If you make your own masks ...

[kenny]

Sew one of these at the top to seal the mask against your nose.
They're from certain bags of food, like coffee.

 

[pearlsngems]

Also Amazon has a number of different nose bridge strips for masks. I bought some with an adhesive back, which I ironed on masks that I had bought on Etsy that lacked the metal strip.

Search results for this sort of thing on Amazon:

Amazon.com : nose bridge strips masks

 

[kenny]

Thanks.
I know most folks just wanna buy something because it's less trouble.

Others, weirdos like Kenny, get a kick outta saving half a penny and rescuing something little from the landfill.

 

[ForteKitty]

Thanks.
I know most folks just wanna buy something because it's less trouble.

Others, weirdos like Kenny, get a kick outta saving half a penny and rescuing something little from the landfill.

Lol in March when supplies were all sold out, I tried making a mask with a coffee bag closer nose piece. Sliced my hand wide open. There's a reason why the nose strips sold are more malleable and rounded at the ends and I'm glad it didn't wasn't my face that got sliced up!

 

[yennyfire]

I’ve been using old pipe cleaners. We have tons from the kids arts and craft days which are long past....I’m with you Kenny about reusing things when possible.

 

[pearlsngems]

Thanks.
I know most folks just wanna buy something because it's less trouble.

Others, weirdos like Kenny, get a kick outta saving half a penny and rescuing something little from the landfill.

People who make their own masks can also use the pre-made nose bridge strips; they can be sewn in.

 

[smitcompton]

Hi,

I hate to be the killjoy here, but yesterday an expert Dr. came on TV and said the best masks to wear(we cant get N95) is a 3 ply surgical mask. Those are the blue ones. I have been using those myself, as I figured if thy use the for hospital surgeries, they must be OK. Since i only wear he mask for a half hour at a time, I reuse it.

Just passing on info from the experts

Annette

 

[pearlsngems]

We have been using surgical masks and also 3 -ply cloth masks (2 plies of cloth plus a filter.)

 

[Arcadian]

Many of the masks I make are 2 ply high count cotton with a filter pocket, which allows to add any filter material (including adding a disposable mask). some for the kids are 3 ply no pocket (especially for the young ones, they'll just chew on it) I choose cotton for several reasons, one of which is the ease of cleanability and unlike some other fibers, don't tend to irritate the face as much.

Silk does have some electrostic properties but its silk, its expensive

For many a 2 ply with a way to utilize a filter pocket or a 2-ply mask cover (allowing the disposables to be worn much longer)

The one that seems to be best suited for a variety of faces are masks that I make now mimic the Korean KF94 or, masks that have a chin cup.

The reality is this; a mask of any type is better than no mask at all. If everyone wore one of ANYTHING, we'd be much better off.

Currently making masks for singers. That is way more involving that you can ever imagine.

 

[tyty333]

I used the wire that florists use to make a nose bridge. I braid 3 pieces together, cut them the right length, and then insert
them into the little pocket I've sewn at the top of the masks I've made. The mask I've made also have a filter pocket. I use
Hepa vacumn cleaner bags cut to the appropriate size as filters. Knock on wood and all that...

 

[ForteKitty]

I used the wire that florists use to make a nose bridge. I braid 3 pieces together, cut them the right length, and then insert
them into the little pocket I've sewn at the top of the masks I've made. The mask I've made also have a filter pocket. I use
Hepa vacumn cleaner bags cut to the appropriate size as filters. Knock on wood and all that...

Did you confirm the hepa filter doesn't have fiberglass?

 

[kenny]

I prefer the masks with a layer of asbestos.

 

[chemgirl]

I use plastic coated twist ties.

Also made a few early on using cotton and elastic from a pair of boxers! (They were a Christmas present and never worn)

 

[MamaBee]

Did you confirm the hepa filter doesn't have fiberglass?

That’s what my first thought was. I have a bunch of floor register filters..but I don’t know what they are made of and how safe they would be.

 

[MamaBee]

I prefer the masks with a layer of asbestos.

Stop..

 

[MamaBee]

I bought some from someone on Etsy. She used coated electrical wire. She just snipped off the amount she needed. You could see the wire at the sides. I ordered another batch and they came with those metal nose thingies. I don’t like those so I remove the coated wire from the earlier ones and use that instead.

 

[VRBeauty]

Currently making masks for singers. That is way more involving that you can ever imagine.

it sounds like you’ve already found this group but if not... checkout a Facebook group called “masks for performers,”. Lots of helpful interchange. (I haven’t waded into those particular waters yet but will soon.)

 

[VRBeauty]

Kenny: the coffee bag toes are nice if you have them! We couldn’t possibly drink enough coffee to supply ties for all masks we’ve made, though! So...

We use twist ties made for tying plants - specifically the “luster leaf” brand. It’s comfortable, pliable, and resilient... and it’s held up very well. When I first started making masks my boyfriend made the nose wires by braiding three lengths of wire together - taking care to keep the plastic part “flat” as he braided. Technical details - he used a vise grip to help hold the one end as he braided, and needle-nosed pliers to lightly twist the ends. The ends aren’t twisted tight, just 1/2-1 twist, and their cut so that the very ends are loose. This way they flex with the mask and they don’t poke through the fabric.

More recently I’ve been sewing two strips of plant tie wire directly into the mask (on a seam allowance) using a specialty stitch and double cording foot. For this method, we do bend over the sharp edges with needle-nosed pliers.

BTW we started out using the plant tie material on spools. It tends to come out a little twisty and has to be straightened before you can braid it or sew it in. So we switched to pre-cut strips. Unfortunately that does mean a bit of waste, but it’s made the whole process a lot faster that’s what we use now.

 

[Arcadian]

it sounds like you’ve already found this group but if not... checkout a Facebook group called “masks for performers,”. Lots of helpful interchange. (I haven’t waded into those particular waters yet but will soon.)

Yeah I'm in there already. I'm working on my buritto method (mine is so ugly right now...lol)

 

[tyty333]

Did you confirm the hepa filter doesn't have fiberglass?

Yikes...no, just read on-line that it would work...I'll have to check the bag they came in if I can find it.