I’m pleased to have delivered 20 masks to the Assistance League who will make sure they do some good. I’m still working on nine more for our local Kirkland Air Force Base. That will use up my remaining elastic. I’ve ordered more, but it will take a couple of weeks.

I took a break from the Air Force pattern to make a couple for the generous neighbors who are doing some of our grocery shopping for us. I’m also sending some to our relatives in Texas who live near an Alligator Preserve. Now they’ll have masks to go with the belt pouches I made them for Christmas. Unfortunately, the preserve is closed for the duration of COVID19.

This pattern starts with a 9×14 inch piece of fabric. I sew in a 5 inch piece of electrical wire on one end of the fabric, and hem the other. Then I fold the fabric with right sides out, hems together, leaving the top edge open. This creates a pocket for a medical grade filter, or extra fabric. I pin three tucks on each side of the mask, going the same direction. I center, then zig zag the 36 inch bias tape to the mask over the tucks on each side. Finally, I sew the bias tape from one end to the other, finishing the enclosed edge of the mask, and creating the ties. These take a bit longer than the elastic pattern, but necessity breads invention.

Feel free to use this pattern to make your own, or pass it along to someone who can sew. Be extra cautious now so we can be more creative once this invisible enemy has passed.

Sending my best thoughts to all of you for a healthy outcome on this battle.