How to make a fabric face mask

All humanity is now living in a situation modern times have not yet seen. If we can learn from our past, human species is a stubborn race and through perseverance we will get through this if we only stick to primary and easy health guidelines that are presented to us from professionals and health organizations. First and foremost is to stay at home and lay off family trips for some other, safer times. If not for you, do it for the elderly population. Respect your fellow human being and be respected yourself.

In these challenging times when safety/health equipment is running out everywhere or there is significant shortage of it, I thought I would show you how to make a face mask yourself. This is an easy and effective way to sew your own face mask following the blueprint I linked below, which you can also download in PDF format.

What you need is:
- Scissors
- 100% cotton fabric (as thick as you can find at home or if you have an option, order it online)
- Elastic (you can also use elastic fabric)
- Sewing machine (prefferably overlock, but if you don't have any, just a needle and a thread would do)
- Sewing chalk

Stack pieces of cut fabric on top of each other and sew the edges. Don't sew the middle (nose) part yet.

When you're done, fold it on half with inner side out. Let's say the inner side will be the turquise fabric (photo below). And sew the last part together.

It should look like this (photo below). Make sure it's sewn well together. Then fold edges on both sides and leave enough room for elastic or strech fabric string to fit through. Make a seam.

If you have a plastic needle, it should be easy to insert the elastic or strech fabric string. If you don't, find a wire or something thin as wire to push the string through.

I bought the plastic needles in Tedi (photo below).

And finally, click below to download the PDF file of sewing pattern for the face mask.

Face mask pattern PDF

Please make sure to put the mask on your face with clean, desinfected hands and not wear it longer than for your grocery shopping. Then carefully take it off with your head straight, put it in a bag and desinfect when you can. Do not leave masks in pockets, on seats or on the closets. Those areas might be contaminated and masks are a delicate thing, you put them on your mouth and nose which is where the virus enters the body. So keep in mind to act with masks thoughtfully. Desinfected masks keep in zip-lock bags.The easyest way is to cook it in a boiling water for at least 10 minutes. When it's dry, iron it and save it in a sealed bag to keep it clean untill next time you need it. Only desinfect masks that you wear and don't forget to desinfect drying place. 

I hope it all made sense, good luck in making your versions! I would be really glad reading your comments and see what you have created! Leave a comment below and let me know how it worked out for you. Take care of yourself and each other!