Reusable Cloth Masks available

[Ros]

Earlier on in the pandemic I was part of a group making PPE: sewing scrubs for Worthing Hospital and St Barnabus Hospice. Another part of the group were making gowns worn by children's Hospice staff making home visits. The scrubs project has now come to an end, so I am now in a position to make masks for friends.

I've tried out the 'duck bill' shape but, when this is made out of fabric, it has a tendency to slide down the nose when you talk. This can often be spotted when watching people on TV wearing this type. So I've gone for a pleated version, which stays in place well.

The outside of the masks are made out of offcuts from the sheets and pillowcases which were donated for making the Hospice gowns. I've put these through the washing machine at 60 degrees, using unperfumed laundry liquid.

The linings of the masks are unused cream coloured polycotton. (I'm not calling it new, because it's been in my fabric stash for some time!)

The masks are free to anyone in the Bar Billiards community. I wouldn't turn down a small donation via PayPal towards the cost of postage, elastic, craft pipe cleaners and the thread - but this is voluntary and definitely only if you can afford it.

The masks are machine washable at 60 degrees. They have a pocket for an optional filter and a pocket for a nose bridge (& are supplied with a craft pipe cleaner)

I make no claims at all for the efficacy of the masks, other than they comply with the requirement to wear a face covering on public transport!

If anyone wants to make their own, I can give details of the Youtube video I used, along with my explanatory notes and the modifications I made.

Currently I have 6 blue and white striped 100% cotton masks and 5 polycotton with large coloured polka dots available. See the last 2 pics below. I'm currently making another 6 of the striped masks, which will have a contrast plain blue elastic channel.
The next batch will be 6 in a faded denim colour polycotton and also some in unused black cotton rich polycotton, which comes from offcuts of the fabric we were making scrubs from.

I've no idea how many of you will want them - preference will be given to Sussex, Surrey and lady players, otherwise first come first served. PM me with your address and colour preferences, max 4 masks per person please.

Pictures:
This is a finished mask, it shows that the elastic is knotted, so can be adjusted. It can also be replaced or undone and knotted on to tapes or elastic to tie behind the head.

This pic shows the pocket for an optional filter layer - some ideas are a coffee filter, one layer of kitchen roll, two layers of a tissue hanky. Be aware that the more layers you add, the harder it is to breathe.

This one shows the pocket for the nose bridge, this gives you a good fit at the top and helps to stop glasses misting up. I will supply a craft pipe cleaner with each mask. It should be removed and washed separately if you are washing the mask in a washing machine.

This one shows the pipe cleaner going into the pocket.

Nose bridge bent to shape

Mask opened out.

Latest fabrics under construction!

Latest fabrics made up, just waiting for the elastic to be threaded.

[Ros]

Ok, that fell flat on its face. Nobody at all wants these, so I've suspended making them.

Please help me to understand what the problem is - maybe I can rectify it.

Here are all the reasons I can think of:

1. I don't want to wear a mask. Please check out this amusing take on why wearing a mask is a good idea.

2. I already have a supply of masks available / I'm given masks at work.

3. I don't like the fact that the outer layer of these masks is recycled fabric.

4. I don't like the colours that you have.

5. I'm not a Sussex/Surrey/Lady player, so I thought others would get all the masks.

6. I thought you would expect a large donation. My idea was about £2 per package (up to 4 masks) this is purely voluntary and definitely not if you've lost your source of income.

7. I'm not going out at the moment, so don't need a mask.

8. I can't wear a mask for medical reasons.

9. I don't think a cloth mask is effective. There is plenty of evidence out there that a cloth mask can be as effective or more effective than a surgical mask, but it's your choice. As I said, I'm not making any claims for my masks.

10. I prefer the convenience of disposable masks.

11. Other reasons?

[barbelman]

Jul 8, 2020 9:12:31 GMT Ros said:

Ok, that fell flat on its face. Nobody at all wants these, so I've suspended making them.

Please help me to understand what the problem is - maybe I can rectify it.

Here are all the reasons I can think of:

1. I don't want to wear a mask. Please check out this amusing take on why wearing a mask is a good idea.

2. I already have a supply of masks available / I'm given masks at work.

Hi Ros,

It's a very kind offer and I hope people avail themselves of it but many people, like me, may have got their masks already in anticipation of going out into the great wide world again.  
Hope you are well,

Tony

[Chris]

Jul 8, 2020 9:12:31 GMT Ros said:

Ok, that fell flat on its face. Nobody at all wants these, so I've suspended making them.

Please help me to understand what the problem is - maybe I can rectify it.

Here are all the reasons I can think of:

1. I don't want to wear a mask. Please check out this amusing take on why wearing a mask is a good idea.

2. I already have a supply of masks available / I'm given masks at work.

3. I don't like the fact that the outer layer of these masks is recycled fabric.

4. I don't like the colours that you have.

5. I'm not a Sussex/Surrey/Lady player, so I thought others would get all the masks.

6. I thought you would expect a large donation. My idea was about £2 per package (up to 4 masks) this is purely voluntary and definitely not if you've lost your source of income.

7. I'm not going out at the moment, so don't need a mask.

8. I can't wear a mask for medical reasons.

9. I don't think a cloth mask is effective. There is plenty of evidence out there that a cloth mask can be as effective or more effective than a surgical mask, but it's your choice. As I said, I'm not making any claims for my masks.

10. I prefer the convenience of disposable masks.

11. Other reasons?

Most of us working have Face Masks as I do. They are supplied by our employers. We have full PPE if we want.
Many have bought their own if they wanted them.


You're gesture is truly kind but many are sorted.

Thanks
Chris

[Chris]

But Ros please don't stop producing because these could go to food banks where families have nothing and need masks more than anyone.


I will send you a cheque for 20 pounds to help those whom cannot afford this. Get these to food banks please.

PM me an address

Chris

[Chris]

Dear All

I know I am off topic but given what Ros is kindly doing. Can we all think about those whom have lost their jobs. Relying on the government voucher schemes, food banks and maybe do some support here.

Chris

I am sure Sav will move this and rightly so.

[davejones]

Jul 9, 2020 19:00:27 GMT Chris said:

Jul 8, 2020 9:12:31 GMT Ros said:

Ok, that fell flat on its face. Nobody at all wants these, so I've suspended making them.

Please help me to understand what the problem is - maybe I can rectify it.

Here are all the reasons I can think of:

1. I don't want to wear a mask. Please check out this amusing take on why wearing a mask is a good idea.

2. I already have a supply of masks available / I'm given masks at work.

3. I don't like the fact that the outer layer of these masks is recycled fabric.

4. I don't like the colours that you have.

5. I'm not a Sussex/Surrey/Lady player, so I thought others would get all the masks.

6. I thought you would expect a large donation. My idea was about £2 per package (up to 4 masks) this is purely voluntary and definitely not if you've lost your source of income.

7. I'm not going out at the moment, so don't need a mask.

8. I can't wear a mask for medical reasons.

9. I don't think a cloth mask is effective. There is plenty of evidence out there that a cloth mask can be as effective or more effective than a surgical mask, but it's your choice. As I said, I'm not making any claims for my masks.

10. I prefer the convenience of disposable masks.

11. Other reasons?

Most of us working have Face Masks as I do. They are supplied by our employers. We have full PPE if we want.
Many have bought their own if they wanted them.

I already have a mask as well. It is a brilliant gesture though Ros.

As Chris has said please do not stop making them as someone would love them

[Ros]

Jul 9, 2020 19:37:57 GMT Chris said:

But Ros please don't stop producing because these could go to food banks where families have nothing and need masks more than anyone.


I will send you a cheque for 20 pounds to help those whom cannot afford this. Get these to food banks please.

PM me an address

Chris

That's an incredibly kind gesture Chris, but I would worry about sending these to food banks.
For a cloth mask to be used correctly, it should only be worn once before being laundered, just like a disposable mask should be worn once and then thrown away.
If a food bank gave a person one or two and they needed to use the bus or train every day, then they might be tempted to reuse the mask multiple times between washes. I guess they might also use a disposable mask several times, but it would probably be more obvious if a disposable mask was 'past its sell by date'.