How To Make Your Own Face Mask

To limit the spread of COVID-19, the CDC and other health agencies have begun recommending citizen to wear face masks. The reason for this is quite simple. To stop the transmission of the disease from those who have the virus and don't quite know about it.

If you've contracted the virus, you can transmit it while you’re:

  • Presymptomatic: Meaning you have the virus but don't show symptoms yet.
  • Asymptomatic: You've contracted the virus however never develop any symptons.

 

Cloth face masks can stop you from transmitting the virus to those around you by blocking your droplets from reaching others. You can also protect yourself if your mask has a filter option which you can add that extra layer of protection.

 

So how do I make my own mask?

You’ll need the following material to make your own mask:

  • Cotton Fabric: Do your best to use 100% cotton that’s tightly woven. Quilting fabric, t-shirts, or even pillow cases/bed sheets will work fine.
  • Elastic Bands: Hair ties or rubber bands will work if you don’t have elastic bands at home.
  • Sewing Material: Sewing machine is the best option, however sewing needles and thread will do just fine.
  • Filter Material: Coffee filters work best, if that’s not an option then vacuum filters or HVAC filters WITHOUT fiberglass will work as well. Please make sure your filter does NOT contain fiberglass.

Now let’s get to the making a face mask part:

  1. Cut your fabric into two 8 inches by 8 inches high pieces of fabric.
  2. Put the two pieces together, and fold each one of edges about a ¼ inch inward and sew.
  3. Fold the square in half.
  4. Once folded in half, make two or three pleats (the bends in the middle of face masks) in the center of the mask. We recommend making the first pleat about ¾ inch from the top. Make each pleat about ¼ to ½ inch deep.
  5. Hold the pleats one at a time in place, and stitch the pleat in place. Leave about ¼ inches gap between the edge of the fabric and the stitch line for the elastic if you can’t sandwich the elastic in between the two layers. If you have a sewing machine, we recommend stitching a straight line above the pleats with the elastic tucked in between. If no sewing machine is available, then we recommend stitching the pleats in place one at a time.
  6. Once all the pleats are completed, now comes the elastic part. If you weren’t able to stitch the elastic bands and the pleats together, now is the time to make use of that ¼ inch gap you left earlier. Tuck the elastic in between the fabric layers in each corner and stitch them in place. Ensure the plastic bands are stitched together well and securely to prevent any failures.

 

That’s all there is to it. Making a face mask is a lot easier that it seems.  

If you don’t have the material, we recommend getting our DIY make making kit here: DIY Face Mask Making Kit

If you don’t want to be making your own, we also sell readymade masks here: Face Masks Pack