https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-%e2%80%98hack%e2%80%99-for-mask-comfort Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Mon, 20 Apr 2026 12:26:03 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-%e2%80%98hack%e2%80%99-for-mask-comfort#post-2121096 Sat, 16 May 2020 19:04:17 +0000 Glory 2121096@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Some wonderful ideas - thanks! I have tried three different masks and find them very uncomfortable. I’m only venturing out for chemotherapy at the hospital and it is very stressful to be in that environment, especially with an ill fitting mask. I may try and adapt them based on these ideas. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-%e2%80%98hack%e2%80%99-for-mask-comfort#post-2121088 Sat, 16 May 2020 18:37:26 +0000 Carla 2121088@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>@racheylou - I had to make the loops small for&nbsp;<i>my&nbsp;</i>trial mask. &nbsp;There needs to be some tension on the loops. &nbsp;Too little tension and the loops fall off, too much and they become uncomfortable and pull off. &nbsp;Bigger head/face and DH required longer loops. &nbsp;I’ve found the loops launder well, shrink up, and regain their stretch. &nbsp;</p> <p><div><br /></div><div>I’m wondering if thicker tights or even Lycra gym leggings would work for an around the head stretchy band? &nbsp;Or maybe a narrow stretchy headband? &nbsp;Regular narrow elastic is impossible to source ATM.</div> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-%e2%80%98hack%e2%80%99-for-mask-comfort#post-2121086 Sat, 16 May 2020 18:21:59 +0000 rachylou 2121086@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I too have continued to tweak the pattern and make masks. I tried the stocking ear loops on a no-sew mask, which may be a factor - but I couldn’t get them to stay on my ears... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-%e2%80%98hack%e2%80%99-for-mask-comfort#post-2121050 Sat, 16 May 2020 15:59:45 +0000 slim cat 2121050@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love teddy bear mask - awesome job @Runcarla! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-%e2%80%98hack%e2%80%99-for-mask-comfort#post-2121033 Sat, 16 May 2020 14:39:31 +0000 Carla 2121033@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>DS#2 asked for a special mask. &nbsp;He’s a big teddy bear, so...</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-%e2%80%98hack%e2%80%99-for-mask-comfort#post-2121001 Sat, 16 May 2020 13:02:29 +0000 Anonymous 2121001@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What a great idea. I just threw away some nylons that had a run. Now am sorry. This may mean that air conditioning in medical places will be even colder than normal this summer for worker comfort. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-%e2%80%98hack%e2%80%99-for-mask-comfort#post-2120987 Sat, 16 May 2020 12:22:41 +0000 Staysfit 2120987@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is a great idea Runcarla! &nbsp;I posted a separate thread about the mask patterns I am using since I did not want to overtake your thread. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-%e2%80%98hack%e2%80%99-for-mask-comfort#post-2120977 Sat, 16 May 2020 10:50:42 +0000 cindysmith 2120977@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is actually a brilliant hack!</p> <p>I've started crocheting the little ear savers, now I just need to add buttons. I'm going to pass them out at work to help my coworkers tolerate the masks better. Corporate has MANDATED masks at ALL times for employees, which I appreciate as someone at fairly high risk of severe complications from coronacooties. If anyone here wants to try one, I'll gladly mail you one free of charge. They only cost pennies in materials, and take very little time to make; bonus points for giving me something to do while isolating at home </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-%e2%80%98hack%e2%80%99-for-mask-comfort#post-2120866 Fri, 15 May 2020 21:35:33 +0000 Jenn 2120866@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Speaking of nylons, I recently read <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2020/04/22/840146830/adding-a-nylon-stocking-layer-could-boost-protection-from-cloth-masks-study-find">this article</a>&nbsp;about how putting a sleeve cut from nylon stockings over a mask can make them way more effective. &nbsp;It seems too hot for most low-risk situations here, but I would definitely consider it if I were going somewhere where I was more likely to end up within six feet of people.</p> <p>(Also, this was a brilliant idea, Carla!)</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-%e2%80%98hack%e2%80%99-for-mask-comfort#post-2120865 Fri, 15 May 2020 21:33:21 +0000 Angie 2120865@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You are resourceful, tenacious and fabulous, <b>Carla</b>. WELL DONE.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-%e2%80%98hack%e2%80%99-for-mask-comfort#post-2120861 Fri, 15 May 2020 21:30:30 +0000 slim cat 2120861@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great idea! I'll probably try that for my next mask for my daughter - she has sensitive ears. Thank you @Runcarla! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-%e2%80%98hack%e2%80%99-for-mask-comfort#post-2120846 Fri, 15 May 2020 20:45:54 +0000 Carla 2120846@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>In the ongoing quest for the best/most comfortable civilian face covering I have been experimenting with&nbsp;different mask patterns and tie configurations. &nbsp;</p> <p> <div><br /></div><div>Today I had a breakthrough with the issue of <b>tie materials&nbsp;</b>whilst trying to resolve DH’s troubles with masks that tie behind the head. &nbsp;(He has shoulder problems.) He wanted to try one that loops around the ears. &nbsp;I made one with Goody hair elastics, but he found them very uncomfortable as they weren’t particularly stretchy and pulled uncomfortably on his ears. &nbsp;After a few minutes of thought I came up with the idea of slicing up a pair of nylon stockings! &nbsp;I sliced 1 inch ‘rings’&nbsp;from the legs, threaded them through the channel on either side of the mask. &nbsp;Tied a knot, and hid the knot by slipping it into the channel. &nbsp;DH found this system so much easier and more comfortable, so I have converted his masks over to this system. &nbsp; </p> <p>I believe any reusable mask with channels along the sides can be converted to this system - but you will have to sacrifice a pair of pantyhose or nylon socks. &nbsp;I also believe it works better with a snug fitting shaped mask in order to keep reasonably good seals. &nbsp;DH and DS#2 (who wears an N95 at work) volunteered that the seal with the nylon stocking loops was not as snug as with ties, but the comfort was&nbsp;<i>much&nbsp;</i>higher, so it was easier to tolerate for a longer period of time.</p> <p> </div><div><br /></div><div>#1 nylon stockings, 1 inch section, pulled into a ring, cut, threaded through mask. &nbsp;</div><div>#2 tied off showing knot<br />#3 knots hidden in channel<br />#4 DH wearing one of his masks (yes, he needs a haircut!) </p> <p>#5,#6 The Olson mask, supplied by home sewers as requested by some hospitals. &nbsp;It has a pocket for a filter. &nbsp;I understand that the hospitals request only the fabric mask as the health care providers are modifying them by using safety pins to fold the sides around ear bands, using pipe cleaners for nose wires, adding filters, and using double sided dress tape to fix the seal. &nbsp;Although it is a beautiful design, the mask was&nbsp;too short&nbsp;for DH and the DS’s, and too big for me. &nbsp;It did not make a good seal under the chin. &nbsp;</p> <p><a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.unitypoint.org/filesimages/COVID-19/UnityPointHealth-OlsonMask-Instructions.pdf">https://www.unitypoint.org/fil.....ctions.pdf</a></p> <p> </div><div><br /></div><div>So far, the preferred mask in our household is the Marfy design rachylou &nbsp;first used but with modifications. &nbsp;I’ve scaled the pattern to S, M, and L for adults. &nbsp;I really like the idea of a filter pocket as an option, so plan to tinker with my pattern templates to see if I can make a better/hybrid mask. </p> <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.marfy.it/free-mask.html">https://www.marfy.it/free-mask.html</a></p> <p></div><div><br /></div><div>Just as one shoe design does not fit all feet, there is no one mask design that works for all faces. &nbsp;The next design challenge is a mask where you can see the person’s mouth, that doesn’t fog up! &nbsp; </p> <p> <div><a rel="nofollow" href="https://cbs2iowa.com/news/coronavirus/grant-wood-aea-asks-community-to-make-transparent-masks-for-deafhard-of-hearing-students">https://cbs2iowa.com/news/coro.....sks-for-de</a><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></p>