I really should have posted this a while ago, but it was only the other day, when I read that the Guardian newspaper website were looking for photos of people's homemade face masks that I even took a photo of my mask!
I've made several of these masks, some for myself, some for Crafty Green Boyfriend and one for my Dad (who has also got masks he bought locally).
I adapted a design I found online (sorry, I don't have the link). Basically:
Cut two 10 inch by 6 inch rectangles of cotton fabric and lay them on top of each other.
Fold over the long sides 1/4 inch and hem.
Fold over 1/2 inch along short sides and stitch down.
Thread a long shoe lace or other cord through the hem on each side so that it loops at the top and can be tied in a bow at the bottom
Gather the sides of the mask on the cord and adjust so it fits your face
Stitch the cord and fabric in place at the corners to keep from slipping
A pocket can be left between the two layers for inserting a replaceable filter (which could be a paper towe, a coffee filter or someting similar).
You can of course use elastic loops instead of the shoe lace / cord but the latter tends to be better if you wear glasses (I certainly found that my mask fell off all the time when it had elastic loops.)
To prevent your glasses from steaming up when wearing your mask, make sure it fits snugly on your nose and tuck it under your glasses. Apparently if this doesn't work, you can put a piece of double sided sticky tape between your nose and the mask. Don't touch the front of the mask while wearing it and make sure it fits
properly. It should cover both your nose and your chin. Remove the mask
by touching only the cord / elastic and wash regularly. Don't pull your mask down to talk to people!
Wearing a mask like this can reduce the chances of passing on the coronavirus and if everyone wears a mask or other face covering in indoor spaces or crowded outdoor spaces then everyone is protected.
It isn't necessary for your mask to colour co-ordinate with your living room wallpaper.
Remember social distancing and regular hand washing / sanitising are also required to minimise the risk of infection. Also avoid crowds and poorly ventilated indoor spaces.
Other mask designs are available, and many shops sell re-usable masks.
Hello,
ReplyDeleteLooks easy, wearing the mask is important..
Take care! Enjoy your day!
Thank you for blogging this, CGP. A kind friend has just made us two masks each, which are very timely in my case as I have a routine blood test coming up in a local clinic, my first 'indoor outing' since mid-March. When I tried covering my nose and mouth on the beach yesterday, I found it quite hard to see my feet below the mask and therefore to balance... so I think glasses and tape may be the answer.
ReplyDeleteMy daughter has made plenty of masks--she uses quilting cloth. Someone recently suggested putting pipe cleaners in the top of the mask to help it bend around the nose--I suggested that but no one has any pipe cleaners
ReplyDeletewww.thepulpitandthepen.com
Hi Eileen, it is easy to make and masks are important!
ReplyDeleteCaroline - hope the tape helps you wear the mask comfortably.
Jeff 0 yes pipe cleanres would work, that's true, if you have any!