Sewing your own mask!

[Seventyone72seventy3]

Has anyone done this? Yes, I know it's probably not very effective but everyone is wearing them to shop where I am but I can't get hold of one for love nor money...

@steff13 We were all told that to begin with. I can see why they might think that initially, especially if the masks don't fit good. The ones I've made are very well fitting and don't move at all (granted I've only tried it out in the house for a bit) but tbh, there isn't much of my face left to touch when it's on.

I do think they didn't want masks to become the new toilet roll so wanted to make sure they got them to the right people first before the vipers stockpiled masks too.

Actually the advice in this country is not to wear a mask because they’re worried it will make us complacent and forget social distancing.

Three layer masks of cotton can help. Not prevent but help. Keeping two metres helps not prevents too.

If you do both and stay cautious about distancing and face touching while wearing your mask it is far better than no mask. Stops some spread by you and to you.

Must be at least double layer though preferably triple

Don’t buy the medical ones. Leave them for front line staff

What I said above is info I received from family in countries that do wear masks. We should be encouraging it (with strong advice to keep other measures up)

My resounds was mainly to early posts. Seen some good tips from later ones now. Thank you!

How are you getting on with it OP? I'm finding it a therapeutic hobby now :D. Amazing what boredom can do.

I made a few concertina models with ear elastic and three different sizes of what I call ram’s head masks with a pocket for a paper towel filter and two rows of elastic. All in tightly woven, bleachable white cotton.

My elastic is flat, not round which would be more comfortable. DH’s ear cartilage is really soft so he needs rows of elastic. The concertina ones attract the fewest “What is she wearing?!” glances.

However, two days ago we got a buzz on the interphone. It was the Protezione Civile (Italy) issuing us with the regulation number of two (!) reusable cotton masks. I’ll put a photo, but they’re made of granny knicker fabric!!

Supposedly they can be bleach washed at 90 for 200 times before they lose their (70%?) droplet shielding efficiency.
So we’re using those.

Made in Italy!

Lots of evidence to suggest any protection is better than none

If you are an imbicile and wear a mask but use your phone in the supermarket so be it. Some studies found a covering stops 30% of particles. Better than nothing. Also with a symptomatic carriers it may reduce transmission when coughing and sneezing. I hate this venom that they shouldn’t be used.

Sgtmajormummy If your DH finds the ear elastics uncomfortable, you can make a strap to go round the back of the head that hooks onto them.

How are you getting on with it OP?
Progress is slow as I had to order some elastic which has just arrived - will get back to it. I also ordered two masks on Etsy which arrived this morning and are actually nicer than anything I am probably going to make.

@Sgtmajormummy Protezione Civile hasn't brought any masks around for us yet! I read somewhere that they are only going to bring one per family anyway so I'd better get sewing.

If you are an imbicile and wear a mask but use your phone in the supermarket so be it. @Davincitoad

It is possible to clean your phone and not be an imbecile, I carry a little spray bottle of Isopropyl alcohol and although I haven't used my phone in the supermarket, I would spray my hands before using it and if I had a forgetful moment then I would just clean the phone and my hands afterwards.

Is using phones the new wearing gloves? Anyone using them must be an imbecile who doesn't understand how to do it safely?

Homemadeonourhomestead on Youtube has a tutorial for a mask w

A mask with ties not elastic. Three fabric thickness and eady to make.

knicker elastic is a great idea! I've some undies that I definitely wouldn't want to be run uber by a bus in.

@Seventyone72seventy3
The Protezione Civile is shit hot here in Friuli. People I know are reserve staff and can ask for paid leave of absence from work in the case of earthquakes etc. The Gemona earthquake (76?) and the dam burst in Vayont (40s) are still commemorated.
The Prot. Civile have been patrolling the streets in Land Rovers with loudspeakers playing the Mayor’s voice urging us to stay indoors (1984 came to mind) and they’re marshaling the new drive-through testing centre I noticed on my shopping trip yesterday.
It’s what they’ve been practising for and now the day has come. Fair play to them!

About masks.
We were given two masks per family unit. There are 4 of us but DS is officially resident at his university address. I don’t know if the PC have access to that information.

I’ve got an Italian quilting friend on Facebook. Her face masks are made of the finest linen table napkins with embroidered monograms and “a giorno” hems! That’s one way of putting them to use.

Having only two masks among 4 isn’t a problem in our case. We have an enclosed garden for our apartment blocks (40 families) where we all exercise while keeping our distance. I’m the only one who goes out of it for shopping etc. It’s the highlight of my week!

@Sgtmajormummy What kind of masks are they ? I haven't been out of our condominio for a month as dh is keen to do the shopping so I let him!

Very basic oval shape in what I call “granny knickers” cotton with stretch cotton jersey piping and ear loops.
If you zoom onto the photo above ^^ , ours are like that.

I've tried several types and I'm finding a bandanna more comfortable than the masks, it covers all of my lower face, jaw and neck, but its looser around my mouth.

For those trying the home made masks, here is a test of several materials onedrive.live.com/?authkey=%21ADvm%5FAyEJKzytEo&cid=E7F5D579305A3B59&id=E7F5D579305A3B59%2182924&parId=E7F5D579305A3B59%2182584&o=OneUp

Face masks don't work. In surgery, they are used to protect the patient from the surgeon rather than the other way round.

I thought the whole point of the mask 😷 is that you wear one to protect others not yourself. If everyone wears one in say a supermarket I can see how that would help!

Face masks don't work. In surgery, they are used to protect the patient from the surgeon rather than the other way round.

Exactly! They do work - unless you are only judging their efficacy on what you get out of it.

Seems like they might become compulsory soon
www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/apr/21/scientists-join-calls-for-uk-public-to-wear-homemade-face-masks-outdoors

However, the design in the article is not easy for many. Here on this PPE group, there are good design, some without even a single stitch.

www.facebook.com/groups/611013049478306/