# Sewing Dopers: Need to make a head-covering mask **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 30, 2010, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sewing-dopers-need-to-make-a-head-covering-mask/558914 "2010-10-30T20:46:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![freckafree](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/freckafree/32/3050_2.png) [@freckafree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/freckafree)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2010, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sewing-dopers-need-to-make-a-head-covering-mask/558914/1 "2010-10-30T20:46:43Z")
The obscure (to me at least) video game character that my son has decided he wants to dress up as for Halloween has a helmet that covers his entire head, like [so](http://26.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_krp1t9KzCK1qzggl7o1_400.png). My plan was to make a stretchy covering that I can just pull over the fencing mask we’re using as a base. I have some appropriately stretchy black knit fabric but am having a hard time figuring out the best way to fit it that will result in the fewest wrinkles. Any suggestions on how to tackle this? ---
**Author:** ![Sehmket](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Sehmket](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sehmket)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2010, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sewing-dopers-need-to-make-a-head-covering-mask/558914/2 "2010-10-30T20:53:23Z")
I would probably do 4-6 pieces that are kind of pointy at the end and wide in the middle, like () and sew those together in a circle to make a sphere. I will give you a fair forewarning, though - if you’ve never worked with stretchy fabrics, be prepped for a rough project, and use LOTS AND LOTS of pins. ---
**Author:** ![kittenblue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ba8739/32.png) [@kittenblue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kittenblue)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2010, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sewing-dopers-need-to-make-a-head-covering-mask/558914/3 "2010-10-30T22:36:45Z")
Why not just use black pantyhose? Or tights. ---
**Author:** ![Sandra\_Battye](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sandra_battye/32/552_2.png) [@Sandra\_Battye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sandra_Battye)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2010, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sewing-dopers-need-to-make-a-head-covering-mask/558914/4 "2010-10-30T22:39:18Z")
Maybe with a 7" invisible zipper in the back? Although, as **Sehmket** said, stretchy fabric will give you nightmares if you’ve never worked with it before. Aren’t fencing masks made with a prong behind the head to keep it on, or am I thinking of something else? Is that what you’re asking- how to get a smooth effect from a “bumpy” form? ---
**Author:** ![freckafree](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/freckafree/32/3050_2.png) [@freckafree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/freckafree)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2010, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sewing-dopers-need-to-make-a-head-covering-mask/558914/5 "2010-10-31T02:30:59Z")
**kittenblue** , I thought about black tights, but the fencing mask is quite a bit larger than a head. I’d definitely have to use a piece from up near the panty, and then I’m stuck with the problem of closing the tube in an inconspicuous way. I love my son, but I’m definitely not investing the time in an invisible zipper! 🙂 I think I’ll try your idea, **Sehmket.** I’ve sewn enough that I don’t think the knit will give me trouble. I’m old enough to have sewn “Qiana” when it was all the rage. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![kittenblue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ba8739/32.png) [@kittenblue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kittenblue)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2010, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sewing-dopers-need-to-make-a-head-covering-mask/558914/6 "2010-10-31T13:04:31Z")
OMG, I made my wedding gown and the bridesmaid’s dresses from Qiana! I loved that stuff! I think you might be surprised at how far a pair of pantyhose will stretch, especially if you bought a queen-sized pair. But you have to come back and post a picture when you are done! ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2010, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sewing-dopers-need-to-make-a-head-covering-mask/558914/7 "2010-10-31T14:33:36Z")
I’d cut the\* control top\* off of control top black pantyhose and tie a knot to close. Flip it inside out, and the knot will be on the inside, and the control top opaque enough to hide it from view. I mean, fer chrissakes, it’s a Halloween costume, not a gown for the Oscars. Don’t make yourself crazy here!