UPDATE: Anyone here making those reusable/washable cloth face masks?

[OneGrassRoot]

I FOUND A FEW VIA A NEIGHBOR. I'll leave this thread because there are wonderful suggestions below. Many thanks to everyone. Stay safe and well, DU.




* * *

I know they're for healthcare workers, but wondering if anyone here knows where we can purchase just a few of them for home use for those of us who are immuno-compromised?

Thanks

EDIT TO ADD: For a reasonable price; etsy has some that are exorbitant.

[LisaL]

1. I bought some off amazon.

They are supposedly better than nothing.

[OneGrassRoot]

2. They must be sold out...

the few I found have really long delivery times.

[LisaL]

4. I managed to buy them recently.

Sometimes they give you long delivery times but it actually shows up sooner than they tell you. So you can still place an order and hope for the best. Mine have just arrived yesterday.

[OneGrassRoot]

7. Okay, thank you. n/t

[LisaL]

17. They also have a bunch of cotton balaclavas which presumably would offer similar protection.

But who the hell knows.

[OneGrassRoot]

23. Yeah, I did see a ton of those. I think I found a few from someone in my neighborhood. n/t

[DUgosh]

3. Pm me

[OneGrassRoot]

8. I PM'd you but got error message...

so not sure if it went through (I show 2 in my "sent" folder).

[Srkdqltr]

5. If you have a sewing machine and some fabric they are simple to make.

I have made over 50 of them in the past few days. I ran out of elastic . I should get some today. They are for a charity and will go to nursing homes.

[OneGrassRoot]

6. I don't sew nor do I have a machine, unfortunately. n/t

[womanofthehills]

14. habd sew or staple fabric together

[sunflowerseed]

12. Rubber bands work.

[blogslut]

13. May I suggest sewing on ribbons or hem tape?

Like four, one for each corner. That way the person can tie them on.

[Ms. Toad]

22. Yes -

Even though many of the initial requests were for elastic, the field reports are that elastic is very uncomfortable to wear.

If you create a tube, you can run a single 42" piece of bias tape through the tube (the loop goes over your head, with the two free ends tying at the top).

[blogslut]

9. Can you hand-sew?

They're not very big and there's lots of free patterns out there:

https://www.joann.com/make-to-give-response/

I've been making a few on the machine but I will probably try hand-sewing one because working with small details is kind of a PITA. Plus the folded pleats get pretty thick if you add a filtering layer and I'm worried I'm going to break a needle.

[OneGrassRoot]

10. I can try, I suppose. If I can order what's needed online...

In chemo and hubby works in the public, so he needs to start wearing one here and at work.

[blogslut]

11. I understand

This is all so overwhelming. ❤️

[mia]

15. Easy to make mask idea.

Cotton t-shirt and sheet fabric can also be used.

[eShirl]

16. thanks!

[OneGrassRoot]

19. THANKS! n/t

[Ms. Toad]

25. Having worn masks I've sewn for several hours -

I'd avoid that one. Breath is generally pretty moist - I would expect a paper towel to disintegrate.

[Hearthrob]

18. Weird stuff

Scarves big enuf to tie- like bank robbers and cowpokes. Maybe 2 pinned together to contain a paper towel.

Cut up panty hose.

Plastic lined table cloths. Cut up and safety pinned.

Old cloth napkins.

Anything cut to size with pins

[OneGrassRoot]

20. THANK YOU! n/t

[Ms. Toad]

24. New sew versions

http://blog.japanesecreations.com/no-sew-face-mask-with-handkerchief-and-hair-tie

https://diyjoy.com/diy-safety-mask/

(I'm also making sewn but not until Monday. My daughter came down with the flu - so after she is past her 72 hours no-fever (likely Monday), I'll rewash the fabric, sterilize everything, and start again. If you haven't found any by then, PM me and I can send you a few.)

[OneGrassRoot]

26. Thank you. Hope she recovers quickly and easily. n/t

[Marrah_Goodman]

27. I sent out my first 8 to my daughter and granddaughter

Both are CNAs and will be passing them out to their coworkers. I have 40 more cut out and waiting for the elastic to be delivered. I am riding this out at my bf's house so I am stitching by hand due to lack of my sewing machine. Once I get my SSDI so I have money to ship I can send you a few OGR.

[OneGrassRoot]

29. You are so sweet...

I found a few but THANK YOU for your thoughtfulness.

[jmbar2]

28. Resource

Makemasks.slack.com is a nationwide collective of volunteer mask makers sewing for healthcare workers, nursing homes, etc.

You can request a donation using their order form if it's for a group. I don't think they do single orders. It's all volunteer, so mailing individual masks would be too expensive.

You might do a search online for your local town to see if there is a local mask group. Most towns have them now.

Good luck!

[OneGrassRoot]

30. So cool...

thank you!