In this article: This article is about how to make an easy, no sew face mask covering for Covid-19, two different ways. Today, I’m sharing two (2) simple, homemade face mask tutorials that I found super helpful. You can make these no sew face mask coverings without any sewing skills, and using just a few basic materials you already have at home.
Hello, friends. I hope you are doing well and are staying healthy during Covid-19. So, what’s new on your list of things you never thought you’d be doing this Spring? Well, besides disinfect a pizza box with a Lysol wipe, I never thought I’d make a no-sew face mask covering out of an old shirt to wear to the grocery store. But, yet, here we are.
Further, not in a million years, could I ever have imagined sharing a blog post here on How to Make a No Sew Face Mask Covering for a Pandemic. What can I say, it’s a strange new world.
Why I Like These ‘No Sew Face Mask’ Tutorials
I recently scoured the Internet to find an easy tutorial on how to make a no-sew face mask covering with items I already had on hand. There’s quite a few face mask tutorials out there, but I wanted one that was super easy. In the end, I found two that were impressively simple. I thought they might be helpful to share.
After all, not everybody has a sewing machine or sewing skills. Not to mention, sewing supplies (like fabric, thread and elastic) aren’t necessarily things that everybody has lying around. So, if you want to make a simple, homemade cloth face mask, that requires no sewing, these tutorials will do the trick.
Guidance on Homemade Face Coverings
Before I share those tutorials, I just want to be clear that these homemade, no-sew face coverings are NOT medical-grade. In other words, they will not block out a virus like Covid-19. Still, many places now recommend or even require wearing a cloth face mask covering in public to help prevent the spread of Covid-19. Apparently, that’s because even though a homemade face mask covering won’t protect YOU from the virus, it may be helpful in you spreading the illness to others.
PLEASE NOTE: Wearing a homemade face covering has not been proven to protect the person wearing it. But, it may be helpful in spreading the virus to others. Therefore, it is not a substitute for physical distancing and following hand washing recommendations (Source: Canada.ca).
* For the latest guidance on face masks and face coverings, always consult the relevant governmental or medical agency for your country. (In Canada, start here: Canada.ca)
How to Wear a Cloth Face Covering
Also, if you use any online tutorial to make your own face covering, please keep the following things in mind.
Homemade face mask coverings should:
- fit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face, and not require frequent adjustment
- be secured with ties or ear loops
- include multiple layers of fabric
- allow for easy breathing without restriction
- be changed as soon as possible if damp or dirty
- be able to be laundered and machine dried
- maintain their shape after washing and drying
Read more about it here (CDC) or here (Canada.ca).
Homemade, No-Sew Face Mask Tutorials
Tutorial #1: Face Covering from a Bandana
This first homemade, no-sew face mask tutorial uses a cloth bandana, hair elastics and a coffee filter. It does not require any sewing at all, just folding. You can find this simple tutorial at Good HouseKeeping.com: How to Make a No-Sew Face Mask During the Coronavirus Outbreak. CLICK THE IMAGE BELOW FOR THE TUTORIAL.
Tutorial #2: Face Covering from an Old Shirt
This second homemade, no-sew face mask tutorial uses an old shirt and a pair of scissors. This is actually the tutorial that I followed to make my own no-sew face covering. The only modification that I would suggest is to use a cotton ‘dress shirt’ for the fabric, rather than a t-shirt. This is because the fabric is usually more tightly woven than a t-shirt. However, an old t-shirt can still be used for the face mask straps. This is because t-shirt fabric has some flexibility to it, making it a great substitute for elastic. CLICK THE IMAGE BELOW FOR THE TUTORIAL.
I hope you find one of these tutorials helpful. In the meantime, did you get a chance to download the free art I share last week? I created some free, downloadable art prints with inspiring messages that you can print from home and frame. Or, simply tape them to your windows or refrigerator to share some motivation with others. Just click on the image below to take you there.
Until next time,
K.