General Discussion

Generic Other

(28,979 posts) Mon Mar 23, 2020, 12:46 AM Mar 2020

Mask Making 101

Last edited Sun Apr 5, 2020, 06:42 PM - Edit history (3)

I have mastered the art of the mask. Here is what anyone with a needle and thread can do.

1. First follow this pattern:
https://www.craftpassion.com/face-mask-sewing-pattern/

2. Use a dishtowel old bathrobe, pajamas, holy t-shirt whatever you have to spare.

3. One issue is lack of supplies, but I used to sew doll clothes as a young girl and lack of supplies never stopped me. Forget the elastic. Hospitals are using rubber bands and paper clips due to lack of supplies. Common sense dictates no one should get sick running to the store to buy supplies to make a mask!! Honestly. I modified the elastic part to use any type of tie. Mine is a shoelace.

YOu put the loop around the back of your neck and synch up the strings over your head. It is my own innovation. Use shoestring. Elastic is now in short supply.

I had a bunch of shoelaces around for some reason, but old rope or clothesline would work. Fashionable. Used some scrap cotton kimono fabric I had lying around. Lined with flannel. You leave space to tuck in a disposable coffee filter or old dried out Wet one in between the two layers. Dispose that after use. Wash the mask. Re-use. I have been making them and mailing to family members all day. These are for using when you ave no choice but go out. They will stop droplets from entering your nose and mouth. The patterns (use the pdf patterns are for men, women and children sizes).
Protect your loved ones.

I sat all day listening to cars drive past my house (a main arterial). I have been reading that people headed for the beach, rock climbing, camping, et al. all day. Just like I read those Florida Spring Breakers now have corona. People are on their own in terms of protecting themselves. Take care guys.

Edit: If you haven't made this, the time is NOW. If you need help, send me a message.

Edit again: A special friend sent me another mask pattern. Hello to all I have sent links to. Feel free to read other articles at this site. Smart people here.

16 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Mask Making 101 (Original Post) Generic Other Mar 2020 OP

smart Demovictory9 Mar 2020 #1

Thank you Generic Other Mar 2020 #2

+1,000!!! CountAllVotes Mar 2020 #3

Thanks. A quick and easy solution. As you say, not perfect, but better than nothing . . . Journeyman Mar 2020 #4

And nothing is what we are getting from the Feds Generic Other Mar 2020 #5

I'm going to make these for myself and my family. iemitsu Mar 2020 #6

Thanks KewlKat Mar 2020 #7

I prefer the loops over the ear Rorey Mar 2020 #8

I made a few masks and with no elastic... IcyPeas Mar 2020 #9

The loops are a great idea! Generic Other Apr 2020 #12

I wish I had thought of this before Generic Other Apr 2020 #14

So finally people are listening Generic Other Apr 2020 #10

Definitely NOT CHicken Little Generic Other Apr 2020 #11

Little Red Hen - I loved that story IcyPeas Apr 2020 #13

Simplest mask of all Generic Other Apr 2020 #15

Kicking for others who are making masks Generic Other Apr 2020 #16

Demovictory9

(32,457 posts)

1. smart

Reply to Generic Other (Original post)

Mon Mar 23, 2020, 12:49 AM

Mar 2020

Generic Other

(28,979 posts)

2. Thank you

Reply to Demovictory9 (Reply #1)

Mon Mar 23, 2020, 01:04 AM

Mar 2020

So many are pooh-poohing my suggestions. Me? I am busy making masks. Anyone who is a senior, immuno-compromised, nervous...these are better than nothing. For emergencies only. Like going to the store, the hospital, etc.

We need to beat this thing and only can if we stay alive.

Surviving to see Trump ousted is the best revenge.

on edit: I live in Washington state BTW where people should know better, but selfish pigs flocked to the beaches, wiped out small-town communities' supplies, shed their cooties in communities that had no sickness. I am seriously angry. My friend said it was like 4th of July at the ocean beaches in Washington and Oregon. Really? That is how you use your heads? Might as well wear Melania's "I DON'T CARE" jacket and lick doorknobs!

CountAllVotes

(20,876 posts)

3. +1,000!!!

Reply to Generic Other (Reply #2)

Mon Mar 23, 2020, 01:22 AM

Mar 2020

n/t

Journeyman

(15,036 posts)

4. Thanks. A quick and easy solution. As you say, not perfect, but better than nothing . . .

Reply to Generic Other (Original post)

Mon Mar 23, 2020, 01:30 AM

Mar 2020

Generic Other

(28,979 posts)

5. And nothing is what we are getting from the Feds

Reply to Journeyman (Reply #4)

Mon Mar 23, 2020, 01:41 AM

Mar 2020

Just trickledown droplets of corona bailouts for corporations and golf courses.

iemitsu

(3,888 posts)

6. I'm going to make these for myself and my family.

Reply to Generic Other (Original post)

Mon Mar 23, 2020, 03:58 AM

Mar 2020

Smart, stylish and reusable. How could one ask for more?
Thank you Generic.

KewlKat

(5,624 posts)

7. Thanks

Reply to Generic Other (Original post)

Mon Mar 23, 2020, 04:12 AM

Mar 2020

Rorey

(8,445 posts)

8. I prefer the loops over the ear

Reply to Generic Other (Original post)

Thu Mar 26, 2020, 04:19 PM

Mar 2020

I bought some from a person I found on Craigslist.

So I'm wondering, could the wind blow the virus a good distance? I was just working in my back yard, and it's kinda windy. I didn't wear a mask. My yard is large, and I didn't see or hear any other activity in the vicinity.

IcyPeas

(21,893 posts)

9. I made a few masks and with no elastic...

Reply to Generic Other (Original post)

Thu Mar 26, 2020, 04:23 PM

Mar 2020

I made some pleated types and some full face mask types (with patterns found online) I used rings cut from panty hose legs (or socks) you can get pantyhose in most drugstores. they work great and are stretchy and washable. I cut about a 2 inch piece, then stretch it and the ring gets narrower. (p.s. I am not really a sewer, but I do have a machine and can do simple things... if I can do it....)