April 11th, 2020, 6:24 pm
I have no idea if any of you are making your own masks or if it is easier just to purchase them online
However, I have come up with a new (and easier) design than the one I posted a few nights ago.
So, no pleats, but still a good fit and also - it now has a pocket that closes with small metal snaps, where you can put a piece of extra protective fabric inside.
I happen to have a supply of sterile surgical drapes on hand and these will be very good cut into 6x7 blocks and inserted into the mask.
So, in case you or someone who cares about you are sewing masks, here are the basic instructions.
1) Cut a piece of cotton fabric (normal cloth, not jersey or flannel) 10 (12 for Large)* x 14 (inches).
2) Turn up the 10 (12 L) inch side edges 1/2 an inch, iron and stitch (just turning up the raw edges and hemming here).
3) Fold in half - right sides together (e.g. the outside of the fabric is facing in) and stitch 1/2 inch seams along the 7 inch sides. (you can do 1/4 inch seams if you are skilled in sewing, but it is not necessary).
4) You now have a 7 (height) x 10 (12 L) (width) inch block.
5) Turn the block inside out, so the right side is now on the outside.
6) Place the block so that the bottom is the open edge (where you did the hemming), and stitch the front and back together 3 inches in each from outer edge towards center, using a 1/4 or 1/2 inch seam - this will leave a 4 inch slot at the center where you can fit the extra protective layer inside later on.
7) Add one or two metal snaps evenly spaced to close that slot. Hand stitch these.
8) Cut two strips of fabric 2 x 30 inches long for the ties. Fold in half (so now 1 x 30) and iron. Turn the raw edges in 1/2 inch each and iron.
9) Sew the ties with 1/2 or 1/4 inch seam, so raw edges are folded in nicely.
10) Return to the mask and sew pockets for the ties on either side - just turn the fabric in by 1 inch and use a 1/4 or 1/2 inch seam.
11) Insert ties into the pockets. Now they will adjust very well to fit your face and the desired height of the mask.
12) You are good to go!
* For proper sizing - take a piece of string and measure from mid cheekbone to mid cheekbone, across your nose and then add 2 inches). This is the width you should start with and the finished mask will be about 2.5 inches narrower than that.
If anyone really is trying this and you have questions, please feel free to post here. I can explain further, take pictures of my work, and draw diagrams to help you. The ironing is really important here, so do not be lazy. You all iron your dress shirts (unless you send them out to the pros), so you can handle this!
And if you are buying your masks from Armani, - you are looking cool and staying safe at the same time. : )
**
How to pull a mask tie through the pocket - use a safety pin and a stiff plastic or wire tie (that come with computer gear sometimes).