As I’m sure you probably know, the CDC is now requesting that we wear cloth face coverings when we have to go out in public.
Some of you know how to sew and have undoubtedly already made face masks for yourselves, your family, and organizations that have expressed a need for them.
But for those of you who don’t sew, there’s another option. And the best thing about this no-sew face mask is that it uses items you probably already have laying around your home (no need to make an extra trip when we should all be staying home)!
Here’s how to make an easy DIY cloth face mask in less than 5 minutes (No sewing required).
Step 1: Gather your materials.
You’ll need a piece of square fabric and two hair ties or rubber bands.
I used a vintage cloth napkin, but you could also use a handkerchief or any other similarly-sized square of (preferably cotton) fabric.
If you don’t have any hair ties or elastic, just cut some of the elastic from the top of an old sock!
Step 2: Fold the top and bottom of your fabric square to the center.
Step 3: Flip it over.
Step 4: Fold the top and bottom towards the center (much like Step 2!)
Step 5: Flip it over again!
Step 6: Thread the ends of your fabric square through the hair ties/elastic
Step 7: Fold the sides inward, and tuck them into each other.
This would also be when you’d add a filter if you have one.
And that’s it! When you flip it over, you’ll see you have your very own pleated face mask!
You can see how the pleating allows it to fit snugly across your face.
PLEASE keep in mind that none of these fabric masks are medical grade and please don’t think you’re safe because you’re wearing one. Everything I’ve read or heard in the news says these are “better than nothing” to hopefully keep our own particles from spreading somewhat.
This was a really hard post for me to write. I never thought I’d be sharing a tutorial like this and it feels surreal as I’m writing it. Please share this tutorial with anyone you think might find it useful.
I hope you’re all staying safe at home as much as possible, and that you’re keeping busy with creative projects and refashions you’ll get to enjoy when this is all over.
Much love to you, friends.
How to Make a No-Sew Face Mask
Make a no-sew face mask using items you probably already have laying around your home (no need to make an extra trip when we should all be staying home)!
Materials
- 1 Cloth Napkin, Bandana, or Similarly-Sized Fabric Square
- 2 Hair Ties (Stretched-out ones will be more comfortable)
Instructions
- Gather your Materials.
- Fold the top and bottom of your fabric square to the center.
- Flip it over.
- Fold the top and bottom towards the center (much like Step 2!).
- Flip it over again!
- Thread the ends of your fabric square through the hair ties/elastic.
- Fold the sides inward, and tuck them into each other.
These are certainly easy! Slight drawbacks for me…by the time you do all the folds, there are 8 layers of fabric, and the elastic won’t stay behind my ears! I’ve tried different sizes
but am going to hand stitch ribbon ties on.
I did that too until I heard that vacuum bags are made with glass which may get in your lungs…now I use coffee filters.
On the CDC website, they showed a similar no-sew method with the addition of a piece of paper coffee filter in the middle layer. I didn’t have filters, so I used a paper towel. Take care, everyone!
i put part of a, obviously, clean hepa-filter vacuum cleaner bag inside mine.
Thank you so much for the great idea!! Your blog puts many a smiles on my face. I have been sewing for many years and am amazed at all the great ideas that you come up with. It will bring thrift store shopping to another level since I am retired now and looking for lots of DIY projects.
Hi! Could you possibly elaborate on step 7? I’m sure it’s obvious once you know how, but it’s not coming together for me.
I love this idea!! I made one from a hair buff!! I am such a germaphobe that I added a folded paper towel to the inside to keep any nasty germ out.
https://gizmodo.com/how-to-make-a-face-mask-from-a-t-shirt-or-coffee-filter-1842712376
Thank you for taking the time to create your blog. Ive been seeking both asylum and inspiration within it’s pages in the wee hours when my family sleeps. Flipping through these pages of refashions gave me some confidence in sewing again, I even made a nurse friend if mine a surgical scrub cap the other day! Stay healthy!
Stay safe ❤
This is an excellent, easy-to-understand, and much needed how-to for those who don’t sew. Thank you so much for posting it.
Much love to you too. Thank you for posting this despite how you may be feeling – if just one mask stops one person passing the virus on, then what a difference you’ve made.
Just an emotional time all around but I really do appreciate this post <3
Thank you for posting this!!! Much appreciated
I read that you can insert a coffee filter in these for extra protection.
Nice! Now can you show one that is sewn? ❤️
Thank you so much. Just reading your posts and seeing your work is uplifting. Please keep it up.
Thank you. I saw a similar one on FB but I like yours with the pleat. More comfortable fit.
Take care
As luck would have it, I have a bunch of 12×12 fabric/ upholstery samples I had forever that were in the donation pile; never got around to repurposing them. Just opened your email, grabbed one, found some small drawstring in the junk drawer, and voila! Just made one for my hubby (who found the samples and mentioned I could see some masks out of the about an hour before your email Repurposing at it’s best! Thank you so much, stay safe ☺
I’d post a photo of I could figure out how to do it in the comments
Thanks for posting this link. I just watched it. This really is a level headed 1st hand explanation from someone who is not out for sensationalizing the situation. Love it! Thanks again.
Thank you so much for posting this. I did sew one today but will try this also.
Your good cheer, fortitude and resolve are an especially welcome part of everyonesʻ day during this disaster. Thank you.
The pattern of your mask made me smile. It looks like you have a built in smile in it!
Jillian. Thank you for this handy post. I am sewing masks right now for the truckers. It will have a HEPA filter in it too, supplied by the owner. My pattern was one from someone’s blog.
Love having you back!
Love the no sew masks. I whipped a few of my own this weekend on my sewing machine and mailed them out to family and friends. It felt great to be doing something special for others. Thanks for sharing and be safe.
I sew so I’ve made some. But I sent your link to my son in Asheville. Thanks! Trying times.
Thank you!!!!
Great demonstration. Thanks! I’ve sent it along to friends.
And, by the way, beautiful Vera napkin. I lurv Vera! 🙂
I made one yesterday! The Palm Sunday COVID19 Mask. This was really in jest for FB, not intended to be used. I didnt do the pleat in the front because I wanted the palm and writing to show. Sadly, today is a new situation, so I will have to redo mine. I have tons of scarves, but an not venturing out though. But I will make a new mask everyday! Stay healthy!
Love hearing from you! Seriously, the posts you’re making are helping all of us to get through this tough time. Bless you!
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=IBC3G0e3YVQ&feature=youtu.be
I found a lot of comfort in this doctor’s video.
Thank you for the great photos!! I had seen a print out copy but no photos – this makes is SO much easier to understand what I’m doing! Really Appreciate that you took the time to do this.
Stacked coffee filters add a layer of protection. Far from medical grade, but more effective than just cotton. https://www.nytimes.com/article/coronavirus-homemade-mask-material-DIY-face-mask-ppe.html
I love your blogs. They are very inspiring. The mask is great! I’m home, not by choice (my job is still working). I broke my ankle on Feb. 9th so even though I’m stuck at home I can’t even sew. We just moved to our new home Jan. 14th and my sewing room is still packed up. Reading your blogs have kept me entertained and I look forward to trying some refashions myself. Stay safe and sew on!
Thx! And everyone make several—they should be laundered after every wearing!
SMART!! I copied the link and shared – without using the share button (sorry).
Amazing! Thank you for doing this, can’t wait to share the link. Love your blog!
Absolutely love it! I’m working in a school with essential workers children and this is something we could make with them. No sew is great.Thanks
Choosing a vintage Vera scarf to make this with was really fabulous! It looks totally 70’s chic (even though it’s for a terrible reason). We can be chic and safe at the same time I really appreciate you sharing this!
Thanks for posting! You are one of the highlights of this crisis! I look forward to reading your posts and they make me smile. Stay safe. Better times are ahead.