It seems we have not been as attentive to our blog as usual. The reason? Face masks!! These last few weeks have been crazy with a demand for homemade face masks. What started out as a handful soon became hundreds that we were suddenly making.
My daughter started sewing face masks as a service project, but the requests came pouring in and she began charging a small amount to help with the cost of fabric.
With coronavirus still making people sick and taking lives, the CDC suggests a cloth mask may help with decreasing transmission since anyone can carry COVID19 but not be affected by it, or have it and be contagious without experiencing symptoms.
In my nutrition classes I have taken, we have learned a bit about viruses. Viruses are airborne and generally linger in the air for minutes to several hours, and is transmitted by coughing, sneezing, through bodily fluids, dirty hands and talking. Coronavirus or COVID19 can travel 1 meter from person to person, thus the 6 feet (2 meter) social distancing rule. The coronavirus is much more contagious than first thought. Wearing a mask can help in this instance in that you are not breathing in the particles directly (or transmitting them!) from simply talking to someone!
Now before we get too far, there is no replacement for a surgical mask or a N95 respirator, but I agree with the CDC in that the general population can benefit from fabric face masks while leaving the surgical masks for our medical community. You can easily leave the sides open to insert a filter (I have heard of many using coffee filters), a disposable mask, or you can also add antimicrobial bamboo cloth to absorb any dampness and lessen bacteria and add extra layers for added protection.
We simply make a 2-layer face mask as opposed to a 3-layer like a surgical mask or a 4-layer with the added layer of antimicrobial similar to the N95 mask. It is quite simple to add extra layers as needed when sewing plus there are so many options out there and using cotton will help keep it breathable.
Do I wear a mask? I absolutely do. I would hate to be a carrier and unknowingly infect others or bring it home to my family. But, in the end, you need to do what is right for you. Some will wear it for protection. Some wear it because of autoimmune diseases, and we have actually sewn many masks for the immunocompromised who wear masks year round. Some wear it out of fear. Some wear it to help keep family members healthier. Some wear it because jobs require them. No matter what our reason, let’s build each other up and help each other out during this pandemic. The surgical masks and N95’s are needed for our medical community, so I am completely comfortable wearing a homemade fabric mask that I launder as needed.
Please be safe out there!! We are all in this together. Stay home as much as possible and take precautions when out and about!
We have attached the straps to the outermost part of the mask and left the sides open for them to insert their filters in.
These face masks are easy to launder as well. After use, place them in a washing machine or wash by hand with hot soapy water. Place in the dryer or allow to air dry. When removing the mask, untie and place in a bag and wash when you arrive back home. Remember to wash your hands!
Now that we have that out of the way, let’s get to mask making!!
We initially started sewing one adult size only before children’s sizing was requested. We have included patterns for toddlers 3 & under (though masks are not recommended for children under 2), children 4+ as well as for adults.
First of all, you’ll need 1/4 metre or 10” of fabric for the straps and another 1/4 metre for the mask – you’ll have fabric left over.
Let’s start with the straps. You’ll need 4 straps, cut 2.5” wide and 18” to 20” long. For the children’s mask, the straps will be 2.5″ wide and 16 to 17″ long.
Sew or fold in the end of a strap piece. Then fold each side so it meets in the middle. Fold in half and sew as shown below. This will make the straps look tidy.
Next, we will work on the mask.
We need 4 pieces total – 2 for the front and 2 for the face side.
We leave the fabric folded in half as it comes off the bolt to cut out the masks. If you open the fabric completely, you will need to cut the mask out and flip it to cut out another so each side matches.
Take 2 pieces (I started with the inside, face side) and place good side to good side, sew them along the curved edge. Then put small cuts into the curved edge — this will help the mask sit flat against the face. On another mask I made, I forgot to cut it and it was quite bulky, a bit uncomfortable and did not sit nicely on the face.
Sew and cut slits in the outside front mask part as well.
Once the above step is completed for the front side and face side of the mask, we make the edges look neat by turning it in 1/4″ and sewing the sides and bottom in. We do it this way to make it much simpler in the joining process.
If you would rather skip this step, then pin it and it will be sewn when we join the two sides and sew the straps.
🧵 Next, we need to join them.
Place the front side and face side together, good sides in.
Sew across the top, which is the peaked part, making sure edges line up as best as possible while sewing. Back stitch along the way.
Flip open.
Shape into mask by putting rough sides together and lining everything up. We often fiddle with this a bit to be sure it’s shaped good.
Time to sew the bottom closed.
Line up bottom edge and sew, backstitching. Remove pins if used.
Mask is almost complete! You really can be creative, using any fabric color or pattern you like!
We will be placing the straps in the sides that we sewed earlier, and sewing them closed.
If you need to be able to insert a filter, leave the sides open by sewing the straps to the front side like pictured below.
Place straps in — 1 at the top and 1 at the bottom. Sew along the side, backstitching. Do this for the other side too.
Yay!! The mask is now completed!
Patterns can be found here: https://adobefreeuserschannel.na1.documents.adobe.com/public/fs?aid=CBFCIBAA3AAABLblqZhCoB126nYOWT1xyWmJ7Kq5g8_tCHSHF29NLEF-W4TJbAmci1iwffWsQLLzfxCjh-zU%2A
enjoy from Our City Homestead to yours