Sewing A Protective Mask - 4 Easy DIY Ideas

The debate on the effectiveness of DIY respiratory protective masks continues! However, wearing a handmade virus mask is always better than nothing. To make it yourself, the Web offers several tutorials that are easy to recreate during confinement. And naturally, after our seamless ideas, it is the sewing mask that is to be raised. So here's how to sew a protective mask in a few tried and true ideas!

4 DIY ideas for sewing a protective fabric mask

The protective mask has now become an everyday accessory for millions of people around the world. And while its operation may seem rather rudimentary, the mask, whether it is handcrafted or industrial, must be used and placed properly to be effective. In other words, using your mask incorrectly can increase the risk of transmission rather than reducing it. You are also reminded that wearing a mask is essential when you have symptoms of the coronavirus or you are taking care of someone who may be infected.

For a fabric or paper respiratory protection mask to be effective, it must be properly positioned and adapted to the shape of the face. Its padded side of the nose bar should be placed over the hump of the nose to protect it well. Once on the face, avoid touching your mask. And every time you touch it, wash your hands with soap and water or use a hand sanitizer! To remove it, remove it from behind. The front of the mask should not be touched.

Obviously, wearing a respiratory protection mask must be accompanied by respect for hygiene and barrier procedures:

• wash your hands regularly
• cough or sneeze into your elbow
• use disposable tissues
• greet without shaking hands
• avoid hugs

Otherwise, this medical device becomes completely useless.

How to sew an easy pleat protective mask?

Although our first tutorial is a bit more complicated, it is worth trying. But just before you get started, it's very important to wash your hands. Once the hygienic measures are in place, you are ready to begin. To make this protective mask yourself, you must follow a precise pattern (see pattern). Next, you need to get the following materials:

• 100% cotton fabric for outdoors (20 x 20 cm)
• 100% cotton fabric for the lining (20 x 20 cm)
• sewing machine
• 2 flexible flat elastics of 35 or 80 cm of thin ribbon (for the attachment on the head)
• 2 flexible flat elastics of 20 cm (for the attachment behind the ears)

Manufacturing:

Start by printing the pattern at actual size so that it can be traced more easily on the fabric. Mark the folds on both cotton fabrics (here it is important to make the folds downwards) and let the sewing machine do the rest, as shown in the Atelier des Gourdes video!

Anti-virus mask according to the tutorial from CHU

Faced with the shortage of medical devices, the CHU de Grenoble shared a tutorial and patterns showing people how to make their own DIY protective fabric masks.

Materials needed:

• cotton scraps (about 20 cm)
• fine fleece or fine fleece
• 2 flexible elastics
• sewing machine

Manufacturing:

Start by cutting out the pattern (see pattern). Cut out the pieces of cotton fabric to get 4 pieces of fabric. Do the same with the fleece to get two pieces. Then cut two 30 cm rubber bands and adapt them to the desired size. Assemble the two pieces of outer fabric "right sides together" rounded part, then do the same with the two pieces of fabric for the lining.

Assemble the two pieces of fabric obtained “right sides together” and insert the two pieces of fleece. Turn the set over from the right side and topstitch the central seam, the top and the bottom a few millimeters from the edge. Fold the short sides and iron the piece obtained. Stitch a few millimeters from the fold to create a slide. Finally, slide the knot down the slide to strengthen it.

Cutout neoprene protective mask



Although these are DIY protective masks to be made with a sewing machine, this one does not require any sewing skills. Washable and reusable, this next model will undoubtedly delight non-DIY enthusiasts! To achieve it, you only need 2 layers of neoprene. So, download the pattern and follow the steps shown in the video. It's easy !

Protective mask in cotton fabric without elastics

Materials needed:

• 2 cotton scraps (18 x 18 cm)
• 2 cotton strips (105 x 4 cm)

This time, there is no pattern to print. The measurements and materials are clearly indicated to you. All you have to do is follow the production steps shown by Madalena Couture above!

Note: for optimal efficiency, you must have several fabric masks to change during the day. You should also wash them under special conditions every night to reduce the risk of contamination. Washing at 40 ° in the washing machine, accompanied by ironing will do very well.