KN95 Mask Cover
Problem: The result of Covid19 Made the KN95 Fluctuate at a point, as demand for it went high. People were trying to find a way to preserve their KN95 Mask, As it is one of the most reliant mask that would help them protect from the virus.
Task: Make a Solution that can cover and preserve the KN95 Mask and Explain the Whole Design process and problems encountered during the whole process. This will have no medical or health claims as this is just a cotton mask.
Research: Learning what other masks are out there and how did they made it. I have found and Learned that Several masks advertise that they are mask covers but they don’t actually cover the whole mask entirely, it is either that it’s just a top cover or there’s just a small fabric at the back that covers the edge of the KN95 but your mouth still touches the actual KN95 Mask.
Design: After Gathering all my data and Research. I started Measuring the kn95 Mask and Creating MY own Patterns using illustrator. Turning my Designs to Vector and Using my Cricut Maker Machine to cut my fabrics accurately and then into my Portable Sewing Machine.
Test: As a first-time self-taught at Sewing. I had no idea what different fabrics are called and how they felt. and because of the quarantine, I wasn’t able to go out to see and touch different fabrics. I had made tons of research about fabric materials and purchased them to feel personally. I had to go back from “Design“ & “Test“ before finalizing.
Build: I finalized and sold the product on Etsy. It was a hit and A lot of people were giving me 5 stars. The demands were so high and unfortunately, I wasn’t able to keep up due to I was in my Third Trimester of Pregnancy. I had to Shut off my store for a break from time to time. Some of the problems I encountered during the build & sell phase were buyers wanted a black back fabric rather than white as they didn’t want to see the mask get dirty, Another is if they can put a specific tissue filter inside, “Even though it’s in the build phase I had to go back from the Research phase again to improve my product.”
Previous Designs & Problems
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1st Design
This was a 2 layer fabric. The back was a Thick rigged fabric and the front fabric was a regular cotton fabric. what customers like about this mask is that it was sturdy. The problem with this Mask was, 1. the nose wire was outside the mask therefore if they wash the mask the wire can easily come off. 2. it’s so hard to find the back fabric. I search everywhere from Joan’s, Esty, Amazon & Walmart and they don’t sell this fabric or it was too expensive. The cotton straps didn’t have an adjustable option.
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2nd Design
This was a three-layer mask. I still wanted it sturdy that’s why I made it 3 layers. I decided on the Muslin cotton fabric cause I find that its knit is wider for breathable purposes. As the picture shows. the black fabric is the front fabric, followed by the muslin fabric, then the white stretchable cotton fabric. This has a nose pocket too. The downside of this design, was even if I made the 2nd layer breathable. the customers are ordering it online so they wouldn’t really know the and fact that it’s a 3 layered-Mask
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3rd Design
I cut the Muslin fabric 3/4 just for the nose pocket. So it still passes as a 2 layer mask instead of 3. I changed the stretchable back fabric to this New thin rigged fabric. I find it to be more breathable than the previous designs but the problem with this design was that the back fabric was so light that it made my mask flimsy.
The Current Back-Design
it was hard for me to order the same stretchable fabric online as it’s either out of stock or I received a different material from the previous order. I needed my mask to have a Constant Material, Sturdy for a 2 layer and Breathable. Some points that I focused on in this design.
1. Breathability - I settled with a 2 layer mask and the back is fully Quilt Cotton Material
2. Alternative - I decided to sell black and white alternatively. and surprisingly, Most People Order the Black back more than the white counterpart.
3. Nose Pocket - I still have a Muslin layer for the nose pocket but its a lot shorter than 3/4 and
4. Straps - Black straps with a black adjustable bead for a black back and white strap and beads for the white alternative. I made the straps a Cotton skin-friendly strap similar to the KN95 strap.
5 star Reviews by Buyers
'“This KN95 cover is just what I was looking for: not too heavy, a nice pattern, and comfortable for long workdays. I still feel like I have a close fit with the KN95 inserted in the mask pocket, but it also fits over as an additional layer. I just ordered a few more to have in my rotation. Thank you for a fantastic mask cover”
Verified Buyer ★★★★★
“Beautiful quality and fabric. This cover can be used alone or with a KN95 mask inside. I cut the straps off of the KN95 before inserting it into this mask. It washes up nicely too. Just let it air dry. The fit is nice if you don't mind the style.”
Verified Buyer ★★★★★
“This mask is unique because the design allows you to insert a KN95 mask inside and it is also adjustable around the ears. I like the material on the inside of this blue mask because it is stronger and held up very nicely when I washed it and did not stretch out of shape.”