The functional cloth masks I sew are made from cotton fabric and t-shirts cut to provide the ties. I have incorporated a variety of mask design principles into the masks that I sew. Masks have two layers. The outer layer is often made from two different fabrics, for a left-right contrasting effect. The inside and outside are always different so that wearers can tell them apart.
I have been wearing these same masks myself, about 7-12 masks per week, since June 2020. I frequently walk to get where I need to go and will change masks after getting very sweaty or lots of active breathing, if/when the mask becomes damp through. Worn masks get collected in a lingerie bag and are easily thrown into the washing machine with or without other laundry. The lingerie bag can go right into the dryer as is, and the masks come out reasonably untangled.
For most comfortable and smooth wear, it helps to iron the masks with a warm iron on the inside facing. I iron masks after washing and then place them near my front door in a spot where I only keep masks that are clean and ready to wear.
Mask Construction
These masks are sewn on a vintage 1940's Singer Featherweight. Revolutionary in its day, the Featherweight was notable for being able to sew a straight stitch both forwards and in reverse. That's the only stitch it does. This machine formerly belonged to my paternal grandmother.