Facial Masks - Coronavirus

[anneg]

Okay, this is my first attempt with the SUAY mask pattern, and I'm not happy with it.

Even though I had DH add an extra .5 inch to both sides, it turned out really small for an adult. It will probably fit a child well.

Here are some photos:

View attachment 246353 View attachment 246354 View attachment 246356

The first photo shows the chin piece, which didn't come under my chin very far.

The second photo is the mask front.

The last photo is the back of the mask, complete with filter pocket and nose-wire sleeve (which is on the right-hand side of the photo.)

Nice fabric! The mask looks good to me. I couldn't really tell from the pattern what the dimensions should be. Doesn't matter, I lack good sewing skills and have no machine.

 

[crhedBngr]

Nice fabric! The mask looks good to me. I couldn't really tell from the pattern what the dimensions should be. Doesn't matter, I lack good sewing skills and have no machine.

Thanks. I appreciate your kind words.

I'll put ties on it, and send it along with the rest of my masks at Joann's Fabrics.

 

[crhedBngr]

DBM.

 

[Tillicum]

Bringing this over from main thread for anyone interested.

Hope it's ok to post this. Just got an email from Menards. I bought 2 - 10 packs.
https://www.menards.com/main/tools/...tor-mask-10-pack/91324/p-4364363664279284.htm

KN95 Disposable Particulate Respirator Mask - 10 Pack
Model Number: 91324 Menards® SKU: 5616848

Final Price $ 21 97
/10pk
$24.69
11% Mail-In Rebate Good Through 5/16/20 $2.72

What's The Difference Between N95 and KN95 Masks? - Smart Air Filters

What’s The Difference Between N95 and KN95 Masks?

With such similar sounding names, it can be confusing to understand the difference between N95 and KN95 masks. What are KN95 masks, and are they the same as N95 masks? This handy chart explains the differences between N95 and KN95 masks (and all characteristics that are the same).

In short, N95 masks are the US standards for respirator masks; KN95 masks are the Chinese standards for masks. These are the requirements that the US National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health requires manufacturers to meet in order to label their masks as N95s. Despite the long list of differences, the two masks are equivalent or nearly equivalent on the features that most people care about.

According to mask manufacturer 3M, “it is reasonable to consider” China’s KN95s “equivalent” to US N95s. Mask standards for Europe (FFP2), Australia (P2), Korea (KMOEL), and Japan (DS) are also highly similar.

 

[crhedBngr]

Bringing this over from main thread for anyone interested.

Hope it's ok to post this. Just got an email from Menards. I bought 2 - 10 packs.
https://www.menards.com/main/tools/...tor-mask-10-pack/91324/p-4364363664279284.htm

KN95 Disposable Particulate Respirator Mask - 10 Pack
Model Number: 91324 Menards® SKU: 5616848

Final Price $ 21 97
/10pk
$24.69
11% Mail-In Rebate Good Through 5/16/20 $2.72

What's The Difference Between N95 and KN95 Masks? - Smart Air Filters

What’s The Difference Between N95 and KN95 Masks?

With such similar sounding names, it can be confusing to understand the difference between N95 and KN95 masks. What are KN95 masks, and are they the same as N95 masks? This handy chart explains the differences between N95 and KN95 masks (and all characteristics that are the same).

In short, N95 masks are the US standards for respirator masks; KN95 masks are the Chinese standards for masks. These are the requirements that the US National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health requires manufacturers to meet in order to label their masks as N95s. Despite the long list of differences, the two masks are equivalent or nearly equivalent on the features that most people care about.

According to mask manufacturer 3M, “it is reasonable to consider” China’s KN95s “equivalent” to US N95s. Mask standards for Europe (FFP2), Australia (P2), Korea (KMOEL), and Japan (DS) are also highly similar.

Excellent information, @Tillicum . Thank you for posting this. I've downloaded a copy.

 

[bears10]

Be wary of purchasing masks claiming to be KN95s. Only a few manufacturers are authorized by the FDA. There are a ton of fakes.

authorized - https://www.fda.gov/media/136663/download

not authorized - https://www.fda.gov/media/137928/download

This article is pretty detailed and gives good info on how to tell if a mask is fake How to spot a fake KN95 mask from China.

 

[anneg]

Be wary of purchasing masks claiming to be KN95s. Only a few manufacturers are authorized by the FDA. There are a ton of fakes.

authorized - https://www.fda.gov/media/136663/download

not authorized - https://www.fda.gov/media/137928/download

This article is pretty detailed and gives good info on how to tell if a mask is fake How to spot a fake KN95 mask from China.

I wonder if the Menards KN95 masks are on the approved list. The Menards site doesn't specify the manufacturer (other than China), unless I just couldn't find it.

ETA: per your last link -- the Menards masks have the ear loops, so I guess that means they are not fully equivalent to the FDA authorized masks. Please correct me if I'm understanding that incorrectly.

BUT I would think they are probably fine for people like me. I'm in my 70s, retired, and not in close contact with anyone but my husband for the past couple of months.

 

[PayrollNerd]

Be wary of purchasing masks claiming to be KN95s. Only a few manufacturers are authorized by the FDA. There are a ton of fakes.

authorized - https://www.fda.gov/media/136663/download

not authorized - https://www.fda.gov/media/137928/download

This article is pretty detailed and gives good info on how to tell if a mask is fake How to spot a fake KN95 mask from China.

Thanks so much for this. As a cancer patient I am being sent a pkg of masks. I need to go look them up. I don’t know if they're N95 type. This is what it says:

“The masks are sterile-sealed and packed in sets of 5. The masks are manufactured in China and use standard GB 19083-2010 standards, suitable for use by medical personnel in hospitals in China. The masks perform particle filtration, ventilation resistance and blood penetration protection.”

 

[bears10]

Thanks so much for this. As a cancer patient I am being sent a pkg of masks. I need to go look them up. I don’t know if they're N95 type. This is what it says:

“The masks are sterile-sealed and packed in sets of 5. The masks are manufactured in China and use standard GB 19083-2010 standards, suitable for use by medical personnel in hospitals in China. The masks perform particle filtration, ventilation resistance and blood penetration protection.”

Definitely check the name of the manufacturer to see if the masks are legit, just to be on the safe side, since you need as much protection as possible.

I read the Medium article last night after I saw a post in a small business forum on another site. The guy seemed well intentioned enough, but obviously he didn't bother spending 5 minutes doing his due diligence. He posted that one of his suppliers imported 20 million (YES 20 MILLION!) KN95 masks, and he was going to be selling them. He was instantly met with replies telling him that the masks are most likely NOT legit, and people asked him what proof the manufacturer in China provided. He posted what was obviously a fake document, and even if the document WAS real, it didn't mean squat in terms of being FDA approved. I guess the importer got duped big time, but I got the impression they have no plans to stop selling the masks. Hopefully they will at least make it very clear that they are not authorized by the FDA as KN95s.

 

[PayrollNerd]

So I've been looking at the masks with the clear square for the deaf and hearing impaired. I found a pattern I like and has channels on the side. You can use elastic in the channels like the video shows. However, I don't have any so I use a 1" x 48" piece of homemade fabric tri-folded and stitched.

I've watched enough videos to know you can use one of those clear paper covers you put in notebooks to protect a page for the center opening. I think I may have some.

As far as breath ability, I've read comments that people were fine with it if the fabric was breathable. If the fabric wasn't then it was more difficult to breath.

I haven't yet read of the perfect cleaning solution. One comment was to spray it with hydrogen peroxide. Another was to place it over a pan of water and put it in the oven at 100 deg to steam it??? My personal thought is they would definitely need to be hand washed. I would put them in warm sudsy water, let them soak for 10 mins. Pat them dry or iron the fabric dry first. Then take unscented glass cleaner, maybe the kind you use for eye glasses, and a paper towel and wipe both sides. Let air out for a day then wear it again. More maintenance involved for sure but a great solution for those that need their mouth to be visible.

The smile mask video and the pattern is linked in the info box below. It is a PDF that can be downloaded.

 

[PayrollNerd]

In the Smiles Mask in my prior post above, I printed the pattern. If you set the scale to "Actual Size", it will print the little test box at 1" exactly. It does run off the 8 1/2" x 11" paper slightly but you can sketch in that edge and it will be fine. I bought some clear sheet protectors at the store today ($8 for 25 and they are 2.4 mil thick). I think they should work for the opening. I will make them double thickness. If they don't work, I'll find something thicker.

 

[rogue ant]

Apparently one of the best things to use for the nose wire is the tie from a bag of ground coffee. I wish I knew about that tip before I made my masks! One tie yields two nose wires.

 

[PayrollNerd]

Mask making this week. My friends two daughters are both waitresses. Lots of masks for them with one selecting her own fabrics. Sparkly cream with burgundy lining. Can you tell she’s 17? LOL! Even their customers are asking where they got them.

I have some ready to take to the nurses tomorrow too.

A friend ordered some medical masks because her son told her to. He does software for a big hospital in Minnesota. The order arrived, says they’re made in China. I told her about them being FDA approved. She said she looked them up and they must not be. The masks says theory not approved for medical use even tho online it led you to think they were.

 

[PayrollNerd]

Apparently one of the best things to use for the nose wire is the tie from a bag of ground coffee. I wish I knew about that tip before I made my masks! One tie yields two nose wires.

My friends Dad did this with the masks I made them. They slid right into the channel of the mask.

 

[PayrollNerd]

This is what I tell people. Wash it, dry it by ironing it.

Ironing the face mask at high heat can also be helpful when attempting to disinfect it, Dimitar Marinov, an assistant professor in the department of hygiene at the Medical University of Varna, told the Huffington Post.

Homemade coronavirus masks: Tips to wash your face covering properly

Homemade coronavirus masks: Tips to wash your face covering properly


Explore the Fox News apps that are right for you at http://www.foxnews.com/apps-products/index.html.

 

[PayrollNerd]

Well, it took a long time to actually get this Smile Mask together. The hardest part was the mouth piece. Not because it is hard but because it is slick. It called for vinyl and I can see why. By the time I figured out how to do the clear piece, I had smudged it up so bad, I cut a new piece.

I ended up using a piece of a clear (new) shower curtain liner. It is vinyl but thin. (The paper protectors were too flimsy.) I had to cut a piece bigger than what is needed, tape it to my cutting mat and then size it to 3” x 4 1/2”.

I could not find my double sided zipper tape. I had to stitch the plastic in place. The plastic had to be on the bottom for the feed on my sewing machine to work. Fabric on top, plastic on bottom. I stitched it using white thread so it blended well.

The side channels were so small that it was too thick or bulky to sew. I had to bring them in further to reduce the bulk.

Overall I think it’s a great design. It just needed a bit more width to ensure the channels are easily sewn.

I measured the pattern and wrote the measurements in inches.

 

[Deleted member 158085]

Well, it took a long time to actually get this Smile Mask together. The hardest part was the mouth piece. Not because it is hard but because it is slick. It called for vinyl and I can see why. By the time I figured out how to do the clear piece, I had smudged it up so bad, I cut a new piece.

I ended up using a piece of a clear (new) shower curtain liner. It is vinyl but thin. (The paper protectors were too flimsy.) I had to cut a piece bigger than what is needed, tape it to my cutting mat and then size it to 3” x 4 1/2”.

I could not find my double sided zipper tape. I had to stitch the plastic in place. The plastic had to be on the bottom for the feed on my sewing machine to work. Fabric on top, plastic on bottom. I stitched it using white thread so it blended well.

The side channels were so small that it was too thick or bulky to sew. I had to bring them in further to reduce the bulk.

Overall I think it’s a great design. It just needed a bit more width to ensure the channels are easily sewn.

I measured the pattern and wrote the measurements in inches.

That’s great! I don’t think I could manage it, especially not 8 days in to quitting smoking. My brain is all scrambly, which is normal, I guess. If I tried anything new, I’m afraid I would get too frustrated. Do you have a specific place to take these?

I’ve done my third round of asthma/claustrophobia masks this week, and have been sewing a lot of ear savers to help make people’s current masks work. I had to order more buttons, though. I chose the “bag of buttons” from Walmart for affordability. But everything I’m ordering these days is either lost or slow to get here.

 

[PayrollNerd]

That’s great! I don’t think I could manage it, especially not 8 days in to quitting smoking. My brain is all scrambly, which is normal, I guess. If I tried anything new, I’m afraid I would get too frustrated. Do you have a specific place to take these?

I’ve done my third round of asthma/claustrophobia masks this week, and have been sewing a lot of ear savers to help make people’s current masks work. I had to order more buttons, though. I chose the “bag of buttons” from Walmart for affordability. But everything I’m ordering these days is either lost or slow to get here.

My cousins son is 11 and is deaf. He has cochlear implants but he lip reads and uses sign language. His Gma (my Aunt) and I are making a few to see what will work. We live in FL and they live in ME. So if these work we have to get them made and shipped out. We will make them for his therapists and teachers if need be.

I did get 12 mil vinyl and the double sided tape from JoAnn Fabrics today. I made a second one which went quicker. I think I need to put tissue paper over the vinyl when sewing. No matter how careful I am the vinyl has slight damage by the time I’m finished. It is clearer than the clear shower curtain.

 

[PayrollNerd]

That’s great! I don’t think I could manage it, especially not 8 days in to quitting smoking. My brain is all scrambly, which is normal, I guess. If I tried anything new, I’m afraid I would get too frustrated. Do you have a specific place to take these?

I’ve done my third round of asthma/claustrophobia masks this week, and have been sewing a lot of ear savers to help make people’s current masks work. I had to order more buttons, though. I chose the “bag of buttons” from Walmart for affordability. But everything I’m ordering these days is either lost or slow to get here.

What is the asthma/claustrophobia mask? Is that a different pattern? Do you have a link or a picture of the design?

 

[Deleted member 158085]

What is the asthma/claustrophobia mask? Is that a different pattern? Do you have a link or a picture of the design?

No. It’s just a completely different type of fabric used in a pleated mask with super soft adjustable elastic. I am using fabric left over from when my sis had cancer and I was making her head wraps. I can’t tell you exactly what the material is because my mom bought it. But it is a knit that is somewhat silky. Anyway, it’s extremely breathable, not great protection, but certainly better than a bandana. It feels less confining than most, and the silky softness makes a huge difference to people who are getting anxiety.