Face Mask in the Homeless Tartan

[Tobus]

I ordered two of the SportKilt tartan masks. Seemed okay on the website but when they arrived I found them too small for a manly Scottish face.

Not the only mask maker to skimp on size to save cloth...let the buyer beware.

I think that's a bit unfair. I bought one as well, and the size of the mask is actually quite large compared to others I've purchased or made myself. If your face is so large that a standard size mask won't fit, you may need a custom one. I don't believe they were "skimping" on material. They just build masks for an average size.

If anything, my Sportkilt mask was almost too large for me. I had to take some slack out of the elastic bands because they were loose around the back of my head, and the mask sides nearly went to my ears.

My only real complaint about their mask is the shape of the bottom. When my mask is worn up over my nose properly, the bottom barely covers my chin and isn't shaped for a snug fit or seal. I could definitely see how a person with a taller face (not necessarily wider, just taller) would have problems with the mask not even covering their bottom lip. Is this the problem you're having, Ron? Or is it more of a width issue?

[kemileswallace]

I think that's a bit unfair. I bought one as well, and the size of the mask is actually quite large compared to others I've purchased or made myself. If your face is so large that a standard size mask won't fit, you may need a custom one. I don't believe they were "skimping" on material. They just build masks for an average size.

If anything, my Sportkilt mask was almost too large for me. I had to take some slack out of the elastic bands because they were loose around the back of my head, and the mask sides nearly went to my ears.

My only real complaint about their mask is the shape of the bottom. When my mask is worn up over my nose properly, the bottom barely covers my chin and isn't shaped for a snug fit or seal. I could definitely see how a person with a taller face (not necessarily wider, just taller) would have problems with the mask not even covering their bottom lip. Is this the problem you're having, Ron? Or is it more of a width issue?

I had a similar issue with the mask being too big. The elastic also seems to stretch out a bit quicker than I'd like. I have found that washing it on at least warm tends to bring the elastic back in.

[Riverkilt]

I think that's a bit unfair.

Don't think it's unfair to say what is real. You know my size and face...been on this forum a long time. I have an average size head.

Could phrase it another way, the size of the masks from SportKilt are smaller than the masks from other folks cranking them out. So they were too small for me to feel protected wearing them. Sad since they were in tartans I wanted to fly.

[Tobus]

Don't think it's unfair to say what is real. You know my size and face...been on this forum a long time. I have an average size head.

Could phrase it another way, the size of the masks from SportKilt are smaller than the masks from other folks cranking them out. So they were too small for me to feel protected wearing them. Sad since they were in tartans I wanted to fly.

My "unfair" comment was to your accusation that they skimped on size to save cloth, as if they were intentionally providing an inferior product in order to maximise profit. I really don't think that's the case. The fact that they cut the tartan for a symmetrical pattern at the centre seam means that they are actually wasting a lot of cloth, not trying to skimp. Most likely, they are just using a mask pattern that isn't optimal for some face sizes or shapes but suit others just fine. I've found that mask designs are all over the place in terms of fit and coverage, and there's no way to make a one-size-fits-all mask.

At any rate, if their masks don't fit you well, I can understand the frustration. But saying that they did it just to save cloth doesn't seem like a fair representation of what's going on.

[Riverkilt]

Ahh, okay, I get it now. The skimping reference comes from many many years working in the cut and sew business where every tiny little bit mattered to the big picture of profits. We even counted the thread used. Understand the tartan positioning too.

So you're right, maybe, maybe not. Maybe he pattern maker has a small face.

As most shoppers have found out, and as most folks in the cut and sew industry know well similar garments marked as a certain size, but from different manufacturers, can vary greatly when measured.

The hope of having a cool tartan mask to wear turned to disappointment when the masks arrived and my face was too large to fit into them.

[Crazy Dave]

I bought some from UT Kilts in the Royal Stewart and Black Watch tartans. The price was very good and the quality was good to (IMO!).

Dave