upgraded DIY mask

[randomdreams]

We have some hand-sewn masks made of two layers of cotton. I modified two with the addition of wire in the top hem, allowing the wearer to bend the wire to fit the bridge of the wearer's nose. This significantly increases the mask's ability to seal to the wearer's face when inhaling, and may improve filtering when exhaling. (The positive pressure of exhaling tends to lift any mask that isn't held by adhesive or external force.)
Steel wire between 22 and 30 gauge, or copper wire between about 18 and 26 gauge should work for this. I used enameled copper magnet wire, 24 gauge, because that's what I have on hand. If you cut the wire at a sharp angle, you can preform holes in the fabric by separating it with a sewing pin, then gently press the wire through the preformed hole. I used the space between my fingernail and fingertip to back up the fabric, so the wire would protrude through, and then I could move along to the next one. I ran the wire back and forth, a running stitch, with about 6mm of space between each hole. It seems to work pretty well.

There is currently a lot of dispute about the effectiveness of DIY masks. I've found sources that say two layers of the sort of cotton used for t-shirts is about 50% as effective as an N95 mask, while one layer of tight weave quilter's cotton over one layer of flannel is somewhere near 80% as effective as an N95. https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2020/04/03/825639323/scientists-probe-how-coronavirus-might-travel-through-the-air has an extended discussion about current views on aerosol and droplet spread of viruses, which is poorly understood.

Comments

[twoeleven]

That's pretty cool!

Also: welcome back!

[amaebi]

It's so good to see you post!

[basefinder]

So... what if you took two layers of t-shirt cotton, and in between them you placed a section of furnace filter. I was wondering about that the other day when I replaced our filter; I use the more-expensive allergen-removing filters.

Debbie ordered some homemade cloth masks online; I may try a wire reinforcement as you suggest. I have some safety wire (stainless steel, aircraft type, not sure of the gauge) and I bet if I twisted two or three strands together it might be the right stiffness.

Delighted to see you post, by the way! (Maybe we should figure out how to play telescrabble?)

I have a couple of N95 masks in my toolbox, leftover from hiking in forest fires and doing woodworking projects, but we're basically keeping those aside as our in-case-we-need-to-go-to-the-ER masks.

But in the real world, a layer of t-shirt is a lot better than nothing!

[sara]

Oh useful.

I've mailed my parents a couple of masks with a piece of vacuum cleaner filter between two pieces of cotton but I definitely had the problem with exhalations fogging my glasses. On the other hand I have that with n95s, too, which is why I have a big full face respirator that I wear for serious tasks like removing old carpet, etc. And now perhaps grocery trips as well, good grief.

[aerodrome1]

I'm using Arab keffiyehs in lieu of N95s, but the cotton/flannel idea isn't bad. By the way--- good to have you back.

[elusis]

Glad to see you this evening.

I failed at sewing masks tonight (we started to watch opera, then got bored and watched True Blood and then burlesque) but will be trying this weekend. I may look at my different jewelry wires to see if any are strong ehough.

[altamira16]

My mom sent me a few, and I think she used bread ties as the metal for the nose, but I am not sure. I like your fabric choice.

[annie_r]

Henlo!

I have a P100 half-face respirator that I use for mixing up pottery glazes (toxic to inhale the powdered forms of many ingredients, but fine once they are mixed with water), but you can't get replacement filters for them now. It's total overkill (and very uncomfortable) for the few grocery outings I will be doing, so the washable cloth ones should be fine once I figure out what fabrics I've got here that will work. I considered using one of my Miele vacuum bags, but those are hard to breathe through. I do have wire of various kinds; that is a good idea.

So, like, how are you?

[eeyorerin]

OMG! You're alive! I'm so glad.

[ivy]

There's wire in mine from Mom but I clearly haven't shaped it well enough yet... yours looks more comfortable. I ought to work on that. Also, I like your pattern.

[sistawendy]

I've been meaning to investigate my fabric stash and get going on masks I have an N95 left over from Burning Man.

Welcome back! I missed you.

[maribou]

Useful.
<3.

[amaebi]

A wave after six months.

[amaebi]

It's been a year. I hope it's gone well for you, or as well as possible under the circumstances.

[amaebi]

*waving to you from 18 months down the line*

[amaebi]

*waving from across two years*

[amaebi]

*waves from across 2.5 years*

[amaebi]

*wave*

[amaebi]

*wave*

[amaebi]

*wave*

Yesterday I was driving to Vail with a friend newly come to Colorado, and told her that you'd said you thought Vail was trying to be Aspen. :D

[darkoshi]

hmmm... *wave!*