5 Easy DIY Face Masks
Currently, no-one knows quite what to expect as the country begins to open up again. Many health experts have said that when the current shelter-in-place measures are lifted, people should continue to wear face masks in public to avoid contracting or passing on the coronavirus.
People have been asked to purchase cloth masks and create their own out of ordinary cloth, old tees, or bandanas. While some scientists say DIY masks do not offer adequate protection, others argue that wearing something to cover your mouth and nose is better than not wearing anything at all–particularly to potentially minimize the overall germs in the air at any given time.
DISCLOSURE: *** These are NOT medical GRADE face masks***. These are only intended as suggestions for sewing a fabric homemade DIY mask, should you want to.
CDC on Homemade Cloth Face Coverings
CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies), especially in areas of significant community-based transmission.
CDC also currently advises the use of simple cloth face coverings to slow the spread of the virus and help people who may have the virus and do not know it from transmitting it to others. Cloth face coverings fashioned from household items or made at home from common materials at low cost can be used as an additional, voluntary public health measure.
Masks should not be placed on young children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.
The cloth face coverings recommended are not surgical masks or N-95 respirators. Those are critical supplies that must continue to be reserved for healthcare workers and other medical first responders, as recommended by current CDC guidance.
So, learning how to make a mask could very likely come in handy. Without further ado, here are a few handpicked video tutorials for creating your own face mask.
1. How to Sew the Best Fitted Fabric Face Mask with Nose Wire
This very detailed tutorial shows you step by step how to make a face mask with a filter pocket.
You’ll need:
- 7 by 14” cotton for front layer
- 7 by 14” cotton for middle layer (it can be fabric or fusible interface)
- 6 by 14” for the back layer (pocket)
Options for ear support (you may use any of these options):
- 2 x 20cm pieces of thin elastic = 8”
- 2 x 20cm – 2cm pieces of Tshirt Strips = 8” – ¾”
- 2 soft elastic hair ties
- 1 elastic headband
- 1 long shoelace
- 1 ribbon or paracord at desired length
For the nose wire:
Pipe Cleaner, or lined floral wire
Instructions can be found here.
No printer? Draw your own pattern: https://drive.google.com/folderview?i...
DIY pattern tutorial: https://youtu.be/ZeP9xORmAcA
2. DIY Mask Without a Sewing Machine
This very useful tutorial gives you exact measurements for three different sizes of face masks, suitable for children, teens, and adults. It’s a pretty awesome video that shows you how to use an iron to shape a mask out of a regular piece of cloth.
You’ll need:
- Cotton fabric
- Elastic
- Sewing machine or needle & thread
- Scissors
- Pins or clips
Measurements:
S = 16x30 cm (6.3x11.8 in) Elastic length: 15 cm (6 in)
M = 18x34 cm (7.1x13.4 in) Elastic length: 17 cm (6.5 in)
L = 20x38 cm (7.9x15 in) Elastic length: 19 cm (7.5 in)
Instructions can be found here.
If you’re not a fan of sewing, this is one great tutorial. There’s just a tiny bit of sewing by hand and it’s really quick and easy.
3. DIY Face Mask Without Elastic
This tutorial demonstrates how to make an easy cloth mask using t-shirt fabric in place of elastic.
You’ll need:
- 2 (6" x 9") rectangles fabric
- 4 ties or strings
- Sewing machine or needle & thread
- Scissors
- Pins or clips
Instructions:
1. Put 1 rectangle fabric, right-side-up on a flat surface.
2. Put 1 tie in each corner with them going towards the middle of the rectangle (not off the sides); pin or clip in place.
3. Put the remaining rectangle of fabric, right-side down, on top, and clip in place.
4. Sew around the rectangle leaving a gap so you can turn the mask right-side out. Trim the fabric in the corners if you'd like.
5. Turn the mask right-side out. Iron flat and fold up 2 pleats, overlapping about 1/4 inch; pin or clip in place.
6. Sew around the entire rectangle again & trim any threads and you're done!
4. DIY Face Mask With Filter Pocket
With 4.7M views in one month, his tutorial is extremely popular. The designer in this sequence goes to great lengths to explain each step and they have also added handy measurements and subtitles.
You’ll need:
- 2 rectangles of fabric (see after instructions for sizing)
- Elastic
- Sewing machine or needle & thread
- Scissors
- Pins or clips
Instructions:
- Cut 1 piece of main fabric, 2 pieces of Lining, and 2 pieces of elastic according to the measurements below.
- On what will be the inside of the mask, press up about 1.5cm on one side of the Lining's long edge and sew. Repeat with other set.
- Stack and clip or pin both linings on main fabric outside to outside. Make sure the gaps on both left and right sides are equal.
- Sew the lining and main fabric together, right side to right side, at the top and bottom. Press.
- Fold in lining to main fabric outside to outside. Press.
- Time to create the pleats. Pinch and fold both main fabric and Lining into 3 pleats, about 1cm per pleat. Clip or pin to hold the folds and press the pleats. The finished height is approximately 10cm.
- Sew a straight line on the main fabric, right next to the Lining edge. Repeat on the other side.
- To create the elastic tunnel, fold the raw edge of the main fabric twice. Clip or pin to hold the folds in place. Repeat on the other side.
- Sew up the folds to create the elastic tunnel. Repeat on the other side.
- Insert elastic, tie a knot, insert a non-woven layer, and you are done!
Measurements for adult size:
Main fabric: 24cm x 19cm
Lining: 18cm x 13cm
Elastic length per piece: 30cm if elastic is very stretchy, or 35cm if it's not very stretchy. Try it on and adjust the length if needed.
Measurements for kids size:
Main fabric: 21.5cm x 16.5cm
Lining: 15.5cm x 10.5cm
Elastic length per piece: 25cm if the elastic is very stretchy, or 30cm if it's not very stretchy. Try it on and adjust the length if needed.
5. EASY DIY Face Mask with Filter Pocket No Sewing Machine
Easy to follow tutorial, with minimal frustrations. You will still have to do some sewing, using any type of stitch you’re familiar with. This tutorial shares a very simple pattern or, if you do have an old surgical mask, this demonstrates how to use it as a pattern.
You’ll need:
- Fabric
- Elastic, hair ties, ties from an old surgical mask or some other stretchy fabric
- Sewing machine or needle & thread
- Scissors
- Pins or clips
Detailed instructions with pictures.
We have not tested these designs but did a lot of research on the tutorials to find quality DIY face masks with easy to follow instructions. Please keep in mind that N95 surgical masks are reserved for health experts and, when needed, those with compromised immune systems.
Finally, we would like to give special thanks to the wonderful human whom we can thank for our first set of insanely cool masks.
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If you have a loved one with developmental or intellectual disabilities, who is looking for a community to live in, please contact us for more information.
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