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Another mask question

Peri

Veteran

I've been following, but not paying close attention to, all the mask making posts because I thought we had plenty. Not hoarding...my husband has always used them for yard and garage work due to allergies so we've always had a supply. Not the real medical N95 kind, the surgical looking ones that are kind of papery.

Well, for the long haul we now obviously don't have plenty so now I'm tuning in more to the make your own version. I've noticed that at first the pleated kind seemed more common but now the other type...like Carla and Rachylou make...seem more common. I don't know what to call them...I call them dog face masks because of the way they stick out.

I'm just wondering for the sewists and people who are further ahead in the mask search...which type is more comfortable? Is comfort the reason the dog face kind are more common, or are they easier to make?

General

19 replies

Latest reply was from CocoLion

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

IME the pleated kind are easier to make because it’s all straight seams and are more likely to fit a variety of people. The fitted kind need to be sized and are a bit trickier to sew because there are shaped seams and/or darts.

It also depends on your supplies and what you have on hand.

For all day wear I find a shaped one more comfortable because it doesn’t come up as high below my eyes and doesn’t interfere with my glasses as much. A nose piece is helpful for glasses and/or humidity but is harder to put in on the shaped ones.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

My experience is a bit different

Been wearing a mask for 2 and a half months - and will continue to - so there’s been a lot of tweaking to find the best solution. It’s been like trying to fit a bra!

I find the pleated kind comfortable. Room to breath while it’s snug, but you’re covered. Forgiving fit. There is a pocket for a filter which is important, and creates a good fit. Best with my specs because it comes up high. I have a terrible time with specs fogging up. And the ear elastic is easy, comfy, and stays put. I altered my pleated masks to get a good fit. Folded them over and shortened the elastic. Now they are great!

Personally, I find the shaped ones more claustrophobic, and there is no pocket for a filter. At least, not in mine. Maybe in others? They take longer to tie, and mine slip off because I can’t tie them too tightly. Maybe because of the shape of my head? They can though, fit really well, and some prefer them. I think you need to alter them to fit your face and head shape.

Horses for courses, always. What works for one, does not for another!

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

I agree 100% with what Angie said. Some of the shaped kind do have filter pockets, but if you're not sewing your own, they're hit or miss on the fit. I find ear loops easier and more comfortable, but my husband prefers ties (perhaps because he has no hair). Elastic has been difficult to come by, so that's part of why many home sewers have been turning to ties.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

Oh yeah, if you’re buying shaped ones I’d imagine you’d have less success with fit. I was answering assuming you would be making them. I haven’t bought any so I can’t speak to that angle.

The Craft Passion pattern has a version that has a pocket for a filter. Are any of y’all adding filters? What are you using for them?

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

HIGH FIVE, Jenn

anchie

Veteran

Good information. I haven’t got reusable mask yet since I was not going out much. I will have to look into options.

rachylou

Veteran

I call them Foo Dog of Death / Medieval Bird Mask of Death! Haha. Or ‘shaped.‘ Haha.

I agree with Angie and Jenn, ‘your mileage may vary.’ I wear three kinds, two types of Foo and the square pleated surgical mask style, but only Foo Dog for eight hours of work at the bakery. It makes sense to me that Angie finds it a bit claustrophobic because the seal is good enough to keep airborne flour out pretty well.

The ones Carla and I have been making are kinda Marfy / Craft Passion combos. I know the Craft Passion pattern is pretty popular. It’s a four piece deal. The Marfy, you cut only two pieces of cloth. All of them can have a pocket sewn for a filter. I don’t love the seam in front of the nose on the Craft Passion, not for eight hours.

Kathie

Veteran

Agree with what everyone else wrote. I blended the Marfy and CraftPassion ones- essentially the “top” across the cheek bones part of the CP one, with the bottom/sides of the Marfy. I use the pattern instructions for the CP, with the top-stitching, and the pocket for a nose bridge wire inside, because I like the look of the finished product. I’m making my third prototype, and will be adding a dart on either side of the chin. I like the more stream-lined look of the fitted ones, but judging from the fit on people I see in my neighborhood, the fitted ones are better for home sewists who want to fiddle with the fit for a few family members. The pleated ones are much more forgiving.

My first few, I made with a pocket for a filter, but, we’re not wearing them with one, so I’ll likely drop that aspect on future ones. If my DH and DSs are back in a classroom this fall, I’m hoping we’ll have a ready supply of surgical grade masks.

I’m also realizing that I want ties or ear loops, depending on the use case. Ties for the grocery store, loops for when I’m out for some exercise.

For fabric, I cut up an old dress shirt of DHs- soft, and a tighter weave than most of my quilting cotton.

Gaylene

Veteran

After trying different styles (pleated, Marfy, CraftPassion, and a couple of others) I’ve settled on this design which seems to please everyone I’ve sewed it for these past few weeks. It’s comfortable, can be constructed with a filter pocket, and is fast to sew.

https://www.prettyhandygirl.com/best-fit-facemask/

I cut the centre line on a fold which eliminates the centre seam. The nose and chin darts can be easily shortened for small features and lengthened to accommodate beards. The optional filter pocket is simple to add.

Inserting the coffee strip nose pieces Is also easy because the metal piece is simply inserted into the seam allowance joining the inner and outer pieces. The entire mask has just a couple of darts and four straight seams so I find it fast to construct. It also washes nicely in a washing machine.

Although I’ve made a couple of masks with the adjustable cords as shown in the video (as well as a few with a continuous tie running through the sides and tied on top of the head for a nurse friend) most people seem to prefer the mask with side pieces made from 3mm/1/4in.

elastic which I sourced from a craft store. For each mask, I cut two 10-12 inch strips, thread them through the side channels, and let the wearer knot the elastic after customizing the length. Rotating the knot so it lies within the channel keeps everything tidy. If the elastic needs to be replaced, it’s a simple job. The use of non-fixed ties also allows the wearer to adjust the gathers to get a close fit on the sides.

I’ve also been making holders from scrap pieces so I can throw a mask into my pocket, handbag, or car without worrying about cleanliness.

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Runcarla

Veteran

@Gaylene - good link! Laying the pattern on the fold is a good option for folks who don’t fancy a seam down the front.

I’m liking ear-rings cut from panty hose. I picked up 2 pair of nylon tights at the dollar store and they work particularly well and are soft behind the ears. I find the bead idea fiddly, and possibly uncomfortable.

rachylou

Veteran

I should try my hand at the Handy Girl!

Karie

(website)

Veteran

I’ve made quite a few masks - around 200 - most were the pleated version and the rest have been a mix of the Craft Passion and Mimi G patterns (search on YouTube for Mimi G face mask).

When I was making them for health care workers, I made the pleated ones. They are faster to make (about 15 minutes per mask), but not necessarily easier (because of the pleats). When made with tie straps, they’ll fit anyone. I made some with elastic ear straps and those are the ones DH prefers.

For personal use, my favorite is the Mimi G mask for women with the filter pocket opening from the Craft Passion pattern. For men’s or children’s sizes of this version I used the Craft Passion pattern and the elastic directions from Mimi G. I like the elastic behind the head because I find it much more comfortable when I have to wear it for any length of time, like at the grocery store. Cutting the elastic at 22” for women and 23” for men usually works out fine.

The Mimi G / Craft Passion patterns have a closer fit on the face but that closer fit is probably going to make them hard to wear in hot weather, so I might go back to wearing the pleated masks.

As for a filter, you can use a cut up vacuum cleaner bag, a coffee filter, even a tissue.

To combat fog on specs, try the stuff scuba divers use on their masks - Optix 55 or Spit Anti-fog Spray.

Staysfit

Veteran

1. Any shape mask can be made with a pocket even the fitted masks.

2. The best mask is a mask that fits and that you will feel comfortable wearing.

3. The purpose of a mask is to protect others from your respiratory droplets. It will not prevent infection. It is only a tool to help, but not a guarantee.

4. Any additional detail to a mask means it takes longer to construct. A simple, non-pleated, shaped, two layer mask is faster for me to make than one that has two layers and pleats. Add a nose wire, pocket (which would make a third layer), cloth ties, or elastic chin and you have upped the construction time significantly. My family’s favorite mask takes me 3 hours per mask from laying out and cutting the pieces to the finish.

5. The handygirl pattern looks similar to the Riley Blake pattern I have previously posted. Riley uses ties for closure and adds some pleats which allow the mask to stretch over an N95. I like that it has no seam down the front, however, it would be foolish of anyone to think that their homemade mask, with or without seam; with or without filter is going to prevent a 0.1 micron virus particle from going through. It isn’t likely.

Runcarla

Veteran

What Staysfit wrote. Yesterday, a woman said to me: ‘thank you for wearing a mask and keeping me safe!’ She was wearing a mask too.

pil

Veteran

Peri, fwiw I find this pattern works better for me with the glasses fog - it that is an issue n your household. I used one strap of elastic rather than the ties as I really only need them for a trip to the grocery or hardware. Goofy looking indeed, but they serve my purpose.
https://media.rainpos.com/4868....._s_m_l.pdf

I left one end open in case I want to use a filter.

Diana

Veteran

Like Angie, I find the pleated kind fits me better and is less claustrophobic. Partly I think this is because I have a typical east asian bone structure with a very flat nose bridge, so I don't have enough nose there to hold up the top of the pointed ones correctly. (I am sure there are shaped ones that are designed for this face shape though, I just don't know which ones they are.)

I also STRONGLY prefer the ones with ear loops - I find that because of the shape of my head and the fact that my hair is super slippery, the ones that tie/stretch behind the back of my head literally will only stay up if I have a ponytail that the band can sit on top of. They will not stay in place with my hair down.

Peri

Veteran

Thank you for all the great replies and information. So no one-size-fits-all masks I take it! Time to start experimenting.

What about fabric? I don't have much to work with because I don't sew, (my husband is so much better at it, he's going to make the masks! ) so we don't have a bunch of fabric scraps here. I have a tunic I was going to donate because it doesn't fit well, but now I think I'll cut it up for masks. It is a smooth and soft feeling jersey knit that I think is synthetic. Okay or bad idea?

rachylou

Veteran

If you can see a lot of light through it, I’d say no. Otherwise I think it should be fine for purposes.

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

I like the "disposable" medical type masks. "Disposable" because the type I like are actually quite hardy. They are the most comfortable type for me and the fabric is soft. I use about two or three masks per day. At the end of each day I wash them in the hottest possible water and with lots of soap, gently squeeze them then air dry them. I just heard that you should put washable masks in the dryer. I have about 7 masks in rotation - only one has given out. I have a box of 50 that I'm going through. I know you're not supposed to wash disposable masks but because I find fabric ones more suffocating, this is what I do.