Mask making adventures

You're a quilter.  So obviously you get asked to hem pants, sew on buttons and...make masks!  How many have you made?

If you don't want to make masks this Sunbury business is selling ready made 5 ply filter masks.  You can buy online or at Autobarn, IGA and other stores.  I've heard that they're only good for about five washes and may need adjusting to fit you but they're an excellent standby mask and it's good to support our local businesses. 

 Here's one I adjusted to fit.  I made a "bra extender" at the back so that the elastic fits around the back of your head.  If you like the elastic around your ears but it's too large it's probably best to pinch it smaller where the elastic comes out of the mask and tack it with a few stitches.  Some people have tied knots in the elastic but I imagine that's uncomfortable to wear for long.  I also added a nose adjuster.  It's simply a strip of bias binding sewn to make a tunnel and I shoved pipe cleaner inside the tunnel.

Kay has been busy making masks for her village. So far Kay has made over 200 masks and is selling them for $5 each with proceeds going to MND Victoria.  I'm sure Kay would be happy to share her pattern with you and may even make you one or two.  Please don't kill me Kay!

I've tried about 5 different patterns and have adjusted just about all of them and thrown out several!  Robyn has been making these face masks.  She said that they're easy to make but you have to choose the right sized plate for your face!  There are lots of other mask making videos on YouTube. Someone, who will remain nameless, made lots of these dinner plate masks for herself and her husband and was so annoyed she spat the dummy and is making no more.  

Oh look!  I see Judy has used Tom's favourite coffee fabric!

I went to Lincraft for a pattern for hospital scrubs for a friend not long after the announcement that we all had to wear masks from Thursday.  I stood in the queue to pay for my pattern for over an hour!  Everyone and his dog had rushed to buy fabric to make their own masks!  Unfortunately when I got home I didn't put my pattern away.  I QUEUED FOR OVER AN HOUR!!!

The dog is still alive.

This pattern is great for smaller faces.  The instructions are very chaotic because there has been so many updates and adjustments but the pattern itself is neat.

I tied making the pattern originally published on the official health page and it was useless.  I don't suggest anyone tries that one unless they've updated the pattern.  There's lots of useful advice on what fabrics to use and washing instructions though.

I also tried making a biker style scarf mask.  It looked good on the pictures and videos but didn't work at all for my face.  I can see, however, that it could be a good style for some people so you could try it if you have some time on your hands. 

This mask is my favourite fit and I imagine you could rob a few banks wearing one like it.  I don't encourage you to do that though!  It has instructions for all kinds of elastics and ties which is useful.  I altered this one by lowering the fabric under my eyes.  I find it's quite helpful to be able to see. 

Elastic is in short supply so if you can't get hold of them, or don't find wearing them comfortable, ties are a great option.

I used laces with toggles which eliminates the tying part and is quick to put on.  You're likely to lose a bit of hair though.

Bias binding ties.

One tie threaded through a channel.  You only have to tie one knot at the neck.

I made these masks for my daughter and her wife.  They claim they don't fit properly and won't be able to wear them.  A likely story!  They brought me fabric to make more.  One of the fabrics features burgers and hot dogs and the other features spaceships.  I'm not sure how hot dogs on your face is any less weird than having lips and a moustache but there's no accounting for taste!

     My sister in law told me that it looked as though I had a pair of knickers on my head when she saw a picture of me in a mask.  Clearly she doesn't know her knickers from her masks!

Happy mask making!