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Surgical mask pattern/info sharing thread :-)

mlktwins

By mlktwins,
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mlktwins

mlktwins

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Hi all!  I have seen, on several different posts, pattern options/advice for making surgical masks for our first responders.  I thought we could put them all here so they are easier to find :-).

After looking at a lot of patterns, this is the one I'm going to try today.

https://www.gfclinic.com/approved-pattern-info-for-homemade-masks/

It has a YouTube video for them as well.  I am doing the one with a filter slot and wire nose (using floral wire).  My first few I am mailing to my sister who has direct patient contact at a hospital.  She wanted a pleated surgical mask with ties, not elastic, so I'll be adding either material fabric as binding tape and straps (I have some binding tape ordered, but won't be here for another week) or cutting up t-shirts and putting them through like the elastic, but leaving them open ended for tying (her preference I think so they have a little give in them as she re-adjusts through her shift).  She has hospital masks for now, but we are planning for the future at this point.

I also have some elastic that I will use for some ear loops masks using this pattern.  

I am not a sewer, but had some fabric on hand to make fabric wreaths and some other craft projects.  I don't have a lot of it though.  Where can I find the best deal on fabric from an on-line seller?  I've seen quilting fat quarters on Amazon, but those pieces are only 18 x 22 and that won't make a lot of masks.  As I'm not a sewer, I don't have a nice stash of fabric.  Cross-stitching and scrapbook supplies coming out my fanny, but not fabric -- LOL.

I might also look at old shirts that I was going to donate or get rid of to cut up and use for masks.  Any thoughts on that?

 

 

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Matryoshka

Matryoshka

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Posted
1 minute ago, Pen said:

I think making masks for our mail deliverers, grocery workers etc could help too...

https://youtu.be/BoDwXwZXsDI

 

I think the idea of public 'mask trees' for people to pick up handmade masks if they need them is a great one , as talked about in this fantastic video about mask use in the Czech Republic (no exponential growth there!). Also with lots of data about other places.

 

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prairiewindmomma

prairiewindmomma

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1 minute ago, Pen said:

Since elastic is in short supply I wonder if just a little elastic along with a stretchy fabric would work for ear bands or tie behind head straps

My friend who is sewing for a hospital is using stretchy narrow  head bands from the dollar store. She and a couple of her friends made 1000 masks last week. Hair elastics are too small, fwiw.

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mlktwins

mlktwins

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1 hour ago, Matryoshka said:

I'm planning on using bias tape for ties...

Me too!  I have some on order, but it isn't here until next week.  I've got a little elastic and will make bias tape from matching fabric.  I think I have a few of those elastic headbands here -- I tried one, but didn't like it.  You can also use strips of told t-shirts if you can't find anything else.

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Lucy the Valiant

Lucy the Valiant

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Every hospital within an hour's drive of me has their own preferred pattern right on their website. We ran out of elastic last week, placed an order online, had it cancelled, placed another, and the elastic from that order just arrived. Starting up the maker-space again tomorrow!

It makes sense to me that non-healthcare-people would benefit from these, too, at least minimally.

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Arcadia

Arcadia

Posted
Posted (edited)

I like this one because it has lots of visuals for someone to print and follow

https://www.froedtert.com/sites/default/files/files/2020-03/MaskInstructions_V2.pdf

ETA:

no elastic require 
“You will need:
1. 2 pieces of 100% cotton fabric 7” x 9”
2. 2 pieces of 100% cotton fabric 1 1⁄2” x 6”
3. 2 pieces of 100% cotton fabric 1 1⁄2” x 40”
4. Ruler
5. Pins
6. Scissors
7. Sewing machine & thread”

Edited by Arcadia
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ElizabethB

ElizabethB

Posted
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6 minutes ago, Patty Joanna said:

So, where do you buy craft supplies when you can't see what you are getting?  It's nothing expensive, but I want what I want.  Any favorite on-line craft stores?

I need pipe cleaners, thread, skinny pins with flat flower heads...  

?

Amazon should have all that, with pictures and star ratings.

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Syllieann

Syllieann

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13 hours ago, mlktwins said:

Hi all!  I have seen, on several different posts, pattern options/advice for making surgical masks for our first responders.  I thought we could put them all here so they are easier to find :-).

After looking at a lot of patterns, this is the one I'm going to try today.

https://www.gfclinic.com/approved-pattern-info-for-homemade-masks/

It has a YouTube video for them as well.  I am doing the one with a filter slot and wire nose (using floral wire).  My first few I am mailing to my sister who has direct patient contact at a hospital.  She wanted a pleated surgical mask with ties, not elastic, so I'll be adding either material fabric as binding tape and straps (I have some binding tape ordered, but won't be here for another week) or cutting up t-shirts and putting them through like the elastic, but leaving them open ended for tying (her preference I think so they have a little give in them as she re-adjusts through her shift).  She has hospital masks for now, but we are planning for the future at this point.

I also have some elastic that I will use for some ear loops masks using this pattern.  

I am not a sewer, but had some fabric on hand to make fabric wreaths and some other craft projects.  I don't have a lot of it though.  Where can I find the best deal on fabric from an on-line seller?  I've seen quilting fat quarters on Amazon, but those pieces are only 18 x 22 and that won't make a lot of masks.  As I'm not a sewer, I don't have a nice stash of fabric.  Cross-stitching and scrapbook supplies coming out my fanny, but not fabric -- LOL.

I might also look at old shirts that I was going to donate or get rid of to cut up and use for masks.  Any thoughts on that?

 

 

 I am using t-shirts that are thick, 100% cotton.  It is working well.

4 hours ago, Pen said:

Since elastic is in short supply I wonder if just a little elastic along with a stretchy fabric would work for ear bands or tie behind head straps

I did one with store-bought non-stretchy bias tape, one with homemade fabric strips from a cotton shirt that had a bit of stretch, two with 1/8" elastic, and one with my daughter's hair elastics.  My favorite is the one with the hair elastics.  They are fabric covered and skinny-just the right size.  The stretchy fabric ties and bias tape are fine too.  The 1 /8" elastic is uncomfortable.  I don't recommend that.  I will be removing those and replacing them.  These are the hair elastic that were just right.  https://www.walmart.com/ip/Goody-Girls-Ouchless-Elastics-Assorted-Colors-2mm-Hair-Ties-72-Ct/10320147

 

37 minutes ago, Patty Joanna said:

Is there any reason that the two pieces cannot be one folded down, with a pocket sewn into the top for a pipe cleaner?   People love that feature in the ones I am sEwing but overall this looks like a faster pattern.  

It works fine that way.  That is how I did my last two.

 

Anyone who is using a pleated pattern, you will probably want a needle for jeans.  I happened to have that in my machine already and I decided to leave it.  I did fine.  Other ladies around here have been breaking their needles when trying to get the bias tape over the pleats.

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mlktwins

mlktwins

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15 hours ago, cintinative said:

I do not sew but there is a large group here making an organized effort and they posted these. FYI--they noted please do not use wire based on discussion with healthcare workers.

https://sewmasks4cincy.org/sew-masks/

So...maybe we shouldn't be putting in the wires?  Was just going to order some from Amazon.  My sister works in a hospital and wants a wire, but she is planning to wash and reuse hers.

Do you think/know if these health workers are keeping and washing their masks when they get them?  It doesn't really matter, but am curious as I will make less time consuming ones if they are getting trashed.

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wathe

wathe

Posted
Posted
On 3/30/2020 at 12:52 AM, prairiewindmomma said:

Pipe cleaners rust horribly upon washing. Just FYI. We discovered that in testing. Floral wire is better.

Mine have washed well.  But I've run out of pipe cleaners anyway LOL.  I've started to use copper bead wire instead

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wathe

wathe

Posted
Posted
15 hours ago, cintinative said:

I do not sew but there is a large group here making an organized effort and they posted these. FYI--they noted please do not use wire based on discussion with healthcare workers.

https://sewmasks4cincy.org/sew-masks/

I can see why hospitals wouldn't want wire if the masks are to be used as n95 covers and be industrially washed.

OTOH, if the mask is going to be used on its own, and washed by the user, then a wire is probably better than not.

The masks I'm making are for use in the community.  They're being used solo, and washed by the user.  I'll keep using wires for now.

Our hospitals haven't requested home-sewn masks just yet.

 

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Syllieann

Syllieann

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Posted
11 hours ago, wathe said:

I can see why hospitals wouldn't want wire if the masks are to be used as n95 covers and be industrially washed.

OTOH, if the mask is going to be used on its own, and washed by the user, then a wire is probably better than not.

The masks I'm making are for use in the community.  They're being used solo, and washed by the user.  I'll keep using wires for now.

Our hospitals haven't requested home-sewn masks just yet.

 

I'm using two kitchen twisty ties twisted together.  The last one I did I left a bit of the seam open so the wire could be removed for washing.  Maybe that would work if you're unsure if they want wires.

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Sneezyone

Sneezyone

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Posted (edited)
2 hours ago, Arcadia said:

@Laurie

This pattern might go well over your N95 masks or use by itself. No elastic needed.

Template Letter https://freesewing.org/fu-facemask-freesewing.org.letter.pdf

Template A4 https://freesewing.org/fu-facemask-freesewing.org.a4.pdf

Instructions https://freesewing.org/docs/patterns/fu/instructions/

 

This is the pattern I'm using only I turn the sides in to form a casing and thread it with ribbon. SUPER easy and fits well. No metal and the large fits over a commercial mask. I haven't made any with pockets but you could leave the bottom open for that if you wanted to. Most of my masks have gone to non-clinical settings. I hope they're OK!

Edited by Sneezyone
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easypeasy

easypeasy

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10 hours ago, cintinative said:

 

I don't sew, but I did find this?  The thing I am not sure about is I am hearing it is hard to find elastic right now.  https://stayfitmom.com/diy-fitness-headband-tutorial/

 

 

I've cut out about 25 of these headbands to sew tonight and will drop them off alongside the traditional surgical-style masks we've made.

We've also made some of the more form-fitting mask style, which are (imho) nicer, but take longer to make. We opted to not use the wires on any of them as it was a PITA to use and most of the places we're dropping off at seem to be using them over their n95 masks.

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Sneezyone

Sneezyone

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Posted (edited)
4 hours ago, kand said:

What width ribbon are you using? I’ve been trying a couple patterns, and the ties are the part I’m still not happy with, and they take me so long. Ribbon would be so much easier. It stays tied well and will wash fine?


I’ve been using 1/4”, 3/8”, and 1/2” grosgrain depending on what I can find. I prefer the 1/4”. It ties well and is a little grippier (not a word but it works). I don’t know how it will ultimately hold up but it’s working well so far. I do stitch the bottom in place so the ribbon won’t slide out in the wash too.

image.jpg

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Sneezyone

Sneezyone

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Lest anyone think their contributions don’t matter, I’ve had two decent size requests in the last week, one from visiting social workers in HI and one from a daycare in WA serving the children of first responders. They want 40 child size and one for each staff member. ☺️

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Guest

Guest

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How are you all finding where to send these or who wants them, outside of family or friends? 

I’m a reluctant sewer - I don’t really enjoy sewing but I will when it accomplishes my purposes. I have some cotton fabric from previous projects and have scared up about 14 yds. of slim elastic. I also think I have some cord elastic in my Christmas stuff. I can see this is one way I can contribute to my community, but I don’t know how to find out who is looking for masks. 

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Lady Florida.

Lady Florida.

Posted
Posted (edited)

Has anyone ordered masks from say, Etsy or Ebay? My sewing machine is packed away in storage. When I decided to store it I figured I could live without it for a few months. Ahh, early February was still mostly an innocent time. Anyway, I don't want to take away from health care workers and first responders but would like something for me, dh, and adult ds. Washable and reusable, maybe 2 for each of us.

If anyone here is willing to make some I'd be glad to pay you for them. I don't need free and I don't need N95. I just want some protection for when we can't avoid going out. Or if you have a link for where to buy them. I looked at Etsy and there are so many it's almost impossible to figure out which ones to go with.

ETA: PM me if you can make some for us.

Edited by Lady Florida.
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Sneezyone

Sneezyone

Posted
Posted (edited)
3 hours ago, Quill said:

How are you all finding where to send these or who wants them, outside of family or friends? 

I’m a reluctant sewer - I don’t really enjoy sewing but I will when it accomplishes my purposes. I have some cotton fabric from previous projects and have scared up about 14 yds. of slim elastic. I also think I have some cord elastic in my Christmas stuff. I can see this is one way I can contribute to my community, but I don’t know how to find out who is looking for masks. 

 

I have friends and family that are connected to different organizations through their employers or charitable endeavors. My aunt is ED for a food bank in Seattle so I'm going to outfit her volunteers. She also connected me with the daycare that's serving the children of first responders so there's a big group too. You might be surprised at who you know with one or two degrees of separation. A milspouse friend in Bahrain has a commercial sewing set up and she can make 100 of the surgical style masks in two days. It's a small world. I put out a call on FB for requests and they came floooooooding in.

Edited by Sneezyone
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KatieJ

KatieJ

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Posted
2 hours ago, Quill said:

How are you all finding where to send these or who wants them, outside of family or friends? 

I’m a reluctant sewer - I don’t really enjoy sewing but I will when it accomplishes my purposes. I have some cotton fabric from previous projects and have scared up about 14 yds. of slim elastic. I also think I have some cord elastic in my Christmas stuff. I can see this is one way I can contribute to my community, but I don’t know how to find out who is looking for masks. 

Facebook has lots of groups, but then I am a seamstress who utilizes resources on Facebook for that purpose.

There is a group formed supposedly in all 50: states, Face Masks Warriors. Very organized for pickups, drops offs,  who is  sewing and who needs what, etc. of course then organization no depends on who is running your local group. Mine is on Facebook. 

 I asked my friend who works at a local retirement center and yes, they need masks. All employees are now required to wear them, as well, as residents.  Home sewn  ones are perfect for their needs.  

Always check who the recipe is  going to be if you can. There are many mask patterns and options to fit different needs.

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cintinative

cintinative

Posted
Posted
3 hours ago, Quill said:

How are you all finding where to send these or who wants them, outside of family or friends? 

I’m a reluctant sewer - I don’t really enjoy sewing but I will when it accomplishes my purposes. I have some cotton fabric from previous projects and have scared up about 14 yds. of slim elastic. I also think I have some cord elastic in my Christmas stuff. I can see this is one way I can contribute to my community, but I don’t know how to find out who is looking for masks. 

 

There is a local group that are gathering them called Sew masks 4 Cincy. You could try googling your city name and masks.  

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Arcadia

Arcadia

Posted
Posted
3 hours ago, PrincessMommy said:

Can someone link to the American Korean guy who talked with the head of one of the hospitals in S. Korea about masks?  I think it's on the big CV thread and I'm not willing to sift through 100 pages to find it.  I've already tried a youtube search without much luck.

 

Think it is this one on the big thread

 

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mlktwins

mlktwins

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Any suggestions on how to make a tiny hole in the fabric where the wire goes?  So they can either change the wire or remove it if they don’t want a wire.  I a]would rather do this part by hand if I can.  My pattern has it sewn in.

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Sneezyone

Sneezyone

Posted
Posted
12 minutes ago, mlktwins said:

What are your thoughts on using flannel — not at all?  Maybe just on one side (the outside) with regular cotton on the inside?  Both sides?  Have some in my stash.

 

I used it on the outside with success. I dunno. In my TOTALLY unscientific opinion, it seemed denser than plain cotton. I used solid cotton poplin or muslin (whichever I had on hand) for the lining.

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Sneezyone

Sneezyone

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11 minutes ago, mlktwins said:

Any suggestions on how to make a tiny hole in the fabric where the wire goes?  So they can either change the wire or remove it if they don’t want a wire.  I a]would rather do this part by hand if I can.  My pattern has it sewn in.

 

No hole. You sew it in before you enclose the rest of the mask.

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mlktwins

mlktwins

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20 minutes ago, Sneezyone said:

 

No hole. You sew it in before you enclose the rest of the mask.

My sister works in a hospital and will be washing her set of masks often.  And..I am making some for some people she works with.  They are pretty much out of N95s already.  She was asking for a little hole to change the wires if/when needed.  I’m not doing a hole for the ones I’m making for my family and other people.

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Sneezyone

Sneezyone

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1 hour ago, mlktwins said:

My sister works in a hospital and will be washing her set of masks often.  And..I am making some for some people she works with.  They are pretty much out of N95s already.  She was asking for a little hole to change the wires if/when needed.  I’m not doing a hole for the ones I’m making for my family and other people.

 

Maybe try using your machine's buttonhole setting then?

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