Hello Friends,
Its been 6 months of 2020 and the world around us has changed so much that we are still grappling with the BIG question of how to handle it all. India has seen a surge in the number of cases being discovered every day and new records are being made. This is not a news channel and I am the last person to follow the news closely, however, COVID 19 has affected almost everyone around the world and has suddenly brought us all under one umbrella or shall I say Mask?!!. One major change that I see everywhere is MASKS on every face!!
Over the last few months, there have been millions of posts on how to make and use masks but here are a few problems I see with most cloth masks that are available in the market or even some of the DIY masks especially if you have to wear them for long hours like my husband who is a part of the essential services.
Problems with most CLOTH masks:
- Fabric Materials: You need at least 2 layers of fabric to ensure protection but most mask available are made of jersey fabric which is OK for a little while but can cause breathlessness if worn for very long. When the skin around the mouth is not able to breathe it can lead to a burning sensation and also allergic reaction
- The Ear Tug: Most masks available are hooked onto the ear and prolonged use can lead to severe pain. Those who wear spectacles, it can really cause much strain on the ear.
- Fogging: When you wear Mask and glasses together you are likely to get fogging if you are wearing the regular mask with no locking system etc.
Hoping that you agree with me, here I will share a few solutions that I have found that will address all the problems.
DISCLAIMER: I am by no means an expert but these were problems my husband faced and these were a solution that we tried and since he is now much more comfortable I am sharing this here as I feel it might be of help to a few...
Ok, that out of the way lets take each problem one by one :
Solutions:
- Fabric Material: When making mask please ensure that you are using a fabric of medium density which means before you cut the fabric keep 2 layers of it in front of your mouth and breathe for a few minutes if you feel comfortable only then use fabric. Try to use 100% cotton fabric as the synthetic fabric can cause allergies. Using an old and soft cotton-like that of the handkerchief can be used to make masks. You can also use 2 layers in different fabric like thick and thin materials to get the best results. Examples in the video....
- The Ear Tug: These designs all use around the head type band, which eases the strain on the ear. Especially for people who wear glasses, this would be easier and comfortable.
- Fogging : Most designs shared here can be made as no fog versions by using easily available stuff around the house or at most stationary/craft store.
- Free templates available to download
Design 1-No sew simple/disposable
Materials needed: Paper cloth bag 8" wide, scissors, elastic, fabric glue or glue gun with glue sticks.
- Step 1: Measure 6" from the bottom and cut from one side to the other horizontally.
- Step 2: Fold an inch from each side and crease the fold by rubbing your thumb over the fold. Using scissors make a snip at the fold like for the elastic to go through.
- Step 3: Pull the elastic through from the tiny hole you created. Add glue and fold the fabric over. Repeat on both side with 2 pieces of elastic.
- Step 4: make pleats on the outer side and stick them in place with glue.
Design 2: No-sew cloth mask
Materials needed: Jersey fabric or a T-shirt, scissors, elastic, fabric glue or hot glue gun with glue sticks, chalk or pencil to draw/trace.
- Step 1: Trace the template on a folded piece of cloth and cut around it. Repeat on a thinner cloth or the same cloth.
- Step 2: Glue the 2 pieces together on one side of the petal shape. Repeat for the other set.
- Step 3: Place the two sets of cloth facing each other such that the glued section is in the centre and sits on top of the other glued section.
- Step 4: Measure the elastic from ear to ear taking behind the head and cut.
- Step 5: Place one end of the elastic between the two pieces of fabric, about 2 inches away from the point of the petal shape. Start glueing the fabrics together around the edges. Once you cross around to the other side of the petal shape place the other end of the elastic between the fabric about 2 inches away from the point of the petal shape. Continue glueing the pieces together till you reach the starting point and you are done.
Design 3: No fog handsewn mask
Materials Needed: 2 Fabrics one thick and one thin, scissors, template, needle and thread. chalk or pencil to draw/trace.
- Step 1: Trace the template on a folded piece of cloth and cut around it. Repeat on a thinner cloth or the same cloth.
- Step 2: Cut an elastic piece, length of this should be as long as the space between the two ears measured from the back of the head.
- Step 2: Thread the needle and double the thread and tie a knot. Keep both pieces of fabric right sides together and the wrong side out.
- Step 3: Starting from the top of the petal shape start sewing by taking the needle up from the bottom through both fabrics then again back down moving away a few millimetres from the place you got the needle up repeat again and come back up a few millimetres away. keep repeating. This is called a running stitch. It is one of the very basic stitches used for basic repair work. To know more about basic stitches used in the everyday repair, please click here.
- Step 4: Once you reach about 2 inches away from where you started stitching; Take elastic place the elastic between the two pieces of fabric and keep sewing till lock the elastic. Continue to sew to the other and once you reach the other side you all again so for another two to another two and a half inches and take the other end of the elastic and so it between the two pieces of fabric.
- Step 5: Turn the fabric Inside Out and fold the raw edges inwards and keep sewing from the outside now. If you want to add the no fog feature; Take a piece of floral wire/ pipe cleaner (preferable) about 5 inches in length and fold it in half making sure that no sharp edges are there. Insert this piece of pipe cleaner/ wire in the mask before you seal it completely. Continue stitching around once you decide which way you will be wearing the mask; pull the wire towards the edge and hold it between your finger making sure it is held between the layers of fabric. Sew around this so that it gets locked in place an does not move around inside the mask.
- Step 6: Continue sewing in the running stitch till you reach the point where you started and you are done.
Design 4: No Tug mask using sewing machine
Materials:- Fabric, Elastic, Sewing machine, Scissors, Pipecleaner/ floral wire, template
- Step 1: Trace the template on the fabric of your choice.
- Step 2: Cut 1/4" away from the traced line. , You need 4 pieces if all the fabric you are using is the same. In case you are using 2 fabrics you will need 2 pieces of each fabric.
- Step 3: Keep two pieces of the fabric right side together and sew along the curved line. Repeat with other 2 pieces as well
- Step 4: Keep the two pieces of fabric that you now have the right sides together and sew along the top side.
- Step 5: Take 2 pieces of elastic measuring around the back of your head from ear to ear. Place the elastics between the two pieces of fabric such that one end of each elastic is touching the edge of the fabrics on each of the sides. Sew along one side and also the bottom side.
- Step 6: Cut the extra fabric on the corner at and angle close to but not touching the stitch line, this reduces extra bulk on the corners.. Turn the fabric inside-out making sure that you pull out all the corners.
- Step 7: This is the time that you will add the no fog feature- take a pipe cleaner about 5" long and fold it half, make sure there are no sharp edges that will poke and add this wire into the mask from the opening.
- Step 8: Fold the raw sides of the fabric inwards and add the elastic on the two corner coming from the outside. Hold the elastic in place and make a top stitch. Go around all of the mask.
- Step 9: Pull the wire that is inside towards the top near the edge. Hold it there or pin it there and then sew around it so that it gets locked in place near the edge on the top. Your mask is ready.
Design 5: Scarf Mask with a sewing machine.
Materials:- Fabric, Elastic, Sewing machine, Scissors, Pipecleaner/ floral wire, template
- Step 1: Trace the template design, extend it at and angle from the bottom corner and draw a line
- Step 2: From this new corner at an angle towards the centre draw a line.
- Step 3: Cut the fabric outlining the new design.
- Step 4: Trace the template on the lining fabric and cut it out.
- Step 5: Attach the two similar pieces of fabric keeping the right sides together and a sew down the centre.
- Step 6: Lay the two fabrics(lining and scarf) right sides together on top of the other , sew on the top part to attach them together.
- Step 7: Place the two elastics on the side of the fabric between the two fabrics such the end of all are touching and sew it. repeat for the other side.
- Step 8: Turn the scarf inside out, making sure to crease the edges. At this point you can also add the piece of folded pipe cleaner towards the top/nose 'side and lock it in place with a stitch line.
- Step 9: Fold the fabric of the lining piece inwards and sew.
- Step 10: Fold and stitch all the raw edges.
- Step 11: make pleats on the sides on the extended piece of the scarf and sew them in place.
- Step12: attach the end to the elastic with a couple of stitches.
