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 would be delighted to make anyone a mask if they would like them, please PM me! I'm sure anyone (or MNHQ!) won't think this was a stealth touting for sales thread as I'm not exactly a professional sewer (sewist?)

I have been begging my DC to ask their friends if they would like any, and I offered to make some for our local food bank but they didn't come back to me (hurtful ) I live in an area where masks will be compulsory in school communal areas so could offer to make a stock of black fabric ones for anyone who has forgetter or lost theirs. There are so many littered discarded disposable masks around here it makes me angry.

The irony is that people wearing face masks is a huge problem for my deaf DC ironic isn't it!

@Sewcialist YAYYY I don't have any fabric in mind but I love anything christmassy trees Santa himself lights anything. I'm so excited PM how much and everything. Will make a change from these horrible surgical ones I've got

I got an offcut of mickey mouse fabric from local fabric shop for 50p - enough to make 3 masks (being careful with pattern matching)...

I saw a lady yesterday with a black mask with I'm smiling embroidered on it in rainbow thread in a smile shape - such a nice idea.

Here's some I made earlier.
The pattern was free from Pinterest.

These are the masks I didn't give away. I keep making more to go with outfits, or just if I'm a bit bored. I also made DS a load of masks to take to Uni Halls, and a load for the food bank.
DS likes soft jersey fabric, DD likes cotton with ear loops, DH likes "snood" style masks, I like the shaped ones that tie round the back.

@pinkpetal2 I think I'm more excited than you are I shall look at fabric tomorrow and PM you?

Loving the photos of more masks! They all look so professional! I'm in awe of people that can do pleated masks as I can't seem to master the folds/sewing the folds. Funnily enough I hand sewed a few at the beginning and they looked better than the ones I tried to make on the sewing machine

@Sewcialist I am so excited I cannot wait to wear this

That's this weekend's production - I did try machine sewing pleated ones but they work much better hand-sewn.

They are lovely magpie I really like the banana fabric! I wonder why they are easier to hand sew (I found this too) is the thickness of the pleats in the material I wonder?

Pink I have PMed you, I can't seem to attach photos to it so I'll put them up here and PM me which ones you like?

If anyone else would like any please give me a shout, I'm honestly not trying to use MN to sell stuff (you can see I'm definitely an amateur ) as I'm not doing it to make a profit, I would only ask anyone to pay the postage and maybe a small bit towards the materials. It really gives me something nice to fill my time (I'm in a local lockdown area and in the extremely vulnerable group and I am so fucking fed up at home) and my local food bank didn't seem to want any of my masks! Clearly you are a much better sewist @InMySpareTime!

I also really really like Christmas and thinking of it cheers me up I'm thinking of making my DC some Halloween face masks and maybe a special birthday one for my DD's 18th. (The pulp fiction mask was for another DD who has been really poorly and it's her favourite film). If anyone has any other ideas, or photos I'd love to see them

I forgot the photos after all that there are five different types of fabric, and they are 100% cotton.

Thank you Sew! The banana one is for my younger son - his brother and father prefer plain boring ones... I've been wondering about Halloween masks too, need to find some good pumpkin fabric!

I've made a couple of pleated ones but found them really faffy, I've just seen a you tube video of one with a vertical pleat, it looked easier so I'm going to give it a go tomorrow, if and a big IF it looks decent I'll post a pic 😁.

They look fab!

Loving the bags! What a fab idea!

I have ones with the same pattern/ made same way iyswim? Have to admit my aunt made them!

I made lots of pleated ones at the start of lockdown. Hated sewing the pleats and making bias binding for ties, and I found a fitted design I liked, so started making fitted ones. I haven't bought any fabric, this was all stuff from my stash - I've done a bit of dressmaking and quilting previously, and save lots of old fabric too. Some of these are old curtains and skirts and worn out bed sheets.

These are my pleated ones (well, some of them).

Have had emails from the DCs schools.
DS1s school are making them compulsory in corridors but haven't said any rules on colours etc.
DS2s school have made them optional but they have to be plain, preferably school colours. Think ill make some plain some ones in case rules change at either school.
Actually DS2s school school colours are the same as Ravenclaw and he has Ravenclaw ones.

@ShinyMe lovely! I think we have the same vintage bedspread (bottom of the last photo) but mine is green. I was tempted to re-purpose it but my cat loves it too much

Really really enjoying seeing everyone's pics.

(The little bags have been really useful for lots of things, I've made some for DC to keep sanpro in their bags, and teeny ones for hearing aid batteries etc...)

I thunk my mum has that vintage duvet cover too. Although hers is purple

@thedishonthecoffeetable definitely need pics! I am sure they will be great.

I have sewn a load of plain black ones for school, with a stretchier jersey type fabric hoping they may be comfier for longer use (have to be worn on transport too). I am hoping teachers that want to wear face masks (which I understand) could wear the clear face visors so my DC can see their lips. I worry they won't understand their mates on buses/corridors and I know a lot of parents want DC to wear masks all school day so for my DC It's going to be really difficult to communicate, I know. It will be so isolating for them, but I do understand (as shielding category myself) people wanting to wear the masks. It's just a circle that can't be squared I think.

think this is why I'm distracting myself with the sewing...

The yellow floral one? I adore that fabric. It was my favourite duvet cover as a child. When I was back at my mum's a couple of years ago, she was sorting through the bedding cupboard and it was there - I was so excited she let me have it. It was no more good as a duvet as it had been washed so many times it was tearing at the sides. I have a big panel as the backing on a patchwork quilt, and I'm gradually using bits in various projects. I have about a 2m x 1m bit left, and need to work out what to do with it to make the best use of it. I'm very tempted by a black skirt with a border (maybe 10cm or so deep?) of the yellow along the bottom, and yellow pocket inserts and facings...

The dress was from Lady V so dont think is Cath Kidston fabric (and CK on my bad list after failing to refund me)

The wetsuit one Ive not worn and is quite thick. It was also a bugger to sew

I'd not even thought of Christmas...I have a couple of Christmas dresses I could pinch the belt off. Ive lined my masks with DS's old M+S extra soft vests, they are really comfy

I also do an Alice band to match form the belt fabric. I do get lots of positive comments

Elastic - wise: I've found that 1mm elastic is perfect for masks, I've tried 3 other widths in both round and flat and the 1mm is the best I've found. It doesn't pull your ears down and dig into that flesh behind your ears. And I say this as a glasses-wearer.

I thought I was all stocked up. Then I read 'food bank'. You lot are a bad influence

I did wonder if the food bank would take them. I'll have to ask. Luckily I'm friends with the co ordinator for my local one so I can just drop her a text.

I'm going in town tomorrow. I need plain cotton for school masks. Must resist everything else
I've been using round elastic from amazon. It's super soft. The same as the stuff on the blue disposable masks.

@ShinyMe that skirt sounds wonderful! I'm not making clothes until I lose weight.

I hate to be the one to put a downer on things, but I would be a bit concerned about the shaped masks. If they have a seam down the front that's a lot of holes isn't it?