Mask-Making

I'm sure you've seen this post a million times by now, but I thought I'd update you all to let you know that I'm now switched over to mask-making at this point. After I found a pattern and sewed a mask for Rami and one for myself, all hell broke loose because everyone I showed a picture to wanted one for themselves! I was happy to oblige, because it made me feel useful in a time where everything seems sort of out of control.

The pattern I used was a simple one from Craft Passion, run by Joanne L. The pattern was easy to read and after I printed the pieces, I ran with it.

I ended up making 20 masks, for various friends and family members. I can make about 3 per hour if I'm fast. They really are quite simple. I mostly listened to podcasts while I sewed. I actually ended up so tired by Thursday of this week that I went to bed at 8:30 and put off the mask-making again until Saturday.

Both Rami and Saira seemed interested in the masks, although Saira will really only wear hers for about 5 minutes, and only if she has her pacifier in her mouth underneath. Rami actually really enjoys his mask and loves to wear it with a cape while he rides his bike. He says he is a super hero.

I made a mask in each of the sizes available, plus adapted one for the baby. (Sizes available are for ages 3-6, kid/teenager, women's, and men's.) One thing I will warn anyone who makes the masks is to be sure to read all the instructions: seams are not included, so just include them when you trace out your pattern pieces.

They really do sew up nice and easy, and don't take a lot of time or energy. They also sew up in a really satisfying way and are fun to finish and see how they look with each fabric. I actually used a ton of fabric that I got when my grandma passed away. I got mostly a ton of Christmas fabric, so I couldn't use that. Or I mean, I could have but I'm not sure if my friends would have appreciated it. But I had enough different types of fabrics that didn't all scream "old lady quilting squares," that I could get my 20-ish masks done.

I also luckily had a full pack of elastic! It's gone now though. I used t-shirt yarn for the rest of the masks once I ran out of elastic, as well as for all of the kids' masks. I didn't think my kids or any of the other kids I sewed for would appreciate elastic on their ears.

I hope you are all staying safe and helping to flatten the curve by staying home. If you need to leave the house to get groceries or go for a sanity-walk, wear your mask. It protects you but it protects others as well. It's been important for Kamran and I to model that for our kids, as we want them to know that it's our job as individuals to care for society as a whole. Happy mask-making!