Mask for the Generously Bearded Gentleman (or Lady)

My cousin asked for a face mask that would accommodate his rather impressive beard. I had never considered the problem that would arise from having a mass of hair on ones chin. What would be its volume? How easy would it be to stuff places? Does it require its own conditioner? Are drinking fountains problematic?

I didn't see any masks for the bearded individual that I liked. Most were just 'bigger' or open at the bottom (which doesn't seem effective for the mask actually functioning).

I spent some time trying to imagine hair stuck to my face and this is the design I came up with:

Socially Distant BJJ

First Stage of Accepting the Pandemic....

Today I feel like I really accepted the pandemic: I cleaned out my gym bag.

So much of my pre-Covid19 time was spent having  the right combination of gear organized for the correct activity, ready to grab and go out the door. So much of my Covid19 time is NOT that. 

It felt like acceptance to put the tiny shampoos and conditioners in my shower and my yoga mat towels in the linen closet.

Pandemic Simulator: Hobbies

Step 1: Write all your many varied hobbies and interests on slips of paper and put into hat

Step 2: Randomly pull out three slips of paper

Step 3: These are your only hobbies, the others are dead to you

"Looks like my hobbies are now 'muffin baking' …. 'sewing' and …. 'catering to my cat's every whim'. Dang it! I wanted 'angry pajama yoga', 'hitting people with sticks' and 'going to the movie theater'! How did the cat one even get IN here!"

Zoom Dilemma

You should clean your living room before the Zoom call! It will be good to get up off the couch!

Orrrrr..... I've got a better plan...... We both know you hate cleaning.... sooooo

How to Sew a Face Mask

Last week I was fine, this week I am preparing to survive a horror movie. Last week when I told people I was making face masks out of bedsheets I was asked if I was crazy, this week I'm asked if I have a pattern.

Disclaimer: Don't be over confident. These masks are not as effective as surgical masks, which are not as effective as N95 masks. I have seen studies that they are better than nothing AND, ethically, I feel that I should not be buying masks when they are in short supply for Health Care workers.

Instruction Video for this Article

Materials Needed:

Cloth: tight weave cotton like a tea cloth, a thick T-shirt, a pillow case, fabric scraps, etc. Consider not just how tight the weave but also if it will be comfortable to wear against your skin and if you have it on hand and can avoid buying it in a public place.

Wire: Optional - this will make the mask fit closer to the bridge of the nose. I use wire gardening ties but any easily bendable wire you have on hand will work.

Paper and 12" Ruler: to make the pattern. It can be any type of paper. I use disposable plastic table cloths because it is easy to draw on and pin up.

Basic Sewing Kit: I have a sewing machine, pins, iron, etc. BUT all you really need is a needle, thread, scissors and a pencil.

Pattern:

With the paper and pencil sketch a shape that looks like the picture that you think will roughly approximate your face. Cut it out. Hold it to your face. Repeat as necessary. Cut two of the pattern pieces and pin them together at the curve. Hold it to your face this is what the mask will look like (though a tiny bit smaller based on your seam allowance). Good? If so move on. (Waste paper not fabric)

If making a pattern doesn't excite you, my beloved Mother has improved the design of the pattern and added an option for ear loops. 
Carolyn's Improved PDF Pattern
Rose's Good-Enough, Lots of Room for Talking PDF Pattern

Cutting:
Use pencil to trace 4 of the pattern pieces. - mask
Use pencil to trace 4 of the rulers (place the ruler on the cloth and trace around it) - ties
Cut them out.

Sewing: 

1) Place the fabric mask pieces in 2 stacks of 2. Pin and sew the curved edge.

2) Line up and pin the two resulting sides of the mask together with the raw seams on the outside. Sew the top and bottom of the mask together and leaving the sides open.

3) Turn it inside out. Now the 'nice' part is out and the raw edges are in and iron.

4) Cut a piece of wire that is long enough to approximately follow the top of the mask (err on the side of a bit longer). Kink the wire gently in the middle to make it fit into the nose of the mask, thread the wire between the folds of the fabric and pin it into place.

5) Sew under the wire to keep it into place.

6) Sew the bottom of the mask to help the mask keep its shape

Set aside mask and return to the 4 fabric ruler tracings/ties.

7) Fold and iron the raw edges into the middle

8) Fold in half (raw edges inside), iron, pin, and sew.

9) Fold the raw edges on the sides of the mask in and iron flat.

10) Pin a tie between the two layers of the mask at each of the four corners. Fold the ends of the wire in-between and crimp it tightly in place.

11) Sew down the sides of the mask, sewing the ties into place.

12) With a needle and thread, finish the ends of the ties by folding them over and stiching them by hand.

Resources: My mask design is based on this article:

https://smartairfilters.com/en/blog/best-materials-make-diy-face-mask-virus/?rel=1

The Best Hobbies...