Masks for our difficult times
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Coronavirus-19 is here and our heroes are suffering from lack of supplies especially masks. Many crafters have started to fill in the gaps and we at A Dizzy Design are also working in the background to assist our community.
At this time we are making masks for workers in our community. Our masks cannot replace N95 masks though, through research, we are as close as we can come with the resources at hand. It pained me when I discovered workers were forced to have double tape on the masks to make them secure. I decided to try and find a design that was more comfortably to wear yet as secure as possible without the tape. So I came up with a design that placed tucks in key places to draw in the nose and chin while giving more breathing room around the nose and mouth. It has an insert for a filter. I am using HEPA cloth vacuum bags as filters. 0.3 microns. I made a few generic masks when my son-in-law asked for one for his job. As a Volkswagen certified mechanic he wanted one with the VW symbol. He brought home a bag with the design and I promptly made the mask. However the materials from the bag he gave me were not as pleasing to the eye or as sturdy as I liked. I then set up my embroidery machine to duplicate the design. From this point in time I decided that masks should be more than just functional. They should make a statement and reflect individual personality. For Tammy a hummingbird and for Linton a Celtic dragon After this I was asked to create 3 more VW masks and 10 masks for our ambulance service. Now production has stopped because of lack of supplies especially elastic. |
My first mask
Redesigned with tucks and embroidery
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Can't send supplies or need a mask and still want to help?
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So what's the hold up
Supplies
We are desperately in need of supplies. We do not ask for payment for our masks. They are given freely and with love and hope. The raw materials for making these masks are not free nor are they readily available. As more crafters take up the cause the demand for cloth, elastic, ribbon and more becomes more than suppliers can handle.
I ordered 3 rolls of tape and got 1 yes that's right only one (better than nothing) which will allow me to make only 12 masks. It was the last they had and they project the next availability in 2 weeks.
We need donations. No not money. Supplies. I am begging our community to come together and help crafters do what they can to help everyone.
For us here at A Dizzy Design we need.
Material - Do you have an old dress you no longer wear. Sheets or those skirts for around the bed. I don't use our skirt and it is perfect. The material is good for the mask and the cloth that holds the skirt together is great as a stabilizer for the embroidery.
Shoe laces - 1 pair of 40 inch shoe laces can be used for one mask. Great for healthcare workers who have to wear masks all day every day. Please new shoe laces only.
Ribbon - preferably cotton cross grain less than half an inch wide. this is in place of the shoe laces. Approximately 3 yards is needed for one mask.
Hair Bands - Plain black. These are good for those that don't want the ties. My daughter is one.
1/4 inch elastic - these can substitute ties and be easier ti get on an off
Pipe cleaners - Or thin wire. This is for the nose piece. Some people prefer cloth covered wire.
Thread - embroidery thread 40 weight. White. I seem to be using white more than any other color at this time.
I ordered 3 rolls of tape and got 1 yes that's right only one (better than nothing) which will allow me to make only 12 masks. It was the last they had and they project the next availability in 2 weeks.
We need donations. No not money. Supplies. I am begging our community to come together and help crafters do what they can to help everyone.
For us here at A Dizzy Design we need.
Material - Do you have an old dress you no longer wear. Sheets or those skirts for around the bed. I don't use our skirt and it is perfect. The material is good for the mask and the cloth that holds the skirt together is great as a stabilizer for the embroidery.
Shoe laces - 1 pair of 40 inch shoe laces can be used for one mask. Great for healthcare workers who have to wear masks all day every day. Please new shoe laces only.
Ribbon - preferably cotton cross grain less than half an inch wide. this is in place of the shoe laces. Approximately 3 yards is needed for one mask.
Hair Bands - Plain black. These are good for those that don't want the ties. My daughter is one.
1/4 inch elastic - these can substitute ties and be easier ti get on an off
Pipe cleaners - Or thin wire. This is for the nose piece. Some people prefer cloth covered wire.
Thread - embroidery thread 40 weight. White. I seem to be using white more than any other color at this time.
Do you want a custom designed mask?
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I'll trade you. One custom designed mask for enough material to make 4 masks. 3 for health care workers and 1 for yourself.
I would need your royalty free design. Please, relatively plain so it can be a solid embroidery design. It looks the best. 1 Yard of material, 4 pairs of shoelaces or 20 yards of cross grain ribbon and 4 pipe cleaners. If you want a band instead of ties send one hair band that goes over your ears and 3 pairs of 40 inch or greater shoelaces. Email your design to me at ADizzyDesign@outlook.com. I'll let you know if it will work and when I receive your materials I'll make you a custom mask. |
Flap insertion inside the mask
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Don't want a mask and still want to help? Please donate
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At this time, besides family and friends we have sent 10 fitted masks to our ambulance service.
Besides the 2 face masks to Bert's VW dealer we are in the process of making 3 more.
Besides the 2 face masks to Bert's VW dealer we are in the process of making 3 more.
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