Since medical experts recently recommended that we all should wear facemasks when we go out to protect others and ourselves from the Coronavirus (Link to Mayo Clinic) I have been searching the interwebs for masks. After scouring online retailers for a few days, I had no luck finding a facemask in stock that was inexpensive, made of decent quality materials, had generally good reviews, and was most importantly reusable. So, I finally decided to make one.

Having made the decision to make a facemask, I had to find instructions on how to make one without a sewing machine, since I don’t own one. It was hard finding facemask instructions online that didn’t require the use of a sewing machine; but last week, I finally found a tutorial to make something more substantial than folding a bandana through two elastic bands. In actuality, that bandana solution would be enough protection for me if I have to venture out briefly, but I wanted something more long-lasting that I could use with some sort of filter; and the tutorial I found teaches how to hand sew a fabric mask with a pocket for a filter.

On Friday evening, in preparation for my mask-making project, I went searching to find the supplies I knew were scattered in boxes or on shelves in closets throughout my home. The primary materials I needed were some fabric, fabric tape, and elastic. Surprisingly, I found more fabric than I realized I had. However, instead of using fabric gifted to me by family or friends from their overseas travels, I used an old poly-cotton curtain I knew I would never hang in any window ever again.

On Saturday morning, I brought everything I needed together: my iron, ironing board, scissors, fabric, fabric tape, a ruler (and measuring tape), a pencil, needle and thread, some straight pins, and two hair elastics.

M͟y͟ ͟H͟a͟n͟d͟ ͟S͟e͟w͟n͟ ͟F͟a͟b͟r͟i͟c͟ ͟F͟a͟c͟e͟ ͟M͟a͟s͟k͟ ͟-͟ ͟M͟a͟t͟e͟r͟i͟a͟l͟s͟

After watching the tutorial that I found, via Daisy Multifacética’s Instagram page a few times, I got to work. Considering the fact that beyond replacing the odd button or repairing a tear in a piece of clothing, I hadn’t sewn anything in years, it was a relatively smooth process.

As I sewed my facemask by hand, I listened to chatter from my favourite weekend current events show. Unfortunately, I missed chunks of some discussions because I had to replay sections of the facemask tutorial a few times to make sure I was doing each step correctly. I measured and re-measured the fabric before cutting it, and then I sewed small stitches as evenly as I could to ensure it wouldn’t fall apart after one wash. With all the steps involved, I finished making my first mask relatively fast. The show I listened to runs for two hours; and I finished cutting, sewing, and ironing to flatten folds and seams by the time it ended.

M͟y͟ ͟H͟a͟n͟d͟ ͟S͟e͟w͟n͟ ͟F͟a͟b͟r͟i͟c͟ ͟F͟a͟c͟e͟ ͟M͟a͟s͟k͟ ͟-͟ ͟A͟p͟r͟i͟l͟ ͟2͟0͟2͟0͟

In the end, I’m glad I did some research to find an inexpensive alternative to buying cheap, disposable masks.

If anyone is interested in making a fabric facemask that doesn’t require the use of a sewing machine, the link to the tutorial I followed to make mine is below.

I hope you all continue to be safe and stay healthy in these difficult times.

♦ ♦ ♦

NO SEWING MACHINE Cloth Face Mask – Daisy Multifacética