How to make a Face Mask to help Health Care Providers

In today's postal service: Learn how to make a face mask and find free face mask patterns so you tin can donate masks to health care providers with no other options. #millionmaskmayday

Well-nigh a calendar month agone my sister recommended I share a free face mask pattern on my blog for people who want to sew homemade masks. While I idea it was a good idea, I decided not to create my ain pattern because I cannot guarantee the effectiveness of a homemade mask and I did not want to indicate in any way that homemade face up masks can replace medical grade protection. However, due to extreme shortages of N-95 masks, some hospitals have begun asking for volunteers to run up textile masks.

I HATE the idea that the wellness care professionals (and offset responders) who are already sacrificing so much for united states may not take the protection that they demand. I wanted to figure out how I can aid, and I decided to compile what I've learned into a mail then you can help too! In this post you will notice:

• Info from the CDC on whether homemade confront masks should exist used
• Links to organizations that are analogous volunteers
• Links to face mask patterns that yous can sew at home
• Step past stride sewing video showing yous EXACTLY HOW TO MAKE A MASK

If yous are looking for Easy homemade mask tutorials for personal use, including no-sew options, delight visit this mail service: Easy Homemade Face Mask Videos

PLEASE READ: Due to some comments I need to clarify here that I am non promoting use of fabric masks as a *good* alternative to medical grade masks. I am non making whatever claims as to the effectiveness of the homemade masks. I am not trying to say medical professionals should not have or do non deserve to have N95s. Instead, I am simply sharing the fact that some hospitals, care centers, etc., have asked for these masks to be donating and then they can use them equally a last resort due to the extreme shortage of N95s right at present. These masks may be used in lower risk situations so N95s tin exist conserved during this extreme shortage. Please see the info from the CDC below and then contact your local wellness care institutions OR one of the organizations listed below if you would like to help.

Should I make a homemade face mask? What does the CDC say?

Homemade face masks should never be considered a meliorate or comparable option to medical masks such as the N95. Nonetheless, due to mask shortages around the land, the CDC has issued new guidance:

In settings where facemasks are not available, HCP [health care professionals] might use homemade masks (e.g., bandana, scarf) for intendance of patients with COVID-xix as a concluding resort. link to source

The CDC cautions that the effectiveness of homemade masks is not completely known; however Masks Now Coalition cites a Cambridge University written report that finds textile masks may be 80% as effective at filtration as surgical masks. link to source

Homemade fabric masks may exist used in low risk situations and then that health professionals can conserve their approved personal protection equipment for college risk situations. Additionally, health care centers, first responders and others may be interested in whatsoever protection a fabric mask tin can provide.

Delight note that many organizations are requesting masks that have a filter layer OR a pocket for filter. At that place are links to both types of patterns beneath. Please determine what organization you lot volition be donating to and cheque for their specific requirements.

Organizations coordinating volunteers to brand face masks

After extensive research, I believe these are the two best resources if you'd like to brand face masks to donate:

1. THE MASKS At present COALITION was founded to match volunteers with organizations in demand. From their website: "Mask makers, a physician, logistics and It experts, creators, former federal officials, and artists converged speedily to grade The Masks Now Coalition. Coalition partner Created for Crisis developed a iii-layer mask design, bringing together the best elements of circulating patterns into a design which is quick and piece of cake to sew."

According to the Masks Now Coalition FB page, their mask pattern was adult in cooperation with the CDC. The pattern is easy to follow and includes a filter layer. Information technology also includes extensive instructions and then you know who are sewing and handling your materials properly. You can sign up every bit a volunteer at their website and you volition be contacted by a pb in your state once a demand has been established.

I have created a step by step video that will walk you through EVERYTHING you need to know to sew the Masks Now pattern. You can notice the video in this post below the heading "Confront Mask Instructional Video" (a few paragraphs downwards).

2. Hither IS A LIST that's being compiled by UC Berkeley School of Public Health that lists hospitals and other organizations in your state that are looking for masks. It also lists whether the organizations are requesting a specific pattern. Note – in that location are SO MANY hospitals in California requesting masks at this bespeak!

Additionally you can contact wellness organizations, care centers, fire houses, homeless shelters, etc., in your local area. Grocery store workers and postal workers may besides appreciate these masks. It will exist easier to drop off masks locally than to try to transport them to other areas. It'due south likewise possible that health care organizations in your area DO NOT want masks at this fourth dimension – and then check before you outset. Also remember to detect out if the place you want to stitch for has specific recommendations or requirements.

***If your local Jo-Ann store is still open, they are collecting masks to distribute locally***

Face Mask Instructional Video

I have created this video to walk you through the construction of the Masks Now pattern, available hither. Please go to that link to download the blueprint packet, which includes instructions. It can exist hard to follow sewing instructions without visuals, so the video beneath should help. You lot can as well sign upwardly as a volunteer at The Masks Now Coalition website to find out where to donate in your area.

This face mask starts with a rectangle that is 9 inches wide and viii.5 inches tall. That is a size Large, which will likely fit men better than women. For a slightly smaller mask, first with a rectangle that is 8 inches broad and 7.25 inches tall.

Please note that this pattern uses nonwoven, non fusible interfacing as a filter layer. Equally directed on the pattern, I used Pellon 830 for this layer. You can find it at Jo-Ann through this link, and you can probably likewise society it from whatever other craft/sewing store. One chiliad of Pellon 830 is plenty for 16 masks.

Other Face Mask Patterns

When sewing a homemade face mask, please employ a good quality tightly woven cotton, such equally a quilting cotton fiber. Also delight be sure to wash and dry your material on hot/high before you cut out pieces and begin sewing. Also, exist certain to wash your easily before you handle your clean materials or brainstorm sewing.

Recall to check and see if the organization you are sewing for is requesting a specific pattern. If not, you can utilize one of the patterns beneath:

NOTE: It has gotten very hard to detect rubberband at this signal, so I take marked with an asterisk * the patterns below that utilize straps instead of elastic. Nigh of the patterns use bias tape for straps. You can purchase bias tape, just it'southward actually quite easy to brand your own from the same fabric you are using to make the mask (and this is preferable because then information technology will be 100% cotton fiber).

*This link is to a video tutorial for a face mask. It uses straps instead of elastic, has a pocket for a filter to be added, and includes (optional) wire to shape over the nose. This appears to be a VERY Practiced option for a design, although you lot will need to cheque with wherever you are donating to see if they want the wire added or not.

The Turban Projection/Deaconess Mask This face mask pattern was designed by the Turban Projection and has been shared by Deaconess Health Systems as part of their plea for people to start sewing masks. This mask is extremely piece of cake to sew – information technology starts with a rectangle of cloth that is pleated to mimic a surgical mask and uses elastic that goes effectually the ears. At the link you'll find a video showing you how to make it. I've already fabricated a few of these and if you accept some sewing experience you lot'll probable be able to make each one in about 15 minutes.

*Sweet Ruby Poppy Bias Tape Mask This pattern is a great selection considering it uses bias tape straps instead of elastic, which has gotten very hard to notice. Information technology's the same general blueprint equally the Deaconess Mask but it as well includes a pocket that the health care provider tin insert an boosted filter into. Photo beneath from Sugariness Crimson Poppy.

Button Counter Face Mask This mask is adequately similar to the Deaconess mask and is also quite uncomplicated to brand. This i is good if you adopt a written tutorial with LOTS of example photos to a video. Photo below from Button Counter.

*Fu Face Mask This is another elementary mask blueprint – I've sewn up a few of these now and will add a photo soon. This 1 doesn't accept pleats, but instead is curved to give good face up coverage. The Fu Face Mask uses bias tape or ribbon for ties, and then information technology may be a good choice if you are having problem finding elastic. Printable pattern PLUS video instructions.

*A.B. Face Mask This confront mask was designed past Jessica Nandino and shared on Instructables. Information technology has pleats in front and ties that become effectually the head on top and the neck on the lesser. This pattern is a little more fourth dimension consuming to make because of how the ties are attached simply as well appears to offer a good, comfortable fit. AND it's designed to fit over an N95 mask and maybe extend the life of those. Photo below from jessica.nandino on Instructables.

Craft Passion Face Mask This mask pattern is available in four sizes and really uses elastic pilus ties to get over the ears. Instead of pleats it uses a contoured fit over the nose. Photo below from Craft Passion.

I hope and pray that manufacturers are able to produce the medical class confront masks our health intendance professionals demand! In the concurrently, sewing homemade confront masks for them to use as a terminal resort is 1 pocket-size thing I tin do to aid during this difficult fourth dimension.

Permit me know if you end upward sewing some as well – I'd honey to encounter u.s.a. work together to make a difference!

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