PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU ASK FOR A MASK
I have given away over 1000 masks. The last ones have all gone to charities and similar organisations - Sharewear, Nottingham & Notts Refugee Forum, Phoenix School foodbank, St Ann's foodbank, Host Nottingham . . .
I have decided to stop making them for individuals (unless you have a special request - e.g. hard to find size, special fabric; just ask) and concentrate on sewing for charities. My current batch is destined for Nad Grill.
If you're a local (Notts) charity or good cause that would like some free cotton face masks, please do contact me.
In the Before Days, I was a Masked Bookseller. With that necessarily put on hold, I have become a Masked Maskmaker. This site will help me to get my masks to you, and mean that I don't have to explain each time how to get a postage label, or where to come to collect.
​
Please wear a mask; it is an act of generosity towards, and solidarity with, others. And it may just help you too.
For more on face coverings during the crisis generally, including lots of other makers and suppliers, please see Masks4All Nottingham .
To find out more about Masked Bookselling, please go to ExLibris, the Masked Booksellers .
​
HOW DO I MAKE CONTACT?
Go to the Contact page.
I will give you my address (in Gedling NG4), which you will need to get your mask.
​
HOW DO I GET A MASK?
If you would like one or two of my masks, please complete the form. There is usually a choice of fabrics.
You can either collect from our Gedling home or pay postage.
​
WHAT ARE THEY LIKE?
Masks are one-size-fits-all, as they tie near the top of the head with stretchy elastic. This elastic gathers the fabric at the sides of the face, so that the mask fits snugly. It doesn't pull on ears or interfere with specs or hearing aids - or earrings. They are basically just rectangles, without the curved nose that may make them more comfortable - but this means that they don't have a seam down the front, which, mask-wise, is a Good Thing.
​
WHAT FABRICS ARE THEY MADE FROM?
80% of the fabrics I use are new, as opposed to repurposed sheets, etc. If it is important to you to have only new fabric, please let me know. 90% of my fabrics are pure cotton - if it's important to you not to have polycotton, please let me know. Each of my standard adult masks has a piece of Vilene L11 non-woven interfacing sewn in, to catch more droplets, and there is also a filter pocket if you want to add another filter.
When new fabrics arrive, they are washed at a minimum of 50 degrees C (usually 60), with an added steam boost. Repurposed fabrics are washed at a minumum of 60 degrees C with an added steam boost. All fabrics are then steam ironed, as well as being ironed during making.
To save time, I don't tend to change thread for different masks, so even dark masks are likely to have a white thread.
​Strong colours may not be colourfast – please check before washing with other items.
​
HOW MUCH ARE THEY?
I am doing this in the gift economy. You are welcome to donate to one of the many organisations trying to alleviate misery in the current situation (e..g. Himmah, Nottingham & Nottinghamshire Refugee Forum, other food banks or homeless organisations) if you like - they will be able to use it well.
If you want to give me something, I will be able to make good use of new woven cotton fabric, non-fusible sew-in lightweight interfacing, and elastic around 4-10 mm wide.
*However, it is not necessary to give anyone anything; your mask is a gift; wearing your mask in public is your act of generosity*.
​
WHO CAN HAVE ONE?
I don't give more than two to the same person, so please don't ask if you've already had two. Of course, this means I will give more than two to families and couples, as long as it isn't more than two per person. I know it would be practical to have more, but you will have to look elsewhere for them. (If you are a keyworker with a particular reason for needing more of mine, please do ask - rules are made to be broken.)
I have given bunches to Sharewear Clothing Scheme and Nottingham & Notts Refugee Forum, and would be happy to give a bunch to other Notts charities and voluntary groups, for their volunteers or clients. Please ask. I prefer to give my masks to people in the greater Nottingham area; if you live elsewhere, maybe there is someone doing this in your area?
​
I WANT TO MAKE MORE FOR MYSELF
Good on yer.
The Internet, particularly YouTube, is full of mask making instructions. You may find one you prefer to this.
If you want to make more like mine, go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zm_NmpdgWWA&t=307s. My masks are an adaptation of this design.
FEEDBACK:
I'm interested in feedback, particularly if you have ideas on how to improve the masks. I can only have so many myself, so knowing what's good or bad about them for you will help me.
Any little stories about you and your mask - maybe it's let you go somewhere you haven't been before - that you'd like to share would be interesting too, and might get put on this website.
