Use materials in your house or family home to sew an easy basic face mask. This is a great up-cycling project. I made my mask using a sewing machine, but can also be easily sewn by hand. Using fabric will give you the option to wash and reuse many times. A fabric mask can also be worn as an extra layer of protection over a paper-mask.
Materials Needed:
Fabric (piece of clothing your no longer wear, bandana, purse / shoe fabric storage bags)
Thread
Scissors
Hair ties or rubber bands
Sewing hand needle or sewing machine
How to sew a Face Mask by hand or machine:
Step 1: Find some fabric in your home and/ or clothing that you no longer wear. This can be an old t-shirt, blouse, skirt or any cotton fabric that can be cut.
Step 2: Measure fabric approximately 10 x 5.5 and cut 2 pieces. You should have 2 rectangle shapes of fabric.
Step 3: Place the right side of fabric together. (The right side – is usually the brighter side of fabric.) Pin around the perimeter of fabric. Pin on the wrong side of fabric, to help hold fabric in place.
Step 4: Hand sew around the perimeter of the fabric rectangle (on the wrong side of fabric). Sew approximate ½ inch from the edge of the fabric. Leave a 2 inch opening, where you do not sew closed. This will enable us to turn fabric to the right side (next step). This step can also be completed using a sewing machine.
Step 5: Clip Corners
Step 6: Turn Fabric to the right side of fabric. (Use your fingers to push fabric through the open hole. Carefully pull fabric to the right side.)
Step 7: With fabric on the right side. Press edges flat with hands or use an iron.
Step 8: Sew the open closed. (Use running stitch)
Step 9: Place hair tie or rubber band around fabric (put over the width of the rectangle (smaller edge). Fold edge of fabric over band. Pin in place. (To keep fabric from moving). Repeat to the opposite end of fabric.
Step 10: Sew folded edge of fabric in place. (Use running stitch or whip stitch)
Pin Edge 
Sew Folded Edge 
Sew Finishing Touches
Step 11: You have a finished mask. Try it on to make sure it fits comfortably over the ears and covers your mouth and nose.
- Fabric sizes can be adjusted to fit a smaller face or children.
- To Sterilize: Machine wash or boil in hot water.
Many people are in need of masks to wear daily to help protect against viruses. If you can sew, make a few masks and give to a neighbor. This is also a great DIY easy sewing project to do with kids at home, that will teach basic hand sewing skills.
