Deleted
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Jun 21, 2024 5:11:10 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 23, 2020 23:33:05 GMT
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Post by gale w on May 23, 2020 23:59:15 GMT
I got some of that garden wire tie and because of the rubbery outside, it's hard to push into the casing. Also, it's a bit too bulky with my glasses.
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TheOtherMeg
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,541
Jun 25, 2014 20:58:14 GMT
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Post by TheOtherMeg on May 24, 2020 0:01:23 GMT
Friends & I have been making masks for the seniors in the area and were asked back in early April to stop adding the t-shirt layer and just make them two layers of cotton/quilt fabric. (With or without a pocket; some facilities didn't care which they received.) The t-shirt/shop towel layer was making the masks too difficult to breathe through and was actually measurably lowering many people's O2 levels. They are also hot to wear.
Now that we're out a bit, I'm seeing a LOT of people wearing masks below their nose because they find breathing through the masks arduous.
New guidelines (around here, at least) are supporting the idea that a comfortable mask worn often and properly beats a "fancy" mask that won't be worn or is worn improperly. I did have to make new masks for my mom for this reason. At 91yo, she just didn't like wearing a 3-layer (4 with filter) mask. She's healthy and active, but she is 91!
Removing the t-shirt/shop towel layer still stops the droplet-sized contagions if not the viral-sized particles. It just may be a trade-off that has be made to get more people to wear masks.
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TheOtherMeg
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,541
Jun 25, 2014 20:58:14 GMT
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Post by TheOtherMeg on May 24, 2020 0:02:34 GMT
I got some of that garden wire tie and because of the rubbery outside, it's hard to push into the casing. Also, it's a bit too bulky with my glasses. I slide the rubber tie down a wide straw into the slot, then pull the straw out. I send a straw & stick (for pushing the tie) with each mask.
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TheOtherMeg
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,541
Jun 25, 2014 20:58:14 GMT
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Post by TheOtherMeg on May 24, 2020 0:04:08 GMT
No, I hadn't seen those! I wonder when they started selling them. Thank you very much!!
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Post by Patter on May 24, 2020 12:54:05 GMT
Friends & I have been making masks for the seniors in the area and were asked back in early April to stop adding the t-shirt layer and just make them two layers of cotton/quilt fabric. (With or without a pocket; some facilities didn't care which they received.) The t-shirt/shop towel layer was making the masks too difficult to breathe through and was actually measurably lowering many people's O2 levels. They are also hot to wear. Now that we're out a bit, I'm seeing a LOT of people wearing masks below their nose because they find breathing through the masks arduous. New guidelines (around here, at least) are supporting the idea that a comfortable mask worn often and properly beats a "fancy" mask that won't be worn or is worn improperly. I did have to make new masks for my mom for this reason. At 91yo, she just didn't like wearing a 3-layer (4 with filter) mask. She's healthy and active, but she is 91! Removing the t-shirt/shop towel layer still stops the droplet-sized contagions if not the viral-sized particles. It just may be a trade-off that has be made to get more people to wear masks. Yes, I have seen a LOT of people wearing them below their nose. Drives me insane but they can't breathe. I have never done the pocket or triple+ layers. I do use the flannel for my personal ones inside. I can breathe through it, and it's softer on my skin. I like it. For the thousands that we have made for local hospitals, doctor's offices, our church, and nursing facilities, we just did the two cotton layers. We do have some made with flannel but people can choose to take that one or not.
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Post by worrywart on May 24, 2020 15:06:23 GMT
Any suggestions of size of beads? I have some thin elastic (like surgical masks) and some 1/8" flat but not sure what size bead would work best?
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TheOtherMeg
Pearl Clutcher
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Jun 25, 2014 20:58:14 GMT
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Post by TheOtherMeg on May 24, 2020 15:42:13 GMT
Any suggestions of size of beads? I have some thin elastic (like surgical masks) and some 1/8" flat but not sure what size bead would work best? On Amazon in the review section for a huge bag of Pony Beads, there are mentions they work great for adjusting mask straps.
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Deleted
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Jun 21, 2024 5:11:10 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 27, 2020 2:36:11 GMT
I ordered another spool of elastic and received knit elastic. While it's softer, I'm afraid that it will fray easily and am debating whether to return it. Has anyone tried using knit vs braided elastic?
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Post by Patter on May 27, 2020 10:44:02 GMT
I enclosed a note with the masks I made and in it, I mentioned that the ear elastics are adjustable and to adjust, hold the bead and pull on the elastics. I didn't have any questions about it so I guess it works. I use the single tie on my own. since I used the casing method I just put the two elastics through the bead (after putting the elastic through the casing) and then tied a knot on the end of each one. But the method shown in the video looks pretty good too. For adjustable elastic, how long are you cutting the elastic piece?
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Deleted
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Jun 21, 2024 5:11:10 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 27, 2020 15:11:02 GMT
I enclosed a note with the masks I made and in it, I mentioned that the ear elastics are adjustable and to adjust, hold the bead and pull on the elastics. I didn't have any questions about it so I guess it works. I use the single tie on my own. since I used the casing method I just put the two elastics through the bead (after putting the elastic through the casing) and then tied a knot on the end of each one. But the method shown in the video looks pretty good too. For adjustable elastic, how long are you cutting the elastic piece? I’ve been cutting them 7 inches for masks with no channels, but I think it also depends how wide the mask is. My masks sit close to the ear. I do the single bead like gale w and knot and burn each end. I don’t like the double bead method as the second bead dangles and makes the wearer look like she/he has earrings on. I’ve now settled on the Olson pattern and have adjusted it so that the elastic comes out from the side vs the top and bottom of a channel. It’s a little more difficult to tack on, but I find that the mask sits nicer against the face. With a channel, my 1/4” elastic would cause the channel to turn vs sit flush against the face.
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Deleted
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Jun 21, 2024 5:11:10 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 27, 2020 15:15:50 GMT
worrywart I have wooden pony beads and just ordered a bag of clear plastic ones to see if they will work with the 1/4” elastic. I’ll follow up when they arrive, but have a feeling the holes will be too large to use with the thin surgical mask type elastic you have.
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Gravity
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Jun 27, 2014 0:29:55 GMT
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Post by Gravity on May 27, 2020 17:09:07 GMT
I ordered another spool of elastic and received knit elastic. While it's softer, I'm afraid that it will fray easily and am debating whether to return it. Has anyone tried using knit vs braided elastic? I have been using "elastic" strips cut from spandex leotard material. It washes up nice and has not frayed or stretched out. It's very comfortable too. I bought it on Etsy.
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TheOtherMeg
Pearl Clutcher
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Jun 25, 2014 20:58:14 GMT
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Post by TheOtherMeg on May 27, 2020 17:37:11 GMT
worrywart I have wooden pony beads and just ordered a bag of clear plastic ones to see if they will work with the 1/4” elastic. I’ll follow up when they arrive, but have a feeling the holes will be too large to use with the thin surgical mask type elastic you have. My Pony beads have arrived and the hole is too large for 1/8" elastic, even when doubled through. I think it would work for 1/4", though. ETA The beads work with the black 1/8" but not the white 1/8"!
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Post by gale w on May 27, 2020 17:39:00 GMT
I enclosed a note with the masks I made and in it, I mentioned that the ear elastics are adjustable and to adjust, hold the bead and pull on the elastics. I didn't have any questions about it so I guess it works. I use the single tie on my own. since I used the casing method I just put the two elastics through the bead (after putting the elastic through the casing) and then tied a knot on the end of each one. But the method shown in the video looks pretty good too. For adjustable elastic, how long are you cutting the elastic piece? For the side casing method I cut them 12". It does depend on the overall width of the mask though. I'm using the AB mask pattern. Obviously longer is better than shorter in any case.
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Post by Patter on May 27, 2020 17:52:30 GMT
Thanks seasidemermaid and gale w . I am going to go with 12" and single bead. We still do not prefer the elastic; however, in certain instances (like getting a haircut), elastic is needed. I did a curbside pickup today of pony beads from Michaels. They work great with my elastic. I also have taken about 3 or 4 patterns and made my own. I did it over the last month as trying to fit daughter with the best mask for her.
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Deleted
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Jun 21, 2024 5:11:10 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 27, 2020 18:17:49 GMT
Patter if you go for ear loops, try and find a pattern that narrows/tapers towards the sides. I found that if it's too wide, it will gape. I had that problem with quite a few patterns and finally settled on the Olson one. I have a small face so printing it 85% worked well for me.
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Post by Patter on May 27, 2020 22:06:56 GMT
Patter if you go for ear loops, try and find a pattern that narrows/tapers towards the sides. I found that if it's too wide, it will gape. I had that problem with quite a few patterns and finally settled on the Olson one. I have a small face so printing it 85% worked well for me. My new pattern is only 2 1/2" on the sides with a casing. Thanks!
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Post by elaine on May 27, 2020 22:20:41 GMT
I got some of that garden wire tie and because of the rubbery outside, it's hard to push into the casing. Also, it's a bit too bulky with my glasses. I had ordered some of the foam covered garden wire and found it too bulky to use too, so I’m back to pipe cleaners in a covered slot that allows the wire to be removed for washing. It is more work, but it works best for me.
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Post by Basket1lady on May 27, 2020 23:21:17 GMT
For adjustable elastic, how long are you cutting the elastic piece? For the side casing method I cut them 12". It does depend on the overall width of the mask though. I'm using the AB mask pattern. Obviously longer is better than shorter in any case. Wow! I made over 200 of the AB masks and am cutting the elastic 7.75” for “small” (women) sizing and 8” for men. DD went shopping yesterday for clothes (they lost her bag with almost all the clothing she owns) and wore one of the masks. She liked it because it doesn’t slip down when she talks, but said the elastic was still a little large. She’s pretty thin, but isn’t petite (she’s 5’10”). I do need to check the size of her mask. I printed off another pattern because mine was pretty worn out. The creator resized the masks to about 1/2” smaller in width, so I need to measure the mask DD was wearing to see if it was the revised pattern or not.
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Post by gale w on May 27, 2020 23:57:31 GMT
For the side casing method I cut them 12". It does depend on the overall width of the mask though. I'm using the AB mask pattern. Obviously longer is better than shorter in any case. Wow! I made over 200 of the AB masks and am cutting the elastic 7.75” for “small” (women) sizing and 8” for men. DD went shopping yesterday for clothes (they lost her bag with almost all the clothing she owns) and wore one of the masks. She liked it because it doesn’t slip down when she talks, but said the elastic was still a little large. She’s pretty thin, but isn’t petite (she’s 5’10”). I do need to check the size of her mask. I printed off another pattern because mine was pretty worn out. The creator resized the masks to about 1/2” smaller in width, so I need to measure the mask DD was wearing to see if it was the revised pattern or not. That's with a casing on the sides? Or are you sewing the elastic pieces in between the mask layers? I tried a 10" piece on my own because it was all I had left while I was waiting on an order, and it was tight.
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Post by Basket1lady on May 28, 2020 11:55:16 GMT
Wow! I made over 200 of the AB masks and am cutting the elastic 7.75” for “small” (women) sizing and 8” for men. DD went shopping yesterday for clothes (they lost her bag with almost all the clothing she owns) and wore one of the masks. She liked it because it doesn’t slip down when she talks, but said the elastic was still a little large. She’s pretty thin, but isn’t petite (she’s 5’10”). I do need to check the size of her mask. I printed off another pattern because mine was pretty worn out. The creator resized the masks to about 1/2” smaller in width, so I need to measure the mask DD was wearing to see if it was the revised pattern or not. That's with a casing on the sides? Or are you sewing the elastic pieces in between the mask layers? I tried a 10" piece on my own because it was all I had left while I was waiting on an order, and it was tight. Ha! Good point. I’m sewing the elastic into the mask—no casing. I meant to say that, but forgot to in my post. I was trying to point out that it really varies from design to design. Thanks for catching that!
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Deleted
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Jun 21, 2024 5:11:10 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jun 2, 2020 16:57:03 GMT
Is anyone using wonder clips to hold their pieces together before sewing? I’m so tired of being stuck by pins and am thinking of ordering some. If you use clips, do you have any of the knockoffs?
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Post by Basket1lady on Jun 2, 2020 20:32:11 GMT
Is anyone using wonder clips to hold their pieces together before sewing? I’m so tired of being stuck by pins and am thinking of ordering some. If you use clips, do you have any of the knockoffs? I’m using them. I’m making the AB masks and using pins on the pleats as the clips for the binding. I find it easier to get close to the pleats with pins, as the clips are about 1/4” wide. I ordered some knock offs for my step mom and they’re horrible—very stiff and hard to squeeze open. But I did buy the Clover clips with a coupon from JoAnn’s or Michael’s.
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Deleted
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Jun 21, 2024 5:11:10 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jun 2, 2020 20:40:40 GMT
Thank you Basket1lady . You've confirmed my suspicion that I should just order the Clover brand vs. knock off.
ETA: If anyone needs to order any, Amazon has a pretty decent price on 50 assorted color wonder clips for $15.39 right now. Search Clover 3183.
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Post by crazy4scraps on Jun 2, 2020 21:03:49 GMT
Is anyone using wonder clips to hold their pieces together before sewing? I’m so tired of being stuck by pins and am thinking of ordering some. If you use clips, do you have any of the knockoffs? I’m using them. I’m making the AB masks and using pins on the pleats as the clips for the binding. I find it easier to get close to the pleats with pins, as the clips are about 1/4” wide. I ordered some knock offs for my step mom and they’re horrible—very stiff and hard to squeeze open. But I did buy them with a coupon from JoAnn’s or Michael’s. This is what I’ve done too. It’s easier to iron the pleats if they’re pinned in place. I had to get some pins with glass heads that wouldn’t melt under the iron. The clips are better for holding the binding in place for sewing. I found some name brand clips at Tuesday Morning quite a while ago for really cheap.
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TheOtherMeg
Pearl Clutcher
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Jun 25, 2014 20:58:14 GMT
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Post by TheOtherMeg on Jun 2, 2020 21:20:44 GMT
Update on using pony beads & elastic for adjustable earloops. I had two types of 1/8" elastic and didn't realize it. My black elastic is the regular kind and it works great with 9mm Darice and Little Maker (Joann brand, no bead size on package) pony beads. Pretty sure 9mm is the common size for pony beads. FYI Along with various mixed-color themes and other single-color packs, Little Maker has clear, deep purple, and dark grey in single-color packs, but black apparently only comes mixed with white. The 1/8" white elastic I have is knit and >just< lighter than 1/8" regular elastic, so it slips through the beads with too much room. Alas, it's not suitable for using with the pony beads. ETA There might be some variance with brands, though! The difference between the regular elastic and knit elastic was pretty close, but it was enough to make the bead system not work in my case. The people I've given these adjustable earloop masks to have LOVED them. It's a relief knowing that I can remove at least one bit of guesswork re the sizing of masks being given to folks I can't measure myself. It also allows people to tighten up the elastic if it becomes floopy with age/repeated washing/whatever. Thank you all for posting these great tips! Between the adjustable earloops and the nose bridges that seasidemermaid turned me on to, my masks have definitely gone to the next level.
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Post by Basket1lady on Jun 2, 2020 21:30:25 GMT
I’m using them. I’m making the AB masks and using pins on the pleats as the clips for the binding. I find it easier to get close to the pleats with pins, as the clips are about 1/4” wide. I ordered some knock offs for my step mom and they’re horrible—very stiff and hard to squeeze open. But I did buy them with a coupon from JoAnn’s or Michael’s. This is what I’ve done too. It’s easier to iron the pleats if they’re pinned in place. I had to get some pins with glass heads that wouldn’t melt under the iron. The clips are better for holding the binding in place for sewing. I found some name brand clips at Tuesday Morning quite a while ago for really cheap. For the pleats, I made a paper jig that makes making the pleats so quick and easy. Print off another pattern and fold the pleats into the paper pattern. I used 24 lb paper, which is just a little heavier than regular copy paper, but regular weight paper would be ok. I’ve not tried card stock weight paper. I line the mask up to the pattern and tuck the fabric into the paper pleats, then iron while it’s still in the paper. Then pin it. Attachments:
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TheOtherMeg
Pearl Clutcher
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Jun 25, 2014 20:58:14 GMT
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Post by TheOtherMeg on Jun 2, 2020 21:34:23 GMT
Re length of elastic, I"m using a pattern with casing (so the elastic can be cut out and replaced if there's a problem down the road) and I cut the elastic 9.5" for small adult masks, 10.5" for medium, and 11.5" for large.
I was making only masks with ties, so I really haven't made very many with earloops yet (comparatively speaking).
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 2, 2020 21:47:19 GMT
beachgurl, I'm still using up the elastic I have and haven't tried the knit yet. However, from the feel, it is a much softer elastic so I imagine more comfortable on the ears. I have the 1/4" size and just tried it with a pony bead and while it doesn't fit as snug as the braided version, it still seems to hold.
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