Sewing question ?

Yes you can cut it to any size

http://www.nancyzieman.com/blog/sewing-with-nancy/elastic-sewing-tips/

Hi! If you follow a line on the weave of the elastic, it should be straight and not separate! Good luck and stay safe!

Hi Peggy,

There are many different types of elastic.

Whether the elastic will fray or not when cut, depends on what the fibre content of the elastic is and how is it woven. Elastics can be made from many different fibres including spandex, latex rubber, nylon, rayon, and polyester, Even if it does not fray initially when cut, if the elastic has raw edges, (as opposed to bound edges) it most likely will when it is washed.

Fray Check will not hold on most elastics with raw edges simply because they will continue to stretch.

It will eventually fray even if you cut it along the seem line. And folding it in half will hurt you behind the ears. You would be better off getting thinner elastic or alternatively add fabric ties.

I made close to 200 masks for my cousin and her floor at the hospital she works at. When I ran out of elastic, I started sewing the masks with long straps and they worked great. You could try that as an alternative to the elastic.

Hi Peggy, you don't have to worry about fray. Cut it to size and before you sew, spray the ends of it with a spray adhesive or use a dab of fabric-tac. It will never fray after that. I use spray adhesive often with my sewing projects since home dec fabrics ALWAYS fray. Check out my super old post(ha)....

https://karupp-did.net/pray-it-doesnt-fray/

This would apply to elastic as well. If you don't have spray adhesive on hand, fabri-tac is the other best one I use.

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=fabri+tac+premium+fabric+glue&crid=GHBI8CSFGI69&sprefix=fabri+tac%2Caps%2C132&ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_9

Then when you run out of elastic, I agree with Holly....sew in ties:). Good luck! Thank you for everything you are doing for your community!

I think it will come apart if you cut it. Do you have any access to ponytail holders? I made ours with ponytail holders on the ends.

What about making the masks in another style with the larger elastic? Instead of looping around the ears - could the elastic go around the whole back of the head?

Fold it or use child's poly tail holder.

You could also try making a mask with ties, rather than elastic. I've been making these, and I find that the ties allow you to adjust the fit of the mask better than you could with elastic: https://about.kaiserpermanente.org/content/dam/internet/kp/comms/import/uploads/2020/03/02_COVID_Mask-Instructions_v9.pdf