Thursday, November 5, 2020

I was able to find a number of bags to cut up and use as filters in this new batch of masks. I’m hoping I will have enough elastic so each person will get at least one filtered mask. I’ll get the “old” masks back over the next while and I’ll be able to refit them and so elastic won’t be an issue.

I decided to start with the smallest mask that I make (for Taylor). It went together quite well and is not much more difficult than the original method. I worried about pressing but as long as the filter layer was between two fabric layers it didn’t melt. My quilting experience came in handy as putting the layers together was done the same as my cards, and I’ve had lots of practice with them. Pleating is a little more difficult and sewing the pleats down is a bit tough but not too much of a problem.

Test 2 involved one of my own masks that needed to have the elastic changed; when I made it I didn’t have any of the proper elastic. I was hoping to test adding a small filter to the inside of the mask without having to take it completely apart. It was more difficult to reverse sew as the masks are double seamed and the pleats are even heavier stitched. I gave up after getting the pleats taken out. In order to change the elastic the whole thing will have to be taken apart to the very first step.

Test 3 was to take apart a “good” mask and see how it could be refit. Again I think the entire mask will have to be taken apart as I don’t see a way to securely attach the filter and I’m not keen on the idea of a removable filter. The reverse stitching can be done while I watch TV at night or when I have my coffee in the morning.

I’ve worked all day and have several masks done. I have 7 more to finish before I put them in the laundry and get them sent off (hopefully tomorrow).