Making face masks

Caonabo

Caonabo

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Sep 27, 2017
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I am still watching/hearing conflicting reports on the usage of face masks. Not so much that they can prevent the virus spread amongst individuals, which is just common sense, but rather which types of masks are actually capable of doing so. I believe this is all done to limit the number of proper/valued masks being used by regular persons, so as that the medical professionals do not run low. In some instances, persons are told they can now wear regular scarves or kerchiefs as opposed to masks.
 
AlterEgo

AlterEgo

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I am not a sewer or a crafter, I’ve been known to use the iron on tape for hems :)

My son-in-law does commercial construction, which is considered essential, so he’s still working. And they’re busy, because schools, universities, etc are closed and empty, perfect timing for building and renovations. He’s required to wear some sort of face mask, and there are none available where we live, so he’s been tying a bandanna around his face. I remembered a largish box of fabric that someone gave me to ship to DR, but the tanks were full so I stored it for next shipment. Pulled it out, and there was even elastic in there.

So I downloaded the pattern from this site, printed it out, borrowed a sewing machine (which took me two days to figure out), and voila!
https://thecraftyquilter.com/2020/03/versatile-face-mask-pattern-and-tutorial/

Lots of seamstresses in DR, and it’s easy. I cut the pattern onto cardboard and I’m making a lot of masks. You could use fabric from anything, pillowcases, shirts, tablecloths, etc. , think outside the box.

They’re not pretty, but they work, and you can stick a filter in the back pocket, they say coffee filters work. Wash and reuse

View attachment 3229

View attachment 3230
 
cobraboy

cobraboy

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Jul 24, 2004
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I use a stretchy (MotoCaribe) neck gaiter, double it over and put it across my mouth and nose, similar to a poor man's balaclava...
 
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Z

zoomzx11

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Caonabo said:
I am still watching/hearing conflicting reports on the usage of face masks. Not so much that they can prevent the virus spread amongst individuals, which is just common sense, but rather which types of masks are actually capable of doing so. I believe this is all done to limit the number of proper/valued masks being used by regular persons, so as that the medical professionals do not run low. In some instances, persons are told they can now wear regular scarves or kerchiefs as opposed to masks.
Click to expand...

Makes good common sense to use a face mask unless you let it give you the confidence to interact more with people.
I found myself doing exactly that.
Went off to the grocery store to buy a few items I could actually do without because I was wearing a face mask and rubber gloves.
When I saw others unprotected in the store I felt confident then later realized how foolish I was acting.

What is known to be 100% effective is stay at home isolated.

We have made the youngest family member the designated shopper and our canary in the coal mine.
Everyday its, how ya feeling while watching her for sneezing or dry cough.

When the cabin fever gets overwhelming I take a drive around town.

So sad to hear that John Prine died from CV.
Luckily we have his music.
Made me hope that Willie will be ok.
 
D

DR Solar

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Nov 21, 2016
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We ordered 4k masks and 50 full containment med suits from a friend in Miami. To be donated. Last weeks delivery was "diverted ". Waiting on IF next weeks will happen.
 
NALs

NALs

Economist by Profession
Jan 20, 2003
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Anyone with a cloth mask (reusable types) should wash them by hand and with soap (on both sides) once the person arrives home. Never wear the same mask twice without cleaning it. A cloth mask can capture viruses and can increase viral load if its not clean, becoming a way to be infected than protecting the person that wears it.

Always have at least two masks, that way if its required to leave again before the washed mask is dry the other mask is ready to wear.

Another tip is not using paper money (or coins) due to their ability to carry the virus. Always use a credit card and simply pay off the whole balance when the bill is ready.
 
U

USA DOC

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Feb 20, 2016
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AlterEgo said:
I am not a sewer or a crafter, I’ve been known to use the iron on tape for hems :)

My son-in-law does commercial construction, which is considered essential, so he’s still working. And they’re busy, because schools, universities, etc are closed and empty, perfect timing for building and renovations. He’s required to wear some sort of face mask, and there are none available where we live, so he’s been tying a bandanna around his face. I remembered a largish box of fabric that someone gave me to ship to DR, but the tanks were full so I stored it for next shipment. Pulled it out, and there was even elastic in there.

So I downloaded the pattern from this site, printed it out, borrowed a sewing machine (which took me two days to figure out), and voila!
https://thecraftyquilter.com/2020/03/versatile-face-mask-pattern-and-tutorial/

Lots of seamstresses in DR, and it’s easy. I cut the pattern onto cardboard and I’m making a lot of masks. You could use fabric from anything, pillowcases, shirts, tablecloths, etc. , think outside the box.

They’re not pretty, but they work, and you can stick a filter in the back pocket, they say coffee filters work. Wash and reuse

View attachment 3229

View attachment 3230
Click to expand...

...A friend who is a seamstress made ours.. fit perfect and are 2 layer, one is a filter..just wear and wash..
 
AlterEgo

AlterEgo

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Celt202 said:
Just about everybody looks like they work for Mexican cartels.
Click to expand...

I’m waiting for the couriers to resume operations so I can mail a bunch to DR.

Masks are mandatory here in NJ if you want to enter a supermarket. I’m giving them away as fast as I make them.
 
J

janlindy

Active member
Mar 8, 2011
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I made well over 100. started out for my neighborhood, then the clinic, then police, then along with food distributions. I am out of material.
 
M

monfongo

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Feb 10, 2005
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I read that you can cut a bra in half and you have two face masks, but I guess that would depend on the size of your wife or girlfriend and the style of the bra she wears.
 
M

mountainannie

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Dec 11, 2003
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janlindy said:
I made well over 100. started out for my neighborhood, then the clinic, then police, then along with food distributions. I am out of material.
Click to expand...

the CDC is saying that both bed sheets and T shirts are acceptable fabrics... if one is willing to go out and if La Sirena is open - they will have bed sheets - usually at a pretty low price since lots of them are made in the DR. I expect that higher the thread count the better the mask will be.

I have heard from friends in Santo Domingo that there are folks walking around in Gazcue selling masks for $100 peso but my friends are not sure about the quality - so any that are actually sewn to CDC guidelines would be welcome.

here are directions in Spanish - (I assume that anyone here can access the English ones)

https://cnnespanol.cnn.com/2020/04/05/como-hacer-tu-propia-mascara-protectora/
 
M

mountainannie

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Dec 11, 2003
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monfongo said:
I read that you can cut a bra in half and you have two face masks, but I guess that would depend on the size of your wife or girlfriend and the style of the bra she wears.
Click to expand...

They are saying that the death rate from COVID19 for males is twice that of females. Our mothers did, of course, always tell us that we were the stronger sex, but swore us to secrecy.

I guess the secret is out now.

Do you know how to sew?

Can you type 60 words a minute?

We will still need some men for lifting boxes over 50 lbs and heavy furniture. So there is that.
 
NanSanPedro

NanSanPedro

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Apr 12, 2019
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mountainannie said:
They are saying that the death rate from COVID19 for males is twice that of females. Our mothers did, of course, always tell us that we were the stronger sex, but swore us to secrecy.

I guess the secret is out now.

Do you know how to sew?

Can you type 60 words a minute?

We will still need some men for lifting boxes over 50 lbs and heavy furniture. So there is that.
Click to expand...

Is 100 wpm ok? :cheeky:
 
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