Mask Couture

I haven’t posted a lot lately because <waves hands in the air frantically> the world is on fire. Well, not on fire, but it feels that way sometimes.

I am writing – I’m editing a book due out next Feb and I can’t wait for the title & cover reveal, much less for the book to hit the shelves. SQUEE! And you’ll know it when that happens! I’m also reviving a dead novel that I loved very much, and after a hiatus, am able to see it for all its warts and freckles. I’m keeping the freckles but removing the warts and watching this book (and MC) bloom! Hopefully more on that later.

But back to the COVID-19 elephant in the room. The world is a scary place. Some of us are <trapped. stuck. lounging in our PJs> at home bored and worried. Others are working essential jobs, tired, exhausted, and really sick of people complaining about the Tiger King when they’ve been on their feet for 10+ hours already, our hands cracked from washing them so often. Many others have it unimaginably worse.

We can’t buy toilet paper or flour or hand sanitizer or yeast. Delivery is hit-or-miss. Going out is worse. After weeks of being urged to not buy masks, suddenly masks are mandatory in public. Guess what we can’t buy? Masks.

So, people are making them. There are lots of tutorials and options for no-sew, ridged, and fitted masks out there. I am a moderately proficient sewer with a sewing machine, and lots of scraps hanging around. After trying several patterns, here’s my favorite cloth mask pattern: Face Mask Sewing Pattern.

On a “normal” day, I would pop down to the craft store, pick up some cute cloth, a roll of elastic, and maybe some heavy duty-craft wire but they’re all sold out and have been for weeks. Months, maybe. So I improvised.

1. Material. I did a lot of research and in the end, I had to use what was on hand. I don’t know if my masks are 5% effective or 100% effective, but hey, they’re weird enough that people keep their distance and that’s what matters, right? I chose a 2-layer mask without a filter (because I don’t have any filters). For the inner layer, I used either a sacrificed pink t-shirt or dishtowels (research shows they’ve very effective!) or a light material that is different than the outer layer. For the outer layer, I used whatever I could find from my cloth stash or bandanna collection that was moderately breathable.
2. Construction – I followed the instructions at Face Mask Sewing Pattern. Make sure that you add a big “tail”. This comes in handy later! It’s all explained in the pattern.
3. Nose piece. I wear glasses, so a nose piece is a must to keep my glasses from fogging up. Metal nose strips are sold out everywhere, so again, I improvised. I tried everything, but what worked best for me? Picture hangers! Seriously, I got a light, flexible one. I used pliers to straighten it. Working on the mask inside-out, I sewed the nail holes to the back piece of the mask. Then I turned the mask right side out and sewed a pocket around it (and I only broke two – 5/1 update, three – needles learning to get this right!). I can bend the nose piece to fit now. Once I realized it worked, I bought a pack of 50 and they were delivered next(ish) day.
4. Connectors. Everyone’s sold out of anything even remotely related to elastic. I was also making a lot of masks for friends and family, so I had to dig deep. I used the largest pony-tail holders I had, crocheted ribbons, sewed cloth ribbons, shoe laces, and strips of the waistband of a pair of leggings I rarely wear because they’re too short.

In the end, I had used every piece of scrap cloth, bandannas, and leggings I had in the house. I’m completely out of ponytail holders and spare shoelaces. But I* was able to mail out masks to a couple of people that needed them. I’m out of material for now but I hope that my experiences and improvisations might help others!

* Special thanks goes to the intrepid Potassium who braved the shipping store to mail these so I didn’t have to go out in public!

After making these, I washed them in hot water and packaged them up while wearing gloves and my own mask, and included the following instructions:

1. To my knowledge, neither myself nor anyone in my household has been exposed to COVID-19, and no one in the house is displaying any symptoms. If that changes, I will let you know.
2. After construction, all masks were washed before packaging. However, you should WASH BEFORE WEARING. I am convinced my washing machine is chaotic neutral, and can you really trust that?
3. Cloth masks should be washed after every use. They lose effectiveness over the course of wearing due to exposure to moisture (yes, I said “moist”. Deal with it), so change out frequently if possible.
4. Do not microwave mask. The band, thread, or nose piece (if applicable) can melt, catch fire, or possibly summon demonic forces when exposed to microwave radiation. Ditto your favorite socks.
5. These cloth masks have not been tested for effectiveness, come with no guarantees, and are not substitutes for medical-grade masks. They are, however, just weird enough to keep the other crazies at least six feet away from you.
6. These cloth masks have been made to the best of my ability with the materials I had on hand or was able to obtain. They do not include filters of any kind.
7. THESE CLOTH MASKS ARE INTENDED TO BE USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH SOCIAL DISTANCING AND FREQUENT HAND WASHING AND COMMON FREAKING SENSE. Please. Pretty please.
8. Don’t touch the mask while wearing. Always remove by the straps as per CDC recommendations.
9. Not intended for use on ferrets, mermaids, or California condors. Don’t ask how I know this.

 

#MaskItOrCasket #OliviaBlacke