Today, I would like to introduce you to my amazing sewing partners, who are making masks with my hybrid pattern and selling them in online shops, on Etsy or in retail stores. Each of them has a different approach to mask making, they offer unique fabrics and ways to apply my pattern – and I think all their masks are just stunningly beautiful! In the picture above, you can see some samples by Christina King, Reusable Mask Co Australia and Samook Designs.
Here are some samples! 1st row, left to right: Eastern Spinebill by Reusable Mask Co, Oxford by TinaBK, Football by Tina BK; 2nd row, left to right: Khaki Linen by Reusable Mask Co; Tropics by Reusable Mask Co, Blue Silk by Samook Designs; 3rd row, left to right: Collage by Tina BK, Black Cotton by Samook Designs, Leafy by Reusable Mask Co; 4th row, left to right: Teal Silk by Samook Designs, Road Trip by TinaBK and Muddy Khaki by Reusable Mask Co!
Currently, I have eleven amazing sewing partners all over the world: Purcell Handmade in Kimberley, British Columbia, Canada; Kiri Schultz in Seattle, Washington, USA; TinaBK and Hidden Bliss Studio in Ithaca, New York, USA; MaskProduced NYC in New York City, New York, USA; OLLE Sewing in Dunstable, Bedfordshire, UK; Wollsuse in Fröndenberg / Ruhr, NRW, Germany; Schnurpfitante in Thalwil, Kanton Zürich, Switzerland; KLigraphy in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Reusable Mask Co at the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia and SAMOOK Designs in Mollymook, New South Wales, Australia. Eight of them are selling right now – and ihere, you can find out more about their unique approaches to mask making, about their choice of fabrics and how they relate to my Hybrid pattern!
TinaBK by Christina King – Ithaca, New York, USA
Christina is a freelance artisan based in Ithaca, New York, USA. Formerly a civil engineer, she most recently worked as an administrator at a local architecture office. Her real passion lies in creating with her hands, from fabric to wood. She is happy to be able to use her sewing skills to provide these very well designed masks to neighbors near and far. Christina enjoys choosing new fabrics from local shops; whimsical fabrics are her favorites, but she has also come to appreciate subtle prints and solids. Unique features in her approach to making the Luckhaus hybrid mask are the small loops she curves into the ends of the nose wire, and the soft, stretchy jersey she uses to make headbands.
»Absolute BEST mask Iv’e ordered. I wear glasses and have been purchasing “anti-fog” masks from all across the U.S. to test out, with no luck until this one. I came across the Iris Luckhaus mask design early on and thought I would sew one for myself. That never happened so when Iris identified tinabk as an approved maker of her design I was excited to try and not have to sew! This mask is VERY well made! Very comfortable to wear, a nice tight to the face fit due to cinching by the loops but with plenty of room around the mouth. It doesn’t end up in your mouth when breathing or talking. Because of the top flap over nose and extended metal piece it does not fog up at all!« – Carrie, Dec 29th, 2020
»These masks are beautifully made and easy to adjust to a perfect fit in both the ear loop and jersey headband styles… with no glasses fog! (…) Thanks for helping to keep »our family comfortable and safe!« – Hasha on Etsy, Sep 8th, 2020
»This mask was so amazing that my husband claimed it as his own even though I bought it for me! It’s the only one we’ve gotten that works well with his beard AND glasses. Highly recommend!« – Steph on Etsy, Aug 21st, 2020
Christina’s Luckhaus Hybrid Masks are available to order via TinaBK on Etsy, and you can follow her on Instagram!
[Closed] Reusable Mask Co – Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
After researching the most effective mask design and fabric composition for her own personal use, and discovering there was no one offering her ideal mask, Sarah Chan started Reusable Mask Co to share her mask solution with others. Comprised of 4 layers of fabric, her mask has built-in filters and soft stretchy ties made of recycled t-shirt yarn. The mask can be worn tied around your head or with ear loops. It’s easy to use, comfortable to wear and provides mechanical filtration of larger particles and electrostatic filtration for smaller particles. The range features earthy linens and beautiful patterns by Australian designers. Reusable Mask Co is based on the Gold Coast, Queensland.
»I just received my second mask and I wanted to thank you. These are by far the best masks out there! The design is ingenious (thanks Iris Luckhaus whoever you are!) and the materials and workmanship are tops. They are so comfortable – even after an 8 hour shift at work! I certainly never expected to be a mask connoisseur but I’ve tried soooo many and yours wins hands down. You’ve made this masked worker very happy!« – Rajna, Oct 1st, 2020
Reusable Mask Co Australia has a stunning Online Shop (which has even been recommended by Vogue Australia!), and also sells their masks on Etsy. Furthermore, they share lot of interesting content on Facebook and Instagram!
Samook @ Slow Collective – Ulladulla, New South Wales, Australia
Samook Designs is focused on making women’s garments slowly, ethically and sustainably. This philosophy carries through to their masks, which are made using natural fibre fabric off-cuts and remnants from local designers. Samook masks are made by Kim Goodworth from her home studio in Mollymook, New South Wales, Australia, with all natural fibres that are biodegradable at the end of mask life. They feature a merino jersey head strap, which is comfortable and sustainable, an outer layer of silk or cotton in solid or painted colours and an inner layer of cotton.
Samook masks are available for purchase at the Slow Handmade Collective, a movement of ethically and sustainably produced fashion, home decor, jewellery and natural body care, at the beautiful harbour front of Ulladulla, New South Wales, Australia! You can also follow the work of Samook Designs on Facebook and Instagram.
Schnurpfitante by Andrea Haydon – Thalwil, Zürich, Switzerland
What do you do when you are on maternity leave, sew a lot and your husband has to teach his students with a face covering? The Swiss Andrea Haydon did not hesitate long and started sewing cloth masks. Her masks have three layers: an antiviral fabric on the inside, a mask fleece to absorb moisture and a beautiful woven fabric cover on the outside. Because the masks fit so well, the interest of friends and acquaintances boosted soon and she decided to sell these great accessories online.
All variants from the current collection can be found at www.schnurpfitante.ch. New fabrics are constantly being added – whenever her two daughters give her time to sit down at the sewing machine!
OLLE Sewing by Orsolya Barcza – Dunstable, Bedfordshire, UK
Orsolya Barcza is a part time bookkeeper from Dunstable in Bedfordshire, UK. She loves to spend her free time at the sewing machine, and she has already been offering a new type of dog bandana with her label OLLE Sewing. When the pandemic started, she tried many different mask designs and found that the Iris Luckhaus Hybrid mask is the best fit for most people, so she doesn’t sew any other masks anymore. Her Luckhaus masks have a larger reverse pleat, which comfortably accomodates bigger noses too, and a topstitched first pleat. They are made from fine cotton in typically British small flower prints and other beautiful fabrics, and Orsolya even offer matching mask pouches!
»I have got 5 different masks from OLLEsewing because I really like them. They are comfortable, practical with a nose flap that holds easily the mask and gives a nice style to it. I also like the fabric patterns and how well done they are in general. I really recommend :)« –Susana on Etsy, May27th, 2021
Orsolya is selling her masks as OLLE Sewing on Etsy, and you can follow her work on Facebook and Instagram.
Wollsuse by Susanne Jacob – Fröndenberg / Ruhr, NRW, Germany
Susanne Jacob has loved needlework such as crocheting, knitting and sewing since school. After previously working as a doctor’s assistant, in administration and in sales, she turned her hobby into a profession a couple of years ago and is now enjoying the great happiness of having her own textile workshop on the northern edge of the Sauerland. Not only with wool, but also when sewing her face coverings, Susanne prefers to use certified materials. Her cotton jersey, woven cotton with beautiful retro designs and colorful children’s motifs, plain, dotted and striped, as well as branded fabrics from German manufacturers, shirting fabrics and tie silk for business masks are particularly popular.
Wollsuse’s masks are unique items, tailored to order from a selection of 3 patterns in different sizes and a wide range of fabrics. With the Hybrid Mask she found the optimal mask pattern that is in high demand with people who wear glasses. In addition, Susanne caters to special requests with her custom-made products and not only produces our original hybrid mask, but also the variants for beards, frequent speakers and special face shapes! The comfort of custom-made masks in combination with the best available materials is very popular with large and small customers.
The masks by Susanne Jacob aka Wollsuse are compiled on her website and then ordered by email.
Nagakiri Studio by Kiri Schultz – Seattle, Washington, USA
Kiri has worn more hats in her lifetime than masks. These include working as a scooter messenger, typesetter and graphics production artist (in the good old days of cut+paste). Her graduate work focused on Southeast Asian Art and she worked for UNESCO in Cambodia, including programme development in the revitalization of traditional textiles there. After a decade overseas, she settled down to family life, and had been employed in the physiotherapy field prior to the pandemic. Health, movement, art and aesthetics intersect somewhere in there – ah yes, in mask production!
Kiri volunteered with Crafters Against Covid and donated masks to organizations in need, and finally opted to strike out on her own on Etsy.com. She was one of a small group that stitched customized filtration masks for participants in early vaccine trials in Seattle in Spring 2020. She continues to experiment with organic materials (cotton, silk and wool), but also explores the potential for incorporating synthetic filters. The partnership with Iris is an ideal fit for her, leaving more options for materials creativity and prototypes. Being part of this international network provides Kiri with global perspective – while her family hopes that they may one day re-claim the dining room table…
»These masks were impeccably stitched with full attention to detail. The ties are a smooth elastic cord that’s easily adjustable with a toggle. As a mask-maker myself I’m impressed with the care that Kiri took in making these. These were a custom order of a variant of the Iris Luckhaus pattern that provides extra coverage for eyeglass-wearers. I’ve tried (and made) umpteen kinds of mask styles meant to prevent glasses-fogging and this has been the best for me.« – krk25 on Etsy, Feb 1st, 2021
Kiri Schultz’s Hybrid Masks are available to order via Nagakiri Studio on Etsy, and Nagakiri is also on Instagram.
[On Holiday] Hidden Bliss by Debbie Baskerville – Ithaca, NY, USA
A native of Ithaca, NY, Debbie Baskerville has 20+ years of experience as a textile designer, teacher, maker, and student. She is passionate about weaving, knitting, dyeing, digital printing, and sewing. She taught Fashion History and other classes for a Fashion Marketing & Management program for 12 years. When the school she worked for closed down, she started a small business called “Hidden Bliss Studio”, with the aim of selling meditation cushions made from organic ingredients and featuring her photographs of the natural world, as well as hand-dyed fabrics. When COVID hit, she shifted her focus to making masks for family, friends, and to donate to migrant agricultural workers in her area.
After trying many mask patterns, she developed her own version of the Origami mask, and also decided to sell the Hybrid mask while helping a friend make a batch of them for a club and being impressed with their fit and level of comfort. Hidden Bliss Studio offers kid and adult XXS – L sizes of the Hybrid mask, made in GOTS certified organic fabric, with an undyed layer worn against the face and a wide variety of whimsical fabrics for the outer layer. There is also an option to add layers of silk chiffon to the center. Adult masks are made standard with adjustable “lanyard” style ties, and children’s sizes are made with adjustable elastic ear loops.
»Love these masks! Perfect fit, comfortable, high quality fabrics & craftsmanship!! And customer service is top notch too« – Charis on Etsy, Jan 17th, 2021
Masks are mostly made to order and available via Hidden Bliss Studio Etsy shop, on Instagram and Facebook.
[On Holiday] Mask Produced by Emily Parrish – New York City, NY, USA
Mask Produced is a creative project by Emily Parrish, an actress and wine enthusiast based in New York City, that allows her to share her sewn goods with the masses. During the height of the pandemic, Emily was searching for the perfect mask that was not only safe, but could be worn for hours at a time… after all, she’s a server at a high-end restaurant in NYC and was required to wear a mask for her entire shift outdoors in the dead of summer (if you’ve never experienced Summer in NYC, just imagine a giant grey sauna and you won’t be far off). When she came across Iris’s gorgeous hybrid pattern, she found exactly what she was looking for and the rest is history!
Mask Produced aims to create truly comfortable and well-made options that can, not only withstand some serious usage (a la 7+ hours of continuous masking), but also allows the wearer to showcase their personality. Emily is truly honored to be partnered with Iris and to share her gorgeous mask with the world. When not sewing (or serving), Emily spends her time studying to become a Sommelier, loves to read, and is an AVID do-it-yourselfer. Her current project? Updating her adorable 1-bedroom apartment in the delightful Astoria, Queens.
»These masks are my absolute favorite! I love the nose design that both keeps it from slipping and allows you to breathe! (…) I wear a mask all day for work and highly recommend these!« – Kristi on Etsy, March 27th, 2021
Emily’s Hybrid Masks are available via Mask Produced on Etsy, and Mask Produced NYC is also on Instagram!
Who makes which Hybrid Masks?
Name | Place | Shop | Pattern | Sizes | Layers | Wire | Ties |
TinaBK | USA | Etsy | Classic* | M + | 2 Cotton | Long | Jersey Ties |
Reusable Mask** | Australia | Website | Classic | XS-L | 4 Co/Ch | None | Jersey Ties |
SAMOOK | Australia | Shop | Nose 1 | M | 2 Co, Si | Long | Jersey Ties |
Schnurpfitante | Switzerld. | Website | Classic | XS-M | 3 Co/Vl/Av | Short | Elastic Loops |
OLLE Sewing | England | Etsy | Nose 1 | XS-XL | 2 Cotton | Short | Elastic Loops |
Wollsuse | Germany | Website | Choice | Choice | 2 Co, Si | Short | Elastic Loops |
Nagakiri Studio | USA | Etsy | Classic* | L | 2 Co/Si/Wo* | Long | All Options |
Hidden Bliss** | USA | Etsy | Classic | XXS-L | 2 Co + 2 Ch | Short | Loops + Lanyard |
Mask Produced** | USA | Etsy | Classic | M | 2 Cotton | Short | Adjust. Loops |
* = More options are available! Please check the makers’ listings. If the options are not listed, you may ask them kindly :)
** = Currently not active
Hybrid Mask Pattern and Sewing Partners
To others who would also like to use any part of my work – the mask design, the pattern and / or the instructions – commercially, I’d be happy to grant the necessary usage rights for a fair fee, and I’m always thrilled to have the option to forward all enquiries from those who would like to buy my mask to someone who actually has the time to sew it!
If you’d like to become a sewing partner for my hybrid mask too, feel free to send me an email and ask for details!
But no matter how this journey might continue: My instructions and patterns are always free for anyone who just wants to non-commercially sew some masks for themselves, for gifts or donations, and this will definitely remain so.
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