Thursday. Let’s do this!
~Mavis
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Signs of the Times …
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Mel says
Those are amazing! Thanks for sharing those. There aren’t too many signs around here, except a church down the road that just says “Everything cancelled. Pray.” I know that’s true, but it’s sort of chilling.
My husband still has to go to work, and this week his job starting requiring them to wear masks but did NOT provide them. I’m apparently the only person they know who knows how to sew, so I’ve been sewing as fast as I can. I was up until 4:30 am the other night working on them since they need 30-50 of them ASAP. I tweaked the design of the mask I made myself so that it has an elastic top band for comfort (they have to work all night sometimes), a slot for a removable nose wire, and a pocket for a removable filter. I am running low on supplies and shipping is so slow now, that we’re having people tie them with shoelaces until I can retrofit them with better ones later. I actually removed all of the ties from my pajama pants and hoodies so we could use those too. I would sew ties from strips of fabric, but it adds time I don’t really have. Back to sewing now.
Kristina says
I repurposed lanyards for ties.
Ramona says
What a good idea. I have several dozen from when we used to do craft shows. I made masks and was sewing the ties out of material.
Amy says
We have been cutting strips from T shirts. It has a little give like elastic to keep it comfy. My mom has made 250+ for the 2 hospitals where my sister and I work. There are simply no supplies.
You rock for helping!
Samantha Surovec says
Thats a great substitute for elastic! Thanks for the recommendation!
Diane says
You can also cut strips from old t-shirts to use for ties. Glad you are able to help them with your sewing skills!
Julie says
I’ve read that hair ties work as well as the elastic from fitted sheets.
It’s nice of you to sew all the masks Mel! Way to go!
Mel says
I actually am using elastic as a strap over the head and then ties at the base of the neck, so hair ties aren’t an option. These guys have to wear the masks for 12-hour overnight shifts, so ear loop-style masks haven’t worked for them. Lanyards might work for the neck ties, but I don’t have any. I tried t-shirt strips, but they keep breaking.
mary says
braid the t shirt strips.. its makes a comfortable headband that is washable, has some give and easily cut and sewn into masks.. my husband works at walmart and last 10 days has been wearing homemade masks with t shirt braided bands.. they have taken being washed. We are tweaking everything else about the design I started with but the t shirt braid is a keeper.
Mel says
Yes, unfortunately for the number I have to make and the design I’m using, it’s not practical. I didn’t have time to braid them, and they don’t fit into the mask once braided. I’ve been sewing for 14 hours today, and I just finished this week’s batch of 30 masks . I ordered more supplies, so I can add ties and elastic later, so I’ll add that later, but they needed them immediately. I’m glad it works for your husband!
Katherine says
Some are cutting strips from ace bandages for the ear pieces.
Linda Huth says
If you can get ahold of some of the little loops we used to weave pot holders out, those work really well. They are a little long and have to be cut off about 2″, but they are so soft and strong. I found some elastic on ebay and it shipped yesterday. I am hoping for Friday delivery. We shall see.
Julya Brown says
Oh that’s brilliant – using those loops from making pot holders as kids… I’ve been wearing a stretch headband from the dollar store with a button sewn on either side to attach the elastic loops of the surgical mask to keeping it off my ears – I’m a volunteer Fire Fighter and we answer EMS calls here in Nassau County next to NYC
Em says
I put my Christmas lights back up, as some people are doing.
Take care, everyone!
Barbara says
Thanks for posting all of these signs. Reminders of the times we are going through right now. Stay home, stay safe. Happy Easter to everyone.
Fifitr says
Very much a sign of the times. Where I live in the UK (small seaside town) the shops are simply leaving their doors open if they’re still serving. Many have arranged deliveries as a way of keeping going. A propos of nothing, I finally got round to ordering some Darn Tuff socks after reading your recommendation some months ago and wow, are they worth it. I’ve never paid $30 for a pair of socks or anywhere near that (I thought $10 for hiking socks was pushing the boat out) but they really are the most comfortable socks I’ve ever had. They’re not bulky but you feel the padding, they’re just the right height and the cuff is just strong enough to stay up without cutting off your circulation. Plus they come in lovely designs and keep your feet really warm. I’ve ordered some summer weight ones already and plan to keep an eye out for sales to try and replace my household’s socks as they wear out. Outlets are limited here though, and the best sale I’ve found is 15% off so I may just have to bite the bullet. Hope you and your family are keeping safe.
Meg C says
I made masks for my family (used leftover/spare shoelaces for ties) & seeing my kids in masks was sobering, to say the least.
Many thanks to all our medical field personnel and our essential workers!!
Praying all of our favorite small businesses are able to make it back when this is over!
Heather says
This is so hard. Today is day 25 that we have been in lockdown (Portland, Oregon). I have only left the house 2 times to go the grocery store. I have a 5 and 10 year old and have been doing homeschool and trying to keep them busy and preoccupied, but I cry every day. Even though I have everything I need at home (and feel guilty about not being thankful enough) I am grieving like I have never before. Thanks Mavis for your blog distraction. I think we are going to try and plant some seeds today…
Em says
Thank you (all) for fighting the war from home!
Heather, maybe plant some cheerful flowers if you can? Kids like to watch beans grow. I’m sure Mavis can add to the list of suggestions.
Every day I think of things that I am thankful for. This blog is one of them!
Love to all of you!
Terena says
Heather, it’s ok to grieve for what we can’t do right now. And don’t feel guilty about it. The feeling of loss and sadness won’t go away because someone points out to us how “It could be worse”, or tells us to be grateful for what we have compared to someone else. We are individuals with our own unique challenges. Sending you love and wishing you strength, from the middle of the Canadian prairies.
Pam Taylor says
Would Mel be willing to share her pattern for face masks?
Thanks
Mel says
I started with this pattern, but I tweaked several aspects of it. I changed the size, I added a slot to hold a nose wire (she mentions a way to insert them, but mine is different), and I used an elastic strap to join the top two corners around the back of the head, and I added ties (twill tape, ribbon, etc.) to the bottom two corners to tie behind the neck. I’m out of elastic, so some guys are using the shoelace method she mentions until the elastic I ordered arrives and I can retrofit them.
https://www.craftpassion.com/face-mask-sewing-pattern/
sandyf says
This is the best pattern-I have tried at least 5-and so far, this is my favorite. I have made a few sizes to fit smaller faces too. I cut up old shirts, made bias tape, cup up every hair tie I could find and went through 3 packages of elastic. I have used every piece of fabric I could find! I sent a package to family in NYC and now supplying whoever needs them.
You guys are all an inspiration. Thank you!!!
I find keeping busy and productive is life saving…and animals. Hug those furry babies.
I have pretend ordered so much crazy stuff and then leave the “cart” and close my computer! I guess it is my TJ Maxx fix. Hang in there friends-we will get through this together
Nancy Sadewater says
I am using the patterns from Tiana’s Closet, she has 3 sizes. Today is my cutting day, I hope to cut 30 sets today. I am so grateful for my stash, so far materials are great.
Rosaleen says
Great signs. great feedback/comments.
Scary all around,including what the economy will look like when we do get back to work etc.
We are shopping as little as possible, and trying to use curbside pickup. I tried for a week and a half to get one for a local chain, and when I picked up last night, no sliced ham for sandwiches, no milk, no eggs, no, no, no for a lot of items. When we tried the very early morning senior hours, many items had not been restocked. It is hard to make this work. Still doing the best we can.
Lynne says
The signs were very moving. Thanks for sharing them, Mavis.
I read somewhere that you can cut bungee cords open and they are made up of elastic that can be used to hold face masks, as there is no packaged elastic to be found out there. I’ve been using fabric for the ties on my facemasks (I’m only sewing for myself and my nephew), but bungee cords might be available in hardware stores.
Take care, everyone.
Richelle says
My sister, Stephanie, has a tutorial video for pocketed filter masks posted on FB, as well as a how-to document in Drop Box. She took the best ideas from many tutorials and videos, and made her own pattern based on what was the most versatile (works with/without a filter and fits over a N95 mask).
She allows the video to be used and shared with the caveat that the masks are for personal use or donation only. She’s adamant that it may not be used by anyone seeking to make a profit or otherwise benefit from the misfortune of others. I should add that she’s made several hundred of these and donated them all.
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10217140398041690&id=1221762180
https://www.dropbox.com/s/ushdpffqx8x5ba8/COVID-19%20MASKS.pdf?dl=0&fbclid=IwAR2lymlnSHbDc0JWSB1dPoTI7eQBjDsnRc_-OZMqCZzul31ulFfFjhnqSUk
Marie says
We sliced open a bungee cord to find oodles of elastic! Try to use up all of your batiks too as they have a tight weave and higher filtration than other fabrics. Choose 2 colors so it’s easy to tell face side vs outside once washed.
Rebecca Anne says
This is a great post to enjoy Mavis! These times are stressful and crazy all over the country, and yet we can unite and still support each other. I love your blog! It helps keep me sane I believe. Reading your blog is one of the few predictable things I do basically every day, and I look forward to it. Thank you for all the gardening tips and info! You’re like a celebrity gardener mama now to all of us newbies! I just wanted to say thank you for blogging and giving us all a sense of community for good times and harder times. We love you and HH and hope stay safe!
Judith Culp DeWitt says
Ditto!!! Could not have said it better, Rebecca Anne! Thank you! Mavis is the best friend I’ve never met!