Are you making homemade face masks? Or making homemade face masks with a nose wire? The answer is probably yes or yes I know someone who is. Sewers and non sewers across the country are making face coverings for their family, hospitals and the local non profits who are the boots on the ground serving the community.
After experimenting with a variety of face mask patterns and I should state I am not a sewer per se. I can sew a straight line and that is more than sufficient to make a face mask.
Many of the patterns use a nose pinch or a nose wire for the top of the face mask. Adding a nose wire or nose pinch to a mask helps customize the fit of the mask to each individual.
What Is A Nose Pinch or Nose Wire For A Face Mask?
The nose pinch is a piece of flexible material which lines the top of the mask to allow the mask to be more securely fastened around the nose. The nose wire should be easily bendable and sturdy enough to withstand multiple wearings and washings.
My Four Favorite Nose Wire Hacks For Homemade Face Masks
1. Twist Ties
Yes, the twist ties which come with garbage bags. These are wonderful and plentiful and sturdy.
The ties help the top of the mask flex easily and actually add to the comfort of the mask. I have washed face masks made with the twist tie nose pinch and the ties tolerated washing very well. The ties can be used for face masks with fabric and face masks with ties.
2. Floral Wire
Floral Wire is another useful and practical find in your home.
The wire is very sturdy, but soft and flexible enough to allow the molding of the top of the mask. Even better are floral decorating kits which include floral wire AND floral tape which can be used as sturdy ties for a mask.
3. Wire Ribbon
Wire Ribbon is another source of flexible wire to make a nose wire for a face mask. If you are a ‘saver’ or repurposer of gift wrap you probably have a few pieces of wire ribbon bows in your stash. Old Christmas wreaths with bows and holiday decorations are a good place to look for wire ribbon bows to utilize as nose pinch materials.
Simply remove the wire from the ribbon and discard the ribbon. Ribbon does not tolerate being washed and as face masks will be washed the ribbon should be removed from the wire prior to using.
4. Large Paper Clip
Yep. A paper clip!
Straighten the paper clip to use as nose pinch. Jumbo paper clips work best for the size needed. This is where less expensive paper clips are a bonus in your desk drawer as the clips are easier to bend and more flexible.
I Can’t Sew But How Can I Help?
Sewers need materials and in Michigan that means materials that you can find AT home. Look around your home, your garage, your car, your hold anything drawers! Many communities or neighbors have no contact porch drop offs for donations.
Looking through your home with an eye as to what could materials I can donate to make face masks or face coverings will reveal many more materials you didn’t know you even own!
Elastic is very hard to find, but after a tour of the house I found 17 Elastic Hacks or elastic band substitutions of household items that could be used to make the ear loops or ear ties for DIY face masks.
On April 3, 2020 CDC recommended cloth face coverings. The WHO (World Health Organization) offers these ideas and best practice if you are using any type of face mask. Please note face coverings are not the disposable blue masks, but a DIY version for home and outdoor use.
More Stay At Home DIY
17 Elastic Band Hacks For DIY Face Coverings
How To Make A Face Mask With Fabric (For The I Can Barely Sew)
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