Making face masks.

ExD

I think the bags are for nursing staff to put their uniforms in when they go home if they are not allowed to wear them outside the hospital?

There are groups in most towns now, making masks and sewing scrubs for the NHS. They may only be used once but if they help .....
I offered to sew gowns (those terrible things with tape ties that leave your behind exposed to anyone and everyone) but was turned down because my machine doesn't have an overlock function.
I am able to make bags though - I have no idea what they are used for - but making bags from old scraps of material apparently helps - so bags it is!

www.craftpassion.com/face-mask-sewing-pattern/
This pattern has been updated and contains a pocket for a filter and a nose wire.

That should be soap and hot water.

If washing our hands with soap and not water destroys the virus, surely a normal wash in the machine would be enough for the face masks or even a soak overnight in soapy water? I don't know, just wondering. I was thinking of making a couple and liked the idea of the iron on vilene.

A face mask should be worn once and disposed of appropriately. Unless it is removed correctly you can infect yourself. I would not bother except occasionally to wear a scarf and wash it on my return home.

It is caused by droplet and not aerosol

I made one using two layers of cotton and a layer of sew in vilene with some jewellery wire wound like a paper clip inside to seal the top of the nose. Its a good fit but quite hard to breath through. The pattern I copied from pinterest said to wash after each use and to iron with a very hot iron. I hadn't thought of ironing to kill the germs.

I found some in our summerhouse the other day while clearing out years' worth of husband's work records - we're not sure what he bought them for. I took one with me when I went shopping but then didn't wear it as no one else seemed to be using one - not sure it did much good stuck in my coat pocket

(I appreciated your joke too VQ)

So my thick Buff neck tubes are ok. The one I was wearing to go shopping has a fleece like lining under close woven fabric. And I doubled it.

I don’t need to worry so much now as we’re completely isolating and having everything delivered. The Tesco man just retreated to the road while I unpacked the delivery box.

Thank you Tangerine

I read 30% effective at preventing you spreading virus to others... so long as you don't touch or reuse them (obviously without a hot wash if the fabric sort).

Regarding types of fabric - if you can see light trough it it's not much use. You can use tightly woven fabric but non wovens tend to block the light better.

Vampirequeen - I thought your joke was very funny.

The Guardian has no-sew ideas for face masks. They suggest kitchen towel or coffee filters as disposable inners.

www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/apr/06/how-to-make-no-sew-face-mask-coronavirus?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

I have a friend who makes them by the dozen and a local Care Home is delighted to have the. It seems anything is better than nothing, but I shall pass on the message re the cake tin liners.
Its something the sewers amongst us could do to lend a hand.

I loved the bra joke.

I know some people here have been using panty liners but then I heard these contain substances that should not be near the face.

I assumed Giulia meant something like oven liner paper although it seems a bit stiff.

Would double thickness J-clothes work? That’s woven.

Teacheranne I think it's what you call greaseproof paper:
used for lining cake tins and such.

Yes I a few for us to use a few weeks back. You need to have one layer acting as a filter which is made from a non woven material.

Love the bra picture. I’d have the same problem!!

Some good ideas on here as I was thinking of trying to make one. Not sure about the bra - should I use plunge, wired, total support or backless?

What is oven paper?

Apparently a really good material to use to make a face mask is a hepa filter hoover bag (unused of course)! They are made up of several layers, you must remove the plastic layer.

They filter out very fine airborne pollutants such as pollen so are probably a good idea. They have to be well fitted to be completely effective but will be good enough when 'socially isolating'.
I've made a few of them and they are comfortable to wear.

(Sorry - the grin was for Katek’s photo.)

Thanks Giulia. I stand more chance of finding oven paper!