{"id":4637,"date":"2020-06-19T15:23:12","date_gmt":"2020-06-19T15:23:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.needlepaint.com\/blog\/?p=4637"},"modified":"2020-06-19T15:23:12","modified_gmt":"2020-06-19T15:23:12","slug":"needlepaint-masks-unmasked","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.needlepaint.com\/blog\/2020\/06\/19\/needlepaint-masks-unmasked\/","title":{"rendered":"NeedlePaint Masks Unmasked!"},"content":{"rendered":"

Written by Peggy Bond<\/p>\n

\"Two<\/p>\n

After the initial rush to get cotton masks made for all my neighbors and friends, I was out of material, elastic, and thread. Stores were closed and mail order was going to take at least a week. So into the closet I went and found some 18 and 14 mesh needlepoint canvas and a stash of thread.<\/p>\n

\"Thread<\/p>\n

I had been thinking about making a needlepoint mask but wondered how it would hold up with washing. With time on my hands, this was the perfect project for lockdown. The pattern I has used for the cotton masks was not going to work with stiff needlepoint canvas.<\/p>\n

\"Flat<\/p>\n

Searching the internet, I found a pattern that I thought would work from PrettyHandyGirl.com<\/a>. I used the Inside Liner pattern from Pretty Handy Girl and then set to work on my Geometric Mask on 18 mesh canvas using random colors from my stash and a classic background Flat\/Tent stitch from A Pageant of Pattern for Needlepoint Canvases <\/b>by Sherlee Lantz.<\/p>\n

\"Geometric<\/p>\n

The stitching went quickly and soon I was ready to assemble, check the fit, and then wash it. (Finishing options will be the subject of my next blog.) The fit was a little large for me but fit my husband perfectly. Washing was a success. I washed it by hand in Woolite and hot water. Then hung it out to dry. The mask held its shape well, so on to the next one.<\/p>\n

\"Turtle<\/p>\n

For the next mask, I redrew the pattern to make the top more slanted and picked out a NeedlePaint design used on a hatband \u2013 my Hawaiian turtles. The turtles were done on 14 mesh canvas using the continental stitch with the background in alternating rows of the Byzantine stitch from Jo Ippolito Christensen\u2019s The Needlepoint Book<\/a>.<\/p>\n

I chose to alternate two different blue threads because that was what I had on hand. Alas, it was not enough and I had to ask for more from the NeedlePaint staff who have been working tirelessly to keep shipping orders while I am in lockdown elsewhere. Many thanks to them!<\/p>\n

I am now on my third mask \u2013 the lotus blossom shown in the photo at the top of the blog.<\/p>\n

Now, sewing it up!<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Lotus<\/p>\n

Remember your mask will not be<\/i><\/b> a replacement for an N95 or surgical mask.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

There are a couple options to consider assembling your NeedlePaint mask \u2013 a filter pocket and nose clip. Pretty Handy Girl<\/a> describes the material choices for the nose clip and straps. I agree with her recommendation to use the coffee bag flat ties for the nose clip. I am not a coffee drinker but luckily my husband is. However, her other suggestion works too. Her discussion of adjustable strap materials is very good. Due to unavailability of any of the materials suggested, I have been opted for \u00bc inch ribbons of which I have a stash.<\/p>\n

The materials needed are:<\/p>\n