These are not “free face masks,” nor are they ‘face masks for sale”; instead, I will give to readers some as-yet-undecided number of facemasks in exchange for (1) a donation in excess of what you would otherwise have made (honor system) to a food bank near you and (2) a small sum directly to me to offset mailing costs. (If you’re near me in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, you can pick it up directly.)
Yes, I have been donating face masks to various groups: a food pantry, an assisted living community, a services provider for the disabled. But I thought I’d mix it up a little, since we all need face masks anyway. And I’m seeing so many people around town with manufactured/disposable face masks of the sort that we were told were in desperately short supply that I can’t get a handle on what the need is now, or whether I can do more good by spurring on food bank donations.
The face masks are made based on the “hybrid” mask developed by Iris Luckhaus in Germany, which I stumbled upon but like a lot after having made multiple variations. It features an opening in the bottom seam to insert a filter (e.g., tissue, paper towel), a slightly trapezoidal shape, and the top pleat opens out for the nose, and has a channel for inserting a nose wire. The floral-pattern ones and some of the all-grey ones have ties inserted through channels on the side, meant to be tied at the back of your head, but this can be swapped out for around-the-ear elastic (if you’ve got it) or cut-up undershirt strips (which are softer and adjustable). The purple and Marvel-patterned ones have long strips to tie behind the head, which is more cumbersome than the ear-loops but more functional, I think, for different head sizes/shapes. The back fabric (or both sides for the grey) is 300 thread count cotton (a sheet, newly-purchased). On the front, the floral is a thin flannel, the others are just a generic cotton fabric from the days when Walmart had this in stock. In the interest of full disclosure: I am not a professional seamstress, nor is my sewing machine in top-notch condition; the biggest issue I am having is occasional birds’ nests — bunching up of thread on the back side — so if having something guaranteed “professional” is important to you, you should “shop” elsewhere. Also, I am close to running out of grey thread and neutral thread appears to be out of stock everywhere, so the next will have a light pastel color instead.
Here’s a closer look:
Here’s how it’ll work:
Let me know if you’re interested (and which fabric) by using the “contact” form at JaneTheActuary.com. (Don’t just reply in the comments!) I will pick a couple based on wholly arbitrary criteria (and also contingent on the degree of interest, in any case), probably giving preference to regular commenters/twitter followers. Payment (that is, covering my costs) can be made via Paypal on the website or (preferred because there are no fees) via Zelle using my personal e-mail, which I’ll share via e-mail after you reach out. (Please don’t just send a Zelle payment in advance because even if you think you know my e-mail, you probably don’t; I have multiple e-mail addresses.)
In the meantime, happy mask-wearing, Illinoisans!
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