Wearing a face mask has become an essential part of the routine to help limit the spread of coronavirus. People have to wear one when stepping out of their houses. Under certain circumstances, one has to wear a mask even while inside one’s house premises.
Masks can be medical face masks or homemade cloth masks. The available medical face masks are provided with respirators. These are compulsory for medical departments and are suggested for the general public too. One can use a more eco-friendly option, like a cloth face mask. The government has approved homemade cloth masks as a precautionary shield against the virus.
How to make a mask at home?
Before making any mask, remember the basic principle, the more layers, the better the mask. The mask must be fit for your face, not hanging downwards or loose from the sides. Also, you should be able to breathe comfortably.
How to choose a material for the mask?
You should ensure that the material you’re using should be neither too thick nor too thin. It should be breathable. Hold your material up to the light and find out how much you can see through it. The lesser you see the better the mask would be. If the material is too thin the mask won’t be effective. If the material is too thick you won’t be able to breathe comfortably.
Here’s our guide and step-by-step instructions on how to make different types of face masks at home.
Bandana style mask
The quickest and easiest way to make a face mask is by using a bandana or a scarf.
Requirements:
Bandana/ scarf/ handkerchief
Elastic bands/ hair ties
- Choose a bandana or a scarf that is of the right size for your face(or cut it accordingly).
- Lay the cloth flat on a surface.
- Fold the top and fold the bottom to meet the top fold.
- Place rubber bands or hair ties about 6 inches apart.
- Fold side to the middle and tuck securely.
Old t-shirt mask
Requirements:
Old t-shirt
Scissors
Coffee filter/ paper towel
- Draw a pattern on the t-shirt.
- Cut along the pattern to get two layers of the t-shirt.
- Pin or stitch one side.
- Insert the coffee filter or paper towel.
- Pin or stitch the other side.
- Tie at the back so that it fixes tight across the nose and the mouth. (You can also stitch elastic bands around the mask).
Show your sewing skills
Requirements:
Cotton fabric
Elastic bands/ hair ties
Sewing machine
Thread
Scissors
- Take the material and cut it to around 10×6 inches.
- Put the two pieces of the material on top of each other. You can use different colors of the material to ensure the front and the back.
- Fold over (0.5 cm) the top of the material and stitch all the way across.
- Fold over (0.5 cm) the bottom up of the material and stitch all the way across.
- Fold the sides (1 cm) leaving a gap to thread an elastic.
- Thread a 15 cm piece of elastic bands on either side of the hem and tie the ends. Then stitch the elastic well.
The needle art
Requirements:
Cotton fabric
Elastic bands/ hair ties
Needle
Thread
Scissors
- Take the material and cut it to around 10×6 inches.
- Put the two pieces of the material on top of each other. You can use different colors of the material to ensure the front and the back.
- Fold over (0.5 cm) the top of the material and stitch all the way across.
- Fold over (0.5 cm) the bottom up of the material and stitch all the way across.
- Fold the sides (1 cm) leaving a gap to thread an elastic.
- Thread a 15 cm piece of elastic bands on either side of the hem and tie the ends. Then stitch the elastic well.
How not to wear a mask?
- Do not leave your nose uncovered.
- Do not touch the front of the mask.
- Do not wear it around your chin.
- Do not wear a loose-fitting mask.
- Do not share your mask.
- Do not wear it on your forehead.
Have fun making these face masks by yourself at home. Make enough to survive aplenty.
