AIBU to ask if anyone would like to share pics of their home made face masks?

[Sewcialist]

(NCed for this thread as it's quite identifying)

I just wondered if anyone was up for a thread of showing face masks they have made? I am a total novice and I know these are a bit wobbly and the seams are a bit uneven but I am quite proud of them and my DC seem to like them - some patterns are specific requests from them eg leopard and zebra print.

I have already spent a fortune on fabric but would like some new ideas and to see what other people have made? It might cheer us all up in what is a bit of a shit time maybe...

I meant to say these are selected highlights - I have a lot of time on my hands Also I have been making teeny matching bags so they aren't shoved in a pocket or bag.

They look really good to me- I love the cat mask. The little bags are cute too! I have no sewing skills at all so have bought mine online.

Ah thank you :) I bought some on Etsy too but then wanted to make my own - I have lots of cat ones and lots of Miffy ones

Your masks are lovely, I haven't made my own as I wouldn't know where to start but my nan has made me some really nice ones.

I've seen people with matching masks and hair scrunchies which I liked too.

They are lovely.
I must have made about 20. Adult daughter and I like pretty ones. Dh likes elastic going round the back of his head and they have to be big and prefers the pleated style. Adult son prefers elastic at the ears but needs large ones. I also made a few for others.
I must iron mine to take a photo. I have several styles and we all have clean ones in the cars, daughter and I always carry one in our bags and there is usually some in the wash and I have 2 hooks near the door with a supply on both .

I recently made a new batch.

I agree that elastic around the back of the head is much more comfortable. Also it means you pull the mask down & it stays around your neck like a bandana so it is mug less likely to get lost.

Ooh matching scrunchies, that is a nice idea.

I don't iron my masks or anything  apart from pressing seams etc when I'm sewing them! Please do post a photo @Cryalot2! I made some pleated ones but found them harder to sew and struggled a bit. The shaped ones are luckily preferred by DCs and DH as I can make them to fit their faces. Also some DCs wear hearing aids/glasses so I've fiddled with the loops to make them easier to wear and some have ribbon ties around the head too. I've also made some masks with clear panels for lip reading but it's difficult to prevent them steaming up so wasn't really a go-er. (I'm worrying a lot about masks for this reason and strangely sewing them is proving a good distraction. Quite ironic)

I don't have pictures of most of mine but here's a couple. I do have one with a matching head band

I've only made the pleated ones as the shaped ones look quite tricky - are they worth a go?

I find the shaped ones easier as you don't have think folds of fabric to see. I do three layers and lining it all up with the right sides facing the right way is a bit of a brain waggle though!

Oh they are lovely - love Hello Kitty. It would match my HK shoes

The shaped ones are really easy to make, IMO. There are lots of patterns/templates on the internet and You Tube videos to watch. I just printed out a template, ran one up and adjusted it for different faces/ears etc. I cut up an old sheet for practice so I didn't waste fabric. (Some of my masks/bags are old IKEA bedding!)

I couldn't do the pleated ones, the folds were too fiddly. Although I did try whilst I still had bandages on 2 fingers.
Some of mine are double sided so I don't get bored of the same fabric
DS2 likes a different style to DS1 and me (the Ravenclaw one is DS1s) and I had to adjust the sizing on the ones I make DS1 and me because we prefer more coverage. Sometimes trying to make them double sided means I mess up the channels for elastic (I want it to be replaceable as it looses its stretch) and I'm having issues with nose wires.
I hadn't used a sewing machine for 20 years until now

Ahhh brilliant pics! I haven't got any photos of mine (mine are the rectangular pleated type rather than the shaped ones). Sadly the most popular ones have been the black ones (boring sods!) although I've also figured out how to make scrunchies so DD has ones that match her masks

It's definitely improved my sewing skills, I'd only really made curtains or hemmed trousers before.

I'm just about to break out the glow in the dark fabric for the darker nights this stuff

Mine are a combination of fat quarters that I bought for nothing in particular and old fabric from my mums sewing box. Some stuff she made my clothes from in the 80s and 90s, including red check that was my school summer dress. Some was actually fabric my Grandma had made her own dresses from. And old bedding that was ripped and hadn't made it as far as the rag man.

I made my mask from an old striped Paul Smith shirt of my husband’s.

The face mask in the bottom right hand photo of the third pic you posted, is that a map? I am obsessed with maps and have a cushion and that looks very, very similar. I think you may have inspired my new mask!

GLOW IN THE DARK FABRIC I shouldn't have started this thread

I do different linings on some of them, I've tried some with silk lining as masks seem to be contributing to facial spots, but I don't think it makes too much of a difference. Bit nicer to wear maybe.

Yes I've never had a sewing machine until last month either! I also did a lot of hemming and clothes alteration but by hand (I'm very short and like vintage clothing). Having a machine is wonderful. I like being able to replace the elastic too. I bought a ballpoint bodkin which makes it so easy. I don't use nose wire as I thought it may be too much with hearing aids and glasses but might investigate.

I'm planning to start making some clothes too and might start a separate thread for advice on this.

Yes, it's a world map fabric (at the request of one DD!) it's more a linen weight of fabric than cotton so was quite tricky. DD likes it, I might make some more in different fabric.

After I've bought the glow in the dark fabric

First one I made to match my dress by cutting up the belt, second one is from DS's old wetsuit and the third an old vest if DS's

Oh and if anyone is still wanting to make masks, if you search EBay for 'soft elastic' you got really nice stuff similar to that in disposable masks

Oh that's so pretty old! Is it Cath Kidston fabric? I love matching stuff. I'm trying to get hold of some fabric with moomins on to match my tattoos and shoes and handbag and skirt but it's all very expensive.

How easy is the wetsuit fabric to breathe through @Oldraver?

@sewcialist do you not find your glasses steam up without a nose wire? I'm also planning to try and make clothes. Madebyjacksmum has some lovely patterns Which I'm going to try.

I really want a Christmas one I hate masks but I would wear a silly Christmas one. Could anyone make me one? Will obviously pay for it and postage

@pinkpetal2

Plenty to choose from on Etsy

www.etsy.com/market/christmas_mask

@ImNotWhoYouThinkIam they don't seem to, the masks are quite tight fitting to the bridge of the nose which maybe helps?

@pinkpetal2 I would LOVE to make you a Christmas mask! Do you have fabric in mind?

I was going to make some Christmas (and Halloween) ones anyway so i won't charge apart from postage btw.

@Sewcialist

You may find yourself inundated with requests!

My Etsy link wasn't implying that yours aren't lovely btw just chucking a bit of inspiration out there.

I like the Nightmare Before Christmas ones.