Making facemasks

Thanks. I found some info too. Pretty much like yours. I can say w/confidence that Washington state is taking masks at specific hospital/care setting. Each site is making that decision. Also there are sites that will supply at home mask making with hospital grade supplies. This is Washington state protocol. Need to lookup your area, I did see other states, so might be worth your time. Rubber bands are probably not a great option anyway. Workers in Seattle are wearing bandanas for protection, so home masks may be welcomed.

I watched the video link from the Allina health system website. Blue Cross of Minnesota and Allina health have some sort of partnership going. But I was at Joannes fabric store and they had free fabric and directions there. The hardest thing to find is elastic because there's been a run on elastic. I bought 2“ wide elastic and cut ribbons that are 1/4 inch wide.

I heard in the fabric store that people are also using elastic hair bands for facemasks. I found the 2“wide elastic and I cut 1/4“ ribbons. That's been working for me.

I just actually read my comment above. I hope everyone found it amusing, I did🤪. Not looking for a SEEing machine. And, no, I am not a SEWER. Oh boy@&$!?@@

This is my latest batch of facemasks. I make 8 at a time using my production system. I cut the 2" elastic band into 1/4" strips, tack, sew, turn inside out, then sew border three times. It really helps to focus to pass time at home.

Good for you! They will be appreciated.

Love them. And fashion forward to!! Thank you fir doing that virgo1952 ❤️

I have been sewing masks for a couple of weeks. Some have elastic, some have ties. Everything except the elastic is cotton. I have a huge stash of quilting cotton being used. A local county group is requesting 1000 face masks a week, and the kits they are supplying ask for elastic if you have it, or anything if you don't! These are going to nursing homes, health workers. I will be taking a variety of masks to my dermatologist's office this week. I have given them to grocery store workers, the postman, or those who ask me if I have a spare one to gift them. I think this will answer @contentandwell's question.
Ginger

@gingerw and @ihatediabetes, what guidance have you found about reusing the cloth face masks? How long can they be worn? How do you take them off safely? How should they be washed? How should they be stored after use but before they are washed?

@colleenyoung I can only speak for myself, and what I have seen. The masks I make can be worn over an existing N95 mask, or be worn alone. As some have said, anything is better than nothing. My masks are made from tightly woven 100% cotton fabric. Personally I wash mine in a liquid detergent that also sanitizes, and change out each day. Because I am mostly home all day each day, I do not have the need to change out multiple times a day, like a healthcare provider may have. The masks I do can be autoclaved or sterilized. Storing a used mask not yet washed, is done in a plastic bag. Hope this helps answer your questions.
Ginger