… we are so very very fortunate here in WA so far, there have been no outbreaks of covid-19 but we’re not taking that for granted! everyone including me is continuing to practise social distancing and hygiene because for sure the current virus-free state of our state cannot last forever. Masks are not mandatory yet, but one person in our lives who is very health-vulnerable is Craig’s Mum, she is being super careful and wears disposable masks everywhere. However, they probably cost her a bit so I offered to make some for her. And she accepted, so I got to work!
Voila!
I made seven differently coloured masks, all are simple, two-layered and pleated so as to expand to fit over your nose and chin too, using this pattern and tutorial on the Makers Habitat youtube channel here. I made seven so she can wear different colours to match different outfits, and included one pretty floral one too. I also cut seven cotton denim inserts, which I shall explain later. Because masks and inserts are small fiddly, nothingy things liable to getting lost, I also made a little custom-sized pouch for her to keep them all safe and together in one spot.
All the solid colours are tightly woven poplin (Spotlight), the floral is a linen, leftover from this top I made for Cassie (Fabulous Fabrics), and the linings are made from tightly woven cotton voile (Spotlight). The denim inserts are all cut from a piece of coated cotton denim, and I finished the edges simply on my overlocker. I cut the mask straps from a small leftover piece of white cotton jersey.
Some sewing notes; I’ve found it a really good idea to understitch the top and bottom edges of the mask/lining seam after the first sewing step. The masks look so much nicer if you do so!
And I cut my straps to be 30cm x 1cm using my rotary cutter and ruler, no finishing because it’s not going to unravel, and just allow the cotton jersey to roll up naturally, if it wants. I just tied them in very loose knots so they don’t pull out, and Craig’s Mum can re-tie them to fit herself properly.
So, why separate inserts? Well, homemade masks are considered ok here; as long as they are made of at least three layers of fabric, preferably tightly woven and with the inner layer being of something like denim. Basically all the patterns and tutorial out there are for two layered masks. I trialled a few different mask patterns in three layers of fabric, with an inner layer of denim, but actually found this to be a really bad idea; the masks; and the seams! were terribly thick and bulky. Oh, long story short; I popped it in as an insert and I think it’s going to work really well. You do have to put the inserts in; which I hope is not too fiddly a thing for her! and push the corners up into the corners of the mask, but once they’re in it’s very comfortable to wear, and you can breathe through the layers quite ok.
The little pouch was fun and easy to make! and it fits all the mask components perfectly… I cut it from an old tablecloth that Sam bought at the Salvos to make part of a costume; the fabric is quite thick and stiff and it stands up by itself. I pin tucked all the side and bottom edge seams, which helps to stiffen it too, and used a brown dress zip from my stash for closure. I also put a piece of cardboard in the bottom of the pouch to stabilise it.
