In the times of COVID-19 (or the novel coronavirus), you may be looking to make your own mask at home. It is pretty easy if you have a little fabric, a ruler, scissors and a sewing machine.
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Easy sewn cloth mask
In these times of COVID-19, the CDC recommends that we all wear masks when in public to protect ourselves and others and slow the spread. You can make a mask pretty easily with rubber bands and a t-shirt. But if you want one more secure, can be customized and will be washed and worn again, this one will help you.
Luckily, you do not need a pattern, pins or even a iron. You can customize the material and pattern to fit you. It’s simple and only takes about 30 minutes and a sewing machine.
A few tips
If you want to make loops for the ears instead of tie strings, just shorten the length of your homemade string to about 7 inches for each side. Depending on your face you may need more or less. Many different cloth masks ask for 1/8inch elastic, which I didn’t have, but that will mimic the blue masks you see in medical settings.
Related post: Sew your own unpaper towels
Be sure to use two pieces of cloth as that is the most effective way. Some cloth mask recommendations are including 3 pieces, which you can do with this. They are also recommending that you use different material, like jean, quilting cotton and t-shirt. This can also be done with this pattern.
You can find me and others at the hop!
| Prep Time | 30 minutes |
| Servings |
mask
|
- 1 item scissors
- 1 item sewing machine
- 1 box pins (optional)
- 1 item ruler
- 1/3 yard quilt cotton fabric
Ingredients
|
|
- First, measure your cloth 7in by 9in as recommended by the CDC
- Next you'll cut two pieces of cloth for the main body of the mask. You need at least two for the mask to be more effective.
- After you measure the two pieces sew them together, right sides facing each other using a quarter inch seam allowance. Leave a small hole about an inch or so to turn it right side out.
- After you turn it out, sew around the edges, which nests in your seams. Be sure to tuck in the edges of the hole and sew them in as well
- Then you can fold your mask. This is where pins would be helpful but are not necessary. You can make three or two folds so that the mask stretches over your mouth and rounds around your face to protect for mouth and nose.
- Sew the folds down with a quarter inch seam allowance
- Next, you'll do the strings. In this case, I used more of the fabric. However, you do not have to. I have also had success with yarn and shoe laces. There is option to make loops instead of strings, but these instructions are for strings. If you want loops, you just make shorter strings and sew it onto the mask.
- Measure a strip of cloth 2-3 inches wide by at least 20 inches.
- Face the wrong side up, fold in toward the middle of the strip. Sew along this using a quarter inch seam allowance. Repeat on the other side.
- Then, fold the entire length of the piece in half and mark it with a crayon. Find your mask piece and fold it in half along the folds, width wise (hot dog style) and mark with a crayon
- Then, fold the two edges together and sew along the edges. You may need to go down to 1/8inch seam allowance
- When you reach a few inches above the white mark, try to line up your mask to the inside of the long strip. You want both to secure the mask to the string this way, leaving equal amounts of the strip above and below the mask itself so you can tie it behind your head.
- Finish sewing out the rest of the strip.
- Repeat on another strip and the other side of the mask.
Pin for later:
I used an old sheet and T-shirt (because that’s what I had on hand) and elastic for the ears. It was my first sewing project in 18 years, but old skills do come back. – Margy
It does seem like riding a bike, never goes away! Thanks!