In the past month, I have been making mask prototypes and sorting out which pattern fits best for my family. Obviously DIY masks are not a guarantee against infection and are being recommended to protect one from spreading germs to other people rather than as a primary protection against becoming infected if there is virus in the environment
Most people in my family have narrow facial structures, prominent noses, small chins, and small to average head circumferences. I know that Runcarla has had success with the Marfy mask pattern. I sadly did not, even after making modifications. I tried the Craft Passion pattern, the Olsen Pattern, and several iterations of rectangular pleated patterns because they had different dimensions. They were all leaky. I eventually settled on a modification of two different patterns.
1. UF Health Center mask prototype 2. The pattern is simple to make if using Halyard H600, because the seams do not need to be finished, but I modified the pattern for use with quilting cloth and it became complicated. I make a three layer mask with a filter pocket. The seams need to be placed on the inside to keep the finish smooth. To make it pretty, I also make a bias strip binding for the circumference and it has to go over the top of the four straps which are already projecting from the mask when the binding is attached, meaning that holes need to be poked for the straps and then it needs to be zig zag stitched across the holes, etc. (Someone better at sewing may be able to help me come up with a better method...). However, this mask, with a nose wire, pocket for a filter, and sometimes elastic in the chin, seems to fit everyone the best. It sits low enough on our faces that it does not fog glasses. It is snug on our chins. The ties secure the seal and I can see that people are breathing through the mask not around it through gaps because the mask material rises and falls with their breath.
I make filters using a mask pattern from Bridal Sewing. It has a similar shape and size to the UF Health mask pattern, but places the filter dart seams at a different place from the darts on the cloth mask which I hope adds some sort of benefit.
2. The second mask I am making is one that was originally designed by a nurse to fit over an N95 mask. I use the pattern created by Riley Blake designs. I have added elastic across the bottom and a nose wire to perfect the seal. It’s an easier mask to make than the first, and I will make a version with ear loops so I can use it for places like the hair salon, where ties around the head are not helpful. A similar pattern in a larger size is available from Jessica Nandino on nursemade.com.
3. The fabric patch.net has a set of engineer designed patterns where the fit can be customized based on your facial measurements. She also provides a tutorial on how to further adjust that mask pattern if your exact measurements are not on one of the patterns. I recently played around with a few of the sizes and also created a customized pattern for my face. Even with customized measurements and adjustments it does not seal as well to the face for my family as the previous two patterns.
4. UF Health face mask prototype 1 is a pleated mask. It was the best fitting of all the pleated rectangle versions I tried.
I figured out how to make a mask for my 80 year old mother with a shoulder problem which prevents her reaching behind her head; hearing aids and glasses making ear loops problematic; and a latex allergy. I used covered spandex elastic bands with toggles.
“ My pocket pediatrician” has a mask pattern and very detailed tutorial but the pattern requires a lot of elastic. I did not make it yet because my elastic supply is limited and I think I can produce more masks with a good fit when using a nose wire, and reserving the elastic to the chin section only.
Some tutorials suggest using foam to seal the nose area. I tried using some neoprene weather stripping material but it did not help improve the seal of my masks.
Below are some photos of my masks, and I am going to add links to the sites I found most helpful in making them. The first mask if the Riley Blake with elastic chin and nose wire. The second is the modified UF Health prototype 2 mask, with pocket, nose wire, and elastic chin. The third is the modified mask I made for my mom.
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