Great video on making a homemake chin strap by a sleep doc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCchQiwWt0U

He suggests cutting off of the bill of a baseball cap so it can be used as an anchor and then using a strip of velcro to make the appropriate size for your head. It looks simple enough.

So if you have had trouble finding the right chin strap, you might want to check this video out.

49er

I am in the process of making that homemade chinstrap right now (similar to the "PapCap" sold online).

I am using a 2" wide NON-stretchable velcro loop (withOUT the adhesive back) for the "chin strap".

I cut off the tube part of an old sock (the part that fits over your ankle & leg) & slipped that onto the velcro to act as cushion under my chin. If that works, my wife will sew off the the part that is wider than the velcro strap & cut off the excess. That should better keep it centered where it is needed.

I stuck a 2" wide X 4" long velcro hook strip vertically on each side of the baseball cap.
That velcro DOES have the adhesive back - so I am letting it sit for 24 hours to make sure it holds. If it ever comes loose, my wife will "sew" them to the cap.

All of the Velcro was purchased at 2 local craft stores in their "sewing supplies" department & was much cheaper than buying online (even Amazon). Neither craft store had both items.

I will use my homemade chinstrap tomorrow night (Monday 1-14-13) & will report on Tuesday how it went.

Interesting, but I don't think it would stop me from puffing air out of my lips with my jaw closed. The only thing that stops that is a strap over my mouth (or tape).

I don't see how he's attaching the velcro to the cap - did he sew the opposing velcro strip to the side of the cap

We need to find a use for NFL jerseys - it will shock you to hear that you can get Mark Sanchez NY Jets football jerseys Really really cheap at Rick's sporting goods

I need to support my cheeks. I keep my cheeks from puffing out and my lips will stay sealed. I support my chin somewhat as well, but keeping my cheeks supported is key. Everyone is different. Find what works for you and go with it.

johnthomasmacdonald wrote:I don't see how he's attaching the velcro to the cap - did he sew the opposing velcro strip to the side of the cap

Yes, the "hook" part of the velcro is attached to the cap (either by sewing or adhesive if it will stay stuck with just the adhesive).

I will try just the adhesive to start.

But, you are applying a lot of pull on that adhesive when you pull the chinstrap off of the velcro on the cap.

Of course sewing thru the velcro and the cap will be difficult because both together are so thick. My wife doubts her sewing machine will be able to do it - so she said she might have to do it by hand.

The adhesive did NOT hold the hook velcro to the cap.
I guess that is why the instructions stated that it was "not recommended for use on fabric".

Trying sewing that velcro to the cap, but aborted the attempt after broke the following:
Sewing Machine thread - Several times
Sewing Machine needle - 1 time
Hand sewing thread - Several times
Hand sewing needle - 3 times

So, I resorted to stapling the velcro to the cap (stapled all around the velcro edges).
Surprisingly, I do not feel the staples when the cap is on.

But, I fear that the staples will tear through the cap after repeatedly pulling the velcro apart.

This may be more trouble than it is worth.

Looked at the "Pap Cap" online again.
Problem is that the chinstrap part of the Pap Cap lays over your ears somewhat.
Which is what I did NOT like about my previous wide white chinstrap.

And the other chinstraps pull your chin back some.

I fear that the "perfect" chinstrap has not yet been built.

I just made a version of this.

Cut the bill off the hat and am using the bottom part of a commercial chin strap (that didn't work for me because it was too big and had hard plastic "loops"). The strap already has Velcro securely sewn on and I stuck the opposite Velcro on the hat with its adhesive. I'm hoping it stays stuck on through the test run tonight.

I positioned the strap in front of my ears.

My homemade cap chinstrap made it through the night but I'll be making some adjustments today.

My husband said he heard me mouth breathing a couple times and from the way my tummy feels this morning, it was more than a couple times. I will probably adjust the Velcro tighter and sew it on.

I was aware of trying to hold it all (cap chinstrap and Advance headgear) in place with my "head" muscles and I had to kind of wiggle things around several times to try to get it all where it should be.

The good thing about the cap: nothing on my face or head hurt this morning! I'm hopeful that with some tightening of the strap, my tummy won't hurt tomorrow morning.

DreamBig wrote:My homemade cap chinstrap made it through the night but I'll be making some adjustments today.

My husband said he heard me mouth breathing a couple times and from the way my tummy feels this morning, it was more than a couple times. I will probably adjust the Velcro tighter and sew it on.

I was aware of trying to hold it all (cap chinstrap and Advance headgear) in place with my "head" muscles and I had to kind of wiggle things around several times to try to get it all where it should be.

The good thing about the cap: nothing on my face or head hurt this morning! I'm hopeful that with some tightening of the strap, my tummy won't hurt tomorrow morning.

I would be interested in knowing whether you were successful in "sewing" the velcro to the cap. Both my wife & I broke several sewing machine needles & even some hand sewing needles before giving up. That velcro strip is much harder than I initially imagined.

StuUnderPressure wrote:
I would be interested in knowing whether you were successful in "sewing" the velcro to the cap. Both my wife & I broke several sewing machine needles & even some hand sewing needles before giving up. That velcro strip is much harder than I initially imagined.

You might consider taking that part of the project to your local shoe repair store, as they generally have special heavy-duty sewing machines designed to pierce and join leather. The cost should be nominal.

Best wishes, Nate

NateS wrote:

StuUnderPressure wrote:
I would be interested in knowing whether you were successful in "sewing" the velcro to the cap. Both my wife & I broke several sewing machine needles & even some hand sewing needles before giving up. That velcro strip is much harder than I initially imagined.

You might consider taking that part of the project to your local shoe repair store, as they generally have special heavy-duty sewing machines designed to pierce and join leather. The cost should be nominal.

Best wishes, Nate

I actually did consider that at that time - but just did not attempt it only because I thought it was just too much trouble for something that might not work in the 1st place (or just not be an improvement over what I am using now).

Since the velcro is already "stapled" to the hat & in the right position, I may reconsider taking it to the shoe repair guy now.

Or, I may just draw a line around the velcro to mark the correct position, remove the stapled velcro, & bring a brand new set of velcro to the shoe repair guy for him to sew it on.

DreamBig wrote:My homemade cap chinstrap made it through the night but I'll be making some adjustments today.

My husband said he heard me mouth breathing a couple times and from the way my tummy feels this morning, it was more than a couple times. I will probably adjust the Velcro tighter and sew it on.

I was aware of trying to hold it all (cap chinstrap and Advance headgear) in place with my "head" muscles and I had to kind of wiggle things around several times to try to get it all where it should be.

The good thing about the cap: nothing on my face or head hurt this morning! I'm hopeful that with some tightening of the strap, my tummy won't hurt tomorrow morning.

I doubt any adjustments are going to keep your lips from opening, even if this method keeps your jaw relatively closed. You might consider using the Ultimate Chin Strap: http://ultimatechinstrap.com/ or make a home made version of it. Check out this thread: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=94050&st=0&sk=t&sd=a#p868549

I highly recommend the homemade version. I've been using my own design for over a year and it keeps my lips closed every night, no gas in my stomach, no chipmunk cheeks, no waking up with my lips blubbering. Traditional chin straps do not work at all, because they don't cover the lips, and because they're elastic. IF you decide to make your own, use non-stretchy cloth.

I did not attempt to sew the Velcro to the hat because I just never got to it and then near bedtime I noticed it was still secure. I did stick another square of Velcro higher up on the hat in an effort to make the strap tighter. I then had a small mental crisis thinking I might have to wear a damn baseball hat on my head to bed for the rest of my life.

Anyway as I was gearing up I noticed my Sleepweaver Advande smelled (stank) like the laundry det I washed it with. I usually just use hand soap but wanted to make sure I was cleaning it well enough so getting a good seal wasn't at risk. I no longer use the laundry det on my cloths so I knew I couldn't sleep breathing it in every breath.

I was forced to go back to my Mirage FX for her with a chin strap rigged up to the headgear. I woke up with a headache and sore jaw.

Ive rinsed the Advance in vinegar and water which will hopefully help.

I have seen the homemade mask and considered making one myself if I could only get my mind working properly.

I forgot to add that perhaps my Velcro is staying secure (so far) because of the fabric of the cap. It's that polyester mesh type of fabric and the Velcro sticky is pretty heavy duty.