It would have been hard to predict the items that went out of stock early in the quarantine. Toilet paper, yeast and flour and especially (for me), elastic and cotton fabrics.
It is very difficult to make masks without elastic. I made a few with straps that tie at the back, but it is a tedious task to create the straps in any kind of quantity (i.e., cut 4 long strips of fabric, fold in half, iron, fold one edge up to middle, iron, fold other edge to middle, iron, fold in half, iron, then top-stitch along both edges – for each mask!).
On April 1, 2020, I ordered some 1/4″ white elastic from an Amazon shipper. I did expect it would be a while but estimated delivery isn’t until May 19! While I waited, I ordered some hair elastics in desperation. They worked in a pinch, but seemed rather tight for long-term wear.
So, I was very excited to find a Canadian store recommended on a sewing Facebook group that was new-to-me with elastic in stock! I ordered a large spool of white and and another spool of black. Success! Thank you RQC supply!
AUG. 29,2020 UPDATE: Still have not received the elastic ordered from that Amazon shipper 🙁
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