Clean Your Machine!

Lots of people are doing lots of sewing - making masks or other fun stuff during our home stay.

PLEASE CLEAN THE LINT OUT OF YOUR MACHINE

Before Mara came, I had a grand time as a trained Bernina service tech.  I had machines come in that had so much lint that it was like a piece of felt inside!

When your machine is clean, it makes a big difference in how smoothly your machine runs.  Also, if you have skipped stitches or your bobbin is jumping around, sometimes it is because the bobbin area is jammed full of lint.

Things don't look too messy right here.  But I know things are lurking inside....

Take the foot off - gets it out of the way.  You might take your needle out, too.  Then you won't stab yourself and it probably needs to be replaced.  Unscrew whatever big screws you see in your needle plate.

Carefully remove your bobbin case.  It's just sitting in there.

Fuzz everywhere!  I actually cleaned my machine about a week ago, and I use a really high quality, low lint thread.  It's surprising how all that lint builds up.

Grab some q-tips and carefully swipe them all around.  The lint sticks to them really well!

Things are so much nicer!

Now you carefully put your bobbin case back in.  There is probably a little arrow on the machine that lines up with the case like I have here.  But it won't fit in backwards, and sit nice and flat.

Turn the hand wheel a few times toward you to see it all move smoothly before you put the plate back on.

before clean, but good shot of the arrows...

Get everything put back together, thread it up, and take a run of test stitches.  You're ready to sew!

Washing Masks

The CDC says we need to wash our masks each time we wear them.

When it's time to wash your masks - what to do?!

All the masks I make are 100% cotton that I have pre-washed in hot.

After I'm done running around and ready to take off my mask, I carefully remove it and place in a fabric bag for washing.  Lace used to tie, included.  (If you've used a wire for your nose, don't put that through the washing machine. It might rust or poke holes in stuff.)

Then I just toss the bag, with the mask inside, into the washing machine with a load of towels.  I wash those all in hot.

If I don't have a load ready and I want to wash a mask, hot water and some tide or dawn dish soap in a big bowl works just as well.  I scrub it and let it soak for a bit before rinsing well.

When the wash cycle is done, you can either let your mask air dry or shift it into the dryer with the rest of the load.  As a test, I pulled one mask from my bag to let air dry overnight.  The others went through the dryer cycle.

The next morning, my airdry mask was pretty well dry, and looking nice.  I dumped the bag of dryer-cycle masks out next to it.

Bwahaha.  Poor little crumpled masks.  But not to worry!

I'm not one to iron anything other than my in-process fabric.  But a quick press of the masks made them ready to wear again.  Hurray.

I'm currently taking orders for masks : Covid Cover Listings

Covid Cover Listings

Please read all my rambling info and how to order in my previous post HERE.



*** I am taking a break from making masks as I start to plan our school year.  I'm not sure when I will start up again.  Thank you!  *****

CDC info about face mask wearing....

Order Your Masks

I've given it a solid shot, making these colors accurate.  Your color resolution mileage may vary.

$20 for listed masks and fabric -  4 for $70 - plus shipping ($4 for up to 4)

• All masks have: a nose wire pocket, a pocket for adding a filter, elastic loops, and a lace for wearing tied (my preferred way to wear)
• Our house is smoke-free and we do not have any pets.

• Pick a size - pick a fabric from one of the photos below - tell me the photo number and a quick description of the fabric you want - I will confirm and then message you when your masks are ready to mail, about 1 week after you place your order.

• To order or for questions : mymetier {dot} angela {at} gmail {dot} com

Ready to ship Child small (3-9):  Sold Out - see available fabrics, below

Ready to ship Medium (women and teens):

nose wire pocket/filter pocket/elastics and lace tie

Ready to ship Large (most men):

nose wire pocket/filter pocket/elastics and lace tie

Some fabric choices.....Until I catch up, most masks are made to order.  Pick your favorite print and color!  Tell me the photo number or name when you choose your fabric.


Made to order masks will ship about 1 week after you place your order.

Men's pre-cut in gray patterns - herringbone navy, chambray - bottom charcoal solids

bright solids

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Custom fabric options:

$25 for custom fabric -  I have a good amount of fabric.  If you want a specific color or fun theme, I can pull options for you and send additional photos for selection.  

To order or for questions : mymetier {dot} angela {at} gmail {dot} com

Otherwise, feel free to leave a comment - I have moderation turned on and I will get your message.


I can take paypal.

Sold masks - many of these fabrics are available as a custom option:

Covid Covers

Well, we have found ourselves living in a teen dystopian sci-fi novel.

The lipstick and orthodontist lobby has lost out to the eyebrow and optometrist factions.  Masks are the newest requirement.

small child size

I tried sewing and wearing at least seven different patterns, between the pleated and clamshell types.  The one I've settled on for now is the most comfortable and stable to wear for a significant amount of time.

I'm going to start taking orders, so here we go with all kinds of random info...

The goal is to have a mask that you don't feel the need to touch while you're wearing it.  You're protecting others by wearing a mask, and you also want to protect yourself by NOT covering your face and mask with germs every time you adjust it.

CDC info about face mask wearing....

medium - worn with ties

This is the one I make.  It is a super awesome pattern by CraftPassion, with excellent instructions.  In her video, she starts with a little clip of how to put it on with the laces.  Makes it super comfortable to wear!

https://www.craftpassion.com/face-mask-sewing-pattern/

When you use the shoe lace to tie, double knot at the back.  Mine came loose after wearing out shopping for a couple hours.  It’s very comfortable with the tie, but a little more hot.  If you are good with a looser fit, wearing with the ear loops is very comfortable.  They also work for short runs out if you don't want the ties around your hair.  But then you’ll need to use a safety pin to thread the laces back through next time you want them.  

medium - worn with elastics

There is a space to add a wire for your nose, if you like.  You can use a pipe cleaner or even a grocery twist tie.  Most people seem to prefer to wear it without any kind of wire - I don't use one.  The pocket will be there, but you'll probably leave it empty.    

On the topic of fogging glasses - ugh.  Wear contacts!?!  I asked a good doctor friend of mine what her best tips were to get rid of fogging with masks - her reply was to let her know if I find any.  LOL  Three things I found that help-ish: the top edge should sit as high on the bridge of your nose as possible, place your glasses ON the mask fabric, and use the laces to tie firmly, not the ear elastic.  

I am super thankful I found a good solution for myself over the past year, wearing only one contact for distance and using the other eye for reading.  That way I don't need to touch my face all day flipping reading or distance glasses up and down. And no fogging.

There is a pocket for you to add a filter insert if you wish.  

The fabric was all washed before I started.  You can put them through the hot wash and dryer.  I've washed mine by hand and also in the machine inside a delicates bag so they don't get lost.  They will need a quick iron after the dry if you want them nice and smooth again, since they are 100% cotton.  I hate ironing laundry, but these are small!

These take me a solid hour worth of work to make and I sew in batches....for optimal process flow - the only way I work.  Ha!  The kids still think they need to be fed and tended to.  Lead time is about 3 days right now.

I have a good amount of fabric.  ahem.  You can pick something I already have listed, or we can work on a custom choice.  

ORDER DETAILS

$20 for listed masks  : Covid Cover Listings click here
[4 for $70]

Three sizes: small child (3 - 9), medium (women and teens) , large (most men)

If you already know me, send an email with your order or questions.  Otherwise, feel free to leave a comment - I have moderation turned on and I will get your message.

I can take paypal.