UPDATE 6

It's been exactly 3 months since I put this tutorial up. I don't need to tell you how much the world has changed since then. When I first googled face mask tutorial in February, there were 3. Now there are 100K+. I appreciate all the feedback, positive comments and the many many masks that have been made so far from this pattern. In my town, Asheville, NC, a group of volunteers used it to make thousands of masks for the community. As cities and towns open up we need masks more than ever. There are a zillion different kinds to choose from. Whichever one you decide to sew, please be sure to wear your masks correctly, use materials that have been shown to be effective, and make an extra to give away.



I know there are still some quirks in the instructions and pdfs and I promise I will continue to improve the tutorial as I have time. <3

UPDATE 5

This update is care of two wonderful DIY folks from this community:

1. Since printers tend to slightly shrink or enlarge documents, and since one size mask does not fit all, Winko has created scalable vector based files!More info about this in step 1.



2. You have been asking for a video tutorial. Super star Sabrinayaya is an RN working in Sault Saint Marie, Ontario Canada. She made us a video for how to sew Mask 1 I made a couple comments about it in Step 2.



UPDATE 4

Hey mask makers! You rock! Sorry to disappear for a week but I was helping get our local community mask sewing project off the ground (western North Carolina). I've added a Mask 1 pattern PDF (reg size) with a GRID on it, at last. Also some new informative links related to cloth mask effectiveness and other relevant topics. Lastly, I've added a section about FILTERS. Keep sewing and keep safe!



UPDATE 3

Child size pattern added, problem with large size pattern PDF solved, added some more measurements to the wire and elastic supply list, added a whole section on filter options in the research notes. Tomorrow I will add a new step at the end, with a list of community coordinated mask sewing calls. Medical facilities asking for DIY help to alleviate short supplies across the US and elsewhere.



UPDATE 2

Holy moly, the DIY face mask world is blowing up. See #millionmaskchallenge on twitter. Some of the info being shared is incorrect, at least according to what I've been looking at for the last 2 weeks. But some of it is useful. I am trying to compile relevant new info in the research notes at the end.



UPDATE

Hey folks, thanks for reading. I just shared the research links I used in the final step, if you want to come to your own conclusions. I have also added a simpler version of the pattern (Mask 2) with no filter pocket, as well as a larger size option (in Step 1 files). I will continue to update this pattern and info as I can. Working on a kid size one next. Stay safe!



Why You Should Make (and wear!) Your Own Cloth Face Mask (and how do it)

With highly contagious coronavirus (COVID19) rapidly spreading throughout the world, many people are shopping for surgical masks to protect against this dangerous disease.

The sudden increase in demand for “Personal Protective Equipment” (PPE) and the interrupted supply lines in China have led to a critical shortage of small particle filtering face masks (N-95s) and fitted rectangular sneeze guards (“surgical masks”).

News reports, appropriately seeking to reserve limited supplies of these disposable items for medical institutions, have been asking people not to purchase these items. Public officials have been quoted suggesting that face coverings can’t help prevent the spread of this new virus.

The truth is more complicated:

COVID19 is spread from person-to-person in droplets of moisture, mucus and saliva from people with infections. Coughing, sneezing, and even normal breathing put these virus particles into the air. One sneeze can put out thousands of droplets.

People standing less than 6 feet away may become covered with these virus particles while they are still in the air. After the droplets fall, the virus particles can remain active for up to nine days.

Infection occurs when someone breathes in airborne droplets, or when they touch their mouth, nose or eyes with hands covered in virus particles that have fallen out of the air onto counters, hand rails, floors or other surfaces.

Wearing a face mask helps stop people from becoming infected in two ways:

1) By blocking most airborne droplets filled with virus from being inhaled

2) By stopping the wearer from touching their own mouths and noses.

Studies have shown that medical professional using surgical face masks correctly get 80% fewer infections than those who don’t.

So why the mixed messages?

First, because the protection only comes when the masks are used properly. They must be put on clean, taken off carefully, and paired with rigorous hand washing, and the discipline not to touch the face.

Second, because gaps around the masks and between the fibers in the masks, even in commercial surgical masks, are too large to block all viruses. Sneeze and cough droplets are usually between 7 and 100 microns. Surgical masks and some cloth masks will block 7 micron particles but the COVID19 virus particles are 0.06 to 0.14 microns.

So why should you make your own face masks?

1) In the event you become sick, having a supply of masks at home will give some level of protection to friends and family while you seek medical advice. It will certainly be better than no mask at all (see research notes).

2) By making your own, and hopefully for family and friends, you will be decreasing demand on limited supplies of industrially manufactured, disposables, which are desperately needed by hospitals and nursing homes.

3) These comfortable, curved shaped masks rest closer to the face, with fewer gaps, than rectangular surgical masks.

4) Our homemade designs are washable, making them environmentally friendly.

Supplies:

Mask 1 is fitted, with 2 layers of fabric and a pocket between them for an optional filter (see research links for info on filters). It is held on by elastic ear loops. Elastic can also be threaded to fit around the head.

Mask 2 is fitted, with 2 layers but no pocket, and is easier to make.

seam allowances are ¼” unless noted

MASK 1 & 2 supplies (child, regular and large size):

8" x 12" fabric outer layer

8" x 12" fabric lining layer

3” piece of soft wire (this can be decorative wire as shown, picture wire, or a pipe cleaner doubled over)

approx. 22” of elastic cord (child size length 10", regular size length 11-12", large size length 13")

WHAT KIND OF FABRIC?

You can choose any tightly woven cotton or cotton/poly fabric you like. Hold it up to the light to see how tight the weave is. Use the same fabric for outer and lining if you want, or use different ones to help you remember which side is clean and which dirty.

The research (see links at the end) shows 100% cotton having some effectiveness. Cotton/polyester blends may have additional properties of repelling water, making them better barriers to keep droplets from soaking through outer layers.

Don't use stretchy, sequined or velvet material.

Wash all fabrics before sewing to pre-shrink, and to assure you are working with the most sanitary materials possible.