I am no longer making masks for distribution.
Cloth masks are no longer as necessarily (high quality masks are far more readily available these days) and are not as effective as KN98 an N95 masks, particularly against newer strains of the virus.
Mask Information
- Masks are made in a clean, non-smoking, fragrance-free home, but a cat and a bird live here also.
- Filtering
- All masks come with a built-in non-woven filter layer made of fabric interfacing.
- I also have hospital surgical fabric available if you’d prefer more filtering.
- All masks come with a filter pocket so that you can add additional filtering as desired.
- Cloth ties (good for longer wear), ear elastics (good for shorter wear), and behind-the-head elastics (good for longer wear) are all available. Please let me know which option(s) you prefer.
- All masks come with a nose wire.
- All mask fabric has been laundered and dried to pre-shrink it.
- Here’s the pattern I use as my default
- Here’s the research I did to arrive at the pattern and materials I use
- How many masks do you need?
If you go out rarely and will be able to wash your mask between uses, 1 is probably sufficient. Otherwise you’ll want 2 or more – whatever will allow you to keep them clean. Note that I can’t really accommodate quick turn-around on large batches (10 or more), as this is something I do before and after my regular work day. - What size should you request?
Most adults find the Regular size just fine, but if you have a long face, a larger nose, or a beard you’ll probably prefer the Large size. I also make a child size. The only real difference in the sizes is how long they are from nose to chin. - If you have special needs/requests/preferences please let me know in the open comment section of the request form. I’m happy to accommodate requests if I have the necessary supplies. Examples include:
- Fabric preferences, general or specific. (I try to make gender-neutral, plain masks as my default, but I have a lot of “feminine fabric” and a ton of wacky fun fabric. Here’s a sense of what I’ve got.)
- Extra built-in filtering (I have a supply of high-grade filtering material, so let me know if this would be important for you).
- Elastic rather than cloth ties (I can make over-the-ear elastics or behind-the-head elastics). Typically over-the-ear elastics are best if you don’t wear the masks for very long at a time, and behind-the-head is more comfortable for longer wear. Cloth ties are my default because I have lots more of that material and because it’s easier to ensure a tight fit to a wider variety of head sizes, but they’re not as good if you have mobility/dexterity concerns, etc.
- We all have different face shapes. The default pattern I make fits many people’s needs, but if it doesn’t sit well on your face let me know. I have an alternate pattern available as well which works well for people who find the default pattern doesn’t fit securely. And if you have a different pattern you’d like me to make for you, just let me know.
- Submit your request and I’ll get back to you with an estimated timeline and to answer any questions you may have had or talk about options for special requests.
- I construct masks in the order in which I receive requests, and I’ll let you know when yours are completed.
- For the most part, people pick up their completed masks, though we can make other arrangements as needed.
- Use your new masks according to these instruction.
Many many thanks to the people who donated the materials that make this all possible! Special thanks to GS, for making (and drastically improving) the nose wires. (If you have a first generation nose wire with poky ends, and if you’re finding it uncomfortable, I can make you a better mask now.)
Fabric options
(Click on the image to see a larger version)
