Face Masks Galore!

We are an army in motion!!  But we are all figuring it out as we go.  I’m  not an expert, my pattern doesn’t have filters.  What face masks are you  making?  What makes it easier?  I’m old!!  I have problems with hands, wrists, legs, back and ATTITUDE!!!  If I make 6 masks a day, 6 days a week, I can make 3 dozen a week without  killing my body - leaving energy to do something else too.  Most of our  groups masks go to retirement homes, cashiers, friends and family. I cut 2 pieces of stash 9 x 6.5 (width of my ruler!). I go thru the bins  and pick fabric I can spare and looks fun!!  I cut 2 or 3 from each.  I’m  bored if I make a yard’s worth of same-same! I make a nose shaper from a produce bag twist tie.  But they seem to be  gone from the grocery stores - I don’t think I was the only one!  What  works for you?   I zigzag the 1/2 twist-tie (1/2 = 2” length) in the seam allowance at the top of one of the fabrics.  I then, use my clear foot used for decorative stitches, it’s 3/8”  to the edge.  I sew the top seam - twist tie on top so I can keep an  eye on it. I sew the bottom seam, same foot, leaving an opening in the  middle to turn. My masks either have 7" elastic that loop behind the ears; or 14” elastic  looped at the top, and two 15” ties at the bottom.   I pull the elastic straight thru along the top seam, keeping it straight and  out of the way.  The end to be sewn is slightly outside the mask.  I start  stitching the one side, back stitching over the elastic once. Needle is down. I stop stitching and thread the bottom tie thru the mask  opening to the  lower corner.  The tie is slightly outside the mask.  I finish the side seam;  but at the tie, I reverse stitch into the seam allowance, forward and reverse  again - catching the tie at 3 different places in the seam allowance.  I hope  this makes it stronger. I repeat on the other side, trying to keep the elastic untwisted.  At this  point I hand the 6-8 masks to my DH who turns them for me.  He’s not  a pro at any means!  But involving him! When I get them back from DH, I use a wooden knitting needle to shape  the seams out and sharpen the corners.  I also finger crease the opening then .  I make and pin the pleats on both sides.  After I’ve done each mask,  I press the pleats down. I anchor the pleats and top stitch the entire mask at the same time.  I start  at the bottom, sewing up the sides where the pleats are folded toward my  needle.  Needle down; I pivot at the corner, trying to sew over the elastic  or tie.  Across the top - remember the twist-tie!  Pivot, down the other side, across the bottom - closer to the fold, so opening is closed.  Back stitch at  the corner I started at.   I chain stitch the next mask on.  After I go around the first corner I trim off the first mask.  Repeat!!  I press them again at the end and knot the ends  of the ties. I’ve used homemade bias tape (it doesn’t like me and the feeling is mutual!).  Then I tried Rat Tail ribbon from our LQS.  It’s soft - haven’t gotten any  feedback on it yet.   Now I’m stripping some t-shirts without side seams, 1” strips.  Bonnie  Hunter uses these in her ‘halter’ masks.  See her video on YouTube. I didn’t  want to switch to her pattern, too many masks already cut.   The t-shirt tie  cuts easily into the 15” lengths. I don’t expect everyone to go into this detail.  But if you have a different  pattern, tell us why you like it.  And if you have other hints, let us know  them!  And keep sewing!!  -doni