Silk is where it's at!

[dreamshark]

I've always been a sucker for real silk, so I was delighted to read the mask materials guidance that suggested combination of silk and cotton layers as the most effective choice. Since I love silk so much, I never throw it away, even when it is torn to shreds. So I've been stuffing torn up filmy silk scarves into the filter pockets of my all-cotton masks (to add that layer of electrostatic viral filtering with minimal reduction in breathability). And going through the closets looking for irredeemably wrecked silk garments to use for mask material. 

Case in point: this elegant silk brocade dinner jacket that Richard acquired at the old Rag Stock (aka Rag Factory) back when it was in the big warehouse on Chicago Av and had racks of silk kimonos and Hawaiian shirts. The jacket somehow became too small and was torn to pieces when he tried to wear it anyway. Yet it was still hanging in his closet, vainly hoping that someone would find a way to put it back together. Instead, I tore it apart and made a mask out of one of the sleeves. Wow, did it every come out nice! Besides being made from R's old jacket, it seemed to fit him better than me so I strung it with Magic Silkie neckaces and gave it to him. Because the embroidered brocade is already a little hard to breathe through I lined it with lightweight cotton and didn't bother with an additional filter. It's still a little warm for high summer, but a truly elegant mask for those formal occasions. And probably highly effective. 

There's lots of material left if anybody needs an elegant silk brocade mask. 

Comments

[redbird]

Is there a cotton layer behind that, or just silk? (I ask, as if there was any chance of me sewing masks myself.)

[dreamshark]

It's lined with light-weight white woven cotton, which was probably from a pillowcase. The pattern I usually use is dead simple: just an 8"x8" square. You cut 2 pieces, put right sides together and sew around the edges, leaving about half the bottom edge open. Turn right side out through the bottom opening, press, and pleat.

Then you have to add some way to keep the mask on your face. The simplest approach is to sew elastic or cloth ties into the corners. I prefer to add side channels from separate pieces of cloth, which isn't complicated but actually takes longer than making the basic mask.

This mask looks a little more complicated than it is because the piece of silk I had wasn't quite wide enough so I added two pieces of fabric at the side. That just turned it into the usual 8x8 square, and I proceeded from there.

[spiderplanet]

Another beautiful creation! I like the placement of the bird.

[dreamshark]

Yes, for once the image ended up where I hoped it would, and isn't all smushed by the pleats.

I used your thermoplastic wire for the nose piece, btw. It's a much stiffer wire than the pipe cleaners I usually use. In general I like the softer wire better, but with this heavy fabric I think the electrical wire was a better match. It's nice to have options.

[spiderplanet]

I'm glad to hear that it worked out!

[jbru]

Very cool. If I hadn't purged the kimono I had and the silk jacket one of Ericka's helpers brought back from China for her, I would give you those to make more from as well. The jacket, particularly had some brocade work, but also areas of silk without the might have made for good mask material that would have decorations to the edges vs. in the breathing area.

[dreamshark]

Yes, I would have loved those silk items. Oh well, I hope they ended up at a thrift store and found good homes. If you find other nice pieces of fabric (preferably woven cotton or chiffon, if not silk) I'd like to have it.

[laramie]

That's lovely! I would love one similar if you have it to spare.

[dreamshark]

I'll see what I can do!

[laramie]

Thanks in advance!

[laramie]

Thanks again for the beautiful mask! I untied the beads when I got home and adjusted the stopper piece so I'll be ready to use it next time I go out without having to worry about tying my hair into a knot!

It was great having a chance to chat a while with you and Richard in person again! though I have to admit getting nervous near other humans these days, even outdoors in a nice open breeze.