Sunday, April 5, 2020

Making masks...

I'm finally making masks.  I don't know what took me so long, but with the infection rate rising dramatically in our area, I, for one, was happy to hear the CDC finally recommend everyone wear a face mask. I suspected we should have been wearing them for the last month, but as much as I hate to admit it, I simply wasn't motivated to make them before now.  It was some form of denial, I suppose.

But knowing we had to run an errand today, I got busy last night and made three (2 for hubs, and 1 for me):



I have a few pieces of girly fabric that suit me just fine, but nothing really masculine for hubs, so I cut up a striped cotton shirt that was in the donation pile.  I got two masks from the back of the man's shirt, and I imagine I can come up with one or two more with the front and sleeves.    

I used a pattern for an Olsen Mask (and benefited from the video at this link).   Video is also below:





And here's what it looks like on me:


Adding a disclaimer:  These masks are for personal use.  I've included information below about the details of these masks I've made that are comfortable for us.  Your sensitivities, or sensibilities may vary.  

I put a 20-gauge wire in the top (and machine-basted it in) so I could shape it on my face - otherwise, breathing with this on steams up my glasses big time.   I'm doubtful it will come through the wash with the wire still usable, but I'm going to try it and see.  The next masks I make, I'm going to take more care to create a neat casing along the top so that a wire can be slipped in and out.  The  really cool thing is, this tutorial suggests using pony tail holders for the ear pieces.  Genius!   I wonder if they would work equally well on the rectangular masks...  I think I will try that pattern, too, and see.   I found four elastic bands in a bathroom drawer, but when we were on our errand today I stopped in at the Dollar Tree and picked up a bunch more.  Thin ones work best, I believe, and have to be more comfortable than thicker elastic.

BTW, here's a tip (I found online in a video of a medical person explaining how to wear various masks) -- to keep from steaming up your glasses while wearing a mask like this:  Fold a tissue several times (lengthwise, until it's about an inch wide) and lay it along the top, but behind the mask.  I did this, and with the wire, the tissue wasn't even visible.  And it worked.  I haven't road tested it - by shopping or moving around a lot, but just wearing it around the house for a while, it seemed to stay in place.  I'm sure the wire helps.  

~~~~~

Back to the errand we ran earlier today...  I'm really glad to share that our little church (along with some other churches in our small town) are delivering meals to the COVID Response Team at our local hospital.  I signed hubs and I up for today (and a few times in the future).   It's an opportunity  to support some local restaurants and give encouragement to those medical personnel who are working so tirelessly and bravely.  In a time of fear, loss, exhaustion and trauma, it felt good to do something tangible.  

~~~~~

On a yarny note...  I am half-amazed, half-embarrassed to show my dishcloth knitting for the month of March, but here it is!


I'd call this stress knitting, but honestly, I haven't exactly felt stressed.  Or worried.  Of course, I haven't been struck with sickness, so... easy for me to say.

I've asked myself so many times, "What am I feeling?"

Grieved?  

Oh yes.  

Overwhelmed?  

Sometimes - yes.  I assume we all have had moments where we are overwhelmed by the loss and pain and trauma many are experiencing - if we are not experiencing these things ourselves.  

To be honest, I don't think a day goes by - probably not an hour goes by without realizing at some point that I am distracted.   

Yeah, I think it's fair to say my dishcloths at the moment have been "distracted knitting".  When I couldn't focus on anything more complicated than knit and purl, back and forth, row after row.  When sleep hasn't come until 3 am, or when words for cohesive prayers have been elusive, my hands kept busy.  




I pray you are kept safe and well in this time of uncertainty.

~~~~~

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.  And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

                                  Romans 8:26-27 New International Version

  


22 comments:

  1. Great verse. I have found myself at a loss of even what to pray, so I have told Him just that thinking of this very verse. I haven't stitched nearly as much as one would have thought for me. I have accomplished masks. I haven't left the house in 20 days other than in my yard or just down the street for a walk or a drive, so I haven't needed mine per say. Hubby does the shopping, but I kind of feel like we will wear these for awhile.

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    1. It is so hard to know how to pray right now and I take comfort and assurance from this scripture. I went shopping at Meijer last Friday and I was surprised at how many people had masks on. Not anywhere clost to a majority, but I actually felt very "exposed" in comparison. The masked shoppers looked like the smart ones. We're home (except maybe for walks) 'till Thursday - our next meal delivery. It's weird that sheltering at home has become the new normal.

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  2. That's an impressive amount of dish cloths! And good for you with the masks and the meal delivery. Very thoughtful. I hope you continue to feel not exactly stressed. :)

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    1. The masks are for our use. I keep hoping the manufacturers will get proper needed face masks to the people who need them, as these are not suitable for the kind of protection they need..

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  3. Look at all those dishcloths. Fantastic! Your masks are great too. I made one today but the pony tail holder I had was soooooooo tight and thick and darn near pulled my ear off lol. I will be on the hunt for elastic now. Or will need to find bigger and thinner ponytail holders. Single fold bias tape works perfect gortheeire holder and you can put it in and out for washing.

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    1. I wondered about the thick pony tail holders. For mine, I used thin ones and then today found more thin ones at Dollar Tree. Not sure they'll hold up long, but I got a gob for $1, so I can't complain. I think it may depending on what design mask one makes as to what kind of ear elastic one can use (or ties). While I've got this design down now, I kind of want to see how a rectangular one works.

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  4. Very fun with the girly patterns. If I make them for hubby, we have lots of Halloween fabric so that's what he'll. Maybe skeletons. Sewing is fun. You did a great job. Here's to staying healthy and being safe. Cheers and boogie boogie, Ivy

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    1. A skeleton mask would be fun. I'd like to make some in patriotic fabric - Hubs would love that. I really don't want to go in the stores for fabric, though, so I'm hoping for a good on-line sale - and free shipping. That would be pretty perfect, wouldn't it.

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    2. Sale + free shipping. Heck yes. That would be fun.
      Could you sew together your own patriotic pattern with what you have at home?

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    3. No... my small stash is made up of birds, flowers and polka dots. I also found a hospital green sheet in a drawer - have no idea where it came from. It doesn't even fit our bed. A gift from heaven... I may use that to make some pleated ones.

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    4. That sounds like an excellent use of gifted fabric from Heaven. Go you!
      PS: How come no little avatar heads show up by people's names?

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    5. The avatar issue is beyond my ability to figure out. With input from someone online who's into code, I have come to believe it's a Blogger issue - possibly with the template I chose. This person helped (a few years ago) to get some cute avatars and then suddenly they dissapeared. It makes me a little sad, but I got over it. I will say, though, no avatars is an improvement over the little shadow people I used to have. At least, I don't see the shadow people anymore. I hope others don't either.

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    6. I don't see the shadow people on this end. Recently changed my template too and learning new things about it. I had thought the avatar was the option of the blogger to show but I'm not sure. Sorry the person fell off and dissapeared. That happens I find in Blogger Land. Be well and Happy Masking Making.

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  5. Oh your dishcloths are lovely. We all need some form of distraction.

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    1. :) I've thought of my dishcloths as a distraction from being so distracted. An effortless thing to do to keep my mind from focussing on the larger thing that distracts me from being otherwise productive. Other things just took too much energy - mental or physical. I think some equilibrium is starting to return to me, this week - somehow.

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  6. Hi Becki :)) Your mask looks great on you!! The stores around here won't allow us to enter with masks on though, or gloves...or even our own grocery bags!!! They said that they could already be "contaminated"...sigh. I hope you're staying well and happy! :)

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    1. That's an interesting perspective. I'm not sure what to think of it... Gloves and bags I can sort of understand. The no-mask rule is a mystery to me - it's not like anyone's going to be wiping their face (mask) on anything. I'm curious and am going to look this up. Thanks for a different perspective, Rain.

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  7. Your masks are certainly prettier than ours! I have only worn mine once, on a day that I needed to pick up a prescription. It is an N95 mask and not only is it not "cute," it is also not comfortable! A nurse friend of mine told me to line my mask with a coffee filte; she said that if the N95 gets moist from breathing, it is less effective. But that added to the discomfort, so I need to tweak. Who knew a month ago that we'd even be having this conversation?!

    Distracted is a good word and I feel it too. Thank you for sharing that perfect Scripture verse!

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    1. Thank you, Cheryl. One of our sons just texted us a picture of a disposable mask he was given to wear for a week (he's an engineer with an automotive company and is often up close with the factory line workers). I was glad the company is encouraging (maybe insisting) they all wear masks, but when he snapped a picture of his one sorry little disposable mask, my mama heart wanted to get in the car right then, drive the three hours to his place, and deliver him some of my reusable homemade masks. With a filter of some sort in there, these will surely be at least as good as the disposable rectangular masks. Anyway... I told him I'd get to work making some for him and get them in the mail by tomorrow. I just got online now to print out the pattern again when I saw your comment. Stay safe!

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  8. Your dish cloths are gorgeous!

    I dug through my fabric stash yesterday to try to find something to make a mask that won't make me feel as if I'm suffocating. I haven't sewed it yet, but I have a little time since I don't have to venture out until towards the end of next week.

    Your mask turned out well.

    I like the verse you shared. I've been basically camping out in the Psalms these past few weeks, but I think I should head over to the New Testament as well. So thankful how God feeds us through His word.

    Blessings~

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  9. I agree that distraction seems to be running rampant these days. My concentration level is that of a gnat and in order to make the masks I've done I've had to really make myself focus. I think I've made about a hundred now and I'm going to have to quit - my stash is pretty much dwindled now. I couldn't put wire in mine simply because I don't have any. Apparently they're grateful for ANY type of mask so I know mine will be okay. It was hard to make them because my thoughts kept dwelling on the need for them and the pressure was on to get them done and get them out there where they're needed. I know at this point that I must do something else for awhile. Take care of you my friend - happy Easter.

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  10. Love the selection of dishcloths! I should try a Zoom session; I know various LYS's and groups are having them. Been too lazy and the teen sometimes uses this laptop to work on something for school that she can't do in her room.

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