On 28th April the Scottish Government recommended that people cover their faces while in some enclosed public spaces such as shops and public transport.
Many people will now be wanting to turn their hand to creating their own non-medical face masks at home.
There are lots of different styles of masks you can make with materials most people will have at home – from simple no-sew masks, to fitted and lined machine-sewn masks.
We’ve brought together a few examples of how-to videos. All are simple, easy to complete projects.
Materials & equipment
Here’s what we would recommend:
- Outer fabric : a close weave or high thread count cotton or poly cotton. Something like an old duvet cover or bedsheet is ideal. Alternatively you can try T towels or T shirt fabric.
- Lining fabric: soft cotton (100% cotton if available). Old T-shirts work well.
- Ties: elastic, but if you haven’t got elastic to hand, T shirt yarn does the job just as well. (see below). Styles can be adapted so that ties go round the back of your head rather than over your ears.
- Filter: if you choose to make a mask with a filter, use non-woven materials for the filter, such as a J-cloth.
- Template: If you choose a design that uses a paper template but don’t have access to a printer, you can hold up a piece of paper to your screen or monitor and very lightly trace the shape with a soft pencil.
- Sewing machine: If you don’t have a sewing machine, each design can be made by hand using a simple back stitch.
All materials should be suitable for washing at 60 degrees.
How to make a fitted and lined facemask (no filter)
How to make a folded mask with filter pocket
How to make T shirt yarn
DIY no sew mask
Making Masks for front-line workers
There are many volunteer groups that have sprung up, making masks for key workers. At ReMode, we joined the Facebook group Mask Makers UK and have been able to supply our ReMode volunteer team with materials and support (via zoom) to help in the effort to supply non-medical grade masks to groups of workers in Renfrewshire. To date our volunteers have turned some of our stock of old duvet covers and T shirts into over 100 masks.
If you’d like to find out how you can help make masks in your local area, join Mask Makers UK on Facebook
Remode Volunteers – Zoom Catch up