Quilt As You Go, Simply Done

Simply Done

Face Mask

How to Fix an Ear Loop Mask

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Use ribbon, string, elastic, hairloop elastics, whatever you can to tie into earloops and secure them around your head, not your ears.

Two ponytail holder elastics, interlocked.

Two or more ponytail holders make an approximately 5″ loop, which is a good length for providing the right amount of tautness to hold a mask firmly to your face for extended periods of time and still allow enough stretch and space to safely remove your mask. Use safe practices when removing a used mask or you’ve wasted your time wearing it!

Use ribbon or string to tie the elastics to the ear loops of an earloop-style mask. Earloops can pop off and then put strain and pain on your ears. There’s always a way to make things better…

Cover-up for N95 Mask

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I had to go grocery shopping and wanted a covering for my old N95 mask.

I have been wearing masks for years when I work on anything from insulating my cabin with fiberglass…

…to tearing down an old cabin filled with black mold. I am very used to using masks and I have several that I re-use. I attend professional training regularly on the proper use of PPE. One of my N95 masks is tan colored from the sand in Arizona, where the sand holds a fungi that can cause a condition called “Mohave Valley Fever”, a miserable respiratory infection that I don’t want.

But an N95 mask is rather a scary looking thing and I wanted some bling to cover it. So, I dumped out my shimmery fabrics, sorted them by color and found a nice band of bangles I’ve always wanted to use.

This mask is one thin layer of Lamé (Wiki on Lamé) with top and bottom hem, no nose-piece and rolled-hem channels on the sides for ribbon. Lamé fabric is so loosely woven that it would never make a good mask, but it sure makes a fun cover-up. The gold ‘coins’ are Wrights Twill with Coin Trim. I’m pretty sure I’ll be making more of these. This one started as 10″ wide by 8 and 1/4″ top-to-bottom but there was still some mask showing. I’ll cut the next one to 10″ x 9″ or maybe even 9 and a half inches.

Nose Piece for Face Masks

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Tom and I were sharing mask ideas when he came up with the idea of a paperclip nose piece for masks and it’s genius. The nose piece is important because the goal of the mask is to be snug to your face.

We have been training with PPE for almost 20 years and we understand its importance and how to properly don and remove it.

A normal paperclip makes a great nose piece for masks when the ends are curled inward.

To make, straighten a regular (not jumbo) paperclip and use a needle-nose pliers to turn the ends under. Slip the straightened metal into the hem of a cloth face mask and center, then form the curve with your thumbs. Try the mask on to see how it fits and continue to bend the metal until the fit is snug against the bridge of your nose.

Batik Fabric Face Mask

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This test is with two layers of batik, testing ribbons and elastic. I like a thicker (3/8″) ribbon over the thinner (1/4″) and I much prefer the sewn channel along the side versus leaving it open, which is what I tried at first.

This is a double layer of batik fabric that was very comfortable to wear. It has the “pocket opening” at the top and the molded nose-piece.

Thin blue ribbon on left bunched up while the thicker one gathered evenly.

I also prefer sewing the ribbon ends versus tying them and I really like this wider piece of elastic (1″ wide) I found in one of my sewing bins. It slid comfortably on and off and held the mask in place very well. I cut 7″ and sewed the ends closed, leaving enough room to thread the ribbon, attached to a safety pin, through.

1″ of elastic with ends folded over 1/2″ and stitched.

Here’s my tutorial for a Home Use Fabric Mask – https://www.crazyshortcutquilts.com/diy-face-mask-with-ribbon/

Face Masks for Michelle

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I made two masks for a friend who doesn’t have a sewing machine or any materials to make one with. She chose the fabrics from an image I sent her in chat.

I learned as I went and discovered that the grosgrain ribbon is a bit stiff and if only knotted, comes undone in either the washing machine or the dryer.

After hunting all the parts down I put the ribbon back through the mask and then sewed it to itself after threading through the elastics.

Because I used a combination of batik fabric and well starched t-shirt, there was no shrinkage in the wash. The nose piece held up well also. I’m happy with this design and will continue to use it with either ponytail elastics or elastic cording, when I can buy some.

Here’s my tutorial for a Home Use Fabric Mask –

DIY Fabric Face Mask with Ribbon and Nose Piece

Experienced Mask Wearer

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Tom and I train annually for how to respond to the next oil spill in Alaska. Part of that training is how to wear – meaning put on, use carefully and safely remove – protective outerwear. We suit up, glove up, mask up and have chocolate syrup poured over us, then have to take it off without contaminating ourselves.

It’s not easy.

Protecting yourself against something you can’t even see is tremendously more difficult.

That’s why I designed the best possible homemade Home Use mask I could and I want people to understand it.

Outer fabric is tight weave quilting cotton or batik. The pocket is for additional filtration, like a section of blue shop towel. Inner layer is something soft against your face.

EASY ON OFF IS CRITICAL FOR NON-CONTAMINATION. Yes, I am shouting that. All the masks in the world won’t protect you if you take it off wrong and contaminate yourself. Go ahead, try it with syrup – any kind – on your mask. Learn how to do it right.

Here’s my tutorial on how to make the mask for Home Use and below that how to take it off properly – https://www.crazyshortcutquilts.com/diy-face-mask-with-ribbon/