Today I had a breakthrough with the issue of tie materials whilst trying to resolve DH’s troubles with masks that tie behind the head. (He has shoulder problems.) He wanted to try one that loops around the ears. 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. After a few minutes of thought I came up with the idea of slicing up a pair of nylon stockings! I sliced 1 inch ‘rings’ from the legs, threaded them through the channel on either side of the mask. Tied a knot, and hid the knot by slipping it into the channel. DH found this system so much easier and more comfortable, so I have converted his masks over to this system.

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. I also believe it works better with a snug fitting shaped mask in order to keep reasonably good seals. 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 much higher, so it was easier to tolerate for a longer period of time.

#1 nylon stockings, 1 inch section, pulled into a ring, cut, threaded through mask.

#2 tied off showing knot
#3 knots hidden in channel
#4 DH wearing one of his masks (yes, he needs a haircut!)

#5,#6 The Olson mask, supplied by home sewers as requested by some hospitals. It has a pocket for a filter. 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. Although it is a beautiful design, the mask was too short for DH and the DS’s, and too big for me. It did not make a good seal under the chin.

https://www.unitypoint.org/fil.....ctions.pdf

So far, the preferred mask in our household is the Marfy design rachylou first used but with modifications. I’ve scaled the pattern to S, M, and L for adults. 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.

https://www.marfy.it/free-mask.html

Just as one shoe design does not fit all feet, there is no one mask design that works for all faces. The next design challenge is a mask where you can see the person’s mouth, that doesn’t fog up!