COVID 19 Face Mask: 10 Easy Steps DIY Mask

What Is A Mask?

Mask Definition: A covering made of fiber or gauze and fitting over the nose and mouth to protect against air pollutants, or made of sterile gauze and worn to prevent infection of the wearer or (in surgery) of the patient. And in the case of Coronavirus, it slows the spread of the virus. With the face mask on, you cover your mouth and nose, therefore, making it safe for you to interact with people when you are out from home giving you a low chance of contracting the virus.

The translation of Mask in Spanish is Mascarilla while in Italian is Mascherina so, regardless of, how you call it in your country or native language, wearing face masks is the new trend now as that is a way of keeping ourselves safe in this period.

Home-made mask making was not something that was common until recently when the COVID-19 pandemic struck the world resulting in emergent needs for masks. This, therefore, triggered individuals to start sewing mask by themselves for their own utilization.

(Do-It-Yourself) DIY mask is the new development as the novel coronavirus (COVID-19)  outbreak has caused total lockdown in almost every country all over the world. The CDC suggests wearing a face-covering whenever you go out to prevent transmission of the virus from one person to another. This led to healthcare services running short of medical masks as a result of the increase in its demand, most especially by COVID-19 patients in hospitals.

Donations Of N95 Mask Respirators

Donations of N-95 mask respirators are being sought for by Medical Centers (the suggested masks by CDC) specifically for health professionals working with infected patients during this pandemic. However, this action seemed insufficient as the need for N-95 masks rises. Profit and non-profit institutions, as well as individuals, are volunteering to sew COVID masks for healthcare workers and other medical services providers dealing front line with of the coronavirus patients.

Healthcare workers are going online to request for hand-sewn fabric masks. Instagram, Facebook groups and YouTube channels are flooded with crafters collaborating on how to make custom masks and give to medical experts. You can as well start making masks too regardless of whether you a tailor or not and you have a sewing machine or not. Although, there are important things you should have knowledge about before starting.

As you read further, you will have a better understanding of how to make face masks at home, from simple sewing tutorials with face mask template and mask images to directions from medical experts. With this tutorial you will be able to make different mask designs, you can either make your masks for sale or give out free masks by donating to health experts and your community.

Cloth masks serve as protection masks as instructed by CDC to slow the spread of the virus and prevent its transmission from one person to another.

Are Fabrics Face Masks Helpful?

It should be noted that fabric face masks are not as effective as the N-95 Mask for people treating COVID-19 in hospitals. Moreover, it also very useful like the N-95 masks since masks have become insufficient in hospitals. N-95 masks usage for adequate protection is instructed by the CDC, it also included making use of bandana or scarf in a case where there are no other options. With the current situation of this pandemic, people are beginning to make masks at home to replace bandanas and scarves.

The homemade masks are worn over the 3m N-95 masks to make it last for a longer period. The masks are originally made for a single-use but due to its limited availability health workers are advised to wear a similar P95 mask for a longer time than usual.

Hospital Face Mask Disposables

Medical professionals are requesting that any individual with new N-95 mask respirators and face mask disposables with N95 filter protection should sell these or give them to hospitals. As suggested by the CDC, the antiviral face masks are solely for health workers working frontline with patients. If you have N-95 masks you can either put up the masks for sale or give out free masks to hospitals where it is needed.

If you need to mask up yourself, kids, family, and other uninfected persons, these cloth face masks will keep you safe in public places where it can be difficult to really observe social distancing. A parent should mask kids too even when they are playing with other kids. Face masks for kids can be achieved by the same face mask DIY method with a smaller measurement to perfectly fit the kid's face, as well as the kids, face shield.

In addition, As directed by the CDC cloth face mask should not be placed on kids below age 2, anyone who has difficulty breathing, unconscious persons, or a disabled person that is unable to take off the mask without assistance.

When running you might want to say any need for a mask? With the current state of the pandemic, you would not want to take any chance of getting infected. It is better to keep safe at all times during this period, so you can use the homemade mask for running.

What Is The Best Material For Making A Mask?

The best fabric for homemade masks is a tightly woven, 100% cotton fabric. Examples are bedsheets, shades, and woven shirts if they are made of pure cotton. You should avoid knit fabrics when making donations because they create holes when stretched which might leave an opportunity for the virus to penetrate.

When sewing the face mask, a non-woven interface like image sample below is needed to block out particles for the reusable masks, elastic or tie to keep it firm on the face. HEPA furnace filters scored well and Stacked coffee filters had medium scores when tested by scientists for filtering microscopic particles. When choosing a fabric to use ensure that you test the breathability by first breathing with it in front of your mouth. It helps you to know if there would be ventilation in the mask you are about to make.

How To Make A Mask

There are various mask types and designs so the ways and steps in making them are different. The most important thing is to make sure your nose and mouth are covered. The below face mask template or illustrations of the mask will guide you through creating your fabric face mask. To start making a maks / mascarilla for yourself and loved ones download your PDF face mask pattern before starting to make your mask.

Face Mask Pattern Supplies

To start sewing ensure to have the following material – 100% breathable cotton fabric, an interface and elastic or tie. While some people use double-layered fabric, a face mask with a filter is better as it prevents particles from entering into the masks. You can get face masks filters on Amazon, eBay, and Walmart.

Before starting, please get a piece of paper, a pencil, ruler, scissors, safety pin, and thread, and a sewing machine if you have one.

Step 1. Drafting Mask On Paper

Print your PDF pattern and place it on a piece of paper. If your PDF pattern has no seam allowances add 1/4" all around and 3/4" at the sides of mask Next, cut out your new pattern pieces containing your seam allowances and place them on top of your fabrics.

Step 2. Cutting Your Mask 

Fold the fabric and interface fabric face to face and Cut out 2 main fabric pieces and 2 interface pieces. Remember you need to have 4 pieces total to make your mask.

Step 3. Sew Mask Fabrics

keep main fabric pieces and interface pieces together face to face and run a 1/4" of an inch stitch at the center as shown on images above.

Step 4. Mask Curve Side Clipping

Clip with a pair of scissors around the circle side of the mask to help mask to maintain a nice round shape when turning the mask seam inside.

Step 5. Place Mask interface Face Down

Open and press main fabric and interface pieces center seams then place interface piece face down and trim interface sides about 1/2" on both sides to prevent bulkiness when rolling sides to create the casing.

 Step 6. Sew Top And Bottom Of Mask

Now with the piece together run a stitch at the top and bottom of the mask using a 1/4" seam allowances all around.

Step 7. Roll Mask Side Edges 

Roll in mask side edges about 3/4" of an inch to create the elastic casing then, press flat seams using an iron if available or use tape to keep both sides of mask folded.

Step 8. Create Mask Elastic Casing

Now, with the 3/4" of an inch seam allowance already flat fold under 3/8" of an inch fabric to create a 3/8' casing then, edge stitch 1/16 to seal and create the casing for elastic.

Step 9. Insert Elastic In Mask Casing

Insert elastic using a safety pin. Measure 7 inches of elastic, this is a free measurement or you can use a shoelace if not elastic is available. then knot or hook elastic to safety and insert inside the elastic casing push through until it comes out from the opposite side.

Bind the elastics together by stitching with a needle or sewing matching. If you are using a white elastic or lace use a white thread, if it is black use a black thread.

Step 10. Wearing Your Finished Mask

Your finished mundschutz/cover should appear like the image on the left above. Proceed to wash it appropriately, dry it, and use it. Now you can start making fabric masks for everyone around you.

Disclaimer

This tapa bocas, cubre bocas won't replace an N-95 mask but limits your exposure to the virus. The CDC always recommends everyday preventive actions, such as hand washing and maintaining at least 6 feet of social distancing, to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases.

Given the recent outbreak, many have understood the advantages of utilizing face masks when going out in the open especially in public places where social distancing practice might be a challenge. Currently, almost all countries with active cases have ordered the compulsory use of face masks by its citizens.

Click here for the full details on the CDC directive about using homemade masks if there are no other options

Unfortunately, Online stores like Amazon, eBay, and Walmart are running out of stock due to it’s the high demand for masks. People are checking for face masks online as physical stores have limited or no quantity available.

The homemade face mask serves as a protective mask and gives you fewer chances of contracting the virus. It is just a precautionary measure and cannot be compared to your N95 mask.

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