No strings attached--about masks
@GardenGerty (169406)
United States
July 23, 2020 9:21pm CST
When I decided to make our own masks, hubby wanted strings, not elastic. So that is how I have made them. I made two for him and two for me.
Before that, either places gave us paper masks, loaned us some of their washable ones and we left them, or we did some makeshift things on our own.
I do not try to be medical grade. I believe that two layers of fabric is plenty or really anything that keeps the droplets close to me, and your droplets close to you.
I am going to tell you some ways to very simply cover your face
Simple bandana face covering. In the old west the cowboys would fold their bandana once on the diagonal and cover their face. It kept them from having to eat trail dust as they followed the cattle.
I see lots of guys do this as they go into a store. Thanks for covering your face.
I have done this.
Are you concerned that is not enough? Bandana--fold it in half to be a triangle. Fold the point up to the straight edge, then fold that in half. Tie across your mouth and nose. If I am counting correctly that is eight layers of fabric in your face cover. Should be plenty.
Most comfy thing I have done? 
I had some cotton knit pants that were too short. I cut them off at shorts length for me.I then slipped the cut off piece down over my head. I can pull it up to cover nose and mouth. Fabric is dense and heavy. When I saw this on the internet some people cut ear holes to help hold it in place. I did not find that necessary. They call this a gaitor. Advantage is that you can keep your neck warm in the winter.
Women, drape yourself in a beautiful scarf, and pull it across your face.
Now, about those strings: People with long hair--make a messy bun. Put it in place so that your top string goes above it. It will help keep your mask up if it gets a little loose.
If you have elastic, and it is tight, go open a barrel of monkeys. For those who do not know, it is a kids' game with plastic monkeys who have arms in a horizontal S shape. I saw on the internet that they hold masks off your ears well and you wear them in the back of your head.
You also can sew large buttons on a hat, or on a head band to fasten the elastic to. Some people are making and selling fabric bands or crocheted or knit bands that they sew a button on each side.
A tip for staying a little fresher during the mask wearing time is to suck on a mint or a menthol cough drop.Or you can change out masks mid day.
I intend to make a wardrobe of masks for work.
Maybe I will make a surgical cap or two as well. After all, un masked droplets can cling to your hair, and we all know that there will be unmasked people.
I think I have now "uncovered" all of my wisdom. It is time to go to bed.
I have done this.
Are you concerned that is not enough? Bandana--fold it in half to be a triangle. Fold the point up to the straight edge, then fold that in half. Tie across your mouth and nose. If I am counting correctly that is eight layers of fabric in your face cover. Should be plenty.
Most comfy thing I have done?
I had some cotton knit pants that were too short. I cut them off at shorts length for me.I then slipped the cut off piece down over my head. I can pull it up to cover nose and mouth. Fabric is dense and heavy. When I saw this on the internet some people cut ear holes to help hold it in place. I did not find that necessary. They call this a gaitor. Advantage is that you can keep your neck warm in the winter.
Women, drape yourself in a beautiful scarf, and pull it across your face.
Now, about those strings: People with long hair--make a messy bun. Put it in place so that your top string goes above it. It will help keep your mask up if it gets a little loose.
If you have elastic, and it is tight, go open a barrel of monkeys. For those who do not know, it is a kids' game with plastic monkeys who have arms in a horizontal S shape. I saw on the internet that they hold masks off your ears well and you wear them in the back of your head.
You also can sew large buttons on a hat, or on a head band to fasten the elastic to. Some people are making and selling fabric bands or crocheted or knit bands that they sew a button on each side.
A tip for staying a little fresher during the mask wearing time is to suck on a mint or a menthol cough drop.Or you can change out masks mid day.
I intend to make a wardrobe of masks for work.
Maybe I will make a surgical cap or two as well. After all, un masked droplets can cling to your hair, and we all know that there will be unmasked people.
I think I have now "uncovered" all of my wisdom. It is time to go to bed.7 people like this
8 responses
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
24 Jul 20
For a while masks were not readily available here.
1 person likes this
@msdivkar (23356)
• India
25 Jul 20
@GardenGerty We never had that problem. My daughter provided me with enough masks.
1 person likes this
@pandeydeependra (611)
• India
24 Jul 20
Thanks for sharing useful information. I also use home made mask.
1 person likes this
@lovinangelsinstead21 (36847)
• Pamplona, Spain
24 Jul 20
Great ideas you have there the elastic things hurt our ears specially in this heat.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
24 Jul 20
I have not tried those for long periods of time. I thought if I had to I would clip the elastic to my hair with hair clips.
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
26 Jul 20
A bandana is a cloth scarf and is the easiest way to go. I also tie a folded bandana around my head when I am working outside to absorb the sweat and keep it out of my eyes.
@Lavanya15 (12888)
• Chennai, India
24 Jul 20
Yes mask is very essential when we go out side. For this I buy clothe made masks because it's possible to reuse.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
24 Jul 20
Yes, all of these solutions are washable and reuseable.
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
24 Jul 20
It will be a while still before they approve a vaccine as safe and effective.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
24 Jul 20
If it covers your nose and mouth it should be good enough for anyone.
1 person likes this








