A 2013 study by the Disaster Medicine and Public Health Department entitled Testing the Efficacy of Homemade Masks: Would They Protect in an Influenza Pandemic? revealed that homemade face masks, constructed out of household materials were still effective in reducing aerosol transmission of droplet-spread communicable diseases. The study involved 21 healthy volunteers; 12 men and 9 women aged between 20 and 44 years of age. The results indicated that all of the materials used, which included a cotton t-shirt, scarf, tea-towel, vacuum cleaner bag and pillowcase showed some capability to block the microbial aerosol challenges. The most significant factor was not the material the homemade face mask was constructed out of, instead, it was the fit of the mask itself and the underlying actions of the wearer.
Masks are not recommended for children 2 and under!
Free Downloadable Face Mask Pattern (from craft passion) in various options. Please click to download and print separately.
- Type A: Normal face mask ( No POCKET)
- Type B: Face mask with a POCKET for filter insert or as a surgical mask cover.
- Type C: Add on a removable NOSE WIRE to Type A and Type B
This article is intended for both those with have little to no skills with sewing as well as our more experienced readers. It is also readily made to to complete with or without the use of a sewing machine.
Patterns
| Description | Child (3-6) | Child (7-12) | Woman/Teen | Man |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| “Jesse Mask (Best Fit) | Template | |||
| W/Pocket (3/8″ seam allowance) | Template | Template | Template | Template |
| W/out Pocket (1/4″ seam allowance) | Template | Template | Template | Template |
| W/out seam allowance (4 sizes) | Template | |||
Instructions
Materials
- Main Fabric (cotton), 13″ x 7″, prewash
- Lining Fabric (cotton or flannel), 12″ x 7″, prewash
- Bias Tape, 2″ wide 6″ long (5″ for young kids, 4″ for small kids), prewash. (Optional, as nose wire sleeve)
- Wire, 6″ (5″ for young kids, 4″ for small kids). (Optional, as nose wire), bent the ends inward so the won’t poke through the fabric.
- Elastic cord: for ear loops, 8″ x 2, or, for head tie, 18″ x 1, (this is an approximate length, please measure with your own elastic band to judge; as everyone’s head and sizes are different) or, shoelace/ribbon/cord/t-shirt yarn with at least 44″ length for the head tie
- Sewing Pattern
Tools
- Sewing essential
- Sewing Machine or hand sew
- Iron
- Seamstress tracing wheel and paper
- Pencil or soluble fabric marker
Steps
- Decide which type and size you want to sew, choose the correct pattern from the list, download and print out the template of the face masks separately. (https://media.rainpos.com/220/jessemask.pdf)
- Base on the choice of face mask you want to sew, follow the sewing instructions accordingly. Watch the sewing video attach within the instruction for Type C face mask, or as reference for other types.
- Add ties to the face mask, either an elastic band or head tie.
- Wash the face mask with warm water of at least 60 °C or 140 °F, dry it properly before wearing. Add filter insert if required.
Decide which type and size you want to sew, choose the correct pattern from the list, download and print out the template of Face Mask Pattern separately.
Don’t scale the printing and DON’T print to fit the paper either, it is in letter size paper (8.5″ x 11″) so you should have no problem printing it in 100% size. There is a 2″ scale marking for you to check if you are printing it in the right size.
Cut out the pattern of your size.
[IMPORTANT: Don’t print the pattern from the browser, the size might not correct. Please open the pdf pattern in Adobe Reader or Adobe Pro and print the actual size (100% scale) from there, DO NOT set to “print to fit paper”.]
[Without Printer]
You may trace the pattern out from your monitor. Download the templates and open them in Adobe Reader. Zoom the template till the 2″ guide measures 2″ on your ruler, set the screen to the highest brightness. Place a piece of white paper on the monitor and trace the outline with a pen or a marker.
Fold the main fabric into halve with the wrong side facing each other, pin the paper pattern onto the double-layered fabric. Cut the fabric with 1/4″ allowance, except the ear side. Cut the fabric at the ear side with 1″ seam allowance (1.5″ if you are using t-shirt yarn as the head tie).
Insert the tracing paper between the layer, trace sewing lines with tracing wheel.
Remove pins and paper pattern, get set to sew.
NOTE: If you are using templates that already have seam allowances included, you do not need to add any more seam allowance. The same applies to the lining in the next step.
Fabric Patch Video Instructions (with sewing machine)
Additional Tips for “Jesse mask”
Video 2
- 2:29 – Elastic
- 4:22 – Ties
- 11:01 – Nose Pieces
- 17:32 – Center seam questions
- 19:45 – Template Info & Alternative Templates
- 21:40 – How to take Measurements
- 23:49 – Washability
- 25:35 -Materials
Video 3
- 8:35 How to make t-shirt straps
- 9:33 Adjustable ear piece
- 10:35 Paracord hack
- 11:06 Coffee closure & link to order them – https://www.uline.com/BL_5520/Peel-and-Stick-Ties
- 11:40 How to take head measurements
- 12:39 Why to NOT make children’s masks
- 14:00 More head measurements & the MAGIC number
- 15:38 how to print the pattern correctly
- 16:30 print to scale
- 16:45 Jesse’s pattern link –https://media.rainpos.com/220/personal_mask.pdf
- 17:26 nose to ear measurement
- 17:57 nose to chin measurement
- 20:01 how to modify the pattern
- 23:56 prep & assembly
- 26:35 use binder clips NOT pins
- 27:35 how to assemble the nose piece
- 31:51 how to nestle the seams
- 34:00 finishing the ear pieces
Option B Instructions (can use with one of the mask templates above)
https://www.instructables.com/id/DIY-Face-Mask-With-Filter-Pocket/