Homemade masks—show up yours

[sarahperdue]

Here’s what I’ve been up to when avoiding microbiology homework. They have woven cotton on the front and knit cotton T-shirt fabric on the back. I ordered metal nose pieces and elastic from online. I can’t seem to make a mask that fits tightly on the top cheeks even with the bendable metal insert.

Sarah

 

[gizmo]

masks

Hi Sarah

I've been making a few masks and have a couple more designs to try.

I have never been great with sewing, much more comfortable fixing a sewing machine than using it...

However recently I scrounged a beautiful Janome Memory craft 6000, the first computerized sewing machine, about mid 1980s.

It was desperate for a few drops of oil and a clean.

It has an amazing number of tricks - always stops with the needle up; you can press a button for it to move just enough to put the needle down (for stop-and-turn manoevres ); it has a setting for straight stitch where it starts a run with 4 stitches, then reverses 4 stitches, then continues straight stitch. At the end of that run you touch the reverse button once and it repeats back 4 stitches and forward 4 stitches to finish off. Stops with needle up...

It also has a built in needle threader which was working perfectly but has just quit. I will have to investigate.

It has built in embroidery patterns including letters of the alphabet. I love it.

Back to masks - I have been watching two youtube channels that regularly have good mask designs - "DIYCraft JP" and "Thuy Phan made with love." First is from Japan, the second from Vietnam. Both of them have designs that have an extra "flap" that fits back over the nose for better fit. You can also stitch in some reinforcing metal strip or wire though I have found that if I get the stitching JUST right then I don't need a nose wire. This is the one I particularly liked and have made a few of...

You can download a PDF and print off a template for most (but not all) of their designs.

The DIYcraft JP ones all finish of with the completed mask being modeled, then some antics from their Siamese cat. I love watching them, they are strangely hypnotic and calming to watch.

 

I can post pics of some of the masks I make if you would like.

I recently read that small children are finding it scary and confronting that people around them in public are covering their faces.

I am planing to make some novelty face masks that are definitely non-scary. (but still effective face masks.)

Animal faces, smiley faces and so on. A couple of them may violate copyright so I won't show them here...

My ideas are way beyond my skill, so we will see what eventuates.

 

 

[sarahperdue]

Hi Chris!

I would love to see pictures of your masks.

As for sewing machines, we are on opposite ends of the spectrum. My grandfather gave me an early 60s Singer 328 in the late 70s. It has stitch width, zig zag, double needle and design cams.

But my favorite machine is this 1950s Singer 99K that I got for $30 at a thrift store. I don't "sew" like make clothes and stuff--in fact I'm not sure what I make but I seem to use it fairly often. It's built like a tank but 3/4 the size of a standard machine. It was in production for 1911 through the 50s.

Sarah

The pictures are stolen from the web as I have neither of my machines out at the moment.

 

[askolover]

I made quite a few masks but Vanderbilt is now requiring us to wear hospital provided masks after we get in the door so I haven't made any more.  One of the easiest masks to make is what I call "the dinnerplate mask". 



 

Is that second machine a slant needle Singer?  I love the first one.  My primary machine has been a Japanese class 15 Singer clone from the 50's that I put into a near 100 year old treadle.  Straight stitch only but it will sew through anything and is so well balanced it sews like a dream.  For a project I've been working on I swapped out the Japanese machine and stuck in a German Pfaff 130 with zigzag.  That is a fabulous machine too.  I just finished assembling a quilt top I've wanted to make for the past 20 years and finally got up the nerve to try it.  Sorry, didn't mean to hijack the thread.  We now return to our regularly scheduled program already in progress...

 

 

[sarahperdue]

Hijacking welcome

No, the later machine is not a slant stitch.

Cool quilt. I've started saving scraps with a crazy quilt in mind.

The early Singer 99s were hand cranked. I'm trying not to collect anymore, but if I found a good deal on one of those, I'd snap it up if for nothing else, just to play with for a while.

I also think the styling on the Singer Rocketeer is gorgeous, but I have no idea how it performs. My 99k may be straight stitch only, but the stitches are beautiful, and It maintains tension with little fuss.

Sarah

 

[mattl]

I've got a Rocketeer and love it.  built like a tank. Had it gone over by a real pro, he services vintage residential and commercial machines,  Told me it will last forever with minor care.  My use is limited to minor clothing repairs, but I do make drapes and curtains occasionally.  Been told it would be a great side hustle. Got into it via wallpaper.  I'm a pro at papering, I was a kid and I papered the kitchen and my mother had coordinating fabric for half curtains.  She was too busy to ever get started, and pattern matching was just like wall papering, -with pins...  Anyway went through a few books on the topic and got very good at it.

 

Got a few other machines, a Futura that my mom paid $700+ for in the mid '70s, the pro repair guy looked at it too told me it DOA due to the plastic gears.  Also have a "New" Singer from a few years back, it's plastic junk but  it does work, hate it.

 

[tolivac]

Found a Rocketeer at a yard sale-cabinet and all.Promply took it to the Sew&Vac place Both Mike and I went over the machine-needed only minor cleaning and lube-works GREAT!!!Only $25!!!Back when you could find GOOD stuff at yard sales instead of worn out clothes,broken toys and knick knacky stuff!

 

[vacerator]

"Mask's?

"We don't need no stinkin' masks!" Was that the Marks bros.? It's my constitutional right not to wear one many say. Is it also a right to infect others? Not!

 

[pulltostart]

Badges!

We don't need no stinkin' badges! - Blazing Saddles

 

lawrence

 

[sarahperdue]

Blazing Saddles

Love it. We used to say "Leashes, we don't need no stinkin' leashes! before taking our dogs out for a walk. It send them into a frenzy of ecstasy and anticipation.

Sarah