Face Masks Are Essential!
**For the latest and greatest, please visit my Facebook group. All patterns are free to use!**
We have a shortage of face masks. We also have a virus that is highly communicable when a person is asymptomatic – no fever, no cough. We need more face masks!! The every day person does not need them as much as the medical workers and those who are sick, yes, but why not make as many as possible?!
I am attaching a template for a face mask that works pretty well. I made mine with layers of interfacing and a wool insert that you can clean and cook in the microwave for three minutes. You could consider using tissues or anything nonwoven. How effective is it? NO IDEA. I know there are ASTM methods and labs where it could be tested, but I figure, if it could be done with everyday fabrics, we would already be enlisting companies to produce them, right? (although this doctor is making hospital grade ones in a pinch)
I used THIS VIDEO to help me make the first mask. I made mine a little bigger and added a metal nose bridge for a tighter fit (using aluminum beading wire), some midweight interfacing, and a wool insert because of its better permeability rates that normal cloth – all based on a collaboration with a good friend of mine who has been living this for over a year because her daughter has leukemia. PLEASE make sure you are saving commercial masks for the people who really need them!
**PLEASE NOTE, IF YOU ARE SHORT ON INTERFACING, WE ARE THINKING THAT ONE LAYER (2CUTS) PER MASK MIGHT BE MORE THAN ENOUGH. THE WOOL INSERT IS JUST A BONUS.**
I am not saying that I can produce an N95 respirator with materials from JoAnn Fabrics, but we can definitely limit how much we are transmitting. I saw a lot of posts of people making fun of folks in China who were using sanitary napkins and Coke bottles to protect themselves and to protect other people. Again, if you are not showing symptoms, you can still be a carrier. “In some areas of China, according to simulations of the virus spread published in the journal Science, almost 9 OUT OF 10 INFECTIONS were caused by asymptomatic carriers.” Despite social stigma, despite what the media and doctors are saying, if we leave our homes because we HAVE to work, HAVE to buy groceries, or we HAVE to be around people for any reason we should ALL be wearing face masks!!
But, for now, something is better than nothing. I am posting this pattern and I will probably start sewing these to at least get them to people who need them (friends, family, restaurant workers). I use a regular old sewing machine for most of it. I hope this is helpful for folks and I really hope that we start making these available to all those restaurant workers who are trying to stay afloat. Hopefully, this step by step guide as well as the 8.5×11 pdf’s can come in handy.
JOIN MY FACEBOOK GROUP AT https://www.facebook.com/groups/facemaskdiy/
Is this just felt??? Sorry for my confusion. When I search at joanns it is showing felt
I figured felted wool would provide barrier similar to a non woven, but, in the end, a kleenex tissue might do the trick just as well and those are a bit easier to come by. Thanks!
If there is kleenex in there, won’t it mess up when it is washed?
You would use fresh kleenex or coffee filters everytime.
Hi. I used your design…but used sew-in interfacing that was cut the same size as your face fabric. Then I sewed each interfacing in using a small seam allowance…all the way around each interfacing piece. From there, I followed tour directions.
What about using a 12 cup coffee filter folded in half …for the filter.
I used green floral wire folded over twice and twisted…for the nose wire.
To get it inserted…I first sew a narrow pocket at one end…to stick that wire in.
I really appreciate all of your work.
I also used the elastic around each ear.
What guage was the beading wire you used when making your masks? You said you found it on Amaxon, can you share the site with me? Thank you
12 gauge wire. https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B0751YB21D/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_Sn1GEb2KGZ463
I share more material info on my Facebook group, https://www.facebook.com/groups/facemaskdiy/.
Thank you very much…. I downloaded the patterns and will make these – you’re inspirational!
I wonder about the result with washing om 60 degres, with both wool and a metal wire? I think these maskes, or all facemasks should be washable. What are your experience on that subject?
THE WOOL SHOULD DEFINITELY BE WASHED SEPARATELY. WE HAVE NOT HAD ANY ISSUES WITH THE WIRE BEING WASHED YET.
Just wondering about the iron on interfacing do you have a peel off backing of so do you remove it? I bought some stablelizer and it has a peek off backing wondering if I should be removing it or leaving it in place.
If it has a peel off backing, it might be the type that is almost like a glue to adhere layers together…not sure that is what you want for this application.