Hey friends! In our area, local hospitals are already accepting donations of DIY fabric face masks. A popular .pdf file going around from the deaconess.com gives measurements and written instructions, but many of my friends and family have commented that they are visual learners, and photos or video would be far more helpful.
I started out making a few for our family and friends (including my lovely model Whitney), since I sew and many of them do not. We have a major mask shortage here – we have never even been able to get masks in our household. Fabric masks are not as good as the N95 masks, but they are better than nothing at all if you want to limit the spread of germs.
Masks without filtration – like these – are mainly helpful to keep YOUR germs to yourself. They are much less effective at filtering the air, but if you cough or sneeze, it helps to limit how far your saliva can travel. The mask will stop a lot of it. That said, once it’s on your face, try not to touch or adjust it, and if it becomes damp from your breath or the weather, it’s time for a clean, dry mask. They can be washed and used again.
To make these easy DIY fabric face masks, you’ll want to print or save the instructions at deaconess.com, and gather the following supplies and tools.
WHAT YOU NEED TO MAKE DIY FABRIC FACE MASKS
- sewing machine
- fabric scraps – two 9″x6″ pieces of cotton fabric
- two 7″ lengths of elastic – whatever you have on hand should be sufficient
- ruler
- scissors
- pencil
- pins
Embedded below is the YouTube video tutorial. Please be sure to give it a like if you find it helpful, and share with your friends who enjoy sewing. Until supply meets demand, I have a feeling that making DIY fabric masks for our local doctors and nurses will be useful for the next several months, if not more.
I hope you’re safe and healthy, friends! Don’t forget to check out my archives if you’re looking to get your craft on!
Thank you for sharing your video tutorial. During the current situation, it’s one of the most useful DIY projects.
Oh my goodness! This is so much easier than the pattern I was using. I have made over 30 masks and the pattern are used took me about an hour each!
I truly enjoy your posts! I was thinking that maybe this one could be modified somehow for the elastic to be threaded through a ‘casing’ of sorts at each end. The knot could be inside the casing with a couple inch tail so it could be tightened or loosened for the individuals need?!?! Just a thought! May you and yours be healthy and happy!