Form Follows Function: Introducing the Conestoga Mask for Better Fit, Filtration and Air Flow
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- čas přidán 1. 07. 2024
- The CONESTOGA MASK PATTERN: copyright Gail Kollmar 2020
gailkollmar101.wordpress.com/...
The Conestoga Mask FILTER PATTERN: copyright Gail Kollmar 2020
gailkollmar101.wordpress.com/...
filti.com. One time coupon code: gail10 for 10% off your next order. THANK YOU, FILTI, for great products and this wonderful offer!!
maskfaq.com. THANK YOU, CHLOE SCHEMPF, for your hard work on mask fabrics, mask production, and education at this time!!
TSI.com THANK YOU, TSI, for your selfless contribution to materials testing at this time!!
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Talking Introduction: 0:00
Printing the Patten: 1:56
Preparing Supplies: 2:20
Sewing the Mask: 8:06
Adding Window Seal (optional): 22:41
Adding a Filter (optional): I recommend Filti: 24:22
Finishing touches: 30:33
Adjusting the Fit: 31:28
The Ultimate Combo: 33:04
Altering the Pattern: 33:50
VIDEO POINTS OF REFERENCE:
Fabric measurements
knit: 2:41
face fabric: 8:15
Hem Binding and Strap measurements: 2:26 and 4:08
Featherlite Boning measurements: 4:38
Rubber measurements: 5:46 - 6:03
Parchment Paper measurements: 6:15
Velcro measurements: 6:35
Wire measurements: 30:48, 31:00; 33:22 for the Ultimate Combo measurement
My favorite materials and supplies:
Filter material: FILTI.com. One time coupon code: gail10 for 10% off your next order.
md Rubber Window Seal: brown or white: www.lowes.com/pd/M-D-17-ft-x-...
hem binding fabric: www.joann.com/performance-nyl... dwvar_zprd__16734576a_variationAttribute=16734584&quantity=1
I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to proved a means for participants to earn fees by linking to amazon.com and affiliated sites. As such, I will get a small portion of the sale at no extra cost to you. Just click through to Amazon via one of the links below and complete the sale within 24 hours. I really appreciate your business which helps to support my family. Thank you!
1/4” Featherlite boning: amzn.to/2RNlYI3
5/8” Velcro: amzn.to/33OLCBD
Liquid Stitch: amzn.to/3mGWn1u
Mini Magic Clips: amzn.to/35Y2BEo
In any good design, form follows function...... My goal was to make a mask that was more comfortable so people could easily wear it for long hours if needed, could be sealed well to the face to keep all inhaled and exhaled air going through (not around) the mask, and reduce the airflow rates via more surface area for better filtration and ease of breathing. After many iterations of patterns, this is my best solution at this time. I feel that when this mask if fitted well, I can filter all my air through the Filti filter which is made for this very purpose.
Favorite verse of encouragement during these times: Philippians 4:6-7
A tremendous THANK YOU to all who patiently waited for this video to be published onto CZcams!!
Also a tremendous thank you to my teenage daughter who is my camera person, audio person, and editor. Video Trivia: This 36 minute video has over 500 audio clips and over 400 video clips. This has taken a huge amount of time and effort filmed in over 3 states over a period of weeks /months. Because of our college tour trip, this had to be filmed partly at home and partly in several hotel rooms along the way. During this video, the sewing machine went out for annual maintenance, a new editing laptop came in that almost immediately needed a new graphics card and motherboard, and there were a lot of little hiccups along the way (software issues, travel, school starting, etc). We really hope you enjoy the video, feel successful as you sew the mask, feel comfortable wearing the mask, and stay well regardless!
Thanks for another clear video. I followed the link to maskfaq.com and don’t understand how their findings on stretch chiffon perform so poorly and you recommended stretch chiffon based on other research. At this point in time, which research should we follow? Back to cotton with a filter or stick with stretch chiffon??? What are your thoughts? Thanks
Here is a rather long and complicated answer to your excellent question. There is a huge gap in the numbers between the first study I reviewed and subsequent studies. I did post the updates to the research in the description and / or comments. It was determined that in the first study, the researchers used unrealistically slow air flow rates. They suggested that the surface area of the mask would need to be significantly increased (by about 10 times or so if I am reading that correctly) in order to slow down air flow rates to those tested. Basically, air flow is a like like water flow. Water that is flowing in a narrow and shallow channel is moving fast, but when the channel widens and deepens the water will slow down and debris will be more easily caught. So when air flow is moving through a smaller space it will be faster, but when the same amount of air is moving in a bigger space it will slow down and particles can be more easily trapped by electrostatic deposition, interception, impaction, and diffusion. That is the biggest reason why I increased the surface area of the Conestoga Mask. I was trying to slow down air flow (even if only a little instead of 10x's which I figured would look like a full-on pillow case) in order to capture more particles than another mask made with the exact same material. So lets look at the last 3 studies that tested basic cotton vs stretch chiffon. TSI results (posted on Maskfaq.com) were in line with the Zangmeister et al study of June 25, 2020. The Konda et al study of April 24, 2020 and updated on June 4, 2020 had much slower air flow rates and, therefore, reported much higher particle capture rates. The interesting thing, however, is that in all three studies, the stretch chiffon was significantly better than the basic cotton. So I no longer look at it as a specific number, but as a greater-than /less-than comparison. That is why I still choose stretch chiffon over cotton...especially if it is a single layer.
The second reason I made the mask larger to slow down air flow rates, was for easy breath-ability. Slower flow will be easier to push in and out with my lungs. I wanted to be able to seal this mask off and so would not be able to easily breathe around the mask as so many do. Air flow will seek the path of least resistance and so if your mask presents more pressure resistance than your seal, then it will just go around the edges. If covid is aerosol spread, which is still undetermined, then that defeats the point. In an aerosol spread paradigm, a mask is only as good as its seal regardless of the fabric filtration. Again if you are filtering through 400 quality layers with a loose seal, you are really not filtering anything...all the air is coming and going via the "seal". The way you test a chemical respirator is to tighten the seal on your face and then put your hands over the filter canisters to cut off the air being pulled in through the filter. If you can't get a breath, then you know all air in is being filtered through the canisters because you have a great seal.
So, I have a "better" fabric which for me right now is stretch chiffon, that I have sewn into a bigger mask which will make the fabric filtration a bit better than if it were in a smaller mask and I have made my fabric choice easier to breathe through by default with the added surface area.
But wait there is more: I have really come to the place where I realize that fabrics made for clothing, really don't have the filtration properties that I would ideally like in a mask under the most risky circumstances. So that brought me to Filti. They are an actual filter company making filters for masks. Filti fabric has a consistently higher capture rate. Again, my bigger mask will, in theory, enhance particle capture rates and easy breath-ability over a smaller mask design with identical fabrics. I can insert a filter and seal off the edges for best DIY protection in a high risk situation while still maintaining my comfort as much as possible. If I had to be in close quarters with many people that I don't know, then this would be my first DIY choice.
I am honestly on a journey as I try to parse out the research, the practical use in the social context, and my own comfort in a way where I truly feel that I have acted responsibly without judging others' decisions. I am still working it out and growing through the process. Regardless of what happens I want to look back and say that I did the best I could with what I had at the time. No regrets. No judgment. Full-on forward Faith. I am glad you are on the journey with me as we share and grow together.
Please note: As my channel bio reveals, I am not a particle science specialist nor an expert in this field. I am reading and interpreting and applying as I feel is warranted for myself and my family and sharing with all those who are interested.
I found maskfaq.com has confused things for me too. I don’t want to be using throw away filters. For me that defeats the purpose of a reusable diy mask.i do like the idea of making a diy mask that is light and effective for Australia’s upcoming summer weather. Sourcing materials is a project in itself though. Now I’m not sure what material composition best to source either. Ah!
@@gailkollmar8174 Thanks so much for the context. I completely agree with your "better than/less than" thinking. Since this is an evolving situation, the influx of new data is really hard to keep up with and interpret. I sincerely appreciate the efforts you've put into this and the fact that you're so easily sharing your knowledge. Stretch chiffon is incredibly hard to find in Canada, for reasons I don't fully understand. I did find a woven 96/4% fabric, but it's thicker than what your stretch chiffon looks like. I take your point about the seal and think that's an area I need to examine further. My teens are so "fashion conscious" that they want masks that look like those their peers are wearing, but I will see what I can hide on the inside to protect them at school! Thanks again for all of the informative videos you've provided. I'm really impressed and have learned a lot.
@@gailkollmar8174 Thank you Gail, for all of your excellent work and your honest discussion of this difficult journey. I’m about to put together my first Conestoga Mask using the chiffon you recommend along with a Filti filter and am looking forward to seeing how the mask fits, but like others here, I am hesitant to rely too much on the chiffon, given its limited filtration ability. Is there anyway you could bring your large exposure to bear and convince maskfaq to test one and two layers of the chiffon you (and I) are using with one layer of Filti?
@@dee24680 well if you want the best filter possible you will have to purchase that fabric. I contacted customer service and they said if you washed it once it would go down to a n50 or maybe even a n60
So I have been using my filters twice. Still getting way better protection that way than these other people who are just using cotton and no filters or sticking a paper towel in there
Gail you are back with the greatest idea. Thank you 😊
EXCELLENT new ideas!! Heading back to my sewing machine now :-)
WOOO HOOO!! You've done it! Great, great video! Thank you so much!
Thank you, Gail, for all the work you put into sharing with us the info about masks & sewing directions. 🏆 Looking forward to trying this out!
Thank you so much for ALL your time and effort making these very informative and useful videos!
I have already purchased zip ties for the Breathe Easy 2.0 video masks but am willing to purchase boning if it's much easier to shape for more air space. Is boning your personal preference over ties and why? Thank you so much for all of your many, many hours of research and work in helping us all to be safer. You have a big heart! The world needs more Gails.
I ordered the filter material via the link you provided, got my discount and the material was delivered here in my small town within days--I am sooooo impressed! Thank you so much!
Excited to try and make this mask! Thanks for your amazing ideas.
Thanks for a great video. You have a beautiful voice, a television voice for documentaries xx
Hi Mrs Gail, I am happy to see you're back on CZcams and upload a video.
I am over the moon to witness your latest face mask.
It seems to be a better fit in terms of breathability, durability, and texture.
I know with most masks, they get way too warm from the inside but, this mask keeps it at a cool temperature.
I made it but, I modified it, purely by accident.The boning is up and down not side to side, I used 2 layers of cotton and a soft material near my face, the boning was on the material closer to my face I didn’t use the window stripping, didn’t have to it was snug around my face. I love it 😻
So happy to hear you love it! I love your modifications! I think its a fantastic idea to put the boning on the inner most layer.
If any of you have completely sewn one or more Conestoga masks, would you mind answering some of my questions I’ve posted in this thread? Gail is super busy and may not have had time to answer them yet. I appreciate any help I can get as my husband is 80 years old with COPD and we have a wedding coming up.
Thank you for all your research and work on this. I am definitely heading back to my sewing machine. God Bless!
I love all this wonderful information. when i looked at tsi study on stretch chifffon, i noticed not the same numbers of filtration as in the previous study in your previous video. I am a little confused. Is stretch chiffon good?
Now I am so confused as to which fabric is best to use🤷♀️. I had to order the 90/10 chiffon on line and had to get a 2 yard minimum. I I now have about 5 yards left of the 3 dif patterns I ordered and I also ordered 600 count cotton pillowcases to use with the chiffon. According to the first study 2 layers of chiffon and one of the cotton rates better than a no gap N95 mask. I am trying to determine how that combination rates on this second study 🤦🏼♀️ Any help would be so appreciated. 😃
What is the nose to chin and the nose to ear measurements of the individuals who best fit in your unaltered pattern so I can get a starting point on how to alter the pattern? Does it fit you and what are your measurements? Do you consider it to be a medium or large or extra-large size? Thank you for all you do. You are my go-to for all of my mask making.
Hello Gail! Very interesting concept for a mask. Your instructions are clearly spoken and concise in detail.
I work as a Lunch Lady in the kitchen of the local elementary school. My 8 coworkers and I are required to wear a mask, and we all wear masks when out in public. When busy, I start to feel slightly suffocated from breathing hot moist air and my glasses fog up, The Filti filter looks
like a much better option. Thank you for your work at this design and all you did to work on it during your family life.
My real life name is Laura White. My 3 young school-age children and I attended the same church in NJ as your family-of-origin. It is within walking distance of “The Corner Store”. I think of your mother with great fondness, and have the same feelings towards your husbands parents also. (My condolences on the loss of your FIL). The last time I spoke to you was in 1988 when you were in college and I was pregnant/a mother of a newborn.You probably will not remember me. It has been a very long time.
Wow, so much thought and effort went into this design. I like it a lot, but I don't know how to sew knit or stretch nylon/spandex. I watched what you did closely. Does pinning the way you did stop the top fabric from creeping/stretching/sliding towards the person sewing? Thank you Gail for all your research, designs, and efforts of producing excellent videos to teach us and coach us. Thank you!
Pinning may help a bit, but honestly, it may make it worse. Sometimes it's a machine adjustment or needing oil. Some machines are just easier to work with than others. Practice will help. For some practical tips: you may try using a much longer stitch length...basically baste it into place. That may be enough since there is no real strain on this seam and may "ease" the seam into place. Maybe baste/ stay stitch the knit strip first alone and then work it onto your face fabric. Lastly, you may try using a stretch stitch if your sewing machine offers that option. I hope one or more of those suggestions will help! Good luck and keep trying.
Gail, I'm much prefer your Olson mask with the zip tie down the center
this mask has even more seams to allow the particles through and I watched you breathing with it and it clearly does not stay away from your nose like the one down the center does
haven't watched the entire video so I don't know what you have to say about filti but I've been using their fabric for filters for a couple months now
Again I do want to say that I have not watched the entire video but I did contact their customer service a few months ago and if you wash this filter once it goes down from n95 down to about a N50. Still a lot better than a couple of layers of cotton fabric.
Doubt that I will be using the chiffon fabric anymore
What happened to the filtration offered by the chiffon? How much does it filter?
@@ale347baker well out of the three reports that I've reviewed only one gave the chiffon a 67% all the other ones say no go
I'm going to use up the chiffon fabric anyway because I've got the proper filter Fabric. Filti
Thank you for the videos! What is the best way you would recommend disinfecting chiffon 90/10 fabric. I was told hot water to kill the germs but chiffon care instructions says hot water is bad. Thank you again!
In my Easy Breathe mask video at the 17 minute mark, I do explain a bit about washing. I hope that helps! czcams.com/video/4P8_RC4oXMs/video.html
Thanks you for this unique video and information you bring to us . I thank you.
I will get some of the magic clips soon.
I do have a question. The chiffon fabric was mentioned in the first study.
Now it's not mentioned in this new study.
One did the study with chiffon fabric and the other did not use chiffon fabric
So please explain little more about this.
Thanks.
Hi Gail! Thanks for all your thoughtful research and patterns!
I need to make a mask for an older gentleman who is immuno-compromised and uses an oxygen tank. He does not actually wear the tubing in his nose, but rather holds it in his mouth (finds it more comfortable). Either way, the tubing needs to go under the mask. Any thoughts or ideas on how to support the tubing without gaps compromising exposure?
Also, Is there a proper way to measure a person's face to ensure a good fit? I have looked at different sites that ask for a width and height measurement but wonder if more information would be needed to ensure a mask fits but is also comfortable. I look forward to your reply.
Thanks for the new pattern. Now, I have a question, before I order supplies. I have a bit of latex sensitivity. Could another sealer that is made of silicone be used as opposed to the rubber one? I noticed that the silicone ones aren't as thick, but I would imagine it would seal just as well? Here's what I'm talking about:
Sealer Hero Door Seal Strip 25 mm Width - 9m (29.5 Ft)- Silicone Weather Stripping Door Seal Strip - Sealing Tape for Doors and Windows - Clear Adhesive Weatherstrip - Shower Window Gap Draft Stopper - - AmazonSmile
Is there a skin-friendly latex-free option to the rubber seal? I ask because I have eczema.
Would the rubber seal, velcro, and Filti fabric lining work on your Breathe Easy 2.0 masks I've already made? I bought some breathe easy washable 100% polypropylene several months ago. Do you know how it compares to Filti? Could I just sew it into that mask using Velcro as well? I have several grandchildren who might balk at your newest design due to peer pressure so I'm looking at ways to alter the Breathe Easy 2.0 similar to the Conestoga. Any suggestions?
I have actually gone back and modified the Breathe Easy 2.0 with an added lining, open at the bottom to accommodate a Filti filter. I put the boning in the lining seam rather than the outside layer, left the bottom mostly open and added a strip of Velcro to close. It is easy to pull out the filter and replace, and no Velcro to cover when you wash. To be clear, it is essentially a two layer Breathe Easy 2.0 with a removable Filti layer between. I also added the rubber seal at the top edge, and inserted my nose wire into that. It seems to seal nicely, preventing fogged glasses.
Thank you JSUmusicmom for this insight. It’s good to know about these improvements to the Breathe Easy 2. I’m trying to Envision exactly how it would be put together. I’ll have to give it some more thought.
As a mother of teens I get the fashion thing, but what I find intriguing is that in less than half a year the western world has not only gotten used to wearing masks, but has defined an acceptable style and wears them with flair. 😁 Somehow we lost the safety point of the mask (some would argue it was never there) and so Form Follows Fashion instead of Function. 🤔 You could certainly make a Filti filter inside your Easy Breathe masks. As long as your masks fit well and you breath through them and not around them, then, as I see it, you will be doing your best to stay healthy.
Gail, I am having tremendous problems sewing in the Velcro. I am using a 14 universal needle, have changed the needle and am still getting bird’s nests on the bobbin side. I have even tried to stitch on the top of the Velcro, using paper on top, and still have the same problem. Advice that I can find about sewing Velcro always has you stitching in the border of the strip, which is not the way this application needs to be done. I would appreciate any tips and tricks you can offer!
I’ll be adding Velcro to my mask tomorrow or so and will let you know how it goes. Have you come up with a solution since a week ago?
@@jnorth9702 Not really!
At 5:54 where you show to "peel off the adhesive strip" are you taking off both the paper piece as well as the actual adhesive? I'm thinking the adhesive might gum up the sewing needle and cause problems?
In case you haven’t discovered this already, I have sewn through the adhesive on the rubber seal with no problems at all. Using the paper on top works really great to keep the rubber from “grabbing” the presser foot, but have had no issue with the adhesive on the bottom gumming up the needle.
Thank you JSUmusicmom. I appreciate your response and just in time, as I’ll be adding the rubber strips tomorrow.
I have sewn it both ways. I didn't have a problem with the adhesive on my needle (I was concerned about that too.).
Excelente si esto pudiera ser traducido en escrito y hablado al castellano aun mas
What are the music selections played in the background and who is the performer? I think I recognize the performer. I looked for this info in the description, but it was not there.
My daughter picked it off the CZcams free audio library. I really liked it too! I was actually disappointed when it went to fade. According to DD: The piano music was by Aakash Gandhi (Kiss the Sky, White River, and Lifting Dreams) and Satie (Gymnopedie no1).
Hello Gail! Good to see you. I'm glad that you were able to tour the colleges and finish the video. That is a lot of work and effort. Please, give my appreciation to your daughter for helping you. She did a great job.
I'm a novice/beginner at sewing, so I don't have the skills, neither the knowledge when it comes to sew using the silky chiffon. It is very hard for me to sew a mask using the silky chiffon. I have watched several videos with tips to sew silky and stretch fabric without success. I used the a small size microtex needle (I believe that is the type of needles) that was recommended to use when sewing the silky chiffon. I tried to use adhesive tape on the needle (throat) plate to make the hole smaller, but that didn't work. What brand & model is your sewing machine on the video?
Thank you! Blessings
Thanks for the positivity! I am using a 15 year old Janome 6260. I love this machine. It is a workhorse for thick as well as silky situations. It does go in for maintenance most years for a good cleaning, oiling, and adjusting. I am using small sharp needles, and I find a new (sharp) one is imperative for a nice seam. I’ll encourage you to keep practicing and wish you good luck!
@@gailkollmar8174 Thank you!
I think it helps to sew on a slow speed. Thats the only way I sew when using that fabric. I also use pins that stay in the 1/4 inch seam allowance.
@@ale347baker thank you!
Laid off sewing teacher here. Part of your struggle, I think, is sewing around curves. Remember that you can slow down or even stop if you feel it’s getting away from you. If, when you stop, you put your needle down into the fabric, you can lift up your presser foot and adjust the fabric so that everything is even and wrinkle free. You may need to do this multiple times and it doesn’t slow you down as much as you think.
Anyone in the UK know of a UK equivalent to Filti filter fabric please?
please provide a link for the Olsen Mask sewing video. I can no longer find that one.
czcams.com/video/4P8_RC4oXMs/video.html
This is one of Gail's videos which instructs you on the olson, but it doesn't include the filter pocket. There are other ones on youtube if you just search olson mask..
I am still working through the appeal process with CZcams since they removed it. Please check out my community post which explains a bit more. I hope to have it resolved ASAP as this is a time sensitive subject and people need the information now.
Why in the world would they remove a mask video during COVID-19! Insanity
I was looking fo the Olsen Mask video also! Gail explained it so well and I had success making it! Hopefully we will be able to see it again!
Fabrics sd be. Water resistant,completely non absorbent high qual fabric ,and absorbent fabrics....?answer where to get these all recommended fabrics?(WHO,CDC),online to Asia..
Great design! Any suggestions on ways to prevent the adhesive from the weatherstripping from coating the needle and causing the thread to spool out out then loop up on the bottom? Thanks.
Oops, just solved my own problem. Didn’t realize the adhesive can be pealed off with the protective strip. Duh....
Good night Mrs. KOLLMAR.
Ore you saying that the chiffon 90% polyester and 10% spandex. Is not recommended for a good mask.
When I first bought filti back in the spring, they sent me this link on how to sterilize it so that's it's reusable:
czcams.com/video/EhiuiJi1uts/video.html
Are they no longer recommending that?
Also, my filti is white on both sides. Does it really matter which side is facing outward?
Finally, thanks so much for your videos. I greatly appreciate how you're keeping up with the latest scientific research and incorporating it into your designs.
Answering my own question about the which side goes out with filti: the fuzzy side (the side with the concave dimples) goes out: czcams.com/video/VTXbK02IHH0/video.html
Thank you for that info. I bought more Filti on Saturday and I ordered white this time too.
While using WEATHERSTRIPPING EPDM rubber might to some seem like good idea for sealing, I would not want to be breathing air from around it. That product clearly has a California Prop 65 cancer warning associated with it as shown in the link that was provided . Definitely not a good idea! Medical grade silicone would be a much better and cancer free option.
The only ones who can benefit from this great mask are those who have a printer. Thanks anyway!
I use the computer and printer at the library.
Virginia
If possible, I would try to view the mask pattern on your screen to scale (the one inch box should equal one inch) and just trace it onto paper that you can cut out, or go for one of those graph transfer scenarios where you have a one inch grid and transfer what you see from a smaller grid. The library or a friend would be an easier choice though. Be well!
I also do not have a printer and was able to ask my neighbor to print the pages I needed.
I used ties not boning
Great idea (cheaper)! I imagine you were using 8" ties?
What are ties? Can you explain further?
@jnorth9702 Ties refer to zip ties or cable ties....see my Breathe Easy 2.0 for a demo of using them in that mask 😊 czcams.com/video/boVzu_l8xUg/video.html
You have to be kidding me! Just how much money did you spend on these masks? Isn't the idea to conserve by making your own masks? Not spend a fortune, nor waste hours on prep
Seriously, are you not DONE WITH MASKS??? 😳
Sorry I'm not loving it at all. The plastic can be toxic and the all the extra ridges trap germs like crazy.
Dana Marie Agree abt plastic. However, washing daily in hot water will remove virus from the inside folds.
L