I made a face mask that's easier to make than others I've seen.

[femmedem]

A lot of diy facemasks are made of two layers of cotton with a layer of nonwoven interfacing in between. The interfacing not only gives them shape, but does a better job of blocking microparticles than woven cotton.

I didn't have any interfacing. Also, I didn't have a sewing machine. But I had an old rice bag made out of the same type of water-resistant, nonwoven fabric that a lot of tote bags are made from. And I didn't have elastics to use to hold it on, but I had an old pair of black tights. I cut the legs into long, narrow strips, pulled them tight so they would roll in on themselves and knotted the ends. If you don't have tights, an old jersey t-shirt would work.

Next I cut the nonwoven material into a 6x9 rectangle. No need to hem because it wasn't woven. I sewed the ties I'd made from my tights onto all four corners. Then I folded the mask a couple of times along the sides to make two pleats (watch any of the mask-making videos to see how; fabricpatch.net has a few good ones) leaving me with a 3x9 rectangle. Sewing the pleats in place by hand took just a few minutes.

It fits well, it's easy to keep clean and I'm not sure that layers of cotton would add significant protection.

Just posting in case anyone else is wanting to make a mask but doesn't have a sewing machine or elastic or interfacing. Most of us have tote bags, right?

[MLAA]

1. I'm going to try your non-sewing machine approach, thanks!

[femmedem]

10. You're welcome! I just tested mine out.

It stayed in place and was comfortable with a half mile walk in each direction, plus shopping.

[Fresh_Start]

2. another non-sewing approach to face mask..cut from old T-shirt.

if you can make double layer even better.
But easier than any other I've seen.
https://www.instructables.com/id/Make-a-Dust-Mask-Out-of-a-Tee-Shirt/

[femmedem]

17. I was surprised to read that doubling t-shirts only allows you to capture 1-2% more particles

but makes it much harder to breathe through them. Seems counter-intuitive, but that's the research. So that easy, no-sew, single-layer approach is good as is.

[MagickMuffin]

3. I'm not certain about the tote bag route, I've heard using HEPA filters works the best

Vacuum bags is what I've heard about using.

I'm wanting to make some just unable to print out the patterns on some of the designs I want to use.


I'm happy to hear you were able to make one relativity easy. Easy works for me.

[Flaleftist]

6. Why can't you print them out?

Can you lay a piece of paper over your monitor and trace it?

And if you can't find the vacuum bags, look for high quality air conditioner/furnace filters FPR 10 or MERV 11-13 is what I've read filters up to .3 microns.

[femmedem]

9. I didn't print out a pattern, just measured out a 6x9 rectangle.

You want your rectangle to be 3x9 inches after you've sewn the pleats.

Vacuum bags are very effective but hard to breathe through. https://smartairfilters.com/en/blog/best-materials-make-diy-face-mask-virus/

[Blecht]

4. Polypropylene mesh is a good material for a hydrophobic layer

We found it in our house -- bed skirts are often made of 100% polypropylene mesh.

My wife sews (and works in a hospital lab). They had no protection until this week, so she's been making masks for herself and us (me and our two kids). Her hospital is now giving lab workers 2 masks a day.

[femmedem]

12. Yes, the same video I watched that recommended tote bag material recommended bed skirts, too.

Jesus, that must have been terrifying with no protection.

[msongs]

5. saw a video using bra cups to make a mask. creative ppl abound nt

[Blecht]

14. That is the opinion of these two authors

Read the article carefully, and you will see that there are several holes in their arguments.

[femmedem]

16. I'd thought so too, but the articles I've read more recently caused me to change my mind.

They definitely aren't a cure-all, just a supplement to distancing, handwashing, etc.

But while masks don't capture all the particles, according to researchers at Cambridge University they capture at least 50%. And since a higher virus load seems to be associated with more severe symptoms, I think it's an important help. At the very least, they will prevent people from unconsciously touching their noses and mouths.

https://smartairfilters.com/en/blog/best-materials-make-diy-face-mask-virus/

[Vinca]

8. I thought I'd go searching through the house for old turtlenecks. It seems to me

if you cut the neck part of it off would make a pretty good mask. I went grocery shopping today in mask and gloves. I didn't think shopping for groceries could be any more of a pain in the ass, but I was wrong.

[Lars39]

11. I'll post your op in the Sewing Mask Threads Compilation

Sewing Mask Threads Compilation
https://www.democraticunderground.com/10321712

[femmedem]

13. Thanks! I didn't know there was such a compilation.

I'm glad there's a one-stop place for this information.

[Lars39]

15. I may have missed a few, but there's quite a lot there.

Duers are so creative and generous.