All the Masks…

• Jaime
• April 9, 2020
• Challenge, Failure, Home Ec, Inspiration, Juggling life, New Project
• 3

I texted a friend on Monday that being the preschool teacher plus IT director plus attempting some Home Ec (attempting to sew masks) ended in an all-around fail for me for the day.

My husband asked me if I could sew a few masks. He’s been working from home but may have to go back to work with some travel soon. I figured, sure! Why not? I can do this.

I have seen numerous links, posts, and YouTube videos posted of mask patterns and instructions that supposedly are easy to follow. Friends, after spending 4 hours on Monday tackling this – with the learning curve of re-teaching myself how to operate the sewing machine that I haven’t pulled out in 5 years – I can tell you it’s not a piece of cake.

I am not Martha Stewart, by any means. But, I do know how to operate a sewing machine, and I can do the basics. I’ve said before, it took me awhile to get used to being a Stay at Home mom. And while I don’t embrace all things domestic, I guess I do have a wide variety of skills (including sewing).

The first mask link that a friend sent me was this one:

Then, I searched for something with a little more guidance, and found this one – with more explanation for the steps but still following the first YouTube video.

I tried. And while I’m sure it would be something I could get the knack of eventually, I decided that for my people, the ear pieces were just too long and the mask itself was too big. So, on the hunt for more ideas, I asked a few other friends what they were using.

A quick YouTube search brought up this one:

https://youtu.be/iNX0cRrYj6U

Or this “15-minute” mask project:

There is the idea to use a bandana with hair ties and no sewing – I decided I could step it up a little more than this. But, if you’re not into sewing, this could work for you:

Another friend sent me this one – which I will definitely be using for my kids and friends’ kids! Said friend knocked out way more masks than I did on my first day, using this pattern from SewCanShe.

I’d say that’s a winner.

And, I’m going to power through and work through a pattern that I got after signing up to make masks for one of the hospitals in Denver. One of my college friends and her sisters started this program, and their pattern has been approved by Saint Joseph’s Hospital and SCL Health for use by the low-risk workers in their hospitals (with the hospital later adding the wire and filter). Huge shout-out to Operation We Can Sew It in Denver. If you are so inclined, go to this site and sign up! They are in need of 40,000 masks – every little bit helps!

Friends, I am not an expert seamstress – although I have a sister who is, and she’s amazing. I have been overwhelmed with getting online school set up for my kids and keeping up with all the things. And I feel moved to do my part in this whole thing. I don’t know how many masks I’ll end up making. I may barely get to my modest goal for the hospital – or I may surprise myself and knock out a few hundred.

Really, I don’t need that many here, but if any friends need masks to head to the grocery store or go buy dog food – I’m happy to provide that. You know, on a day when I don’t have to take my sewing machine apart twice to fix a thread jam. Should probably have kept those instructions…

I used to make quilts (a handful – for my nieces and nephews, 20+ years ago) and made curtains for my older kids’ bedrooms when I couldn’t find what I wanted in any stores. So, I have fabric. I have a very small supply of elastic that we’ve decided is too big and not stretchy enough for this.

Through trial and error, I think I’ll lean toward using bias tape for the ties. The friend who is using the “SewCanShe” pattern is using hockey skate laces for the ties. Use what you have!

If you don’t want to sew a mask – or use a bandana with the no sew method – I’ve also seen some very creative ideas. For those of us in colder states, a ski mask or neck gator is a great mask/face cover in a pinch. I’m definitely not going to be using an old bra – but if that sounds good to you, go for it.

Really, we can all be creative. Above all, be safe. If you have to go out, use some sort of mask or face covering. It’s a pain. None of us want to. But, it’s about everyone being smart. And safe!