I've just donated 50 masks that I've been sewing since last week to a local hospital. It was quite exhausting but I had fun making them from colourful fabric 😊
It IS exhausting!! I made a bunch for family, friends, neighbors, then several dozen for our Community Kitchen. Even with an efficient process, it takes a lot of detail work and attention. Much more than the 10-15 min. stated above!
Actually, unless you're making masks for friends or family who are only going to use them for grocery runs, I would suggest NOT using pipe cleaners. I'm making a bunch of masks for the home healthcare company my brother-in-law works for and had the same thought as you. I made a test mask with a pipe cleaner in it just to get the method down, but when I ran it through the wash, the metal had gotten so twisted that it had lost almost half its length. After a few washes, the metal could very easily snap, and you'd end up with useless, stabby bits of metal stuck inside the mask. It might be possible though to sew on a strip of fabric to the outside to create an open-ended channel so the pipe cleaners or twist ties can be removed during washing and replaced as needed. Tl;dr Pipe cleaners don't hold up to washing. Try making a channel so they can be replaced, or reserve them only for personal-use masks that will be used/washed less often
@@wowyourealoser Thank you for pointing that out. Mask is made except for wire and now I will hunt for wire. All fabric stores closed so super markets may have cotton in form of pillow cases or sheets.
Hello ❤️thank you to everyone who sent me mask links that led to this video, I felt your sincere enthusiasm and eagerness to help. If you'd like to donate to global relief efforts, I've included a DONATE button for a response fund that is being matched by Google.org. Wherever you are, I'm sending you lots of love and thanks for a million subscribers ❤️❤️
If you can't find bread ties some other options I recommend using are pipe cleaners, opened up bobby pins, beading wire and opened up paper clips. They all work amazingly. P.s, thank you for such an amazing and helpful video. Stay strong everybody. 💛
If you do use wire, of any kind, try to curl the ends over with pliers and hit those ends with a dot of hot glue to prevent them from poking through the mask.
Also, if you have cotton ties, those are good so the person can adjust them to their head/ ears (not all people have ears that can keep elastic on) and tie them around the head if needed.
Cotton ties are also better because you can put them on without getting your hands close to your face. The ties can be easily made by yourself! Also, most elastics can't be cook-washed (how do you say it?) to disinfect them. They have to be washed on 90° Celsius to be clean. Here (Belgium) the handmade masks can't have elastics because of these reasons. We're in quarantine since 13th of March. Hope you all are doing ok!
@@damaracarpenter8316 I don't think so. I think they mean washed on the hottest setting. "Kookwas", we Dutch and Flemish call it. It literally translates to "cooking / boiling wash" so that's why I think she means that. It's about 95°C - 5° short of boiling. An autoclave is a very different instrument.
you can cut strips of lycra fabric and they will stretch and roll up very very neat and be used for very comfortable elastic that does not hurt the ears and is very comfortable......oh, and the lycra is about 60-70 inches wide and you can make a ton in a few minutes.......I do mine this way and people love it....
Some hospitals request the wire to be removable for washing. Would we still be able to wash our masks with the wire in at home in a washer? Thanks in advance!
@@SportyChlckl I made a bunch using the Leah Day pattern which features a pipe cleaner and filter pocket. Leah sews the pipe cleaner in permanently, but i just left a gap at the center to make it removable. You can wash the mask with the pipe cleaner in place, though. Just flatten it out when it comes out. I wash mine in a mesh laundry bag to prevent the ties from getting tangled. Make sure to bend the tips of the pipe cleaner ends over so the wire doesn't poke through the fabric.
I think the goverment should do the testing on which design is best. The government should supply the fabric from factory stock/shop to cutting factories (only 1 cutter required) with mask template and also supply binding and wire. The cutting factories then supply to home sewist by post/delivery or pick up keeping a safe distance. I have made a few different designs each came with problems for example: fabric to thick, mask to loose/ small/gap at the top and the most complaint is the elastic was uncomfortable/loose/tight. Made with 2 types of elastic 6mm flat and 2mm round. The best design was the pleated version because it fitted more face shape than the other design. I think binding would be the better option. Waiting for the binding i ordered, been over a week. The sewing community are putting their love, skill, time into these mask ❤️❤️❤️. Thank you wendy and to all the others who have made tutorials. These tutorials are very helpful to choose the better option.
Ps it shouldn't be wire but 4mm wide thin strip metal and 3 to 4inches long, rounded at the tips with plastic covering tips. Like boning but malleable. They should look at plastic that can take hot temp and washed many times. All these components should be tested for best outcome for a mask design. Prayers for all especially for key workers.
When you use wires that have paper covers, they'll decompose after just a few washings. There are many tutorials that use pipe cleaners, beading wire, etc. You must crimp the wire on each end, a little twist and crunch with pliers; otherwise, they will eventually break through the fabric. I have found that using some 3/4" ribbon for the wire encasement is wonderful. Just remove the wire(s) before washing.
When wearing the mask with pleats, make sure the pleats on the outside faces down unlike in 4:55 where the pleats go up This is because if the virus were to be in contact with the surface of the mask, it would be less likely to collect inside the pleats and just fall on to the ground.
Simz, I’m telling you they KNOW. I didn’t say they were following the guidelines set. A lot of places do not have all the supplies they need and are forced to reuse some disposable gloves and masks and it is unfortunate!
@@Jessa8891 if they know, why aren't they doing it? You'd be surprised how dense people can be. Just today I heard from a guy working in a shop that they didn't accept cash money at the moment for hygiene reasons, but when asked if they cleaned the pin device multiple times a day the answer was "uh, no... Why?"
I've seen A LOT of videos and tutorials for face masks, I would definitely say yours has been one of the best... Especially with you showing from all angles the wear test of them. Kudos!
I'm sewing some for friends and family. I've tried a few and personally use a adapted version of the button counter one. I use two fabric squares to differentiate outside and inside and also sew a twist tie in the top seam allowance so that the wire is cushioned by more layers of fabric. You can feed bands through the side accent pieces if the elastic is uncomfortable or you prefer bands
FYI to all sewers I used a pipe cleaner from kids crafts for the wire instead of a twist tie and it works great! I will be upcycling the elastic & fabric from my old give away pile of garments for future facemasks too. Thanks for the tutorial I've made about 5 masks so far.
Thank you for doing this video Wendy. I've been making the Olson mask and so far everyone loves it. Although I add a sleeve to the pocket lining piece, for a nose wire and I use two pipe cleaners twisted together. Much more comfortable than wire. I even found an altered Olson mask, which fits my small face better.
Thanks Wendy! You saved us sometime filtering through all the tutorials out there. Just one comment for people sewing masks to donate to hospitals. Please don't try on the masks before sending them off b/c there's a risk of spreading germs that way. Best to try on the one you're going to wear and follow the pattern for the rest. Thanks again!
@@Mel-pb5xw that's good to know! Still, if you tried it on and now feel weird about donating it, washing it won't hurt (or if it does, you used the wrong materials)
the last one!! my sister is a frontliner so i think I'm gonna make that one for her and her coworkers so they have additional protection. thank you for this, wendy!
I hand stitched mine back in March 2020 and I strongly recommend using 'gear ties" (reusable twist ties, i.e garden ties) instead of regular twist ties since they don't break down in boiling water or when washing in hot water and they can be used around the house for a million purposes--electric cords :)
to prevent the gap around the nose, I think you could try sewing a small and flexible wire in so that you can bend it to fit your nose! I live in korea, and all of our masks have this wire integrated in the mask, and it definitely helps keep the gap small!
I stared with one design that, while looking finished af, took way too much time, so I started redesigning. I'm on mk. 3 now. Mine are three layers, 2 cotton (one a contrasting color to avoid contamination), one none-woven interfacing. My most recent one has a opening at the bottom to place a filter in. I use pipe cleaners as a wire across the nose and sew a little pocket around it. I saw on the CDC website that they used a coffee filter on the inside of a bandana, so I slipped on in and it worked great. Couldn't feel any air pass through it.
I’ve recently gotten into sewing and decided to make the N-95 mask covers for practice with some scrap fabric and it turned out great! You made it very easy to follow and now I can be fashionable and protected :)
Wendy, of course you can feel air escaping through the top, you've been using the masks upside down. The pleats in the same direction are made to direct de air, much like the flaps of an airplane wing. If you put the pleats the other way, you direct the air down, not up. This is also a tip so that glasses don't fog up with your breath. Love the video, stay safe!
Just wanted to share that I've been adding a bendable nose piece to my masks by adding ribbon or twill tape to the top inside of my masks to encase some wire in. it's easy to add to pre-existing patterns, and if you're like me using jewelry or floral wire, it can make it easy to replace the wire if need be
I’ve made so many masks for my local hospitals as well as for friends and family, I’m sure this is very helpful for those not sure what kind to make. Stay safe everyone ❤️
I’ve been sifting through all of the mask tutorials online and it’s been really overwhelming- this video is so to-the-point and easy to follow. Thank you Wendy!! ❣️
If you don’t like elastic around your ears you can use a connector across the back of your head. I made mine by attaching a hook and eye to opposite ends of a piece of ribbon. Just put each ear loop in the ribbon circle and close it. I used the wire closer strip from a coffee bag to make the nose bridge piece.
To prevent your ears from hurting you can make a thick headband to pull your hair back and it has buttons by both ears that you can hook the elastic on instead of hooking them on your ears.
Every store around me is out of elastic, and I ran out a long time ago. But I’ve been making my own elastic out of knit fabric. I just made bias-tape looking strips out of knit, fold them in like bias tape, and sew them down the middle with a zig-zag stitch. It works great! So soft. Thank you for making this video!! ❤️
I've been seeing some recommendations using hair elastics, as long as their diameter is on the larger side! I ordered some elastic two weeks ago and there was already major shipping delays :(
Thank you so much for making a video about this! I'm part of a group at my church that is making PPE gowns and masks for our local and hospice retirement home employees in Waterloo Region and this is so so needed.
The Olson face mask from Trinity Point Health provides a more contoured fit so there are less gaps, a pocket for a filter, and the nose piece. You can also use hair ties for the elastic which has been easier to find lately. We have a lot of places asking for that so that is what I am sewing. It takes me 10-15 minutes per mask.
A face mask that provides protection closer to the N95 mask includes a layer of sew-in interfacing between the 2 cotton layers. The interfacing is non-woven and has no weave holes for the tiny Covid-19 virus to get through.
thank you so so so much for this video wendy, this is the only video out of countless ones i've found so far that actually works the way it should and is easy to follow even for beginners! and also thank you for including so many options, it's really helpful 🙏
Making a casing for inserting the elastic is much better. That way everyone can adjust the elastic by making a knot were needed. I ran out of elastic band and using now a single strand of t-shirt yarn, very nice and comfortable.
Awesome yes!!! Add a wire or pipe cleaner!!! If your dollar store is open near you. You can get flower wire and flower tape. I would cut 2-3 wires and tape together.
Nose wires fix gapping! You know the metal/plastic things on coffee bags? To roll bag and fold it around to close? They work great in masks! You can insert it after you turn right side out and sew around it to hold in place. Great tutorial! Also if you find your mask slips down when you talk ( I have a long chin and it tugs with every word) just make the mask longer top-to-bottom and make 4 deeper folds. Will accordion out and around your features better.
pick ones that will be most comfortable for you and your family, and if doing them for a local hospital, reach out to them and ask them which design they are referencing.
Decanta the best one I have found it’s called “ denim face mask” it’s on Pinterest. It’s easy and I added strings in all the corners, for tying. I also added a thin paper clip for nose piece.
Right? I wanted to make the "subzero" (Mortal Kombat) shapes since the pleads looks to me as it doesnt seal in the nose well, but am very confused with all the options
I am using the Leah Day pattern with ties since I could not find elastic and I was making a lot of them for my coworkers (ie many different size heads). They are comfortable and quick to sew, and the nose features a pipe cleaner to mold to your nose. For wearing over many hours they are great. If you're just wearing them for a quick trip to the store and only have to make a couple of masks, some of the other patterns may be fine.
nice video. the issue right now for those wanting to sew many of these is that elastic is all backordered on most sites. some hair bands can work it seems, some less so.
Put in a piece of pipe cleaner on the top so it conforms to the nose. I saw a post on Facebook, someone made, more or less a headband for the back of the head with buttons on either side for the elastic to loop around, that way it doesn't create sores on the back of the ears.
I had a coil of 20 gauge plastic coated steel wire and it worked great for nose, plus round "bracelet" elastic for ear loops for regular person especially elder that can be knotted to fit to their face.
The closure strip on a bag of coffee works well as the nose-piece. I used 18-gauge tinned copper wire, available at JoAnn Fabrics jewelry department on a spool or an art store.
I just learned how to sew on a machine just to make masks for Michael Garron Hospital last week. I made 9 masks but it took me all week because I was fighting with my machine! I wish I'd watched your videos prior. One thing I'm proud of doing was crocheting all of my ear "elastics" out of yarn - they're a bit stretchy and quite sturdy. Thank you for making this - I'll make sure to re-watch for next time so my masks don't look so crappy lol. Stay safe Wendy!
I only had two inch elastic, I cut it into 1/4 inch pieces, it works as long as you cut very straight, my kids work in hospitals and grocery stores so making I had to get creative. I used jewelry wire 40 gauge for the nose piece, it works very nicely.
Thank you Wendy for this super helpful and clear tutorial! I live in Italy and here the emergency arrived early.... Some weeks ago I started sewing masks for friends and family based on your Gucci's Billie Eilish mask tutorial! They work pretty well also because it covers the chin :)
I also did not have enough elastic so I used cut up strips of a t-shirt (pulled them taught so the edges curled in on themselves) and it worked great! It’s not only a super efficient method it’s also really comfy on the ears.
I made one of these many many tutorials on how to make fabric masks. When you said "I am going to show you THE approved one" I started listening three times more alternatively. Once I posted a tutorial myself, I feel stressed out if I am spreading a bad influence or the correct one. My style is the first one with fitted darts. Also, I eventually added a channel for a flexible nose piece to pinch it close according to WHO guidelines. The mask did not lose any breathability, but now it fits real snuggly tight
I made masks for all my family and close friends. Lol I also used twist tie from a parsley bundle then I ordered a packet on amazon. I hated them. It turned my happy hobby into a constant reminder of ppl being sick, spreading the virus and dying. I wasn’t making them fast enough. But now I’m quilting again.
That was very helpful. I'm glad you made two versions of the face mask. 👏🏻 Here is a modification suggestion for the 1st mask so the elastic can be easily replaced.💡The right and left sides of the mask would have to be sewn differently. The right and left sides of the mask would need to be sewn over onto itself to create a 'tunnel opening' so a strip of elastic can be inserted with a help of a guide. Once a strip of elastic has been inserted into the right 'tunnel opening' the next step is to sew the end of the elastic onto itself. Next, rotate the elastic so the sewn end is hidden in the 'tunnel.' Now, do this step for the elastic on the left end. So, when the elastic breaks and needs replacing, simply pull the elastic out and insert a new elastic with a guide into the 'tunnel', sew its ends and rotate the sewn end back into the 'tunnel' to protect its stitching.
I add a strip of bias tape on the top inside of my masks. I just sew the top and bottom edge of it, I keep the ends open so you can add a twist tie or a pipe cleaner to fit it to your nose. You can remove the twist tie and pipe cleaner when washing without having to worry and just use a new one next wear. Tip... Add it after pleating and top stitching. I had to seamrip a couple because I had sewn right over the openings.
In my country, no one can leave a house without a coved face. It looks like it helps to manage this situation. And because there weren't enough face masks even in hospitals, people started sewing them at home. In our hospitals, they usually don't want elastics but some cotton straps because they can fold it around the head and it's more comfortable for them. They can also sterilize them and use them again (just boil them in water and iron them). Patterns are usually similar to yours, I know only one easier than these.
Thank you for the different options wendy! You just saved me and my machine! I’ve made the mistake of cutting out all my fabric and then was asked to alter the mask and found out that my fabric is a little too small still! My machine has been struggling with this pattern I’ve been following since the edges get pretty thick and I feel like I’ve been at it for hours! This tutorial has saved my back!
I use the metal thingys out of school binders. I don‘t know if they are used in the US. You can use the ones of either paper binders or plastic ones. Works really well
my sister is a nurse and said after a twelve hour shift the elastic hurts her ears pretty bad, so my suggestion is to use cotton for the ear bands as well so it can be tied in the back! this was especially helpful for me because elastic is sold out at every store near me 😅
Thank you! I will be making these and giving them away for free for my fellow co workers.I work for Amazon and I know many people, including myself, who are afraid to come to work because we don’t feel safe. Not everyone has the luxury of staying home during this pandemic. This will help a lot thank you Wendy!!🙏🏻
You covered so much in one video!! Great job!! ⭐️I have been making different mask samples all week. I wish i found your video sooner!!! BTW Tshirt ties work great. They tie easily and are comfy to wear for a long time. Thanks for putting the masks on at the end as it helps so much to see the fit! ⭐️
hi wendy, thx for video. ive been making masks but 1st time i saw the n95 cover..i will be trying those out for sure for my awesome collegues who work frontline...ive been using scrubs for fabric, the dense weave works holds well as an outer...tfs:)
love that you are helping with the relief effort, but you put the mask on wrong! the pleats are supposed to be facing downwards so that your droplets remain trapped in the mask.
if you make a mask like the blue & brown with a opening on the side ,,, you can use a dryer sheet for a filter. just fold it to size.......thank you,,,, your pattern is the easting 1 I have found so far.....thank you so so much.
my mom bought fake flowers with the intent of harvesting the wire inside for masks, but im not sure if shes going to need multiple pieces of wire for one mask or not
Make sure if you're making any masks, wear a mask yourself while making them. You should also make sure that the masks have 4 layers of 100% cotton and the pleats are facing down
It should be noted for the mask to be more efficient the pleats have to face down, this is so no debis is collected on the pleats
Very good to know, thank you!
+
Do the pleats serve a specific function? Like are they there to help fit the face better or is there another reason to have them?
Yvan S. Yes, the pleats are in place so it fits your face better and has less gaps
Could you not just flip the mask around so the pleats are facing down? Maybe not on the one with the twist tie I guess.
I've just donated 50 masks that I've been sewing since last week to a local hospital. It was quite exhausting but I had fun making them from colourful fabric 😊
It IS exhausting!! I made a bunch for family, friends, neighbors, then several dozen for our Community Kitchen. Even with an efficient process, it takes a lot of detail work and attention. Much more than the 10-15 min. stated above!
Well done, you are amazing
M Barnard relatable
y'all are so amazing!
Thank you for your kindness to humankind.
So happy to see you made a video for this! Thanks for offering options and knowledge to your viewers!
Hi!
You can also use pipe cleaners for the “metal” part!
I haven't been able to find pipe cleaners in ages.
Actually, unless you're making masks for friends or family who are only going to use them for grocery runs, I would suggest NOT using pipe cleaners. I'm making a bunch of masks for the home healthcare company my brother-in-law works for and had the same thought as you. I made a test mask with a pipe cleaner in it just to get the method down, but when I ran it through the wash, the metal had gotten so twisted that it had lost almost half its length. After a few washes, the metal could very easily snap, and you'd end up with useless, stabby bits of metal stuck inside the mask. It might be possible though to sew on a strip of fabric to the outside to create an open-ended channel so the pipe cleaners or twist ties can be removed during washing and replaced as needed.
Tl;dr Pipe cleaners don't hold up to washing. Try making a channel so they can be replaced, or reserve them only for personal-use masks that will be used/washed less often
@@wowyourealoser Thank you for pointing that out. Mask is made except for wire and now I will hunt for wire. All fabric stores closed so super markets may have cotton in form of pillow cases or sheets.
I've used a piece of wire, not sure how it will be after washing tho
@@belka986 clean wire!
I noticed how much my safety glasses were steaming up in the store because I do not have the wire in yet.
Hello ❤️thank you to everyone who sent me mask links that led to this video, I felt your sincere enthusiasm and eagerness to help. If you'd like to donate to global relief efforts, I've included a DONATE button for a response fund that is being matched by Google.org. Wherever you are, I'm sending you lots of love and thanks for a million subscribers ❤️❤️
If you can't find bread ties some other options I recommend using are pipe cleaners, opened up bobby pins, beading wire and opened up paper clips. They all work amazingly. P.s, thank you for such an amazing and helpful video. Stay strong everybody. 💛
If you do use wire, of any kind, try to curl the ends over with pliers and hit those ends with a dot of hot glue to prevent them from poking through the mask.
Thank you for the opened bobby pins tip.
@@90McPhee Thank you for the great suggestion of putting a dot of hot glue at the curled ends of the wire.
C. Bright that’s an excellent idea thanks!
Coffee bag closers are stronger than twist ties.
Also, if you have cotton ties, those are good so the person can adjust them to their head/ ears (not all people have ears that can keep elastic on) and tie them around the head if needed.
Elastic also hurt behind the ears when the masks are worn for a long period of time
I saw someone add a large headband with button-type things to fasten the elastic to
Cotton ties are also better because you can put them on without getting your hands close to your face. The ties can be easily made by yourself! Also, most elastics can't be cook-washed (how do you say it?) to disinfect them. They have to be washed on 90° Celsius to be clean.
Here (Belgium) the handmade masks can't have elastics because of these reasons. We're in quarantine since 13th of March. Hope you all are doing ok!
@@ttthildeee autoclaved i think is the word❤
@@damaracarpenter8316 I don't think so. I think they mean washed on the hottest setting. "Kookwas", we Dutch and Flemish call it. It literally translates to "cooking / boiling wash" so that's why I think she means that. It's about 95°C - 5° short of boiling. An autoclave is a very different instrument.
Apparently you can also use old pantyhose for elastics. Just cut straight across the legs to make a stretchy tube.
Good looking out, thanks!!
I used to do this for hair elastics all the time! They should be very soft on the ears
You can buy them premade they are called nylon headbands
I use pantyhose for our masks and it works well and it's easy
T-shirt strips work well too if they're stretchy and don't fray
you can cut strips of lycra fabric and they will stretch and roll up very very neat and be used for very comfortable elastic that does not hurt the ears and is very comfortable......oh, and the lycra is about 60-70 inches wide and you can make a ton in a few minutes.......I do mine this way and people love it....
In case you need to skip ahead to a specific mask:
mask #1: 1:31
mask #2: 3:26
mask #3: 5:20
mask #4: 7:28
I’ve been using strips of “swim suit” type stretchy material for the ear straps. It doesn’t fray, and is quite comfy on ears.
Another option for adding wire, I used a pipe cleaner and did a wide zigzag over it to keep it in place.
Some hospitals request the wire to be removable for washing. Would we still be able to wash our masks with the wire in at home in a washer? Thanks in advance!
@@SportyChlckl I made a bunch using the Leah Day pattern which features a pipe cleaner and filter pocket. Leah sews the pipe cleaner in permanently, but i just left a gap at the center to make it removable. You can wash the mask with the pipe cleaner in place, though. Just flatten it out when it comes out. I wash mine in a mesh laundry bag to prevent the ties from getting tangled. Make sure to bend the tips of the pipe cleaner ends over so the wire doesn't poke through the fabric.
@@katietatey They rust.
I think the goverment should do the testing on which design is best. The government should supply the fabric from factory stock/shop to cutting factories (only 1 cutter required) with mask template and also supply binding and wire. The cutting factories then supply to home sewist by post/delivery or pick up keeping a safe distance. I have made a few different designs each came with problems for example: fabric to thick, mask to loose/ small/gap at the top and the most complaint is the elastic was uncomfortable/loose/tight. Made with 2 types of elastic 6mm flat and 2mm round. The best design was the pleated version because it fitted more face shape than the other design. I think binding would be the better option. Waiting for the binding i ordered, been over a week. The sewing community are putting their love, skill, time into these mask ❤️❤️❤️. Thank you wendy and to all the others who have made tutorials. These tutorials are very helpful to choose the better option.
Ps it shouldn't be wire but 4mm wide thin strip metal and 3 to 4inches long, rounded at the tips with plastic covering tips. Like boning but malleable. They should look at plastic that can take hot temp and washed many times. All these components should be tested for best outcome for a mask design. Prayers for all especially for key workers.
When you use wires that have paper covers, they'll decompose after just a few washings.
There are many tutorials that use pipe cleaners, beading wire, etc. You must crimp the wire on each end, a little twist and crunch with pliers; otherwise, they will eventually break through the fabric.
I have found that using some 3/4" ribbon for the wire encasement is wonderful.
Just remove the wire(s)
before washing.
Coffee bag closures! And no pokey buts (usually).
CONGRATS ON 1M!!
When wearing the mask with pleats, make sure the pleats on the outside faces down unlike in 4:55 where the pleats go up
This is because if the virus were to be in contact with the surface of the mask, it would be less likely to collect inside the pleats and just fall on to the ground.
I love love love that you actually make sure these work, not only making fashion statements!
The masks need to have an outside and inside. So they can differentiate and not use the outside to avoid contamination.
I think people are smart enough to know that.
When I made mine, I used a patterned outside and a solid color inside so you would remember easily that the solid goes toward your face.
Jessica Nicole they’re not. You have people wearing gloves for days at a time and cross contamination is occurring
Simz, I’m telling you they KNOW. I didn’t say they were following the guidelines set. A lot of places do not have all the supplies they need and are forced to reuse some disposable gloves and masks and it is unfortunate!
@@Jessa8891 if they know, why aren't they doing it?
You'd be surprised how dense people can be. Just today I heard from a guy working in a shop that they didn't accept cash money at the moment for hygiene reasons, but when asked if they cleaned the pin device multiple times a day the answer was "uh, no... Why?"
I've seen A LOT of videos and tutorials for face masks, I would definitely say yours has been one of the best... Especially with you showing from all angles the wear test of them. Kudos!
I'm sewing some for friends and family.
I've tried a few and personally use a adapted version of the button counter one.
I use two fabric squares to differentiate outside and inside and also sew a twist tie in the top seam allowance so that the wire is cushioned by more layers of fabric. You can feed bands through the side accent pieces if the elastic is uncomfortable or you prefer bands
FYI to all sewers I used a pipe cleaner from kids crafts for the wire instead of a twist tie and it works great! I will be upcycling the elastic & fabric from my old give away pile of garments for future facemasks too. Thanks for the tutorial I've made about 5 masks so far.
Thank you for doing this video Wendy.
I've been making the Olson mask and so far everyone loves it. Although I add a sleeve to the pocket lining piece, for a nose wire and I use two pipe cleaners twisted together. Much more comfortable than wire.
I even found an altered Olson mask, which fits my small face better.
Thanks Wendy! You saved us sometime filtering through all the tutorials out there. Just one comment for people sewing masks to donate to hospitals. Please don't try on the masks before sending them off b/c there's a risk of spreading germs that way. Best to try on the one you're going to wear and follow the pattern for the rest. Thanks again!
You should also wash them at min. 60°C after you finish them, then donate.
Janne Mai most hospitals are washing them prior to use, so unless where you’re donating specifies as such, washing prior to donation isn’t necessary
@@Mel-pb5xw that's good to know! Still, if you tried it on and now feel weird about donating it, washing it won't hurt (or if it does, you used the wrong materials)
the last one!! my sister is a frontliner so i think I'm gonna make that one for her and her coworkers so they have additional protection. thank you for this, wendy!
I hand stitched mine back in March 2020 and I strongly recommend using 'gear ties" (reusable twist ties, i.e garden ties) instead of regular twist ties since they don't break down in boiling water or when washing in hot water and they can be used around the house for a million purposes--electric cords :)
to prevent the gap around the nose, I think you could try sewing a small and flexible wire in so that you can bend it to fit your nose!
I live in korea, and all of our masks have this wire integrated in the mask, and it definitely helps keep the gap small!
I stared with one design that, while looking finished af, took way too much time, so I started redesigning. I'm on mk. 3 now. Mine are three layers, 2 cotton (one a contrasting color to avoid contamination), one none-woven interfacing. My most recent one has a opening at the bottom to place a filter in. I use pipe cleaners as a wire across the nose and sew a little pocket around it.
I saw on the CDC website that they used a coffee filter on the inside of a bandana, so I slipped on in and it worked great. Couldn't feel any air pass through it.
I’ve recently gotten into sewing and decided to make the N-95 mask covers for practice with some scrap fabric and it turned out great! You made it very easy to follow and now I can be fashionable and protected :)
Wendy, of course you can feel air escaping through the top, you've been using the masks upside down. The pleats in the same direction are made to direct de air, much like the flaps of an airplane wing. If you put the pleats the other way, you direct the air down, not up. This is also a tip so that glasses don't fog up with your breath. Love the video, stay safe!
As someone with glasses, I can assure you, pleats down do not help to prevent fogged up glasses at all
Just wanted to share that I've been adding a bendable nose piece to my masks by adding ribbon or twill tape to the top inside of my masks to encase some wire in. it's easy to add to pre-existing patterns, and if you're like me using jewelry or floral wire, it can make it easy to replace the wire if need be
I’ve made so many masks for my local hospitals as well as for friends and family, I’m sure this is very helpful for those not sure what kind to make. Stay safe everyone ❤️
I’ve been sifting through all of the mask tutorials online and it’s been really overwhelming- this video is so to-the-point and easy to follow. Thank you Wendy!! ❣️
If you don’t like elastic around your ears you can use a connector across the back of your head. I made mine by attaching a hook and eye to opposite ends of a piece of ribbon. Just put each ear loop in the ribbon circle and close it. I used the wire closer strip from a coffee bag to make the nose bridge piece.
She’s so gorgeous, inside and out 💗
To prevent your ears from hurting you can make a thick headband to pull your hair back and it has buttons by both ears that you can hook the elastic on instead of hooking them on your ears.
Every store around me is out of elastic, and I ran out a long time ago. But I’ve been making my own elastic out of knit fabric. I just made bias-tape looking strips out of knit, fold them in like bias tape, and sew them down the middle with a zig-zag stitch. It works great! So soft. Thank you for making this video!! ❤️
I've been seeing some recommendations using hair elastics, as long as their diameter is on the larger side! I ordered some elastic two weeks ago and there was already major shipping delays :(
Yeah, I’ve tried with hair ties, but they’re very rough on the ears. :(
But whatever we can use!
You could also just do long fabric ties. Theyre more adjustable and longer so people using them wont have their hands so close to the actual mask
I’ve seen people cut bungee cords and use the elastics inside of there. I have no personal experience with that though since I can’t sew. 😊
Thank you so much for making a video about this! I'm part of a group at my church that is making PPE gowns and masks for our local and hospice retirement home employees in Waterloo Region and this is so so needed.
The Olson face mask from Trinity Point Health provides a more contoured fit so there are less gaps, a pocket for a filter, and the nose piece. You can also use hair ties for the elastic which has been easier to find lately. We have a lot of places asking for that so that is what I am sewing. It takes me 10-15 minutes per mask.
Thank you for using your influence and doing your part to spread this helpful tutorial!
A face mask that provides protection closer to the N95 mask includes a layer of sew-in interfacing between the 2 cotton layers. The interfacing is non-woven and has no weave holes for the tiny Covid-19 virus to get through.
thank you so so so much for this video wendy, this is the only video out of countless ones i've found so far that actually works the way it should and is easy to follow even for beginners! and also thank you for including so many options, it's really helpful 🙏
This is amazing! Thank you for giving details on what face masks truly protect us and which ones don’t.
Yes! This!
Wendy you have gotten to 1 million subscribers. You are my youtube role model. Congratulations. I am proud of you.
thank you!!! i made the one with wire and found that it was pretty good, added a tiny dart under the chin so it would fit my face better
Making a casing for inserting the elastic is much better. That way everyone can adjust the elastic by making a knot were needed. I ran out of elastic band and using now a single strand of t-shirt yarn, very nice and comfortable.
Awesome yes!!! Add a wire or pipe cleaner!!! If your dollar store is open near you. You can get flower wire and flower tape. I would cut 2-3 wires and tape together.
Nose wires fix gapping! You know the metal/plastic things on coffee bags? To roll bag and fold it around to close? They work great in masks! You can insert it after you turn right side out and sew around it to hold in place. Great tutorial! Also if you find your mask slips down when you talk ( I have a long chin and it tugs with every word) just make the mask longer top-to-bottom and make 4 deeper folds. Will accordion out and around your features better.
I’m glad to see you make a video on these. Theres so many contradictions out there for mask designs, I’m struggling to pick one.
pick ones that will be most comfortable for you and your family, and if doing them for a local hospital, reach out to them and ask them which design they are referencing.
Decanta the best one I have found it’s called “ denim face mask” it’s on Pinterest. It’s easy and I added strings in all the corners, for tying. I also added a thin paper clip for nose piece.
Right? I wanted to make the "subzero" (Mortal Kombat) shapes since the pleads looks to me as it doesnt seal in the nose well, but am very confused with all the options
@@briannconn paper clip! Great idea!
I am using the Leah Day pattern with ties since I could not find elastic and I was making a lot of them for my coworkers (ie many different size heads). They are comfortable and quick to sew, and the nose features a pipe cleaner to mold to your nose. For wearing over many hours they are great. If you're just wearing them for a quick trip to the store and only have to make a couple of masks, some of the other patterns may be fine.
nice video. the issue right now for those wanting to sew many of these is that elastic is all backordered on most sites. some hair bands can work it seems, some less so.
That tiny iron is so cute!
Put in a piece of pipe cleaner on the top so it conforms to the nose. I saw a post on Facebook, someone made, more or less a headband for the back of the head with buttons on either side for the elastic to loop around, that way it doesn't create sores on the back of the ears.
I had a coil of 20 gauge plastic coated steel wire and it worked great for nose, plus round "bracelet" elastic for ear loops for regular person especially elder that can be knotted to fit to their face.
The closure strip on a bag of coffee works well as the nose-piece. I used 18-gauge tinned copper wire, available at JoAnn Fabrics jewelry department on a spool or an art store.
anyway the metal piece is needed to ensure proper fit and to ensure that nothing lies through the upper part of the mask when you wear it.
I just learned how to sew on a machine just to make masks for Michael Garron Hospital last week. I made 9 masks but it took me all week because I was fighting with my machine! I wish I'd watched your videos prior. One thing I'm proud of doing was crocheting all of my ear "elastics" out of yarn - they're a bit stretchy and quite sturdy.
Thank you for making this - I'll make sure to re-watch for next time so my masks don't look so crappy lol. Stay safe Wendy!
I only had two inch elastic, I cut it into 1/4 inch pieces, it works as long as you cut very straight, my kids work in hospitals and grocery stores so making I had to get creative. I used jewelry wire 40 gauge for the nose piece, it works very nicely.
Awesome, a 4 in 1! This way we dont have to go jumping around from video to video to make a choice. Thanks and keep up the great work!
Wendy, this is the first time I have discovered your channel, and I love it. How wonderful!
Thank you Wendy for this super helpful and clear tutorial!
I live in Italy and here the emergency arrived early.... Some weeks ago I started sewing masks for friends and family based on your Gucci's Billie Eilish mask tutorial! They work pretty well also because it covers the chin :)
Nicely done. I like your humour in the introduction. Lots of patterns offered up and references:)
Not going to lie, it’s kinda satisfying seeing that you have exactly 1 000 000 subscribers
I also did not have enough elastic so I used cut up strips of a t-shirt (pulled them taught so the edges curled in on themselves) and it worked great! It’s not only a super efficient method it’s also really comfy on the ears.
I made one of these many many tutorials on how to make fabric masks. When you said "I am going to show you THE approved one" I started listening three times more alternatively. Once I posted a tutorial myself, I feel stressed out if I am spreading a bad influence or the correct one. My style is the first one with fitted darts. Also, I eventually added a channel for a flexible nose piece to pinch it close according to WHO guidelines. The mask did not lose any breathability, but now it fits real snuggly tight
I kept the ties from cookie and coffee packages; they’re flat and fit well on the nose.
I made masks for all my family and close friends. Lol I also used twist tie from a parsley bundle then I ordered a packet on amazon. I hated them. It turned my happy hobby into a constant reminder of ppl being sick, spreading the virus and dying. I wasn’t making them fast enough. But now I’m quilting again.
That was very helpful. I'm glad you made two versions of the face mask. 👏🏻
Here is a modification suggestion for the 1st mask so the elastic can be easily replaced.💡The right and left sides of the mask would have to be sewn differently. The right and left sides of the mask would need to be sewn over onto itself to create a 'tunnel opening' so a strip of elastic can be inserted with a help of a guide.
Once a strip of elastic has been inserted into the right 'tunnel opening' the next step is to sew the end of the elastic onto itself. Next, rotate the elastic so the sewn end is hidden in the 'tunnel.' Now, do this step for the elastic on the left end.
So, when the elastic breaks and needs replacing, simply pull the elastic out and insert a new elastic with a guide into the 'tunnel', sew its ends and rotate the sewn end back into the 'tunnel' to protect its stitching.
I add a strip of bias tape on the top inside of my masks. I just sew the top and bottom edge of it, I keep the ends open so you can add a twist tie or a pipe cleaner to fit it to your nose. You can remove the twist tie and pipe cleaner when washing without having to worry and just use a new one next wear. Tip... Add it after pleating and top stitching. I had to seamrip a couple because I had sewn right over the openings.
Thank you for showing so many different versions!
You did a phenomenal job! Great work dear!
In my country, no one can leave a house without a coved face. It looks like it helps to manage this situation.
And because there weren't enough face masks even in hospitals, people started sewing them at home. In our hospitals, they usually don't want elastics but some cotton straps because they can fold it around the head and it's more comfortable for them. They can also sterilize them and use them again (just boil them in water and iron them).
Patterns are usually similar to yours, I know only one easier than these.
Thank you for the different options wendy! You just saved me and my machine! I’ve made the mistake of cutting out all my fabric and then was asked to alter the mask and found out that my fabric is a little too small still! My machine has been struggling with this pattern I’ve been following since the edges get pretty thick and I feel like I’ve been at it for hours! This tutorial has saved my back!
I use the metal thingys out of school binders. I don‘t know if they are used in the US. You can use the ones of either paper binders or plastic ones. Works really well
you can add 16 gauge wire in the top to reduce the gap around the nose. lets ppl shape it to their face and reduce gaps.
When sewing the pleats, you should make sure they are facing downward!
my sister is a nurse and said after a twelve hour shift the elastic hurts her ears pretty bad, so my suggestion is to use cotton for the ear bands as well so it can be tied in the back! this was especially helpful for me because elastic is sold out at every store near me 😅
What a great use of your platform ! Much respect :)
Love how well you explain super clear and to the point. Thanks for the tutorial. Stay safe!
Thank you! I will be making these and giving them away for free for my fellow co workers.I work for Amazon and I know many people, including myself, who are afraid to come to work because we don’t feel safe. Not everyone has the luxury of staying home during this pandemic. This will help a lot thank you Wendy!!🙏🏻
You covered so much in one video!! Great job!! ⭐️I have been making different mask samples all week. I wish i found your video sooner!!! BTW Tshirt ties work great. They tie easily and are comfy to wear for a long time. Thanks for putting the masks on at the end as it helps so much to see the fit! ⭐️
Such an amazing use of your platform. Thank you for doing this Wendy!
hi wendy, thx for video. ive been making masks but 1st time i saw the n95 cover..i will be trying those out for sure for my awesome collegues who work frontline...ive been using scrubs for fabric, the dense weave works holds well as an outer...tfs:)
Congratulations on 1 million!! So happy for you and proud - you really ARE the best! Xx
I bought some cloth ones...they had a thin piece of metal (inside the cloth) on top so u can crimp it tighter over nose😊.....great job!
love that you are helping with the relief effort, but you put the mask on wrong! the pleats are supposed to be facing downwards so that your droplets remain trapped in the mask.
Which mask? All of them?
@@lovegames007 The one with the pleats, dude
Jade Palmer 😂😂😂🙄🙄🙄🙄
if you make a mask like the blue & brown with a opening on the side ,,, you can use a dryer sheet for a filter. just fold it to size.......thank you,,,, your pattern is the easting 1 I have found so far.....thank you so so much.
Thank you for showing how to sew these masks. It was really helpful to see you sew the mask that can have a filter inserted.
I used a combination of 1 and 3. I used a hairpin instead of a twist tie and coffee filters.
woah using the parsley twist tie is so cool! that made me smile :)
Could use a ribbon with buttons sewn on both ends, that way the elastic won't tug on your ears. Just put the elastic around the sewn buttons.
I love to see someone doing things right. Love that you showed your references. Thank you so much for your time
At 6:45 the mention inner layer ( I would recommend a few layers of coffee filters) or trim up some HEPPA filters. vacuum bags.
For the 3rd mask, the pleats are facing upwards. It should face downwards so that particles are not collected.
Thank you so much for this video I have been sewing different types of masks for three days now and this video helps ❤️
It’s almost like you were psychic making that Billie Eilish mask a few months ago. Also, you’re fired for that dad pun.
Puns are one of the highest forms of humor. Extra points if people groan!
I've been putting pieces of beading wire inside the nose for mine!
Althea Unertl i’ve done that too! works well and limits the gaps :)
@Annie Harris That's really smart!
my mom bought fake flowers with the intent of harvesting the wire inside for masks, but im not sure if shes going to need multiple pieces of wire for one mask or not
She'll need about 4 inches of wire for each mask, assuming she's only putting it where the nose is.
Congrats on 1 mil subs, Wendy!! 🎉🎉🎊
Make sure if you're making any masks, wear a mask yourself while making them. You should also make sure that the masks have 4 layers of 100% cotton and the pleats are facing down
We Stan a fierce warrior queen who is fighting miss virus
Reem Larabi Miss Rona
"Fierce warrior queen?"😞
Talk about tacky.
you can also use pipe cleaners as an alternative to twist ties
You have a nice voice for presentations. 🙂 Thank you for the very relevant tutorial. I’m still waiting for supplies to start making masks myself. 😷