Making Masks ~ Wintertime!

My little bear is modeling my newest face mask.

This one was made for Mr Scrapatch as he asked for some new ones

as his are wearing out with daily use.

For this one I used a new type of flexible nose wire bar

from Gypsy Quilter.

which makes a nice flat fit. 

I also bought these at Fat Quarter Shop but they appear to be out of stock.

I searched and there are some on Amazon and some by other manufacturers, too.

I am hoping they wash and wear well.

The other materials that I have used before in

My Tutorial for Mask with a Nose Wire Pocket

There are shopping links in the above post.

The new snowman mask started with this

 Safety First panel,  available at many quilt shops.

I bought mine Here @ Fat Quarter Shop

I added blue strips to make it larger for our plus size faces.

Here are the materials for another mask:

one cut panel section, one jelly roll strip, backing fabric,

filter batting, four elastic ties, one nose bar. 

I sewed the jelly roll to the sides and then top and bottom of the panel

and saved the last piece of the jelly roll for the neck elastics.

I folded and pressed the top jelly roll strip to make the nose bar pocket.

The nose bar has an adhesive side and I peeled the paper

 and pressed it to the back of the pocket

to hold it in in place while I sewed.

I top-stitched stay stitches on either side of the centered nosebar to keep it in place. 

This is my favorite mask method now.

It is easier and fits very well.

My mask making skills have grown and adapted as the need for them has continued.

The winter ones have the bonus of keeping our faces warm here in the cold 

and soon to be snowing northeast. 

May you are yours be safe and healthy this winter.

From the Heart Blog Hop ~ My Day!

I am giving gifts to family and friends and others

this season that show how much I care. 

Quilty Kitty Katniss is helping me.

To make my Fall Gift Masks I followed my 

Free Tutorial for Masks with Neck Straps Posted Here

and I added a few new materials to my masks

to increase their protection and breathability.

These are my mask making supplies.

Here are new additions:

Antimicrobial White Poly Cotton Fabric

and

Mountain Mist Polypropylene Filter Fabric

I bought these at

Fat Quarter Shop's Mask Making Supplies

Here are the pieces for the mask shown on the bear in the top photo.

For this mask I made the top elastics longer than the bottom ones

as this makes a comfortable fit for wearing over ears.

This photo shows the nose wire pocket added to the top center inside of the front fabric.

I chain sew the nose wire pockets and cut and twist the end the plastic covered craft wire

so they will not poke through the fabric.

I sew on the nose wire pocket with a 1/8th inch seam to the inside of the front fabric

for all the masks I am making before proceeding to the final assembly.

I add the four elastics to the back patch before sewing it to the front.

When I top stitch around the edges of the mask

I carefully add the elastics to the side.

Here is a finished mask.

This one has wide elastic of the type that is used for baby's hair bands

and it is soft and does not get stretched out.

This one I made special order for a person who ears hearing aids and eye glasses

and cannot wear the elastics over the ear as it tangles with the hearing aids.

This one fits comfortably under the ears and the nose wire keeps it snug at the top.

The person who will be wearing this one must wear a mask all day at work

and requested these modifications.

The elastics are the same length and the back patch is small.

It fits snugly without being too tight.

The additional sewn in washable filter layer makes the mask look a bit bulky

but it actually makes the mask quite comfortable and easier to wear.

The polypropylene filter and antimicrobial backing fabric 

are very breathable.

I highly recommend these added protective fabrics. 

Here is my well dressed bear ready to gift some hand-sanitizer and a mask to a friend.

Here I am wearing a fall mask that I gifted to me

and wearing it is a gift to others. 

This is my personal favorite and most comfortable mask to wear for fall. 

I wore this mask recently to go for my annual physical.

I have more tests and doctor's appointments on my calendar.

The Covid-19 threat in my area is red again.

I am being careful and taking care of my health. 

One of the people I made a mask for requested that I add 

a nose guard tab to the top of the mask

so that it might fit better with their eyeglasses.

For a tutorial on how I added the top flap with a wire

scroll down to my next post or Click Here

Please visit all my friends today to see what they are gifting:

 October 28

Just Let Me Quilt

Quiltscapes

Beaquilter

Seams To Be Sew

Pieceful Thoughts of My Quilting Life

Bumbleberry Stitches

Days Filled With Joy

Quilted Delights

Den Syende Himmel

Life in the Scrapatch (you are here)

Storied Quilts

Kathleen McMusing

Food for Thought

Thank you to 

Carol @ Just Let Me Quilt

for organizing and hosting this fun blog hop! 

I am always trying to improve the protection and wearability of the masks I make.

I would love to hear how you have made better masks.

Thank you for sharing! 

Katniss says, "Have a Happy Fall and Holiday Season 

and have a wonderful time visiting 

and sharing with family and friends.

May all of you be safe and well!"