Snug Fit Face Mask Video Tutorial

Well, I am still sewing face masks, though mainly I made to giveaway to friends and families. And now as the weather is getting more humid and hot, we need several masks to wear throughout the day, right?

I've been making the above-pictured snug fit face masks and I shared the templates and video tutorial on my Youtube Channel.

This snug-fit face mask is comfortable to wear. I like to wear it when I do my daily chores. As I have quite bad dust allergies, I need to wear a mask even when I cut fabrics and sew. The snug-fitted face mask has pleats on the sides so that there's no gap and also helps in creating 3D shape and makes you breathe easily.

These are other Extra spacious face masks I made recently. This mask style is my boys' favorite cos they don't feel suffocated when they wear it. And this is a great mask to wear as an outer layer with your disposable mask. 

Watch this: How to make Extra Spacious Face Mask

I also made these pretty Indian print 3D masks that were a custom order. I made extra for myself too as I love the prints and this is my fave mask style. But on these masks, instead of having the elastic go through the casing, I simply sew in the elastic. The fabrics are very soft and I use either poplin or cambric cotton for the lining. 

Also Watch: How to Sew Spacious 3D Face Mask. 

Source: Today

Looks like the face mask is here to stay. Personally, I like wearing a face mask when I go out even before the pandemic. And now with new Covid19 variants discovered almost every week, I would not feel safe without a face mask even if  I got vaccinated. I believe by protecting myself, I am protecting my family and my society. 

Source: Pinterest

Thank you for stopping by today. Stay safe & healthy!

Have a nice day!

Elvira

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Linking up to these wonderful blogs

 

Video Tutorial How to Sew Spacious 3D Face Mask

Sometimes we run too fast and think too little ~ To Dear Myself (CDrama)

Finally, I finished a couple of Trio 3D Face Masks. Don't you love these rose print masks? I got the fabric from Indonesia and I made a couple of wallets with it, you can see them HERE.

This mask is now fave with everyone. My SIL loved it cos it's not fogging her spectacles so much. That's an added bonus. I put up a video on how to put this 3D Face Mask together. I hope the video will help those who need to see a clearer picture.

I quite enjoyed making the video, but the editing part it a bit tiring. My son said to do voice over, I need to learn that. Trust me even a simple video tutorial needs a lot of retakes and editing. I have to keep several masks ready to sew, incase I mess up :D. 

Since Etsy is introducing video features, I've been learning to take a short video (15 seconds max) that is quite informative for the customer. It is really a challenge but it's fun to learn new things. In the beginning, I was not sure if 15 seconds are enough to show your products, but now I really enjoy creating it. It's good for my Instagram Reels too. If you observe all these video features on social media, people can be really creative within those 15 seconds. 

You might find people complaining, but for me, instead of complaining why not use the time to learn. If others can do it, we can also do it.

Before Etsy introducing this new feature, I used to post videos on my Youtube Channel under Product Review and post the link on my Etsy Listing description. It helps to a certain extent especially for first buyers who are not sure about my products. Like this short video, I make to show how to adjust the elastic cord on the mask. 

Another thing I'm busy with nowadays are attending webinars conducted by Etsy India. Our seller support group on Facebook is quite active and informative. This online community is really great, even for seasoned sellers. There's always something new I learn. Truly, if you want to keep doing what you do, you have to keep learning, be observant, and do your own research in your own niche.  There's no short cut to success. You gotta do the hard work, be it researching your SEO, retaking your product photos, redoing your listing, etc. 

If you find the video tutorial helpful, please share it especially to those who might need it. 

Thank you for stopping by!

Stay safe & happy sewing!

Elvira

Mask Pattern Hack Link - See through Mask Tutorial from Sarah

When Sarah from Confession of a Fabric Addict tagged me on Instagram that she made a see-through version of Trio 3D Face Mask I was so happy, to say the least. I mean, I follow her blog for many years and sometimes posted on her popular blog link party "Can I get a whoop whoop?" 

Everyone who sews has been making masks for family, friends, donation, and for sale. And with the pandemic, people can be really creative. When I started sharing my first mask tutorial, I never thought that in the next few months mask design will evolve so much. And Sarah's see-through mask is one of them! This kind of mask is important for lip readers so that they can communicate while being protected! Yes, wearing masks is about being considerate of others, even though it's a little uncomfortable!

If you already bought the TRIO 3D face mask, you can check out Sarah Tutorial on her blog HERE. 

Go and check the tutorial!

I'm still busy making masks too and here's a stack of Trio 3D Mask I made recently, already sent and received with a lot of love. Thank you! I'm still making a few more batches of masks. Batching is boring but that's the fastest method. Collecting fabrics, iron the, cut the strips, separate it by part, put on my fave Kdrama and start sewing. Even if I have only 1 hour sewing time before bed at night, at least I can finish sewing some parts. 

Download Trio 3D Face Mask

I already have a few orders lined up for the next few weeks and I'm making for my mom and sisters in Indonesia. If you sew, you can download the pattern from my webshop or Etsy, And if you need help, simply email me!

Thank you once again Sarah for sharing the tutorial! You can check my other mask tutorial HERE. Some tutorials come with Pdf Printable version and some are not. 

Thank you for stopping by!

Happy Sewing & Stay Safe!

- Elvira- 

Singer's Face Mask Pattern - KN 95 Style Cloth Face Mask

DOWNLOAD THE PATTERN

Summer is here and the weather is started to get very humid. Hubby was asking if I can make a face mask that has more breathing space than the first one. Since in his line of work he has to meet many clients which means he has to wear it for quite a long time, he needs a face covering that allows him to breathe more comfortably and not easily slip off while he's talking. So after a few trials and errors, this KN95 Style Face Mask is finally ready. 

This face mask is also great for teachers, singers, performers, etc. 

This TRIO Face Mask  features :

• Designed to fit well even without nose wire. 
• To fit snugly over the nose and under the chin, that even when you talk it won't slip off your face. 
• More space for ease of breathing and make you feel comfortable when you talk or sing :)
• 3 Sizes with full-scale templates included. 

I suggest using tightly woven cotton fabrics (like quilting cotton, cambric, poplin, etc). This face mask is designed without a filter pocket. Although you can easily make one using this tutorial. 

Get the Pattern for $2.5

I hope this pattern will help those who have problems wearing other types of masks.

If you sew, get the pattern and make a few for your loved ones. Let them enjoy summer while being protected. Let's protect each other in this difficult time. 

Thank you for stopping by!

Take care & Stay Safe

- Elvira - 

New normal after lockdown

3D Face Masks with Filter Pocket

Many small businesses suffered during a strict lockdown. If you read the news, many migrant workers have to walk for days to reach their village due to the unavailability of the transport system. I went out a few weeks ago and saw many people are walking on the highway, some with their friends, some with their family and young children. It breaks my heart to read and see the news about them that sometimes I just stopped reading the news. 

Mask for Kids

As the government relaxed lockdown a few weeks ago businesses  started to open and slowly people are back to work, to new normal.

New normal means:

• Wear a mask when you go out. (Also read: what fabric to use for homemade mask)
• Maintain a social distance of 6 feet (is that even possible here??).
• Wear a face shield if you cannot maintain 6 feet distance. (Also read: how to make DIY Face Shield)
• Cover your mouth with your elbow while coughing or sneezing.
• Frequently wash your hands with soap.
• Wash your groceries after you bring them in (at least I do this) - some said to leave the vegetables, etc in an open space for a couple of hours before putting them into the fridge.
• Change your clothes after you come back home and wash your mask every day. 

According to the news, the school most probably will re-open after July. Now, thanks to the internet, online classes are going on. Some parents suggested to only open the senior section so that the school can maintain 1/3 ratio per class. 

Many senior students also tweeted asking for reopening, especially those in the science stream. There are so many things to be considered before reopening and I know it's going to be tough for the teachers to keep vigilant of the students. 

How to make a surgical pleated mask

I guess we all need to learn to be more disciplined and considerate of others. Think twice before you act. Think about what will be the impact of your action for others. 

I hope this virus will be gone soon, meanwhile please wear a mask when you go out or when you don't feel well at home. 

Until then,

Take care & stay safe!

-Elvira- 

Alternative Filter Pocket for 3D Fitted Face Mask

Face Mask with Filter Pocket

Everyone has their own preference and that's including masks. Some people prefer a surgical pleated mask, some prefer box pleated masks, some people prefer 3 D mask without filter pocket (including yours truly). As I wrote in my previous post, in a homemade mask the most important is as long as it dense enough. 

As I progress making more 3D masks, I improvised the pocket construction for the 3D Fitted Mask. Instead of cutting 2 lining fabrics like in the pattern, I cut one piece of lining and reduce the sides to create a pocket. The advantage of this pocket is you need less time to sew them together. 

So here's how to do it:

1. Cut the short sides of the lining fabric by 0.75". I usually fold it in half, mark it using an erasable pen and cut it on the line. 

2. Fold the raw edge by scant 1/4" and fold it again by 1/4" and topstitch the short edges. The mask lining will look like in the picture below. 

3. Sew the lining and exterior panels together as per the pattern and turn the mask right side out.  Now, with the lining facing up, press the seam of the exterior panel nicely and topstitch all along the top and bottom seams only. 

4. Fold the short edge of the exterior panel towards the wrong side by scant 1/4 inch.

5. Fold it again by 1/2" and pin/clip in place.

6. Now the tricky part (don't worry, you can do it!). As you feed the fabric under the needle, pull the lining fabric gently so that it's away from the fold that you're going to stitch. Put the needle down, backstitch a couple of stitches and sew to the end. As you reach the end, gently pull the lining fabric again, away from the end of the fold. Finish sewing with a couple of backstitches. 

7. Tada! now your mask with filter pocket is ready. Insert elastic or fabric ties as you prefer.

Here I used a kitchen paper towel and folded it a couple of times. Insert the paper and you're ready to head out. 

3D Fitted Face Mask in ETSY

What do you think? which type of mask and filter pocket do you prefer? Let me know in the comment below. 

Thank you so much for stopping by.

Take care & stay safe!

- Elvira

Which fabric to use for face masks and how to wear them

Triple-layer masks

Slim Pleated Masks

There are so many articles since the early days of the pandemic. From fabric mask is not advisable to now mandatory wearing any covering.  Now, which fabric is to use? After reading different articles, I came across this article from The Brussels Time. Quoting from the post: 

“The fabric is not important. The tissue must be sufficiently dense so that it can stop as many drops as possible, that is the most important thing. At the same time, it must also allow for comfortable breathing. It is this balance between tissue density and still allowing smooth breathing that needs to be monitored" Steven Van Gucht." 

When I read the article, I was like "yes! ", Not because of anything, but because the common people here cannot afford good quality quilting cotton, let alone designer ones!

Glace Cotton & Rayon Cotton Mask

In a country as big as India, maintaining physical distancing after lockdown will be impossible. I saw most people are using kerchief or any cloth to cover their face which will be difficult for them especially when they have to wear it for a long time. 

Now I have so many Indian cotton fabric that is lightweight, but some of them are tightly woven, like the glace cotton or rayon cotton mix. That's when I decided to make 3 layers mask using the same fabrics.  And if you think you need it denser, you can always add a hanky or tissue paper inside the mask and remove the tissue as it becomes moist (ok this word always remind me of PM Justine Trudeau Presscon ^^)

Depends on your personal choice and best fit to your face shape, cloth face coverings should : 

• fit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face
• be secured with ties or ear loops
• include multiple layers of fabric
• allow for breathing without restriction
• be able to be laundered and machine dried without damage or change to shape. (Source : CDC)

I just put up a video on how to make triple layers face mask. There are different kinds of pleats you can do, but here I'm sharing the slim pleated one here. Super easy to make and it's possible to do hand sewing too if you don't have a machine. (see the resources below this post for other types of mask videos)

Here are a few masks I made using different styles. For a double layer mask, I use cambric or poplin cotton fabric. 

Double Layer Cotton Masks

For people who find it difficult to breathe through mixed cotton masks, I made these triple-layer masks using mulmul cotton. 

Mulmul Fabric Mask

Here is how the slim pleated mask looks like. It's perfect for someone who has a slim face or a petite face. 

Slim Pleated Mask

And here's the comfort fit face mask which is favorite with everyone. It's a double layer, I used thicker cotton fabric on the outside (cotton mix, combed cotton, etc) and softer cotton (cambric or poplin) on the lining. 

some review from Etsy :

Such an easy and well fitting pattern. Very clear instructions both written and in pictures.I’m over the moon.

Nice pattern and worked well for a couple of people that have trouble with other masks. Thank you for sharing!!!!!! (Source : Etsy)

Don't forget to wash the mask properly with soap after every use and dry it in the sun.

If you know how to sew or have access to a tailor who can sew for you and people around you, you can follow the tutorial from my previous post or visit links below.  Support your local fabric shops, local tailor, local community, we must support each other! 

3D Comfort Fit Mask

Pleated Mask with Pocket

Box Pleated Mask 

DIY Face Shield

Sew Easy Scrub Hat

Thank you for visiting my blog. 

Take care & stay healthy everyone!

- Elvira- 

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