People all around the globe are facing the challenge and the threat posed by the growing pandemic of COVID-19 the Corona Virus. For preventing the spread of the virus in the country it is necessary to take preventive measures like wearing face mask, washing hands, maintaining social distancing, etc.
Masks act as a simple barrier and prevent respiratory droplets from traveling into the air and onto other people while the person wears the mask coughs, talks, sneezes or raises their voice. This is known as the source control and is based on what we know about the role respiratory droplets play in the spread of the virus causing Covid-19. The clinical and laboratory studies show that masks reduce the spray of droplets when people wear over the nose and mouth. Covid-19 mainly spreads among people who are in close contact with one another and the use of masks is essential at places where people are close to each other and social distancing is difficult to maintain.
There are ample benefits of wearing a mask. Why not try some of the DIY (Do-it-yourself) ideas to make a mask at home? Continue to read to know about the ideas. Making a mask is really easy and some of the ideas mentioned do not require any sewing skills. Mask is becoming compulsory for all people all around the globe. It is a skill to make one, though you can buy one.
DIY Ideas to Make Mask At Home
1. How to make a Bandana-style face mask
2. Making a face mask using a T-shirt
3. Mask without the use of sewing machine
4. Mask made with the help of sewing machine.
1. How to make a Bandana-style face mask
Things needed
- A bandana or scarf
- 2 x elastic or rubber bands of hair ties.
- A coffee filter, paper towel or kitchen roll (optional)
Making this mask is very easy. Take the right bandana or a scarf or your mask will not be able to breathe properly. Hold the scarf to light to see if you can see through it. The less light you see the better it will be. If the material is too thin then the mask will not be effective. Cotton fabric is the best material for making a mask.
Fold your bandana in half, and again fold it twice- lengthways from the top and bottom both. You can add a square piece of a coffee filter, paper towel of kitchen roll to the mask which can be changed later.
Place the rubber bands or hair ties around the strip of material and fold the material in towards the middle. This tucks the ends into each other
Also Read: DIY Ideas To Spice Up Your Old Saree Into Lehenga
2. Making a face mask using a T-shirt
Things needed:
- Scissors
- A T-shirt
- Coffee filter or paper towel (optional)
Take a clean T-shirt which you no longer like to wear and do not mind cutting it. Remember not to use an old torn T-shirt as it will spoil our purpose of making a clean face mask. Cotton material and opaque T-shirts will be an added benefit.
Cut the bottom of your T-shirt. Now you are left with the length of the t-shirt which will be the length from the top of your nose to the underneath of your chin approximately 7-8 inches. You can measure the material and trim the excess part latter.
Cut 6-7 inches of your T-shirt and make the ties for your face mask. Make it as a sort of elongated c-shape. Cut the ties in such a manner that you can retie it latter around your head. You need to adjust it till you get a snug fit around your nose and chin. You can add a paper towel or coffee filter and secure it with a safety pin.
3. Making Mask without the use of sewing machine
Things needed:
- Scissors
- Cotton Fabric (10-11 inches in diameter)
- 2 nos, of 6 inches of elastic or rubber band, hair ties or strips of cloth.
- A round plate or something in round shape to draw around.
- Pins
- Needle and thread
- Jewellery wire
A face mask made in this method can be made with or without a sewing machine. Follow the instructions carefully to get a slightly rounded mask. It is nice and easy to make as it is made from one piece of material.
On a flat surface, place the cotton fabric facing down. Iron it if needed. Keep the round plate on the fabric and draw around the plate. Cut it in a round shape and fold it twice. You get four curved triangles on top of each other. Carefully cut down the triangles such that you get four separate shapes.
Place one shape face up and the other face down on the top of it in such a manner that the wrong sides of the material is on the outside. Pin them together. Repeat the same with the remaining two shapes.
With the help of needle and thread stitch along the curved edge of your fabric. Stitch it carefully to prevent the gaps between your stitches. Now, cleanly unfold the triangles such that you get a dome-like structure. Keep the domes on top of each other such that the front sides are together.
If you want a wire in your face mask, then insert it now on the top side of your mask and fold down the material. Carefully sew the top edge of the mask by enclosing the wire into your face mask. Sew around the edges of the face mask and leave a small gap at one end.
Carefully pull your material through the gap in such a manner that the front sides of the material are on the outside to your face mask. You can easily stitch up the small gap.
To insert the ties in the face mask, fold one of the pointy edges of your mask over itself and sew it down. Repeat the same on the other side also.
A small pocket is created where you can insert your ties. With a safety pin or with a needle to thread, hem the sides after inserting the elastic band or hair ties. Slowly pull the ties that the knots go inside the face mask. Great, you are complete with your face mask cleanly.
Also Read: DIY Fashion: Designers’ Tips On What To Make From Home
4. Making a Cloth Face Mask with a Sewing Machine
Things needed:
- Scissors
- Pins
- Jewelry wire or thin wire
- Cotton fabric (10 x 6 inches)
- Elastic or rubber bands. 2 nos. of 6 inches long.
- Needle and thread
- Sewing Machine
Lay the cotton cloth on a flat surface and cut it to 10 x 6 inches. It is better to use two different materials in the front and back portions of your face mask. This will prevent you from using it both ways for hygiene purpose. Place the two pieces of fabric on top of each other. Keep the pattern of cloth in such a way that the upward side is correctly faced.
Fold the long sides of the material around ¼ inches. Pin it in place correctly and hem cleanly. Hemming means to fold edges of your material over and stitch them so that the fabric does not scratch and remains together. Add some thin wire in the top portion of your face mask so that it shapes around your nose. The wire can be added by placing it along the top length of the material and fold over and sew it down.
After hemming the length of the face mask, fold the side of the face mask around ½ inches, pin it and hem the sides too.
After hemming the sides, thread in your elastic or hair ties in secure knots. The knots can be moved to tuck it inside the hem. Now, adjust the face mask to fit your face and add some stitches on either end of your face mask to keep your elastic in place.
If you an expert in sewing, you can sew the whole mask in one go. This will help in saving time and masks can be made quickly. Try any of the above face masks and you are sure to get one of your choices.