How to Make a Face Mask Without Sewing at Home?

These steps will help you make a face mask without sewing if you want to make one out of fabric but don’t have a sewing machine.

A great way to safeguard yourself from COVID-19 and the people in your community is to wear a mask. Masks are still an important part of our lives. Making your own face masks is simple and doesn’t require sewing machines, whether it’s for you or the little ones in your house.

The fact that it only requires a few minutes to make is the best news. This face mask tutorial only uses materials you probably already have in your home, so you won’t need to go out and buy any supplies. Let’s start now!

What You’ll Need

Equipment / Tools

• Scissors (optional)

Materials

• 1 Bandana, scarf, or handkerchief
• 2 Rubber bands

Select your preferred fabric, such as a bandana, t-shirt, or other. Lay out your fabric flat on the table with the patterned side facing the table and the back side facing you.

Fold the top edge of the fabric so that it reaches the bandana’s center. Repeat the process for the bottom half and fold the fabric up until it reaches the center of the bandana and meets the top edge that you folded down.

Fold the bottom up to the middle and the top down to the middle to complete two additional folds. This will make some pleats so the mask can fit your face more comfortably.

The right and left sides of your fabric rectangle should be folded in toward the center. Now that the fabric is folded into a smaller rectangle, you can fasten one rubber band to each side.

The folded fabric should have a few inches left on one end for the rubber band to be placed over. On the reverse side of the folded fabric, repeat with the second rubber band.

To further secure the fabric, if desired, you can tuck one of these folds inside of the other, but this step is optional.

The inside of the mask will be the side that is facing you. It’s now prepared for use! Bring the mask to your mouth and secure it with the rubber bands around your ears to wear. Your mouth and nose should be completely covered by the mask.

This video explains how to make a face mask without sewing:

Best Fabric for Homemade Face Masks

Cotton T-shirts and pillowcases, which are breathable while still being able to collect small particles, are the best materials to use when creating DIY face masks at home, according to Cambridge University researchers.

A Wake Forest study found that most effective masks were constructed of two layers of heavyweight “quilters cotton” with a thread count of at least 180.

When searching for fabric, look for cotton that has a tight weave. Pick a high thread count item, such as a premium pillowcase or a dress shirt that has been given a second life.

Alternatives to Rubber Bands

You have a couple of other options if rubber bands are not readily available. You can use hair ties if you have them. Make sure they have plenty of stretches, though.

There are other options if you don’t have rubber bands or hair ties. Leggings, tights, or pantyhose can all have a loop of fabric cut off of them. If you have an old pair of socks, you can use that by chopping off the stretchiest or elastic portion and inserting it. Almost any size you cut off will be around 1/2″ and works great.

Just keep in mind that whatever you use to replace the rubber bands must be somewhat elastic since they will be the part that fits over your ears.

Caring for Your Mask

These masks are fantastic because they are washable and reusable. Simply take out the rubber bands and wash the material as you normally would a piece of clothing.

It is advised that you wash the fabric masks after each use. To fold your mask so you can wear it again, follow this tutorial.

Difference Between N95 and Surgical Masks

Let’s talk about N95 respirators and surgical masks if you’re curious about other types of face coverings. N95 masks are rigid, fitted to each healthcare worker to ensure a sealed barrier, and have a filter that blocks 95% of airborne particles.

N95 masks are designed to be thrown away after each use, like most personal protective equipment (PPE).

Surgical masks, on the other hand, are loose-fitting covers made of pleated melt-blown fabric, a fine mesh of synthetic polymer fibers that permits the wearer to breathe while obstructing minute particles that could carry the virus.

The coronavirus can linger in the air for minutes to hours, so these respirators won’t offer the same protection against smaller airborne particles as N95 respirators because they don’t fit as snugly.

Whether you have symptoms or not, surgical masks are designed to prevent infection in others by containing any infectious droplets that may escape your mouth or nose.

Conclusion

The CDC now advises wearing a cloth face mask in public places, like the grocery store. Using fabric face masks will help “slow the spread” in communities, and reserve medical-grade surgical masks and N95 respirators for medical professionals and other first responders.

No matter what you wear, please abide by local authorities’ instructions and keep in mind that the best ways to protect you and your family from the virus are still to get the COVID-19 vaccine, avoid crowded places, wash your hands thoroughly, and stay at home.