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Post by flanz on Mar 20, 2020 20:59:27 GMT
Dear friends,
First of all, sincere thanks to all of you who have expressed interest in helping by sewing masks. As we've seen on my earlier thread, medical professionals are reaching out to their known sewists asking for help. The need is real.
I placed two online orders for 1/4" elastic last night. Best one (fastest delivery, best price) was on Overstock.com. 288 yards (not a typo) for $50 includes expedited shipping. Ordered on 3.19, due to arrive 3.25.
I had also ordered some on Amazon before I found the overstock deal. They have 70 yd spools at a great price, but earliest ship date to my address was April 9.
I think batik fabrics are the very best, as they are most densely woven. It's what I've seen recommended.
Locally our large quilt guild and our small modern guild... we're trying to figure out exactly how we want to proceed, but some of us have started sourcing things like the elastic.
PLEASE keep sharing any needs you hear of and any tips you may come across!
xo
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Deleted
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Aug 18, 2025 20:01:12 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Mar 20, 2020 21:27:48 GMT
I am not using elastic at all. I am only using 100% cotton twill to make ties. They are much more comfortable, they allow you to get the best fit with the mask, and it's easy to wash. My daughter in med school helped me with it today. It's wonderful. You can get 50 yds. of twill for about $9 on amazon.
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Post by lisae on Mar 20, 2020 21:30:39 GMT
I think batik fabrics are the very best, as they are most densely woven. It's what I've seen recommended. The problem with batik in my experience is that the dye often runs. It doesn't really matter how they look when they are washed but I wouldn't want all that dye in a wash with other masks. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 20, 2020 23:35:09 GMT
Is anyone making face masks with a "slot" for a removable filter? The polypropylene fabric used in the two middle layers of an N95 mask is very similar to what one will find in a vacuum bag or a Swiffer dry pad. It is those two layers of polypropylene that are electrically charged and do the majority of the work filtering the virus.
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Post by Basket1lady on Mar 21, 2020 0:16:22 GMT
One of the links posted last night called for 1/8” elastic cord, so I ordered some of that as well as 1/8” black (Amazon didn’t have it in white that would get it here next week). I’m ready when we find a source to use them!
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Post by elaine on Mar 21, 2020 0:18:50 GMT
Would it work to use a high thread count cotton sheet? The thread counts of sheets are often much higher than the cotton one buys by the yard at the fabric store. Would too high of a thread count be a problem?
One top sheet should be enough for quite a few masks.
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Post by dewryce on Mar 21, 2020 0:24:33 GMT
Is this something someone with minimal sewing experience could learn how to do? Surely someone will make a video once the exact needs are known? My machine, which I bought years ago to really learn how to sew with had tension issues out the gate, but I’m meeting my mom to exchange supplies we’ve gotten for each other (keeping our distance  ) and I could borrow hers. And are all supplies available online? We both have multiple high risk issues so we are going to work (he’s required), grocery and pharmacy only for the time being. |
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Post by elaine on Mar 21, 2020 0:45:33 GMT
Is this something someone with minimal sewing experience could learn how to do? Surely someone will make a video once the exact needs are known? My machine, which I bought years ago to really learn how to sew with had tension issues out the gate, but I’m meeting my mom to exchange supplies we’ve gotten for each other (keeping our distance  ) and I could borrow hers. And are all supplies available online? We both have multiple high risk issues so we are going to work (he’s required), grocery and pharmacy only for the time being. There is a video linked in the OP of one of flanz’s threads. |
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Post by dewryce on Mar 21, 2020 1:06:17 GMT
Is this something someone with minimal sewing experience could learn how to do? Surely someone will make a video once the exact needs are known? My machine, which I bought years ago to really learn how to sew with had tension issues out the gate, but I’m meeting my mom to exchange supplies we’ve gotten for each other (keeping our distance ) and I could borrow hers. And are all supplies available online? We both have multiple high risk issues so we are going to work (he’s required), grocery and pharmacy only for the time being. There is a video linked in the OP of one of flanz’s threads. Perfect, thanks! Do you think this is something a beginner can tackle? I know pretty isn’t important, but a good fit is. |
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Post by elaine on Mar 21, 2020 1:19:51 GMT
There is a video linked in the OP of one of flanz’s threads. Perfect, thanks! Do you think this is something a beginner can tackle? I know pretty isn’t important, but a good fit is. Yes, a beginner could definitely do it. The fit comes from the elastic ear loops. |
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Post by Lianna on Mar 21, 2020 1:25:10 GMT
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tincin
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,415
Jul 25, 2014 4:55:32 GMT
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Post by tincin on Mar 21, 2020 1:27:01 GMT
There is a video linked in the OP of one of flanz’s threads. Perfect, thanks! Do you think this is something a beginner can tackle? I know pretty isn’t important, but a good fit is. Yes, for sure. There are YouTube videos you can watch but basically you’re just sewing a rectangle. |
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Post by flanz on Mar 21, 2020 1:39:20 GMT
I think batik fabrics are the very best, as they are most densely woven. It's what I've seen recommended. The problem with batik in my experience is that the dye often runs. It doesn't really matter how they look when they are washed but I wouldn't want all that dye in a wash with other masks. I prewash all of my fabrics with color catchers and haven't had any bleeding in items using them. Have you? |
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Post by flanz on Mar 21, 2020 1:41:22 GMT
Perfect, thanks! Do you think this is something a beginner can tackle? I know pretty isn’t important, but a good fit is. Yes, for sure. There are YouTube videos you can watch but basically you’re just sewing a rectangle. The one's I'm seeing have tucks in them, not just plain rectangles, to hug the face better. But it is pretty basic. |
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tincin
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,415
Jul 25, 2014 4:55:32 GMT
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Post by tincin on Mar 21, 2020 3:29:51 GMT
Yes, for sure. There are YouTube videos you can watch but basically you’re just sewing a rectangle. The one's I'm seeing have tucks in them, not just plain rectangles, to hug the face better. But it is pretty basic. I’m doing the ones with tucks too but all a tuck is is a fold in the fabric. Nothing fancy about it. I made 10 today but I’m not 100% recovered from my surgeries so I had to stop. You shouldn’t have any issues |
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snugglebutter
Pearl Clutcher
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Post by snugglebutter on Mar 21, 2020 4:34:50 GMT
I just got an email from my local quilt store that they are offering curbside services. I may try that for twill or elastic.
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Post by flanz on Mar 21, 2020 4:52:37 GMT
The one's I'm seeing have tucks in them, not just plain rectangles, to hug the face better. But it is pretty basic. I’m doing the ones with tucks too but all a tuck is is a fold in the fabric. Nothing fancy about it. I made 10 today but I’m not 100% recovered from my surgeries so I had to stop. You shouldn’t have any issues Are you using the pattern that starts with 6x9" rectangles? Elastic or ties? Thanks, tincin! |
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Post by SAHM wannabe on Mar 21, 2020 5:03:51 GMT
I’m doing the ones with tucks too but all a tuck is is a fold in the fabric. Nothing fancy about it. I made 10 today but I’m not 100% recovered from my surgeries so I had to stop. You shouldn’t have any issues Are you using the pattern that starts with 6x9" rectangles? Elastic or ties? Thanks, tincin ! Here is the video tutorial from tincin's post about Deaconess Hospital putting out a call in another thread. The video is easy enough for a beginner to follow. Scroll to the bottom of the page. Face maskDeaconess has updated their page saying they have been overwhelmed with support and kindness. Great news. |
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Post by flanz on Mar 21, 2020 5:10:38 GMT
Are you using the pattern that starts with 6x9" rectangles? Elastic or ties? Thanks, tincin ! Here is the video tutorial from tincin's post about Deaconess Hospital putting out a call in another thread. The video is easy enough for a beginner to follow. Scroll to the bottom of the page. Face maskDeaconess has updated their page saying they have been overwhelmed with support and kindness. Great news. Thanks! That's the pattern I'm probably going to make, though I've been reading that the masks with fabric ties are more comfortable. Haven't been able to start yet. |
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Post by rune2484 on Mar 21, 2020 5:12:12 GMT
I am not using elastic at all. I am only using 100% cotton twill to make ties. They are much more comfortable, they allow you to get the best fit with the mask, and it's easy to wash. My daughter in med school helped me with it today. It's wonderful. You can get 50 yds. of twill for about $9 on amazon. this is fantastic - would you mind sharing a picture of your prototype? How long are your straps? |
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tincin
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,415
Jul 25, 2014 4:55:32 GMT
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Post by tincin on Mar 21, 2020 5:20:10 GMT
I’m doing the ones with tucks too but all a tuck is is a fold in the fabric. Nothing fancy about it. I made 10 today but I’m not 100% recovered from my surgeries so I had to stop. You shouldn’t have any issues Are you using the pattern that starts with 6x9" rectangles? Elastic or ties? Thanks, tincin! Yes I am. I’m using elastic. The police departments in my area are asking for them. |
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Deleted
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Aug 18, 2025 20:01:12 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Mar 21, 2020 9:28:57 GMT
I am not using elastic at all. I am only using 100% cotton twill to make ties. They are much more comfortable, they allow you to get the best fit with the mask, and it's easy to wash. My daughter in med school helped me with it today. It's wonderful. You can get 50 yds. of twill for about $9 on amazon. this is fantastic - would you mind sharing a picture of your prototype? How long are your straps? I cut 4 ties per mask at 20" per tie. I am using 1/2" twill. It's very soft, thin, and nice. I think they are a tad long for my face but a larger bow took care of that. I wore the one pictured below for about 30 minutes yesterday. VERY comfortable, didn't fall off the nose or gap at the chin. The bottom ties (down by the chin) actually go up on the head crossing over the tie at the back of the head. Really love it this way. Here is my first messy prototype. I will make the tucks a bit larger in my next ones. I also put the ties at the corner because I thought it might tie better. I am going to try another one with the ties just like a regular surgical mask.  Here is a video about tying a surgical mask. Start at 2 minutes in. I don't like it tied around my neck so mine I put above and loved it! www.youtube.com/watch?v=9VbojLOQe94 |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 21, 2020 10:42:16 GMT
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 21, 2020 11:32:17 GMT
Is anyone making face masks with a "slot" for a removable filter? The polypropylene fabric used in the two middle layers of an N95 mask is very similar to what one will find in a vacuum bag or a Swiffer dry pad. It is those two layers of polypropylene that are electrically charged and do the majority of the work filtering the virus. What is the pattern for this kind? @patter I so appreciate all this info! I’m trying prototypes for different kinds today. I’ll be making for locals who need them. |
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Coffee Mom
Full Member
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Dec 18, 2018 0:16:30 GMT
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Post by Coffee Mom on Mar 21, 2020 12:05:31 GMT
Thanks for the info about the ties! My biggest concern is, would they get all knotted and make a huge “mess” when washed all together? (Thinking medical setting) I was wondering if that’s why the Deaconess had the elastic tutorial? The ties totally look comfy tho and I’m sure fit way better, especially for anyone who wears glasses or other eye protection.
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Post by lisae on Mar 21, 2020 12:19:05 GMT
The problem with batik in my experience is that the dye often runs. It doesn't really matter how they look when they are washed but I wouldn't want all that dye in a wash with other masks. I prewash all of my fabrics with color catchers and haven't had any bleeding in items using them. Have you? I hand wash the most suspect fabrics - batik, dark purples, reds, etc and have had quite a bit to run. However, I don't have that many batiks. I avoid them for this reason so perhaps it is just the ones I've had. If you prewash, I think you could use them fine. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 21, 2020 12:38:38 GMT
Thanks for the info about the ties! My biggest concern is, would they get all knotted and make a huge “mess” when washed all together? (Thinking medical setting) I was wondering if that’s why the Deaconess had the elastic tutorial? The ties totally look comfy tho and I’m sure fit way better, especially for anyone who wears glasses or other eye protection. I can see how that would be a concern. I would suggest gathering the ties together, and very loosely knotting them before putting in the wash. I am trying to make my own pattern today using the ties and taking bits and pieces of what I like from other patterns. I don't like something about every pattern I have seen. I am picky. LOL! So, once I get it together today, I will share. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 21, 2020 17:44:43 GMT
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) and I could borrow hers. And are all supplies available online? We both have multiple high risk issues so we are going to work (he’s required), grocery and pharmacy only for the time being.
) and I could borrow hers. And are all supplies available online? We both have multiple high risk issues so we are going to work (he’s required), grocery and pharmacy only for the time being.
