Please read important info below about the best fabrics to use for a homemade face mask. And remember, this is not a replacement for PPE. The best thing we can do right now to lessen the curve and strain on our health care system is to STAY HOME.
I am trying to do what I can by helping our essential workers by donating my supplies that I have on hand to help lessen the curve and hopefully steer away the COVID-19 virus.
There are so many different patterns out there today, and it can make your head spin trying to figure out the best mask to use, just knowing that you are trying to help by using your sewing skills is great! I never in my wildest dreams thought that I’d be using my fabric stash, leftovers from years and years of sewing projects, to be sewing masks to help try and keep us safe from this crazy virus. I’ve made a few different styles, mostly from this pattern. Deaconness: How to make a face mask I did my own spin on the pattern. I used my serger to create a pocket so you could slide in your own mask and hopefully make the outside shell reusable so you can wash it and use the inside mask over again. This is because of the shortage of masks, so we are hoping with the reusable cloth mask, they can make the N-95 masks last longer.
I’ve made some with fabric ties and I’ve made some with elastic. I ordered a ton more elastic and it’s coming in the mail hopefully sometime soon. Here is a good way to make your own bias tape hack!
There is no real wrong way to make them, as long as they cover your mouth and nose, your good. Some prefer the elastic, some prefer the ties behind the head. I might also try some with longer elastic to go around the whole back of your head, not just the ears, that might be more comfortable with longer wear. I also added garden wire to the nose area so you can bend it around your nose for a more formed fit.
Just know that we are all out here trying to make everyone safe! We want to do all we can to lessen the curve from the coronavirus! I am located in Michigan and we have a high number of cases here, but our family has stayed home and we are trying to do what we can to make this go away so we can have a fun summer! We bought a new camper last year and would love to go out and enjoy it! And I know my kids are missing their friends and sports something fiercely right now!
The CDC is recommending that everyone that goes out wear a mask of some sort to help slow the spread COVID-19.