CDC is recommending everyone wears a cloth face mask outside – here's how to make your own
Staying safe and protected outdoors has never been more important. The CDC has recommended that everyone wear a face mask – or, failing that, a cloth or piece of material of some description that covers the mouth and nose area.
Getting your hands on a face mask right now is near enough impossible. Because of this, we’ve seen people wearing all sorts of interesting cover-ups on their faces, from scarves and bandannas (more normal) to rubber dinosaur heads and gas masks (er – what?).
We’re not here to judge – any face cover-up is better than none. But if you’ve got a bit of time on your hands, and you don’t want to become the center of attention on your trips to the shops, it’s easier than you might think to make a standard-looking face mask.
All you need is your basic sewing kit essentials – a needle, some thread, and a spare bit of material.
Materials
First off, gather all the necessary materials for your project. If you have the exact things on the list below, you’ll be able to make the perfect DIY face mask.
You will need:
- 6 x 9 inch piece of fabric (Fabric #1)
- 7 x 9 inch piece of fabric (Fabric #2)
- 5 inch pieces of elastic (approximately 1/4 inch width thick)
- needle
- thread
- scissors
- ruler
Now to get started! Sit yourself down at a table and lay out your materials in front of you.
Step 1
Take Fabric #2, and cut it lengthwise down the center. This will leave you with 2 pieces of 7 x 4.5 inch fabric strips.
Step 2
Take one of the pieces of fabric, leaving the other one to the side for now. On the lengthwise edge of the piece, fold it inwards, about .5 cm.
It’s then time to get sewing. Thread a needle, and sew with a straight running stitch from one end to the other, closing off the fold. Don’t forget your sewing basics here – you’ll need to begin and end the stitch with a couple of knots, to prevent the whole thing from unravelling.
You only need to do this on one long edge. Leave the other edge as it is.
Step 3
Grab your other 7 x 4.5 inch piece of fabric and do exactly the same, folding and sewing one long edge. Then put both pieces to the side.
Step 4
Now you’ll need to pick up your final piece of material, the 6 x 9 inch piece. Lay it flat on your surface in front of you. Carefully place a strip of 5 inch elastic on top of the fabric, making sure it touches the top right corner, then extending diagonally towards the center. See the picture for reference.
Step 5
Take one of the 4.5 x 9 inch pieces of fabric, then place it over the top of the much larger Fabric #1. The edges need to be flush together, and the fabric should cover the elastic, like in the picture.
Step 6
Using your finger and thumb, take hold of the top right corner. Be sure to pinch the elastic to stop it from shifting under the material.
Poke your needle through the two pieces of fabric and the elastic, securing everything in place. Then repeat the stitch on the spot several times more, making sure to go through the material and elastic, to firmly hold everything together.
Step 7
Make a quick knot and tie it off. Next, sew another straight running stitch right along to the other edge of the fabric.
You’ll need to leave some space at the other end of the fabric, as this is where you will be attaching the second piece of elastic. See the next step for more details!
Keep your stitch open for now – don’t tie off just yet.
Step 8
Now take the second piece of elastic and lay it over the top left corner, as shown in the picture, again at a diagonal angle.
You can then finish off your sewing and tie off a knot.
Step 9
Still with us? Good! Your next job will be to sew the pieces together on the short edge, on both sides. Take a look at where the finger is pointing on the picture for clarity.
Don’t do anything with the remaining free long edge right now.
Your makeshift mask should look like this when you’re done. It’s starting to take shape.
Step 10
Take your fabric and turn it upside down, as shown in the picture below.
Next, place the final 4.5 x 9 inch piece of fabric over the top of the fabric.
Step 11
Grab your needle again, and this time, stitch the short edge of the material to your larger piece of fabric. Look at the area between the two thumbs on the picture for reference.
Once again, make sure to leave room for securing the elastic at the end.
Do the same on the other side.
Step 12
You’re nearly there! You’ll now need to sew together the long edge at the top.
Step 13
Get your fingers inside the center opening and turn the mask inside out, so it looks like this.
Here’s how the other side will look.
Step 14
Next up is making the folds.
The first fold needs to be around 1.2cm from the top. You can make sure it’s secure with pins.
Repeat the process twice more. You’re essentially doing an accordion fold – backwards then forwards.
Here’s what the finished result should look like.
Step 15
Now you just need to sew your pinned areas into place and remove the pins. It’ll look like this.
And that’s that – you made a mask! If you’re a creative soul, you’ll love being able to personalise your mask by using your own funky material. After all, when it’s your own creation, there’s no reason why it has to be hospital-blue, green or grey.
This mask would make a great gift for family and friends, or even supermarket staff and those who work in public environments right now. While it won’t stop you from catching COVID-19, according to the CDC, the protection it provides is better than nothing.
What are you waiting for? Grab your tools and give this DIY mask project a go. The video below goes into more detail about everything you’ll need to do.
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Source: Home Hacks, YouTube, CDC