Face Masks: Tutorials and Where to Buy Them
Photo by @mate_the_label
Per the CDC’s recommendation, we are all encouraged to wear cloth face coverings when out in public. While they aren’t mandatory or a replacement for social distancing, they can help big time. The main reason being, 50% of people that contract Coronavirus are asymptomatic, meaning they will feel no symptoms at all while being extremely contagious. For this reason, it is in your best interest (and let’s be honest, your civic duty) to wear a mask when going to the grocery store, or any other public place.
Masks are a commodity A LOT of people cannot afford, and this article includes a variety of ways to protect yourself for free with materials you already have at home. Below are sew and no-sew tutorials (video and step by step) to make a mask. You can buy masks from great companies like Steele, Christy Dawn, and Citizens of Humanity (currently on back order). There is also a groundswell of companies and individuals providing these masks to hospitals in need and there are links to donate to their crucial and admirable causes as well at the bottom of this article. If you know of any resources that should be included on this resource page, please leave the information in the comments below. Stay safe, healthy, and HOME!
xx,
Kacy Byxbee, editor, Your Zen Mama
no sew face mask video tutorial by Kristin Omdahl
no sew pleated face mask tutorial by japanese creations
no sew Bandana Face Covering tutorial by the cdc
Materials
Bandana (or square cotton cloth approximately 20”x20”)
Coffee filterRubber bands (or hair ties)
Scissors (if you are cutting your own cloth)
Tutorial
Sewn Cloth Face Covering tutorial by the cdc
Materials
Two 10”x6” rectangles of cotton fabric
Two 6” pieces of elastic (or rubber bands, string, cloth strips, or hair ties)
Needle and thread (or bobby pin)
Scissors
Sewing machine
Tutorial
1. Cut out two 10-by-6-inch rectangles of cotton fabric. Use tightly woven cotton, such as quilting fabric or cotton sheets. T-shirt fabric will work in a pinch. Stack the two rectangles; you will sew the mask as if it was a single piece of fabric.
2. Fold over the long sides ¼ inch and hem. Then fold the double layer of fabric over ½ inch along the short sides and stitch down.
3. Run a 6-inch length of 1/8-inch wide elastic through the wider hem on each side of the mask. These will be the ear loops. Use a large needle or a bobby pin to thread it through. Tie the ends tight.
Don’t have elastic? Use hair ties or elastic head bands. If you only have string, you can make the ties longer and tie the mask behind your head.
4. Gently pull on the elastic so that the knots are tucked inside the hem. Gather the sides of the mask on the elastic and adjust so the mask fits your face. Then securely stitch the elastic in place to keep it from slipping.
buy masks: steele
Photo by @steelecanvas
Steele Canvas has kept their doors open through the Great Depression, both World Wars, 9/11 and the Great Recession. It wasn't easy, but we got through it with the help and graciousness of the American people.
Today, we're faced with another challenge, to not only our business and family, but one that threatens our friends and neighbors, customers and suppliers. It's tough and scary and the only thing we're certain of is we're not going to sit this one out either. We are working to convert our cutting and stitching departments into manufacturing lines for protective face masks. So join us in an effort to help support our heroes fighting on the front lines of the Covid-19 pandemic and to protect valued American manufacturing jobs. Together, we can knock out this virus and Keep America Moving.
One mask for you and one donated mask to a front line worker
If you don't need a mask, you may opt to donate 2 masks to front line workers
The masks pictured have a domestic denim exterior and 100% cotton red flannel lining. * Please note colors and fabrics may vary as we move through supplies *
Our masks are not direct substitutes for N95, surgical, or procedural masks and are not FDA approved
Due to overwhelming demand, please allow 2 - 3 weeks for production
Care: wash hot / air or tumble dry
Contact info@steelecanvas.com for bulk purchases or to request a donation
Like everything else we've done since 1921, these masks are proudly made in the USA
#biggerthanbusiness
buy masks: christy dawn, buy 5 donate 5
Christy Dawn’s Sustainable Masks are non-medical grade, 100% doubled deadstock cotton, and feature behind-the-ear elastic. They are reusable and washable. For best practices, hand wash before first use and after each subsequent use, and lay flat to dry. Refrain from touching the mask or your face once you have put it on!
An order is for 10 total masks (Five will be shipped to you! Five will be donated to those in need!). To ensure they are able to supply as many people as possible with masks, there is a limit of two packs per order. Please allow 1 – 3 weeks for order fulfillment and shipping.
The Sustainable Masks are made by Don Pedro, Gilberto, Elmer, Anna, Simeon, Romeo, Pedro C, Angelica, Teresita, Nora and Kathy, our talented dressmaker and shipping team!
buy masks: citizens of humanity (currently backordered)
Photo by @citizensofhumanity
UPDATE: Due to the overwhelming response and our need to also supply the front line workers, we are not accepting any additional mask orders at this time. We are working on a plan to help increase our capacity and hope to be able to offer the masks again soon. In the meantime, please sign up if you would like be notified when we are back in stock.
In an effort to help combat COVID-19, we have re-purposed our sewing facility and have begun producing masks for front line responders, including hospitals, healthcare workers and children’s advocacy groups. Of all that we have learned from this pandemic, it is indisputable that we are all in this together and with that in mind, we have decided to begin offering the masks to the broader public at a minimum price.
We're offering the masks in packs of 5. The packs will contain an assortment of colors - denim, natural, and black. These are 100% cotton and washable and you must wash before the first use.
Please allow up to 21 days for fulfillment and shipping. These items are non-returnable.
Please read the disclaimer here before purchasing.
DONATE MASKS: MATE
Photo by @mate_the_label
MATE has developed and produced a 3-layer protective mask made out of 100% cotton poplin, gauze and jersey. With your help, they will be raising funds that are needed to produce and distribute these masks to doctors, nurses, homeless shelters and grocery store employees that are in need throughout the US.
DONATE MASKS: CHRISTIANE LEMIEUX
Photo from @christianlemieux
Currently the co-founder and CEO of The Inside, a direct-to-consumer home furnishings company and formerly the founder and creative director of DwellStudio, a fashion and home design brand that was bought by Wayfair in 2013, Christian Lemieux has organized a mass effort to provide crucial PPE to NYC. After Christiane heard details from the pandemic front line detailing the need for PPE, she designed and arranged production of a reusable, comfortable face mask that accommodates and preserves an N95 filter.
Christiane is hoping to produce this first run of 10,000 masks ASAP and distribute to NYC hospitals, nursing homes, offices and any other high need areas for immediate use. The masks are made in North Carolina from performance fabric, and she is looking to supply disposable HEPA filter liners. They also support a paper mask insert and/or silver liner. The are fully washable and apparently from the doctors - very comfortable. By providing PPE to the medical community, you are playing a direct role in decreasing viral spread, protecting, giving peace of mind and sustaining our providers on the frontline. Any size donation is greatly appreciated.
Women’s march: sign up to make masks for those in need
There are many makers in the women’s march movement, which is why they’re launching a national call to make cloth masks for your loved ones and those in your community who need them.
Will you help #MaskUp movement and pledge to make a mask today? After you sign up, they will send you tutorials and sample patterns to help you get started.
*we are not endorsed by or affiliated with any of these companies, we just believe in their mission and wanted to share them and their information with you.