- Nana K

Nana’s Finally Making Covid Masks and Needs Your Help!

For the next few weeks, Nana will be making Covid masks. I know many of you have been making these for months but I made only a few for myself. Just yesterday, our city council passed a bylaw that will mandate masks or face coverings in all indoor public spaces, as well as on public transit, effective August 1. And it applies to everyone over the age of two.

Because Nana is a maker, family and friends immediately started calling requesting masks. So I am on a quest to find a perfect mask for everyone aged 2 to 90.

Due to this recent legislation it seems that masks are here to stay (at least for a long while). In addition, school will be starting soon and although not currently mandatory, kids may be required to wear masks to school. So better late than never to start making these.

First, I do know that it is important for a mask be worn properly. The mask should come all the way up, close to the bridge of your nose, and all the way down under your chin. And you need to do your best to tighten the loops or ties so it’s snug around your face, without gaps.

Example of the pleated style by 5 minutes for Mom

WHAT TYPE OF MASK SHOULD I SEW??

After some research, I found there are two basic types of masks – a pleated mask and a fitted mask. Nana thought she would try making one of each type of Covid masks for the loved ones on my list and then ask for feedback on which one they prefer. Which do you like??

The Craft Passion family is wearing the fitted style masks.

HOW DO YOU GET A CHILD TO WEAR ONE??

One challenge we are faced with is how to get a child to wear it! The only thing I could think of was to make it fun…let’s use unicorns and superheroes, llamas and dinosaurs, princesses and trucks. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Nana’s grandkids range from 2 to 12!!

Here is the fabric I bought!

WHAT TYPE OF TIES ARE MOST COMFORTABLE?

More research told me that knit fabric was more comfortable for kids than elastic for the straps and I have a lot of that in my stash. What do you use for ties? Do you make ties that go around the ears or head? Is there another way?

IS THERE A SPECIFIC PATTERN YOU RECOMMEND?

Nana starting making the Covid masks from these two patterns because each pattern comes in various sizes from small children to men:

Do you have a favorite pattern you can share with me??

DO YOU USE NOSE WIRES?

For those of us who wear glasses, I plan to add the nose wires to both types. But should I add the wires for everyone??

ANY OTHER SUGGESTIONS?

If you have ANY suggestions to help Nana out with this, please leave me a comment!! If you have pictures of masks to share with me, tag them #whatsnanamaking @whatsnanamaking2019 on Instagram.

I am off to the sewing machine and will let you know the results in a future post!