. My sewing machine has a part missing, I never bothered to get it fixed. So, it will be serger only. Should be interesting. Last sewing I did was Halloween costumes.
 

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