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MASK FAQs
Here are some of your questions on the mask tutorial answered. General Why make masks? Masks are useful to protect ourselves and others from the virus. These are routinely used in hospitals, of course, but also in surgeries, care homes and by community carers. While government advice does not yet advise individuals to wear masks in the UK, it has been suggested that other front-line workers, such as shop workers, could benefit from wearing a mask. Many people who do not work on the front lines are beginning to feel safer wearing a mask when they go outside, too. So – of all the items of PPE we can make,…
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Mask Variation – Add a Filter
If you have access to filter fabric, you can add a layer to your mask to increase its effectiveness in removing virus particles from the air breathed through it. Materials In addition to the materials listed in the mask tutorial , you’ll need one rectangle of your filter fabric, slightly smaller than the 6 1/2″x8 Method The method is almost identical to the standard instructions; follow steps 1-6 of the instructions as normal. At step 7, you need to insert your filter fabric between the two layers of fabric you’ve just sewn together. With your filter fabric in the middle, you can now continue to follow the instructions as they…
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Mask Variation – No Elastic
No Elastic? No problem! Instead, you can make ties. Materials Almost all the same materials as we had before, minus the elastic. Instead, we’re going to need much more binding – ideally bias strips, but we can make do with strips on the grain if needs be. This time, we’re going to want a piece 1 3/4” wide and 30” long. Method Follow the standard instructions until Step 7. Step 7 – Pleat This time, you want to pleat the fabric as normal and stay stitch, but as you have no elastic, you won’t sew this in at this stage. Step 8 – Binding This is where we’re really going…
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DIY PPE – Masks
With COVID-19 turning everything upside down, it is becoming normal to see people doing their shopping or taking a walk wearing a surgical mask over their mouth and nose. With factory made supplies limited, more and more people are dusting off their sewing machines to make their own. The good news is, it’s easy! They can be made from just about anything (though a light wight woven cotton or poly-cotton is best) and most people will have the appropriate materials to hand. Whether you’re here to learn how to make your own so that you aren’t buying up supplies so urgently needed by front-line staff, or here to join the…
