Mask Tutorial...

Brynwood Needleworks - Mask Tutorial

I was asked for my pattern for making masks. While I didn't have a pattern, per se, I have put together information from my live video on Facebook and other makers who've shared their expertise.

Mainly, I'm sharing measurements, my production sewing process, and how the fabrics come together to make these masks. If you're on Facebook, please check out my Brynwood Needleworks page, where I did the live tutorial last week.

I originally cut one 7" x 19" piece for each mask, that was folded in half, sewn, with the rest of the steps to create one mask at a time. I've since improved that part of the process, too, so that my sewing creates 5-6 masks each time. So, let's get started, shall we?

BRYNWOOD NEEDLEWORKS 

COVID-19 MASK TUTORIAL

You'll need:

• 2 different fabrics for mask part, cut 9" wide by the width of the fabric (40-41") - This will make 5-6 masks when done

• fabric for straps, need 2 - 2" wide x 36" long for each mask

Brynwood Needleworks - Covid-19 Mask Tutorial 1

The first thing you'll do is place two strips of fabric for masks, right-sides-together and sew them together along the length on top and bottom.

Turn fabrics right-side-out and finger press along seams.

Fig. 1 - Top stitch along the top and bottom seams

Fig. 2 - If you're production sewing, when you finish one strip of sewn fabrics, add the next set of strips under the needle and topstitch the next set, for as many sets as you'll be making. Sew all the topstitching on one side, and then separate all the strip sets, turn and sew all the topstitching on the other side.

Fig. 3 - Showing the topstitch line on long sides of fabric. Both sides are done on these sets.

Fig. 4 - Lay sewn and topstitched strips on cutting table. I stack my strips to cut more than one set at a time. (I have two sets on each pile...4 mask strips total)

Brynwood Needleworks - Covid-19 Mask Tutorial 2

 Fig. 5 - Lay a ruler on top of the strip sets, and cut each mask piece at the 7" width mark. These mask pieces will measure 7" wide by 8.5" long, with the topstitching at the top and bottom, and the sides open. Continue cutting down the full length of the sewn strips.

Fig. 6 - Fold from the top down on each mask piece. I can do this without a template or ruler, because I've made so many, but you'll want to measure approx. 7/8" from the top of the mask and fold it under toward the top of the mask as shown in Fig. 7. I try to line the back fold up with the topstitching on the top of the mask. You can see that I use little clips to hold my folds as I go.

Fig. 8 - Repeat for the second fold, matching the back side of the second fold with the bottom of the first fold. I move the first clips down to hold both the first and second folds, so I'm only using two clips so far, instead of four.

Brynwood Needleworks - Covid-19 Mask Tutorial 3

Fig. 9 - Fold last section of mask, matching the back of the last fold with the bottom of the previous fold. The bottom fold is not as deep as the other two. Again, hold the fold securely with another set of binder clips.

Fig. 10 - This picture shows you roughly how the sections will measure when you've finished folding, and how I hold the folds with the clips. Don't worry if it's not exact. I like to press all my folded mask sections at once, before I prepare the strap sets. That helps hold them when I remove the clips to sew the mask parts together.

Fig. 11 - Strip sets for straps. If you cut the fabric for strips parallel to the selvage (with your fabric folded as it comes off the bolt), you'll have two strap pieces each time you cut a strip. Then, I take each set of strips, fold them in half and press, so you can see the fold.

(I've changed to a lavender mask set for the balance of the tutorial. Sorry for any confusion.)

Fig. 12 - I use an air dry fabric marker to mark the fold on the right side of the fabric. You'll see why in a later step.

Brynwood Needleworks - Covid-19 Mask Tutorial 4

 

Fig. 13 - Take the 2" strap strip and fold each long edge toward the center of the strip. I finger press it to hold it as I get started. 

 

Fig. 14 - Take that folded strip and fold it again to encase the raw edges.

 

Fig. 15 - Place the folded part of the strip under the needle and begin sewing, backstitching at the start (and end). It's easy to fold the strip as you sew. If you pull the strip toward you a bit, it almost folds itself! Sew down one side of the strip until you get 3-4" before the mark you placed on the fold.

Fig. 16 - Line the first fold to the mark on the strap section, and slide the mask into the folded edge. Continue sewing across the face part of the mask, making sure you sew it into the fold.

Fig. 17 - Continue sewing down the strip, backstitching at the end of the strap. When you get to the end, prepare the strap for the next mask, as you did in Fig. 13, and just keep assembling masks until you have one side done on all your masks.

Then, you'll cut your straps apart, turn you masks, and follow the same process on the other side of the mask until all the straps on the other side are complete. You'll want to stop about 5" from the fold on this side, because you'll have to slip the bottom edge of the first fold on the mark because you're going the opposite way. Even if you only do one mask set, you'll have at least five new masks. (You'll cut 5 - 2" wide x 36" long strip sets for each mask.)

 

That's it!

I think I covered everything, but if you have any questions, please ask them in the comments section. I'll answer your questions there, too, so everyone can see the replies. I'll warn you, making these is like eating potato chips. No one can make just one (and this process makes it really easy to make more)!

 

Eighty One Dresses And Counting...

Last night was guild night and I didn't realize what a surprise some of the ladies had in store for me. More dresses!! In fact, as of last night, I have eighty one dresses toward our goal.

Beth Anderson is a long-time quilter who is teaching her friend, Jerri to sew. Not only did I meet Jerri for the first time last night, she also presented me with her first twelve projects...dresses for our little girls!

The postman has been busy, too! In one day, I received a package loaded with sweet dresses from Danice...

and Jacque's beautiful dresses. Jacque is my blog friend from Wisconsin who also has a dog named Tag. As full as her plate is, she managed to make two dresses for us.

Karen sent dresses of all sizes with more cute pocket treatments that the little girls are going to adore.

Linda K. sent another batch, too! More luscious yo-yo pockets on floral dresses and even lovely, little denim dresses.

Marcy sent a box of dresses for nearly every sized girl. She applique's pockets with cherries, hearts and flowers. I love seeing the different, creative ways that everyone finds to make their dresses special.

You can't imagine how much fun I'm having opening each package or tote that comes to me. I can just envision every single, little girl seeing her dress for the first time, and I'm incredibly humbled by the outpouring of support for this project. 

When I first wrote "100 Dresses" out loud, I admit I was a little lot tentative about setting such a lofty goal. Now, I know that we'll not only meet that goal, but we'll exceed that goal!! I know this because I've either seen pictures of the dresses that are on their way, or have been told by the other participants what their goals are.

Our soft deadline is August 15th, but I won't be heading up to deliver these dresses until closer to the end of the month. We still have labels to attach, and I'll be coordinating a trip with other ladies who have already asked to make the trip with me to Orlando.

I have dresses to make this week, and I'll be showing pictures as more dresses arrive. My days - and heart - are full, indeed.

Just A Peek...

 In the upcoming days, I'll share some of the purchases I made when Kathy

and I went shopping in Sun Prairie and Spring Green, Wisconsin on Tuesday.

I can't tell you how many times I walked past one of Yoko Saito's books while

shopping in Country Sampler. I finally decided to pick it up (I'll show that one

another time), only to walk past this one and "have" to purchase it, too!

 This scrumptious applique' quilt immediately caught my eye. 

Being an outdoor Wisconsin girl and my affinity for all things "nature",

I was immediately taken with the stitched and appliqued' plants in this quilt.

I know a shop that carries Japanese fabrics, so I may have to do a few online

orders to get the fabrics just right to be able to create this one, but I'm in no

hurry. Doing it right is always more important to me than doing it quickly.

 There are also patterns for the most gorgeous handbags and accessories.

I'm going to have a difficult time deciding just what to tackle first!

Here is another closeup of some of the botanical appliques'.

The price for the two books I purchased was not inconsequential - each one was 

over thirty dollars - however, I can see myself creating multiple projects from them. 

I take excellent care of my books, too, so when I'm finished gleaning all the yummy 

goodness out of each of them, perhaps I'll decide to recoup some of my costs by 

sharing them with someone else. They really are too wonderful to keep all to myself!

I know it won't be anytime soon, though. I think I'll spend a lot of time dreaming on 

them before I ever take a single stitch. When I do, you'll all be the first to know. I can't 

tell you how much I enjoy sharing this creative journey with all of you. I hope that I can 

inspire you to try something new and enjoy your own creative processes along the way.

 

One more thing before I close today...

I'm really loving my new laptop (using the latest Mac operating system), but I haven't

been able to receive or send any of the emails coming to my Brynwood email address.

I'm reading each of your notes to me every day since we left Florida on my iPhone,

but I'm sure you understand when I tell you what a pain it is to type replies on a phone

 keyboard. I want you to know that I'll answer all your notes to me when I get home,

and ask that you bear with me while I continue to train my new laptop to behave.

Thanks. 

xo

Posh Pocket Tutorial...

 ***In the interest of full and honest disclosure, I did not invent this pocket. I purchased one about three years ago at a craft show in Sarasota, FL and "reverse engineered" it. If you are the original creator, or know the name of the artist, please let me know and I will give full credit to that person.

Fancy Vinyl Pockets

This is a photograph of finished pockets. They measure approximately

5 3/4" by 7" wide. I used a lighter weight vinyl in this tutorial, but would suggest

 using a medium weight for a little more stability. I think you'll like it better.

I started by cutting two pieces of vinyl  15" long x 7" wide.

(You can use the upscale pronunciation: vuh-nel'. They are pretty fancy, after all.)

I would have taken a photograph of this stage, but really...it's just clear material!

I really like this step. Choose a fun assortment of threads, ribbons, laces and fancy yarns. I used all flat items, but I suppose that, if you're careful, you might add flatter buttons or something else with a little more dimension, like sequins or paper art.

Then, arrange your embellishments in a haphazard layout on one sheet of the vinyl. If you're using a printed ribbon or specialty lace, make sure they all face toward the same side of the vinyl. That will become the outside of your pocket. Be aware of how your pocket will fold if you're using anything that you want to face a certain direction - like your label or a special image - so that it faces the right direction when you fold it.

 

When you're happy with the placement of all your fibers, you can lay the other piece of vinyl on top of it. Be sure that you don't have anything hanging outside the edges.

You don't want to use straight pins to hold the layers together. They'll leave undesirable holes in the vinyl. I prefer to use Wonder Clips™. They're flat on one side and hold well. If you don't have those, use the metal clips like the one in the upper middle of this photo.

 

I set my sewing machine for zigzag, using a 4.0 mm stitch width and 1.8 mm stitch length setting. I also put my teflon presser foot on my machine so that the vinyl would slide under it without sticking.
EDIT: If you don't have a teflon foot, you can place tissue paper between the presser foot and the vinyl to keep the foot from sticking. Just remove it after you're finished stitching. (Thanks, Fay!)
SECOND EDIT: I now use my sewing machine's walking foot, rather than the teflon foot and I place
tissue paper on the sewing machine bed, leaving at least one set of feed dogs exposed to move the vinyl as I sew. If you keep the tissue paper away from the actual stitches, you won't have to pick it out later!
You can use a thread that blends in, or you might prefer to use a contrasting thread so it stands out.

Sew random lines (not too many) diagonally across the "sandwich" until the fibers in the center are secured. It will look something like the photo above. (You can click to enlarge.) 

Once you've done all the surface stitching on the main fabric, you'll have to square up your piece before proceeding to the next step.

After you've made sure that all the outside edges are straight and square, sew one zigzag line around the whole outside edge of the piece. Try not to stitch off the edge. The whole zigzag line will be on the edge of the layered vinyl pieces, but not off the edge.

At this point, you'll want to add the snaps to your pocket. I determined which end would be the front flap of the pocket and made a pencil mark for the snap approximately 3/4" from the edge (centered on the width measurement of 7" at 3 1/2"). I punched the sharp sides of the snap through the vinyl before I placed the other half on it to secure. It was easier to join the pieces that way.

Now, it's time to create the pocket. I folded approximately 5 1/2" up from the bottom. Before you sew it, fold down the top flap, decide where the other half of your snap will go and attach it. Then, you'll sew another line of zigzag stitching all the way around the folded pocket - keeping the flap up. (See photo) This line of stitching will be inside the first line to be sure that you catch the pocket (four layers of vinyl total) as you stitch all the way around.

Your Posh Pocket is now complete!

(Well, your first one is anyway.)

Once you've made one, you can will make more...any size you want!

I've made every attempt to explain the process. If you have any questions or corrections, please let me know. I'm always happy to help. I've also added this post to the "BW Free Patterns & Tutorials" link in the menu bar. It's located at the top of my blog, so you'll be able to easily find it later.