Purchasing Masks - YouLookFab Forum

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Purchasing Masks

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

For those of you like me who aren't sewists, where are you purchasing your masks? (I know there's a lot of great info in the comments of the linked blog post, but I thought we could use an equivalent thread to the fantastic DIY one Chris started.)

I think we're in for a long period of obligatory mask-wearing, especially in larger cities and, since I don't sew, I ordered some. I wanted beautiful ones, not for a fashion statement, but to inject some personal joy into scary times.

In addition to a few plain black ones from an Etsy seller, I ordered these from Johnny Was:
https://www.johnnywas.com/masks

They're doing a pack donated to SoCal hospitals for each pack sold, so I was happy to support a company making a local impact.

I also ordered one from a Colorado friend who's returned to her sewing roots as her jewelry business struggles through tough times. She had a stash of vintage textiles she's using to make the most beautiful masks. I asked for one of the cotton barkcloth versions below.

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Shopping

26 replies

Latest reply was from Jenn

Runcarla

Veteran

Just an FYI. If you find the elastics around the ears hard to wear, you can thread a ribbon of a shoe lace through the channels on the sides. Have the closed loop on the bottom, slip mask over your head with the loop at the base of your hair line, then tie off at the top of your head. This makes a snug fit that doesn’t slip.

Edited: to show pic of DS#1 trying out my first prototype made in a men’s size and showing the tie method from the side. I like to tie the top lace a little higher - across my crown.

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LaPed

Veteran

Those Johnny Was masks are sooo pretty!

A woman who who runs a cool independent boutique near me (vintage, consignment, handmade) is putting up small batches for sale and donating all proceeds to the local Mutual Aid program.

Classically Casual

Veteran

Very nice masks, Jenn. I’m going to send some Johnny Was masks to a friend with an April BD. Thanks for the introduction.

Last summer I collected various cotton bandanas to enliven my walking in the woods outfits. Some have great designs. This week as we’re increasingly told to mask up, I’m wearing a bandana around my neck when hiking. When I encounter someone I pull it up until they’ve passed. At the grocery store I’ve worn an all purpose plastic mask with a bandana over the top. I can barely breathe, but one doesn’t linger anyway. Good times!

JAileen

Veteran

Those are nice looking masks. I made some to have them right away. I looked on Etsy and was concerned I wouldn’t get them for awhile. Our governor said we have to wear them right now. Since you are in a major area, maybe there are Etsy sellers in So Cal so you could get them right away. Good luck.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I saw the Johnny Was masks come up in my Instagram feed! SOOO pretty! Very YOU, sweet Jenn.

YOU ARE RIGHT. Mask wearing will be around for a while. We are waiting for our Karen Kane masks - we ordered earlier in the week. I REALLY want to support that company because it's so, so, so ethical. And we have met them. They will be too big for me, so I will probably need to alter by hand.

https://www.karenkane.com/prod.....utm_campai

After a while, I will try some others. Like in the shape that you've purchased.

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Jenn

(website)

Veteran

JAileen, the Etsy seller I ordered from was here in SoCal, but honestly, they are all slammed and running on a week or two delay. Luckily, I ordered a week ago, so they should arrive shortly. We have plenty of scarves and bandanas to get us through until the masks arrive.

Face coverings are mandatory in public in Los Angeles starting yesterday.

rachylou

Veteran

I’ve ordered a mask too (the top one) from a local shop... got an email that says it was delivered but uh oh, I didn’t see it! Gotta go check the mail box! I thought it was so pretty!

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Bonnie

Veteran

Thanks for sharing. I ordered the Johnny Was masks. The ones your friend makes are beautiful.

rachylou

Veteran

And it came! The shop owner’s daughter walked up the 80 steps to my front door. Lol, I did not expect that and did not notice it in the dark last night (bread happens at night!) with all the other quarantined mail.

I just saw it in the window walking Lilypup and emailed the shop. If I see anything in local shops, I’m going to continue to email. It works!

rachylou

Veteran

Ps. I second what Carla says about secure ties!

Roberta

Veteran

Thank you so much! This is probably the only Johnny Was item I'll ever own. I will order more for my stylish colleagues when the library reopens.

I was lucky enough to have a half-used box from a year ago when I couldn't shake a bad cold, but these will be sooo much nicer.

kkards

Veteran

I love these Johnny was masks. After Angie posted about them, I ordered the ones from Karen Kane, now just waiting for them to arrive. I also ordered another style from another company, waiting on them as well.

rachylou

Veteran

I’d like to try the style your friend made (what beautiful material!). This is day 2 of cloth masks for me. I can see 2 is so so not going to be enough. The 50-pack Johnny Was is very tempting, lol

Joy

Veteran

Jenn those are beautiful. Several people are making masks locally, but I have one from a medical supply company in Boulder for serious mask wearing occasions and a supply of bandanas or cotton scarves for dog walking. I will order more masks.

cindysmith

Veteran

Those are so pretty! I've made myself a few, using a fabric remnant I picked up at the blue big box retailer and a pair of vintage VS silk pajama pants i had (but didn't wear because no pockets, I'm weir, Ii know LOL), but I have no laundry machines in my RV or at the trailer park so I need to order some extras. Those Johnny Was ones are super pretty

Elizabeth P

Veteran

Just an FYI... the Canadian gov't recently issued these guidelines about wearing homemade masks. Lots of good info.

https://www.canada.ca/en/healt.....Kk21HVSuQw

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

Thanks everyone! Because not everyone sews and medical masks are in such short supply, I'm so glad makers and designers are stepping up to fill the need.

Classically Casual, my son (19) has been using bandanas like you, but he saw the Johnny Was masks and asked if he could wear the pretty floral ones sometimes too. Did not expect that!

Roberta, we had just a few surgical masks in our emergency kit, but they're running out! I remember putting them in there and thinking, "What are we ever going to need these for?" Now I know.

Runcarla, thanks for the pics! So far, ear straps have been comfortable for me, but that's a good trick to have, especially for extended wear (which we haven't really had to do).

Rachylou, I can see why you fell for that pattern, and yay for supporting local businesses. I live in a theatre/restaurant/bar district. Not a lot of cute shops, and not much we can do for the bars and theaters, but we're really conscious about ordering from places within a mile or so when we do takeout.

La Pedestrienne, amazing seeing local business owners stepping up, especially when they're struggling more than most.

Elizabeth P, good info! I think of hand hygiene as a way to protect myself, masks as a way to protect others, and distancing as both.

Angie, hooray for supporting ethical fashion, even for masks! Since I ordered three different styles, I'm curious to find out which works best for me. I share your issue with the foggy glasses and am especially hopeful that the one with the nose wire might mitigate that. I'm going to try the soap thing too.

Joy, you might find this helpful:
https://www.instagram.com/p/B-w3eWBFYJL/
Horseshoe Market is in Denver, but the vendors are from up and down the Front Range.

cindysmith, if/when you go back to work, will the store provide masks? In CA, they're required to either supply or reimburse employees, but I'm sure Texas a whole 'nother ball game.

bonnie and Roberta, yay for beautiful masks!

kkards, it'll be interesting to see how comfort levels vary between styles. I honestly wouldn't much mind wearing them except for the glasses thing!

Runcarla

Veteran

Tip for glasses wearers! If you can manage a mask with a wire (like racheylou’s and the ones I’m making) bending the wires (press firmly) to make a tight seal around the nose seems to prevent fogging up!

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Suz

(website)

Veteran

Those Johnny Was masks are gorgeous! Wow!

I'm not a sewist, either. So I've ordered one from an Etsy seller in Edmonton: https://www.etsy.com/ca/listin.....-4&be

And some from another Canadian company, Encircled. https://www.encircled.ca/colle.....-face-mask

I'm hoping they arrive soon.

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

Here’s a list of 30 fashion brands that have pivoted to masks. Prices are all over the place. Anyone need one with pink sequins?

https://www.forbes.com/sites/k.....9d6b71d697

AJ

Veteran

Just ordered the Johnny Was masks. Thanks for the link!

MsMaven

Veteran

I like the look of those masks Angie posted, and just ordered the Karen Kane masks.

Anonymous

Very tempted by the Johnny Was ones, though probably have enough since I can do laundry any day. I made 1 each for me and DH out of batik, and bought us 2 on Etsy.

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Momo

Veteran

Hey I ordered the Johnny Was masks too!

Lynn

Veteran

I read somewhere that tearing a small bit of tissue and placing it over the bridge of the nose and cheeks before putting on the masks helps with the fogging of glasses. I don't wear glasses but thought I would share.

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

I have tried both the "washing with soap" and the tissue trick. Neither has worked for me. Hoping a nose wire solves it, but my makeshift attempts at adding one haven't worked either.