Pretty Handmade Face Masks

Sewing anything for children is always fun. When a friend asked for face mask for her 3 years old daughter, I was so excited and started digging my fabric stash. And since Frozen is everyone's fave that was my first choice. The second one I decided on Teddy Bear print in Pink. 

Truly, with lock down is extended till end of April here in India, having stash of fabrics is really an advantage. Shops are all closed except for essential shops. Though, today morning I read that fellow quilters  in the US were upset when Joann was to be closed because it's not considered essentials. Well, how will they make and donate masks if the fabric shop are closed, right? I also feel, fabric shops and craft store should remain open, because this is the time we need something crafting to do to avoid boredom during lock down, right? 

Get the Pattern for $2

When it comes to fabric mask, there are already so many  experts and articles about its efficiency. There seem to be different opinion between expert in Western and Eastern Countries. In the end of the day, it's up to you whether to wear mask or not. As for myself, I refer to this article from the Strait Times and also Youtube Videos from Asian Boss HERE and HERE. Even Japan PM is wearing cloth mask and Japan Government is sending 2 cloth masks to every household. 

As Asian countries like Singapore and South Korea have experienced few epidemic outbreaks in the past 10 years, I supposed mask wearing at certain level help to flatten the curve. 

Also, in a country like India, where PPE and masks for medical workers are insufficient, there are million of people who can't afford to buy disposable mask, even if it's only INR 10 (USD 0.13).

Let's help each other to fight this pandemic. Stay Home, Maintain Social Distancing, Wash Your Hands Frequently, Don't Touch Your Face and Wear Mask when You Go Out. Remember, DO NOT hoard medical grade masks, those are for our front liners! Instead, make masks and gift them to your families, friends and less fortunate people around you. 

Thank you for stopping by.

Take care & stay well!

Elvira

Linking up:
Handmade Monday
Craftastic Monday

Sources: 

Mask Pattern

ETSY

Video How to Make Pleated Surgical Face Mask

Hello,

I hope you're all doing fine. We're in the third week of lock down now and I sort of get used to it. Few day ago I recorded video while making the pleated mask and just have time to edit and put it up on my YouTube channel. I hope this video will help. You can download the pattern in the link below this post. 

I'm still learning how to record a better video. This time, I am using my pocket camera and I sort of like it better. I am still editing it form my mobile though. 

Anyway, I hope you enjoy the video and inspired to learn or make  one ^^.

I gotta go and finish few more mask now.

Until then,

Take care and stay healthy!

Elvira

Download Free Tutorial

Mask Making

The mask making is still continue here. As the curve of cases are climbing up, everyday we have this little fear inside us. We do our best to follow the government's order to stay home, maintain social distancing and of course praying that we'll be spared of this highly contagious pandemic. 

Initially, I spent my days monitoring the number and reading every news out there and that made me depressed. That's when I decided to make masks and shared the pattern and free tutorials. 

I started wearing mask when I go out way back in February, when most people here are still oblivious about the gravity of Covid-19 and were making jokes. 

Mask making is my anti depressant. I'm grateful in this trying time I can lend my hand to help out a little bit. Even when the scientist are still debating whether fabric mask is efficient, but I am sure, it helps a little. Especially, when even hospitals are lack of surgical mask and PPE. Desperate times call for desperate measures. 

Here are few masks I finished and delivered few days ago. 

Many wanted to order the masks, but unfortunately the courier is not open during the lockdown, which most probably will be extended. 

This 3D Face mask is most comfortable to wear. You can comfortably talk when you wear the mask and it wont slip off your face.

I'm making few more dozens of mask for my SIL's staff in the hospital. I am using cotton mix and some combed cotton for the exterior and cotton fabric for the lining. 

If you wish to make this 3D Face Mask, the pattern is available at ETSY as well as my WEBSITE.

Don't forget, the rest of the Chezvies Patterns is ON SALE 40% now on ETSY during the lock down period. So, if you're bored and looking for something to learn, go ahead and check out the Patterns.

Keep well and stay creative! 

Elvira

Pattern Update : Pleated Mask without Binding

Just a quick post regarding pleated mask. If you don't want to do the binding like in the original tutorial, you can do the following : 

1. Cut the fabric 9.5" Wide x 14" long. (For broader face, you can cut 10" W or as needed). The measurements in this tutorial here is based on general surgical mask.

2. Follow the tutorial for creating pocket, nose wire and pleats. 

3. Once, you're done, the mask should measure more or less as follow: (please note that you can modify the pleats, the tutorial is guidance, esp for novice sewist) 

4. Now,  fold the raw edges by 1/8" or so towards the lining side (where the pocket is) and then fold it again by 1/2" and edge stitch. (I am making mask without lining here) 

5. Insert the elastic or ties and it's ready. Super easy! Maybe a bit fiddly in the beginning but you will get the hang of it. 

Thank you for downloading the tutorial. And if you have any questions, don't hesitate to email me. 

We're all in this together and we will get through this pandemic together. Keep sewing, stay healthy and safe, everyone! 

Happy Sewing,

Elvira

Download Free Tutorial

3D Mask Pattern

Free Pattern : Pleated Face Mask with Filter Pocket

Thank you so much for your overwhelmed response to my mask tutorial/pattern. That was a pretty simple one. Many asked me to make a pleated mask with a pocket for a filter which is very necessary especially during this COVID19 Pandemic. 

In the past few days I've been making masks (with and without filter) for family, friends, and people around me. Masks are not available now and hence people resort in fabric masks. I'm very touched reading so many stories of our sewing community come together and donating masks to the hospital. I am donating a few to a nursing home near my house, they have been a great help for us for years. It's time to show our support to those who are on the front line. 

How to Wear Mask with Ties:

Here my son demonstrates how to wear a mask with ties

UPDATE

I got a few questions regarding the pocket esp from beginners, so here's the easier way to do it. I just use a screenshot here, which I hope clear enough. I already updated the file in the shops, so if you download it on 27th March at 10PM IST you should get the new one. If not, feel free to download again or simply save the photos here:

Feel free to email me if you have any doubts :)

I hope this pattern will be beneficial for you all. I will try to add video as soon as I get time to edit it. meanwhile,you can simply click the button below and download the pattern. 

Download Free Pattern

Thank you for stopping by & take care!

Elvira

Other Masks Patterns:

Breathe Easy Face Mask

KN95 Style Singer Face Mask

Dust Mask with Nose Wire