Making Cloth Masks in Lockdown... Things I've learned.

Making Cloth Masks in Lockdown... Things I've learned.

Posted by Mandy on 3rd Aug 2020

Deciding what type to make is is confusing.

What pattern to follow?  How many layers should it have?  What type of fabric should these layers be?  Why doesn't this stupid mask fit me?  Are my ears at a weird height or something?

I washed fabrics at 60 degrees, strapped them to my face to check 'breathability', tried different types of wire and bullied the family into trying on multiple masks while I brandished pins near to their faces.

I learnt:

  1. Cotton is easier to breathe through and kinder on the face than polyester (and recommended for the outside layer by the NHS and CDC but not Vic Health - as far as I'm concerned they can fight it out between them)
  2. With a lot of mask patterns air comes in through gaps around the nose or under the chin - and I have no idea if that's OK.
  3. Ties make for a tighter and more comfortable fit than elastic.
  4. I can convince myself that I can't breathe even when I definitely can.
  5. Yes, my ears are at a weird height and it's possible one is higher than the other.

I don't like fabric shopping as much as I thought I did.

Did you see how long the lines for Spotlight were? 

 'Popping to the shop for more fabric' means taking a packed lunch and a folding chair.  And if you're relaxing smugly at home in your folding chair because (haha) you've already ordered lots of fabric online, the laugh is on you because when the parcel arrives it will contain precisely one metre of fabric and a bias binding maker (true story).

Ditto how much I like sewing

Did the pattern really need to be so curved?  Did it really need a wire on the bridge of the nose or ties instead of elastic?  Did it really need independently sewn layers?  Well, as it turns out No.  I've started making some to Vic Health's specifications (above) - basically just a square of three layers with elastic through.  I'll have to stick to the curved ones or seek a medical exemption on the grounds of auricular inusitus.

http://thelittlestcostumeshop.com/reusable-fabric-facemasks/

!