Facing up to Face Masks

Hello Friends!

It's a sign of the times, I haven't been out since my last trip to the hair dresser in early March, the time is here that I must gird up my loins, as they say, and start going out again.

As we know, it is now de rigueur to be responsible and respectful by wearing a face mask in public places, so I thought it was about time I made some.

If you want to make your own, there are more than enough instructional video links on YouTube, and it's well worth looking at them, then pick and choose what will work best for you, and a few of them generously share their discoveries and solutions to problems, such as gapping, and misting up of glasses.  I looked at several before deciding and mine will be the machine washable at 60* triple layer masks, rather than the type with a disposable filter, which you still have to wash.

I have a stash of suitable cotton fabrics, and suitable linings. To begin with, I picked an inexpensive fabric with a pretty and delicate purple print, and after measuring my face, across from mid point between my nose and ear, and from the bridge of my nose to my chin, I cut two 9 x 5 inch rectangles.  I cut the same from a piece of old towelling sheet, and two 7" pieces of soft, 1/4 inch elastic. 

I worked through the construction process, made a few mistakes, but then, et voilà!  One reusable, washable face mask.

After trying it, I found the fit was not to my liking, if it covered my nose and tucked up under my glasses it sat too high up on my chin and barely covered my mouth, so I made another, cutting my rectangle 9 inches x 7 inches, and that has worked just fine.  It's the larger version I am showing in the {dreadful} photo, above, of my model. 

I now have to work out how I will add the Prym metal nose bars which I bought from Empress Mills, link below.

Lots of places sell pretty fabric, or you can use old cotton sheets, pyjamas, in fact almost any fabric is good as long as it is a close weave.  I did buy some fabric to make a special cat themed one for a friend, and I also got matching elastic.  Of course, I couldn't resist the pretty floral print at the time either.  I found the quality and service from Empress Mills exemplary. They have a lot of lovely fabrics too!

The seemingly white elastic is actually pale lilac and perfectly matches the cat pattern fabric.

I am now thinking about making a little matching bag for each of my masks to help keep them clean and tidy in my handbag or pocket while out and about.

VERY IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT 

If you are wearing disposable, one time use, masks, please, please dispose of them responsibly.  Already, photos of birds and small mammals injured or trapped by the elastics are flooding the internet.  A simple snip to split the elastic loops is all you need to do, and then bin it.

Moving on.  

My first outing was a very short walk along a nearby lane.  Normally it's deserted.  I've walked it for years and hardly ever see a soul!  That particular day, I met seven people, and no, I wasn't going to St Ives.  Seven! We were all very respectful to each other, but I was the only one with a mask.  Not that one is required in such places, I was testing it out.

I was shocked to see such a huge amount of Ragwort liking the path.

The lovely view at the end of the path  How I have missed it! 💗

Continuing to use the new style Blogger and discovering and playing with some of the new features, today's play is with the new fonts option, which I like, and discovering access to my Instagram photos via a Google App I didn't know I had, and thanks to Ragged Robin telling me about it, I've inserted a quirky emoji!

Until next time

Be responsible, stay safe, stay well

Deborah xoxo