Are you protecting yourself and your loved ones?
We’ve all heard the daily reports stating there aren’t enough face masks for our health care providers! Every day I think about those who work in our markets,police and fire departments,postal delivery along with millions of others facing the COVID-19 threat each and every day. My son-in-law just started a new job and is required to wear a mask to work, submit to thermal temperature testing as he travels to and from the office each day. All measures which will we pray will keep him safe!
More than 2 million cases have been reported around the world!
Recently I decided to dig out my 40 year old sewing machine to start making masks! You can too! You don’t have to purchase fabric, recycle your favorite t shirts and sheets. T shirt fabric is soft and makes a wonderfully soft liner fabric. Choose two different colors, this way you’ll be sure to use the same side close to the face!
You’ll need
- Cotton fabric- 2 pieces
- Elastic or cording
- Thread
Elastic is tough to find!
This is where we get creative! I used elastic headbands for these masks but you can use hair ties as well. Beading elastic, Butchers twine, clothesline and cording can work as substitutes.
- Cut 2 pieces of fabric 9”x6” (adult size) or 7.5”x5”(child size)
- Elastic: cut (2) 7” pieces of elastic, Cording/twine cut (2) 34” pieces of cording/twine
Begin by...
stitching the fabric (right sides facing one another) together along each of the 9” edges. Turn right side out and press. Press (3) 1” pleats on mask and pin in place. Stitch pleats in place along edge.
Using elastic…
Pin elastic under top and bottom corner and stitch in place. I usually stitch two or three times to assure a tight hold!
Using cording or twine…
turn 3/8” under on each end/ press and pin. Now, top stitch ¼” from edge leaving enough room for the cording to pass through.
Ready to go! A cheerful mask!
I have 40 masks ready…
to send to the local hospitals this week. We used elastic decorative trim for these masks! Fun! I’m sure the health care providers will love them.
We have a group of ladies cutting fabric, sewing and delivering completed masks to those in need throughout the community. We practice safe distancing by working in our home; supplies are picked up and dropped off on front porches! I hope you’ll try making these for your loved ones. I’ll be sending masks to my family members this week. Many communities are now requiring masks to be worn outdoors! Be safe and stay healthy!
And as always, blessings to you all!
These are really great Mrs Bird! I've got my fabric ready, want to make a couple but saw a different design where you sew a pocket in for a filter, one uses a fabric they use for aircon filters, apparently vacuum cleaner filter bags are also good but I like your design as well, think I'll make this as well. Sounds like this virus is going to be around for a long while so we'd better wear our masks!
Unbelievable isn't it @lizelle! I definitely think we'll need to have a mask on hand for a while so make a few extras 😀 I have the pattern for a filter as well, I may incorporate that with my next batch. I pray you and your family are staying healthy! xx
Thank you my friend and I will uphold you and your family as well, I was actually worried when you were so quiet! Please take care, my older son sent me a video on how to sterilize groceries, he's quite paranoid about it but has been working from home even before our lockdown! He lectures us all the time. Take care of yourselves xxx
Great project and the masks looks great too!!
Thank you @rynow! I have a feeling we may need these for a while, making washable alternatives sounded like a good idea! Stay healthy!
Love seeing all of these types of posts with people coming together to help provide the community with what it desperately needs! I'm sure getting such a cute mask helps brighten up the day during these trying times. Hope the Bird family is all safe and well!
Hi Katie!!! Good to see you, how are you faring during this lockdown period? I have a feeling we may need to have these masks for a while so making something washable sounded like a good idea! Please stay healthy and safe! xx
Thank you! Truly appreciate the curation! 😀
Such a great idea to use the elastic from the head bands!
I know! You can also recycle bathing suit and sports bra straps too 😃 I hope you and your family are staying healthy and safe @lymepoet. Great to hear from you
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wonderful masks indeed ! and so greatly done ..! 👍👏