I really like the pattern I'm using, which is the pattern that was in the New York Times. It has straps you tie instead of elastics, which is great because you can tie it as tight as you need to fit snuggly, whereas elastic loops--if you guess wrong, then your mask is loose. And it's pleated, which I find a simpler way of assuring you have ample fabric at your nose and chin but not too much fabric by your ears.
But without a sewing machine, I spend literally days making the straps. They're worth it though because they tie and untie beautifully without knotting. ... Mmmmm, but it would be even better to be able to make them faster. I'm reminded of a comment Stillwater Fx, the mermaid tail guy, made on his Instagram. Although he makes those silicone tails, he also makes sewn ones, and recently he got a sewing machine and was just wildly impressed with how much it sped up his work.
The woman at church who asked me if I would make the masks gave me some ribbon to use for the straps, which definitely speeded things up for me. But still, I ended up only making five. When I was delivering them, I ran into another woman from church who had made 50! I was relieved, actually: the church will surely have enough to accommodate any lackadaisical person who shows up without one. But also intellectually I felt a little like... it was kind of a waste of time for me to have done this? Fortunately it was just a brain-thought, no emotion really behind it, I guess because I enjoyed sitting and sewing, even if I felt unable to make anything like a useful number.
And then the healing angel's significant other said a sweet thing. They said, "What you did wasn't useless. If they need fifty-five masks, now they have them." The healing angel's SO just radiates good nature.
This was such a long story! Thank you for saying things that gave me the opportunity to share it!
And really, a bandit bandana is just as good for preventing your water droplets for jumping out at others. And you guys will look rad with your National Hockey League and Avalanche masks. Keep resting please! There's no necessity to make masks unless you feel like it.
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But without a sewing machine, I spend literally days making the straps. They're worth it though because they tie and untie beautifully without knotting. ... Mmmmm, but it would be even better to be able to make them faster. I'm reminded of a comment Stillwater Fx, the mermaid tail guy, made on his Instagram. Although he makes those silicone tails, he also makes sewn ones, and recently he got a sewing machine and was just wildly impressed with how much it sped up his work.
The woman at church who asked me if I would make the masks gave me some ribbon to use for the straps, which definitely speeded things up for me. But still, I ended up only making five. When I was delivering them, I ran into another woman from church who had made 50! I was relieved, actually: the church will surely have enough to accommodate any lackadaisical person who shows up without one. But also intellectually I felt a little like... it was kind of a waste of time for me to have done this? Fortunately it was just a brain-thought, no emotion really behind it, I guess because I enjoyed sitting and sewing, even if I felt unable to make anything like a useful number.
And then the healing angel's significant other said a sweet thing. They said, "What you did wasn't useless. If they need fifty-five masks, now they have them." The healing angel's SO just radiates good nature.
This was such a long story! Thank you for saying things that gave me the opportunity to share it!
And really, a bandit bandana is just as good for preventing your water droplets for jumping out at others. And you guys will look rad with your National Hockey League and Avalanche masks. Keep resting please! There's no necessity to make masks unless you feel like it.