cloth facemasks

By Desak Nyoman Parwati, three elegant rayon face masks are covered with lace. A favorite with fashionable Balinese women, lace is the fabric of choice for the kebaya, a short jacket worn over a top. Beadwork and embroidery, all applied by hand, add a touch of feminine glamour. Contoured for comfort, the double-layer set features one in white, one in black and one in neutral grey. They are washable and reusable, and have elastic to loop over the ears.

Placement of the lace motifs can vary but the fabric will be the same.

Evoking the sky at dawn, light teal stripes flow across an amethyst-colored background. Colorful cotton is woven on a backstrap loom to become an attractive pair of face masks with unique handwoven textures. Artisans from Creative Hands of Oaxaca craft the contoured masks with elastic bands to stretch around the head. They are double-layered and are both washable and reusable.

Nell uses Java's cotton lurik fabric for a set of three face masks in different shades of blue. Lurik is a traditional hand-spun, handwoven textile once reserved for the use of rice farmers, who were much respected. Vertical stripes in two color combinations complement a third mask in solid blue. Contoured for comfort, the double-layer masks are washable and reusable, with elastic to loop over the ears.

Nell uses Java's cotton lurik fabric for a set of three face masks in rich colors. Lurik is a traditional hand-spun, handwoven textile once reserved for the use of rice farmers, who were much respected. Vertical stripes in two color combinations complement a third mask in golden brown. Contoured for comfort, the double-layer masks are washable and reusable, with elastic to loop over the ears.