Mask Making

Hello! Thank you to those of you who have already responded with Show and Tell photos. Keep them coming. There will be posts in small batches over the coming weeks. It looks like we all may be inside for a while yet, so keep the photos and explanations coming. It's a nice way for us all to stay in touch, share ideas and see what everyone is working on.

First up in our "sharing" of info and ideas, I thought a post on mask-making might be helpful, now  that wearing a mask when you go out in public is recommended. No doubt many of us are making masks, so if you have any tips to pass along from your experience or from something you have read from a reliable source, please leave a comment below so we all can benefit. (Simply click on the word "Comment" directly below this post - it may say No comments, or 2 comments, or whatever.  Write your comment in the box that appears, and add your name. If you are not a blogger or do not have a Google account, simply click on Anonymous where it says "Comment as..." Then hit "Publish" so your comment will appear.) If you are reading this post from an email in your inbox, you must come to the blog in order to leave a comment.    https://frederictonquiltersguild.blogspot.com/

Gail Mitchell has been busy making masks and shares the following with us:

Have you ventured out in the last few days?  You'll see lots of people wearing masks now that it's been recommended to wear the mask in places where it's difficult to maintain the 6 feet social distance, such as the grocery store. While you will soon get comfortable wearing this, it is not intended to replace the social distancing or hand washing. Please continue to do both!! 

I've made two styles.   

First is the pleated style.  You've all seen many versions of this. I find it fits well, has good face coverage and is super quick to make. I've worn this out twice, and the first time, I was so uncomfortable. But the second time, I found it much better. My glasses keep the nose part down. I found I could talk and breathe easily through it. The first time I made this, it took me about 30 minutes..  and after making around 40 of these, I can knock them out in 10 to 15 minutes. If you have elastic in your stash, that makes it really easy.  But if not you can simply cut 2 two inch wide strips WOF and press them like double fold binding.  Sew each raw edge of the the pleated part only to the centers of the strips.  This takes more fabric but is very quick..

https://buttoncounter.com/2018/01/14/facemask-a-picture-tutorial/

If you have a bias tape maker, it can be used for tie-making. If not, here is a youtube video that shows how to do it "the old fashioned way." It starts around the 2.5 minute mark. It works well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRlN0SM2Je0

My second mask was a more custom fit mask.  

Because I had time on my hands, I thought I'd make a more custom facemask.  It is a two-piece that is tailored to fit nicely under your chin.  I used this free pattern by Shanniemakes.com   https://shanniemakes.com/2-piece-style-face-mask-pattern/

It does take twice as long to make, but is a beautiful fit.  A fellow quilter will notice how nice it is, but nobody else will.     I have not worn it out to a store yet.  I added the recommended third layer and it feels quite firm.  I want to make sure I can breathe and be understood when I talk. For a little better face coverage I did extend the piece that points towards the ear by half an inch.  On the page where you download this, she gives you a template to make an envelope to store your pattern pieces.  It's darling.

Thanks so much Gail! 

Here are a few tips I would add, from things I've read in the last few days.
1. Fabric selection is important. Good quality quilters cottons which are tightly woven are a good choice. If you are unsure, hold a piece of your fabric up to the light. If you can see through it, it's not a good choice. If it lets little light through, that is a better choice. Batiks are generally a tight weave and I just assumed they would be an excellent choice. However because of the wax used in the batiking process, you may find them harder to breathe through, so two layers of batik might make breathing and speaking harder.. try one batik fabric and one regular quilters cotton. Best choice of all would be high thread count sheeting material. Perhaps cut up that set of sheets/pillowcases you have never used...?
2. All fabrics should be prewashed in hot soapy water, and dried in the dryer to preshrink fabrics before mask construction.
3. Using two different fabrics (one for outside, one for inside) is a good idea so if you have to take the mask off and then out it back on, you know which side goes against your skin.
4. If you are going to be wearing the mask for extended periods of time, ties might be more comfortable than elastic around the ears. Those wearing masks for lengthy time periods report "ear fatigue" - soreness, chafing, etc. on the backs of their ears. Cut WOF (width of fabric) strips, fold and stitch, using one strip across top of mask, another strip across bottom of mask. They can be a little shorter if you are sewing ties to sides of mask. If you have a pkg. of double fold bias tape, you could use that instead of making ties.
5. A piece of non woven medium wt. fusible interfacing fused to the wrong side of outer layer is often suggested. If you have some that is not fusible, you could try that too. Use what you have...
6. Some people are adding a layer of paper coffee filter inside the mask. Of course this must be removed when the mask is washed, and then replaced for the next wearing.  Obviously you have to leave an opening to do this.
7. Do NOT use vacuum cleaner bag filters - the Hepa style filters contain tiny glass particles which would irritate the lungs.
8. If you wish to add a piece of wire for the area over the nose for a better fit, 20 or 24 gauge copper wire is a good choice as it will not rust. Be sure to fold the sharp ends back so they will not poke through. 5"- 6" is a good length for the wire. Pipe cleaner as suggested by some, is too light.
9. Masks should be washed after every use.
10. Do NOT use microwave to "sterilize" your mask. Fabrics can scorch or even catch fire...

There are LOTS of tutorials online for masks, lots of varying patterns. You Bonnie Hunter fans might like to see how she is doing her masks today here:  https://quiltville.blogspot.com/2020/04/you-askedso-here-you-go.html
Leah Day has an excellent tutorial here: https://leahday.com/pages/how-to-make-a-face-mask-free-pattern  Her pattern has an opening at top for inserting a filter, also she shows how to add a nose wire.

Good luck with your mask making. Please share any useful tips or suggestions in the comments below.  Up next will be some Show and Tell...