Expert Sewer Amanda Perna guides us in this easy tutorial on how to make DIY face masks to donate to healthcare workers who are facing shortages. With the right materials this is an easy project even for beginner sewers.
Learn #withme
Amanda is a fashion designer and Project Runway alum, who started sewing face masks after she had to temporarily close her fashion studio due to the coronavirus outbreak. Amanda has been working tirelessly to make as many masks as possible and recruiting seamstresses to join her efforts. We also reached out to some of our top-tested cotton sheet brands like Parachute, Gryphon, Garnet Hill, Cuddledown, and Authenticity50, and they have generously committed to sending her fabric.
Homemade masks technically are not hospital-approved, so some hospitals won’t accept the donations directly. Check with local hospitals in your area to see if they can use your homemade masks and if so, what their policies are for dropping them off. Otherwise, healthcare professionals are making requests on social media. MasksForHeroes uses an Instagram account to post PPE requests from healthcare workers. https://www.masksforheroes.com/
The U.C. Berkeley School of Public Health is also compiling lists of hospitals by state that are accepting homemade masks, including instructions for dropping them off.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/12a5YO0Z9RpHZk9Zkzl4NOj9CbjzhFfoKjPLFFC-21LU/preview?fbclid=IwAR285Vs3FqP97pmRWYW-4HIKvtxxy9hPMDVztTQjV_i40Ff2ClGIqphsdj8
You can find Amanda’s pattern here. The pattern is 9″x8″ and can be printed on a standard 8.5″ x 11″ piece of paper.https://hmg-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/files/amanda-perna-face-mask-pattern-1585259501.pdf
Here ‘s the step-by-step guide to sewing your own fabric face mask.
**STEPS**
00:56 Cut pattern out
01:08 Pin pattern to fabric and cut 2 cotton fabric pieces.
01:08 Pin pattern to interfacing to cut 2 interfacing pieces (must be non-woven).
02:20 Place interfacing pieces on top of fabric pieces, making sure fabric right sides are facing each other.
02:40 Measure and cut binding tape pieces so you have two 36″ strands.
03:40 Pin fabric and interfacing pieces together to secure before sewing.
03:58 Sew the top 9″ seam (2.5-3 stitch length is best) with ¼” seam allowance.
04:40 Flip open with front side of fabric up and press seam flat to one side.
05:00 Insert metal piece along seam between the 2 pieces of fabric.
05:46 Stitch ½” rectangle that is indicated at top of pattern (with wrong sides together) to secure metal nose bridge piece.
06:43 Flip back to right sides together, stitch bottom 9” seam
07:49 Flip back to right side out and press bottom seam
08:23 Use pattern to help mark pleats. Pleat the 3 pleats all in the same direction, put a pin to keep them in place.
11:08 Find the center point of the binding and the center point of the mask and pin the binding on the mask with the mask sandwiched between the binding.
11:55 Sew binding and repeat on the other side of the mask then press pleats.
13:25 Finally, pat yourself on the back, because you are making a difference!
**SUPPLIES**
Mask pattern
High thread count cotton fabric
Non-woven interfacing :https://www.amazon.com/s?k=nonwoven+filter+fabric&ascsubtag=%5Bartid%7C10055.a.31902442%5Bsrc%7C%5Bch%7C%5Blt%7C&tag=goodhousekeeping_auto-append-20&ref=nb_sb_noss_2
Bias tape, extra wide double fold, 1/2″ width
Pins
Metal piece to secure the mask at the nose bridge. Paper clip piece or twist-tie works.
Measuring Tape
Scissors
Iron
Sewing machine
**TIPS*
The best fabric for homemade masks is a tightly woven, 100% cotton fabric. Things like denim, bed sheets, and heavyweight shirts are all good options. Avoid knit fabrics (e.g. jersey T-shirts) because they create holes when they stretch.
Make sure to wash and preshrink any fabric you’re going to use.
If you’ve cut wire for the nose bridge be sure to sand down any sharp ends so the wire won’t potentially pierce through the fabric or bother the wearer.
Fabric masks are not as effective as N95 masks, but they’re still useful. The CDC advises using N95 masks for the best protection, but it says to use a bandana or scarf as a last resort if the hospital-approved masks are not available. Fabric masks are often being worn on top of N95 masks to help them last longer. For more information visit our website: https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/health/a31902442/how-to-make-medical-face-masks/
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Please share the links for the supplies you use. For instance, I'd like to know where did you get the small Iron and the board.
Where did you find that cute little iron?
This is a good tutorial—easy to watch and listen to, concise. First one I watched with the bias tape.
I agree with other comments: it’s never nice to post negatively, but suggestions are helpful. Bending the end of the wire keeps it from wearing through the fabric, I wouldn’t use my sewing scissors for the wire, and the folds need to be pointing down. I use fusible interfacing and a different fabric for each side but that’s a personal preference.
nice work That guitar is really annoying . rather be able to hear you .
Please show the version using elastic.
At a 10" width, isn't this mask pattern considerably wider than any others out on the internet?
I love the big mat under your sewing machine – and the fact that you can use your iron on it …where can I get one from?
What size do we cut the bias tape?
Dang your HOT!
Hello can you download a pattern for a childs mask made the same way as this one?
Where can I get a mini iron like that??? Please!
What an easy to follow and clear set of instructions and video. Thank you, this was very helpful.
omg – this is truly one of the best videos I have seen to date – I am a security office and need to ware a mask – I have been looking for something like this – yes I too agree – the band behind my ears hurt after a while – I did get my hands on a mask with the elastic band behind my head but sadly it is not washable – guess where I am going today – the fabric store – lol – thank you for posting with great directions – stay blessed and healthy
With fabric
Thank you sharing the video and the pattern.
Great for a professional sewer!
Thank you for this video! Just wondering though why 4 layers instead of what the CDC recommends- 2 layers of cotton?
These home crafted masks don't keep the wearer 'safe.' Please don't tell people that these will keep them safe from the virus. The recommendation is two layers of closely woven cotton, formed into a face covering that covers the nose and mouth to prevent the wearer from emitting droplets any distance, when speaking, sneezing, coughing, etc, which may contain any virus. No body knows, at this time, exactly who might be carrying it and not know it. Everyone please wear a face covering. Thanks.
I thought her design and sewing suggestions were great! I have made my first mask and will refer back to Amanda's design again! I liked her alot for a first-time DIY'er…..
Please can someone send me the dimensions because she didn't show us these – just 'prepared it earlier??' Thank you.
How can you adapt this pattern to do elastic ear loops? I am having to make my own bias tape, and it is taking up too much time, per mask.
Some very poor sewing techniques.
The pins you used added few holes to the mask that could let through 2 million viruses… no comment.
Anyone looking for filters? Here are some on etsy that are pre-cut for masks
https://www.etsy.com/listing/795679903/face-mask-filters?ref=shop_home_active_1&frs=1&crt=1
PLEASE make sure you use melt blown fabric when making masks to protect YOURSELF as well as others; It is the middle layer. It is easy to find in your home, usually used in the cheaper reusable bags. Melt-blown fabric is used in surgical masks and ALL paper masks. Seeing so many mask videos that are not explaining that a mask without melt blown fabric will NOT protect YOU. https://youtu.be/JvntOtfApjo
Hey how can make this for a child? What size of material would it be?
I like the way this looks and sews but it is too big for my face. I may have used fabric that was too stiff as well, would suggest a soft cotton.
invest in a clear quilt-type ruler and a rotary cutter and it's so much faster …. and more accurate with cutting … easier on your hands, also …