Methods to Tighten Behind-the-Head Face Mask

My multiple options for making facemask post was very popular.  It was the most viewed post ever in a single week!  Some have told me one of the back-of-head elastic straps was not tight enough to fit their head well and wanted some easy methods to make them fit tighter without remaking masks.  The methods below should work with any behind-the-head mask, whether you made it yourself or purchased a mask.

Three Methods to Tighten Elastic Strap on Behind-the-Head Mask
  1. Tie an overhand knot (see video below) in the middle of the elastic strap that is too loose.  This way the knot is in the back of your head.  How far up the slip knot is in the elastic is determined by how short you need to make it to fit your head.
  2. With a safety pin, pin elastic straps together in center of each to form an X at back of head, which makes both straps seem a little tighter.  This works best if elastic is only a little-bit big. 
  3. Cut elastic in center of back to turn it into a tie strap instead.  This also will work if the elastic has gotten stretched-out from extended use aging it or multiple machine washing/drying.
If you are making additional masks for the same person, consider how much shorter to make the elastic before sewing the new masks.  The PDF pattern in the mask-making post shows standard sizes for adult and child masks, but not everyone has a standard size head.  After printing the pattern, I wrote the size elastic I needed for my lady's mask (2 inches shorter for behind-the-head and 1" smaller for over-ear) than the standard size which better fits most men.

Want more ideas to make the mask fit better?  See buttons save ears when wearing facemasks, what about foggy glasses post.

NOTE:  HuffPost recently conducted a Cambridge Univiersity study of best face mask materials (BTW denim is cotton).  Since most masks are 2-or-more layers, their tests are not really conclusive as they were based on only 1-layer of the materials tested.  They also misconstrue Trump saying scarves are better than masks.  The president suggests using scarves for protection due to mask shortage to save masks for medical purposes. However, HuffPost does offers multiple Covid-10/Coronavirus updates as information becomes available, so you may want to keep an eye on their blog for new links at the bottom of each posting and then double check their suggestions.

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