DIY Tuto Sew a fabric mask for beginners

The current situation of major health crisis in France and the government invite us to make fabric barrier protective masks which are washable and reusable. Faced with this unprecedented situation, we have grouped the essential information as well as the recommendations of the‘AFNOR (French normalization association) to design a fabric mask tutorial accessible to sewing beginners.

 

To your sewing machine to make fine thick -woven cotton masks! But you can decide to sew three thicknesses if your fabric is too fine. You need little material to make a mask and if you do not have elastic, we explain how to create an elastic with a pair of tights.

Let yourself be guided on video on our YouTube channel or via the explanations writing below.

The choice of fabric

Favor 100% cotton tissue and machine pass them before sewing them to eliminate the fabric primer. AFNOR specifies not to use filters (coffee filter, vacuum filter, wipe) to slide inside your mask because these materials can contain allergen agents.

SUPPLIES

 

THE EXPLANATIONS

Before you start sewing, wash your hands with soap well and wear a protective mask to sew your fabric mask.

The boss

1- Cut two squares of fabric of 22cm x 22cm

2- Cut your elastic bands at a length of 20cm (to wear your mask behind the ears) or 35cm to wear it behind the head.

If you don't have an elastic, cut a strip of 2cm in the leg of a pantyhose pair. Pull it lightly so that it retracts and you get an elastic that will be very soft on the skin.

3- Position your squares of fabric place against the place and pin the top and bottom. Draw your sewing margins 1cm from the edge to help you and make a seam following the line.

4- Option: Sew a metal wire to better marry the shape of your nose

Place a small metal wire in the center of one of the already sewn sides. Make a small seam on the ends of this thread in the sewing margin.

5- Go back to the place and go back to flatten the seams.

The folding

6- Place benchmarks on both sides not sewn using pins. Place a first pin in the center 10cm on each side, then another 2.5cm from the center's pin, and another 5cm from the second mark. Do the same for each side of the mask.

7- Catch the pin 2.5cm from the center to fold it on the pin, 5cm from it. This forms a flat fold to give relief to your mask. Do the same on the bottom of the mask and pin your folds.

8- Make a point of zigzag on the edges folded previously to maintain the folding and make the finishes of the edges.

9- Return your mask to the back and form a 1cm fold on the sides with the zigzagé edge. You can pass an iron to keep the withdrawal and pin.

The elastic

10- If you have an elastic band, position the edges of the elastic under the fold of the ends of the side seam and make a seam to maintain the withdrawal as well as the edges of the elastic. You can make a reinforcement seam perpendicular on the ends of the elastic for solidity.

If you with a small circle made from a tights, slide the circle into the withdrawal of the seam margin on the side before carrying out the holding seam of the withdrawal and thus create the slide for your circle by sticky.

And now, your fabric mask is finished!

A fabric mask is not a medical device but it best protects your respiratory voices and makes it possible to limit the spread of the virus.

Washing

Your mask should not be worn for more than a few hours. Wash your mask in 60 ° or with disinfectant for linen. Dry your mask with a dryer or hair dryer and do not hesitate to iron your mask at high temperature!

You now have all the keys to making your mask in washable and reusable fabric for you and your loved ones.
To your sewing machines and take care of yourself!

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