And sincere apologies to “Fiddler on the Roof”!
I have been trying different cloth mask patterns out. Some are good, some are ridiculous. Some tie behind the head, some have elastics to go behind the ears. I finally made a good cloth mask with ear loops and a slit to insert a filter (Hepa vacuum cleaner bag cutout or even a paper towel works) – that is why yesterday’s post was so funny to me. I have some shoulder issues that make tying things onto the top of my head difficult. I bought some hair elastics and gave them a go since elastic cannot be found. They work pretty good. Depending on the size of the elastic, to loop over the ear, the mask needs to be wider at times. Handing out masks to my neighbors and family is fun and rewarding.
I have given masks to Josh’s parents and to my husband (and me, too), and my friend Mary and her family thus far. Other family members are in line next, and then I have ones to make for some of the neighbors, too. And while sewing, I have also been cycling through my different old sewing machines, and it’s made what could become a tedious task more fun. So far, my Kenmore 90 and my Bernina Sport 801 in red have been enlisted. It’s enjoyable because I haven’t sat down to do a lot of sewing of late – not anything substantial, anyway.
Later this week, I’ll post my favorite patterns and hopefully it will help others out. Meanwhile, stay well!
Ink, Yarn & Beer 
Thanks for the masks! I wore one to our local market yesterday. I felt safe and that I was protecting others as best I could.
My first wife was a seamstress, a darned good one. Her machine was an old Bernina. She always wanted an Elna though. Not long ago my son shared a photo of himself sewing a cosplay costume — on his mom’s spanking new Elna. Nice to know some dreams can come true.
Good job!
Elnas – the older ones – have excellent reputations. There are very few new machines I would touch. I had a Pfaff and hated it – bought it new last year. I have a Janome (about 15 years old) and last year bought a Baby Lock for classes – both are great. Machines are like people – they have their own personalities and quirks. You should try sewing – my husband did, and likes it, though now he is tearing apart a WRX to make a Factory Five 818S . . .
Glad you like the mask, Judy. Hope it fits well!
Thanks, Fraggy! I could make more but . . . I have been experimenting too much! And other things call.
I’d love to see your mask patterns! I don’t have any HEPA filters, but I have some fabric and lots of hair bands for elastic. The ones I made last week work well for me. Too small for my husband, so he is going into stores with a bandana tied over his face, like a bandit. When we come home, I wash the mask and bandana in warm soapy water at the sink; they dry fairly quickly.
Thank you for thinking of others! We have a woman in our community who is making masks for people. She sent out an email asking for elastic, and I found two unopened packages in what’s left of my sewing stuff. Fortunately, they were still good. I don’t know how many years old they were. Yesterday was my first time wearing a mask outside and I found it hard to breathe. I think I’ll call her and see if she still has some cloth ones left!
The cloth masks are nice. Some can be made to insert a filter, such as a Hepa filter cut from a vacuum cleaner bag. Even paper towels can be cut into a filter, and discarded when done. Some masks go behind the ears and others tie onto the head. And, Anne, I don’t know that I am thinking of the community at large – not making hundreds to donate like some – but my neighbors and family, partly because I would go nuts, not be able to paint, and as well as I just don’t have yards of fabric!
Hey, Kathy – I’ll be posting some patterns with videos soon, and links to the patterns. Maybe in a day or two! Other stuff to do, like making eggplant – lamb moussaka (oh yum!).