Home face mask production temporarily shuts down.

[gordianot]

Last edited Sun Mar 29, 2020, 02:11 PM - Edit history (1)

After producing 150 machine sewn cloth 2ply (3 counting sewing interface) faces masks my wife is out elastic for the ear loops. No elastic to be found from sewing vendors. Looking at her supply it was all the elastic was made in China, another thing sold out in this former first world country. She is up this morning working on a prototype with ties. We noticed in Asia including China reports common citizens had what looked like factory made masks. Given that most of the quilt stash material was originally kittens, babies and floral prints the recipients of the masks must look like “Cutie Pies”. I forgot to mention how much we despise the orange menace.

Addendum: These masks are stop gaps only. We do not care if they are thrown away. I was given the suggestion maybe they should be called “cutie pies”.

[hlthe2b]

1. Tie face masks are superior to elastic anyway.

Should be easy to adapt. That is why true surgical masks still use them. The elastic kind are considered mere PROCEDURE masks.

[gordianot]

8. The ties are taking a lot more time.

I would hate to see one of our masks have to be used in surgery.

[hlthe2b]

10. The point is that they would be superior for all uses. Nothing but a properly fitted N95 mask

will produce a proper seal, but tie masks have been shown to remain closer to the face than the mere elastic-behind-the ears procedure masks. I'm not suggesting home-made be diverted to surgery, but general use. No hand made mask can take the place of those produced with special filtering materials from commercial producers. Still, they are far superior than nothing.

While the ties take more time, they don't require an extra resource and would be far more effective. When you run out of lemons, use lime to make limeade.

[gordianot]

12. One pattern she looked at had a middle layer of flannel.

Apparently it works almost as well as production masks and has been tested. We have thought about trying them.

[hlthe2b]

15. I applaud your efforts and these are clearly better than nothing, but please don't kid yourself.

I do think they are helpful and given right now we can't get the commercial product your contributions are extremely appreciated by all. And, the ties will be superior. But... The kind of filtering you are looking for is measured in nanometers. The technical materials can deliver this, but that would be a high mark for commercial fabric, which then becomes a balance between too many layers that reduces breathability and increases moisture and heat produced wearing it. So, try different designs, but please keep that in mind.

https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/5/4/e006577

Infectious diseases
Research

A cluster randomised trial of cloth masks compared with medical masks in healthcare workers

C Raina MacIntyre1, Holly Seale1, Tham Chi Dung2, Nguyen Tran Hien2, Phan Thi Nga2, Abrar Ahmad Chughtai1, Bayzidur Rahman1, Dominic E Dwyer3, Quanyi Wang4

Author affiliations
Abstract

Objective The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of cloth masks to medical masks in hospital healthcare workers (HCWs). The null hypothesis is that there is no difference between medical masks and cloth masks.

Setting 14 secondary-level/tertiary-level hospitals in Hanoi, Vietnam.

Participants 1607 hospital HCWs aged ≥18 years working full-time in selected high-risk wards.

Intervention Hospital wards were randomised to: medical masks, cloth masks or a control group (usual practice, which included mask wearing). Participants used the mask on every shift for 4 consecutive weeks.

Main outcome measure Clinical respiratory illness (CRI), influenza-like illness (ILI) and laboratory-confirmed respiratory virus infection.

Results The rates of all infection outcomes were highest in the cloth mask arm, with the rate of ILI statistically significantly higher in the cloth mask arm (relative risk (RR)=13.00, 95% CI 1.69 to 100.07) compared with the medical mask arm. Cloth masks also had significantly higher rates of ILI compared with the control arm. An analysis by mask use showed ILI (RR=6.64, 95% CI 1.45 to 28.65) and laboratory-confirmed virus (RR=1.72, 95% CI 1.01 to 2.94) were significantly higher in the cloth masks group compared with the medical masks group. Penetration of cloth masks by particles was almost 97% and medical masks 44%.

Conclusions This study is the first RCT of cloth masks, and the results caution against the use of cloth masks. This is an important finding to inform occupational health and safety. Moisture retention, reuse of cloth masks and poor filtration may result in increased risk of infection. Further research is needed to inform the widespread use of cloth masks globally. However, as a precautionary measure, cloth masks should not be recommended for HCWs, particularly in high-risk situations, and guidelines need to be updated.

[Merlot]

49. Cloth masks should not be used in hospitals, but for people going

to the grocery store, etc. Of course they aren't as good, but they're all we've got right now and if they can reduce chance of infection by 50% it's worth it.

In hospitals there are more chances to be infected, due to volume. People in grocery stores using social distancing are going to have lower chances of meeting the infection.

Also, I see people driving in their cars by themselves wearing masks. That is not necessary and is just weakening the mask. Use the mask only when around other people.

[hlthe2b]

55. Of course.. But the poster indicated a suggestion otherwise.

THis is MY field and thus I have the responsibility to caution against relying too much on them--as I clearly have.

[gordianot]

62. Exactly they should not be relied on and are at best a stopgap.

It is a disgrace we are in this mess.

[Ms. Toad]

64. There are hospitals requesting them.

I am not sure how they are using them, but several hospitals in NY and NJ have requested "as many as are available." Some hospitals have specific requests for design - others just want masks.

I delayed making masks until I could find reliable requests from places that actually wanted them - and the request are coming in from a variety of sources, including hospitals.

[blogslut]

56. I've been using cotton batting for middle layer

It seems fairly easy to breathe through. I sandwich it between two layers of unbleached muslin.

[Marrah_Goodman]

59. I use the flannel

Last edited Sun Mar 29, 2020, 02:23 PM - Edit history (1)

The study I read was that the cloth masks are 50% less effective then the N95 masks, But 50% is better then 0%. My daughter, grand daughter and co-workers are thrilled to have them. My daughter works in a hospital and they finally have disposible (non-N95) masks that they put on as they enter the hospital. She uses the cloth mask outside of the hospital. My grand daughter works in a nursing home and she and her co workers love the cloth masks. I have 40 more in the making but these with have satin ties instead of elastic.

[fierywoman]

76. I read somewhere about using non-woven interfacing as the middle fabric.

[gordianot]

77. She has been doing that for the last 50.

At this time my wife decided to take a break to avoid face mask burnout.

[Marrah_Goodman]

58. Instead of making the ties, use satin cording

I got 100 yards for 12 dollars on Amazon. Takes no more time the the elastic.

[Arkansas Granny]

2. Someone mentioned the other day that hair elastics are a good substitute

for the ear loops.

[gordianot]

6. True they have gone the way of toilet paper.

The last 50 used hair ties. (Also made in China)

[underpants]

3. Underpants has elastic

And yes I get the irony of this.

Do you have an Ollie's or some other overrun type store near you? You'd be surprised what you can find in there.

A friend of mine and his girlfriend are doing this. Thank you very very much.

[The Genealogist]

4. Let me state my appreciation for your wife making those masks!

That's how we get through stuff like this: we pitch in, be proactive, and help others. And producing them gives the maker something to keep the mind occupied.

[samnsara]

5. someone said use rubber bands?...bless you and your wife for doing this..

..if i even lose a button on a shirt I buy a new shirt..meaning I cant sew.

[femmedem]

7. Here is a link to a different type. (I'll be posting as an OP, too.)

https://www.consumer.org.hk/ws_en/news/specials/2020/mask-diy-tips.html

[liberalla]

35. Very helpful link. Thanks!

[FakeNoose]

9. If elastic isn't available, make them with string ties

The masks still work with string ties (no elastic) however I'm sure the medical people would prefer elastic. If your wife can crochet, she or someone else can crochet strings from thin cotton yarn or string. I have done this and I know it works. The strings need to be long enough that they can tie a simple knot or bow behind the ear (or back of the head). Again elastic is preferable, but not the only solution. May God bless you both!

[Ilsa]

48. Yes, using yarn and a chain stitch would provide

A little elasticity in the loops or ties.

[consider_this]

11. mask with ties pattern

Maybe your wife would like this. The thing I like about it is that they include a little wire in the nose area for a better fit. I will be making a few of these.

[gordianot]

13. Will show her this, bless you.

[Ilsa]

14. She could use seam binding or bias tape for ties.

Or make her own bias tape.

[safeinOhio]

16. Try a local Jo-Anns Fabric store

for Extra wide Double wide bias tape. Our local store has it on sale.

[gordianot]

18. Our local stores are out.

She refuses to use their on line app. They are out of kits in our area

[Merlot]

50. Double wide bias tape is really expensive and each pack would make

about 2 masks at most. Better to make your own bias tape, even though it's time consuming.

I was able to find a whole bunch of elastic hair ties at the local 99 cent store. And BTW, that store is the only one in town not doing any kind of social distancing or precautions for their employees. It's business as usual.

[aka-chmeee]

17. Wife ran out of elastic and ordered some online

She's not an experienced online shopper and when I asked, she had no idea where it was coming from, all she knows is that it was shipped. She accumulates sewing stuff like I accumulate electronic stuff and found she had purchased a fairly large tote of spooled ribbon at an auction and until (if) the elastic arrives, her masks are adorned with pretty, colorful ribbon. Her material stash is mostly from quilting and is using flannel as the middle layer.

[gordianot]

19. Then hers are close to production standards.

The complaint from some they are hard to breathe after all this is an emergency, We will probably go out for flannel. Bless you and your wife.

[wnylib]

27. Please go to DU First Nations group

and read the request for masks and gowns by a doctor on the Navajo Reservation. It gives an address that masks can be sent to. If you conntinue to produce these, I am sure the doctor there would be very grateful to receive some.

Native nations do not have the political clout of state governors (which is not that much) and often lack resources to deal with crises like this. Yet they sign up for service when the country is threatened, as the Navajo code talkers did in WWII.

Thank you for what you are doing.

[amuse bouche]

20. Have you had feedback from those wearing the masks?

[gordianot]

22. Not yet they all seemed in desperate need.

Including 25 for the Post Office but mostly for Nursing homes.

[amuse bouche]

24. I'm curious because I've made several prototypes and they are difficult to breathe thru

for any amount of time.

[gordianot]

63. True

[Marrah_Goodman]

67. Mine love them!!

I am using 1 layer of cotton and one layer of cotton flannel.

[amuse bouche]

73. Have you worn one out to do errands?

As an experiment, I wore just a thin dust mask out the other day. The kind you use to sand down projects.

It became hot inside rather quickly. It made my nose run. I'm going to try one of the ones I made on my next trip out
I don't know how people in other countries wear these all the time

It's already 90 here. Flannel doesn't sound too appealing

[Marrah_Goodman]

74. I am in MA right now so it isn't very hot out

I haven't worn one to go out because my guy is the only one leaving the house to run errands. We are all in the high risk category here. He wears gloves and a paper mask when he goes out. Once the paper ones are gone he will switch to the cloth.

[amuse bouche]

75. ok let me know his experience

[Marrah_Goodman]

78. I will :)

[eShirl]

21. How about ribbon ties? I've seen some with shoelaces.

[snpsmom]

23. Use bias binding

[link:https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/health/a31902442/how-to-make-medical-face-masks/|

And she can make her own binding [link:

|

[Cousin Dupree]

25. I saw a lady on Tik Tok making masks and she used a very simple technique to make no-sew

mask ties. Find the stretchiest cotton material you can, like a stretchy cotton top or T shirt. Cut a long strip about an inch wide. Then pull it hard. It rolls over itself lengthwise and makes a stretchy cord you can use for masks. I will try to look for it. She used colorful contrasting material for the ties.

[Cousin Dupree]

26. Found it! (See my previous post to you)

[gordianot]

34. That is what her new model resembles.

She did her batches of 150 in three days. The ones with ties are taking two hours for 5. So far my only assistance is delivering but may have to help cutting out ties.

[Cousin Dupree]

40. Tell her I'm a nurse and I am worried sick about my colleagues. Tell her I send her a big

THANK YOU! And you too!

[Lars39]

28. I added your OP to the Sewing Mask Thread Compilation

in the Crafts forum.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/10321712

[OhioChick]

29. Etsy sellers have elastic n/t

[Marrah_Goodman]

60. sadly they are at high prices

[padah513]

30. Altruism at its finest. It is good to see that there are still good people left in this world

Especially after three years of Trump have made this world seem like such a bleak place.

[sarge43]

31. Shoe laces?

"....how much we despise the orange menace."

Any room left on that bench?

[mgardener]

32. Missouri star quilt company has a tutorial on you tube

Quick simple and easy

They have 2 actually, but their latest is a tie mask.

[ProudMNDemocrat]

33. Fabric Wharehouses have websites...

A friend of mine in the Twin Cities sent me the rest of her roll she purchased at a warehouse we both frequent. Check there.

[Wounded Bear]

36. Would Velcro work? nt

[Baltimike]

37. Hair elastics! They work. nt

[Danascot]

38. How about Ace elastic bandage wrap?

Cut into strips of an inch or so and sewn to go around the head, one on top and one at the bottom? Or maybe 3 - 4" wide strips with holes cut out to make ear hooks?

[Vinca]

39. There's a pattern on the American Hospital Assoc. site for face masks with ties.

It's pretty close to the same pattern and the ties can be made from whatever material she's using.

[lillypaddle]

41. I saw some instructions online

for making masks. Materials needed were elastic OR hair tie-backs. Would this help?

[gordianot]

44. We have exhausted hair ties locally.

Three weeks ago we exhausted hand sanitizer locally when she thought her tour bus of elderly people were going to take a tour bus of elderly people to Texas. That hand sanitizer is now on buses transporting soldiers on buses to a local Army base.

[lillypaddle]

46. Wow

You two are angels!

[ProudMNDemocrat]

42. Bungee cords are filled with elastic

A friend of mine in Texas posted on het FB page of a cord she opened ulp

[Trailrider1951]

43. I've run out as well

So I ordered these shoe laces in the 47" length:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FBHL35K/ref=sspa_dk_detail_0?pd_rd_i=B07SN5MVZG&pd_rd_w=uc8qN&pf_rd_p=48d372c1-f7e1-4b8b-9d02-4bd86f5158c5&pd_rd_wg=TL3qA&pf_rd_r=45V1MHXAZM205QEJN0WM&pd_rd_r=c22df44f-1581-4609-8b7f-d54cbc5e6776&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzNTdXU1pXTDdRU1ZFJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNjM5NTY4MTcwTDQ4TkRSODRHRSZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwNjc2MDQzMUJMSVhSRFVZUEhBUyZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2RldGFpbCZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU&th=1&psc=1


Use 1 pair per mask

[gordianot]

45. Bless your efforts.

Someday these masks deserve a museum as a warning. Hard times. Not giving up.

[Backseat Driver]

47. Beading elastic by the roll?

[CrispyQ]

51. I found this pattern with an optional pocket for a HEPA filter and a wire nose guard.

https://jennifermaker.com/face-mask-patterns-cricut/


Also a page on the best material for DIY face masks: https://smartairfilters.com/en/blog/best-materials-make-diy-face-mask-virus/

[Sancho]

61. I've been using vacuum bags and AC filters...already had both at home.

....seems to work well. It's not always possible to get a complete seal like professional masks, but the filtering should be better than just cloth.

This video was worth watching...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=137&v=BoDwXwZXsDI&feature=emb_logo&fbclid=IwAR0mD8U5es6j27BMOO87WnyziGSYwkNJdL-74AGyvOoyYdIsMmTszgndP4g

[leighbythesea2]

52. Bravo to her

Wonderful! Im scouring for fabric and elastic. From fellow sewers who are always supply/fabric hoarders. Ok collectors.

If i find elastic i will message you.
My girlfriend who is a nurse said the elastic is preferred.

[mainer]

53. I just ordered 1/4 inch elastic from Amazon. Said it would come in May

but this morning I got an alert that they'd shipped it already!

You can make cloth ties instead but yes, it is time-consuming to cut 16-inch-long strips and sew them so they don't ravel. 4 ties per mask is a lot of stitching. I'm using my husband's tee-shirts, and the fabric is very comfortable against your face.

[onecaliberal]

54. Bungee cords are full of elastic if you cut it open,

[Marrah_Goodman]

57. There is no elastic anywhere, but you can make the kind that tie

Have her google "patterns for face masks with ties". I switched to using satin cord.

[Ms. Toad]

65. Ties are more comfortable,

based on reports from people who are actually using them.

45" is a good length for a single tie - and most of your fabric is likely 45" wide. Cut a strip 2" wide across the fabric. Use a 1" bias tape maker and fold the 1" "bias" tape in half to make a 1/2" strip. Thread the strip through tubes on the side of the mask in the shape of a "U". The bottom loop on the "U" goes at the base of the neck, the ends tie at the top of the head.

(I called it "bias" because I'm not actually making the strips on the bias. It's also not really necessary to have a bias maker - you can just fold them. It doesn't take that much longer.)

[Marrah_Goodman]

68. I found a really easy way by accident

I ordered what I thought was elastic cording, but it turned out to be satin cording. It's soft and smooth and makes perfect ties I was going to return it until I realized I had a very slim chance of actually finding elastic and decided to switch to ties. It was like 12 dollars for 100 yards.

[Ms. Toad]

69. That works, too.

I was trying to avoid spending more money. I have tons of cotton fabric and no specific use for it, but I had to spend ~$100 for thread since a lot of it that I have seems to be less than quality thread (that stuff is really expensive!). I had been looking at bias tape and twill tape - both of which would make about 2 masks per package.

[Marrah_Goodman]

70. omg yes thread that is quality is expensive

I am just using what I had in my sewing box and sewing by hand since I am at my boyfriends house for the duration and don't have a sewing machine here. Fortunately I was able to order some fabric and have it delivered since my fabric stash is at home too. Making your own ties is definitely more cost effective then those little packages of bias tape.

[Ms. Toad]

71. I just went back through all of my old bias tape and seam binding

I was planning on using only 1" bias tape - but I think the 1/2" will also work - so I've got several masks worth.

[Marrah_Goodman]

72. Nice

[Marrah_Goodman]

66. Found a good mask pattern from a surgeon with ties or elastic

https://www.drstreicher.com/dr-streicher-blog/2020/3/a-surgeon-sewing-a-surgical-mask