My friend Kazuko K. was so generous in sending me this pattern, marked with some hints in English, as well as some double gauze.
Mask wearing is part of the culture here already. Paper masks are all but impossible to find in the stores, and so I've been sewing up a storm, for ourselves, our kids back in the U.S., and for a couple of American families we know here.
The standard here is to use double gauze, but I have layered it with quilters' cotton or heavier cotton. And in some cases using quilters cotton, including Liberty, which is a tight weave and so soft. Just experimenting.
I enlarged the pattern a bit for our bigger faces. This Japanese pattern is a lot like the one by craftpassion. I used 9-10 inch elastic. If you decide to make masks, make one at a time as you figure out your pattern.
Thank you Kazuko!
I dug into my stash and made some for our kids - hope they fit -
I also experimented with this other style - for us and for a couple of nearby families. They are reversible and have the sleeve for a twistie or pipe cleaner to shape the nose (put your twistie or pipe cleaner BEHIND the sleeve).
I started with the Deaconess tutorial and changed up the size a bit. Here's a great simple tutorial from Made Everyday.
For adult size, I used 8.5" x 8.5", 1/4 seam allowance. For kids, 7.5"x7.5" or 7". About 4 pleats (not fussy about the pleats). 7" elastic (attached the Deaconess way). Nose sleeves: I started with rectangles cut on the bias - 1 3/4" x 4.5".
I added a little tuck to the bottom of some of the masks to tighten up the under-the-chin area. It's all trial and error.
It's finally official now, a state of emergency in Japan, although not much changes for us. We are expected to wear masks outside, which most people do already anyway. David is officially working from home 100%. We are being insanely careful, since there are multiple cases of COVID in our little building of about 80 apartments. Clorox is a theme in my life now. I do not want either of us to end up in a Japanese hospital.
The Governor of Tokyo setting a much more elegant example in her cloth mask - as she tells us what's what in Tokyo.
One way I'm trying to keep it together - working on my geneology every single day...
My great grandma Una Fisher and her sisters Ruth, Fannie, and Wilma. Una and Frannie quilted together. I remember Una (we called her "Two") well but I wish I'd known her sisters. They all lived through big challenges (don't we all?).
And here we are now, globally, with just a massive, mind boggling, scary challenge. Let's sew on, keep positive, be generous with ourselves and each other when we fall apart. Yes, I'm talking to myself! ;).
xo
Cynthia
I love that photo of your grandma and her sisters. We do sometimes forget that each generation has its challenges. This will be one for the record books, but forgotten quickly by the young who won't remember the struggles. Stay safe and healthy my friend!
ReplyDeleteI like all your masks. I think I left my mask at school. I went to the dentist yesterday with a scout scarf covering my face. Washed it in hot water and soap along with my hands when I got home.
ReplyDeleteI loved your ending message and photo of your great aunts. We must remember the world has been through things like this before and come out of it. We will too!
ReplyDeleteI got a great idea of how to tweak my mask making using hair ties. The fabrics you are using a pretty.
I am thinking of you and David. Stay well!
Your masks are so cute in those fabrics and will be a bit of cheer in these strange times. I've only made the pleated style (in boring white) but haven't had a cause to wear one yet. I don't need to leave the house until the 16th except for daily dog walks. Stay healthy!
ReplyDeleteLike you we are wearing masks when we have to go into town as there are active cases here in rural areas too. Most are still not wearing masks, sadly. Your masks are so pretty and perfect for Tokyo. Nice seeing the photo of your ancestors. It would be so nice if we were able to hear all their stories of their time on this planet, and how they overcame the crises that they faced.
ReplyDeleteNice masks. I am making more today. I'm usuiang my Hawaiian shirt fabrics, well washed on hot, thinking the fun prints will encourage wearing. And no elastic here, so hair ties. I find it hard to breathe wearing a mask and my glasses fog.
ReplyDelete[feeling cranky, sorry]
lizzy
Good for you, on the masks, Cynthia. I have to confess, i have not made a mask until yesterday. I made one, and it turned out barely functional. My husband says he'd rather just use a bandana. So far no need, as we have not left the house since masks were ordered. We'll get through this, eventually.
ReplyDeleteCute fabrics for your masks. There are so many patterns, ideas, ... it's actually harder to figure out. I've made a few for family and friends. What a wonderful photo of your grandmother and great Aunts. It would be nice now to ask those special people the questions we have now.
ReplyDeleteYour children/grandchildre will be really stylish in those Japanese fabric masks. I should get out some of my Japanese fabrics to make masks, but mostly am using batiks. I think Liberty would be a better choice, but I don't have any.
ReplyDeleteI'm interested in what you are using for a wire in the nose piece. I like how you have a contrasting bit of fabric for that--clever. Is the wire removable? Take care-- E.
Wow! Look at you go! You are like a mask factory! I've got to get sewing again.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you on the mask production - I have been using Craft Passion's pattern, but I lengthened the width so there would be enough room for fabric ties. Elastic is getting hard to come by here, and I was also afraid it wouldn't launder well over time. Scary that Covid-19 is in your building - I would be good friends with Clorox, too! Stay safe!
ReplyDeleteChina melt blown fabric manufacturers
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