Anyone else sewing face masks for friends & relatives?

[msmaggie060]

In between packing and mailing my eBay sold items I am sewing face masks like crazy for my kids, their friends and assorted relatives. Seem to have a constant backache now from cutting out fabric and being hunched over the sewing machine. At least it keeps me busy since the weather isn’t cooperating and I can’t sit out on the deck, too cold!

I’ve been experimenting with various styles but now almost out of elastic and interfacing so waiting for more in the mail from various online sellers and a local quilt store. Making some next for my DD and then some to send to a native reserve in AB. Hopefully, they can go by Lettermail.

Anyone else doing these masks? I don’t sell mine, I just make them for ourselves and others. They take so long to sew, I’m sure it wouldn’t be worthwhile to sell them anyway.

[pjcdn2005]

I admire that you are doing that. I ordered a couple of handmade masks online as I haven't sewn anything since Grade 8 home economics class and I wasn't very good at it then!

[msmaggie060]

Hi pj, it might be time to bring back home ec in the schools! Might help my eBay sales too! Although my sewing pattern sales have improved this month.

[reallynicestamps]

@msmaggie060 

My sewing pattern sales are up too!

I wonder how the fabric sellers are doing?

I haven't had a machine in ages and the last custom garment I had made; a wool skirt suit I use for funerals and cosplay (Agent Carter) cost about $1100 with labour, material and tax. But it actually fits!!

I have seen some makers use bias tape instead of elastic, if that helps.

And a cosplaying friend has made a "plague doctor" mask for herself.

[msmaggie060]

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@reallynicestamps wrote:

@msmaggie060 

My sewing pattern sales are up too!

I wonder how the fabric sellers are doing?

I haven't had a machine in ages and the last custom garment I had made; a wool skirt suit I use for funerals and cosplay (Agent Carter) cost about $1100 with labour, material and tax. But it actually fits!!

I have seen some makers use bias tape instead of elastic, if that helps.

And a cosplaying friend has made a "plague doctor" mask for herself.

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I think the fabric sellers are doing quite well too. I have a major stash of fat quarters from when I used to quilt but still had to order a couple more pieces. Son’s partner wanted cats on hers and daughter wanted sailboats, both were hard to find in stock.

Bias tape? I don’t think there is any available in all of North America now. Only in China, can’t wait that long, so have to make my own. I use the tape to hold the nose wire in place, inside the masks.

I’m picking up more interfacing today from my favourite quilt store so I should be busy sewing for the next few days. The store can’t keep up with the orders coming in. I have to check every day to see what they have and place an order immediately or it sells out.

A plague doctor mask? One of those masks with a long pointed nose?

Good luck with your pattern sales!

[zee-chan-jpn-books]

I have sewed a few for myself and my friend (she's looking after her chronically ill mother), but I have lost the patience for it now lol so I haven't sewed any new ones for a while.

[femmefan1946]

Yes this is the current iteration.

The blue at the back is her hair as is the white at the front. 

[msmaggie060]

I should really be photographing and listing new items but so many want these face masks that I have to keep sewing. Now I’ve run out of the narrow 1/8” elastic so I’m sewing the masks but can’t mail any until I am able to finish them. I do have some 1/4” elastic which I will use for men’s masks but the thinner one is so much more comfortable over the ears. I didn’t know I had so many friends!!

[msmaggie060]

Well, they say necessity is the mother of invention so I have just discovered that it is possible to cut 3/4” elastic in half to make narrow elastic. A hint for any other mask sewers who are having trouble finding narrow elastic!

Oh, and the elastic I ordered from a seller with shipping from Toronto? Checked again, he says Toronto, when I looked further he also shows China as his location. You would think I would know enough to double check location after all these years of buying and selling here! I guess it is possible he has stock here but somehow I’m not really convinced, gave me a tracking no. that shows no movement at all for over a week, not even an acceptance scan.