11 - COVID19 Masks

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There has been a lot of disagreement about the usefulness of making masks for the COVID19 situation.  I have been persuaded by a number of reports and people I respect that this is a good idea and have been making them.

Some of the reseach can be found here and here and here

My very basic instructions are below (based loosely on these, but she takes better photos than I do!).  If anything is unclear just message me on Benta@SLIKstitches.co.uk and I'll clarify (Lots of other instructions are available here: https://www.bigcommunitysew.co.uk/)

Prewash unwanted 100% cotton shirts and t-shirts at =>60 degrees C (making masks AND keeping stuff out of landfill: win win!)

 

MASK: Cut two @ 8" x 8" 

 

NOSE STRIP CASING: Cut scraps to 8 inches x as long as is available  (to be cut to length later)

 

BINDING: Cut strips to 2.5" x as long as is possible (to be cut to length later)

 

ELASTIC: cut to 8" lengths

Prepare fabrics

NOSE STRIP CASING: fold the long ends in towards the middle about 1/4 inch, press, and fold again (see pic under the cat!).  Stitch down the hems.  Cross cut into strips 1.5" wide (now hemmed at both ends).  Fold in half lengthwise and press.

BINDING:  This is called double fold non bias binding.  Fold fabric length ways and press.  Open up and fold edges into the middle, press.  Fold in half and press

MASKS: Place a t-shirt piece and a shirt piece right sides together. Put one folded nose strip casing, centred on the far edge, sandwiched between the two layers

Stitch top and bottom

Turn inside out and press.

Fold the mask in three even folds.  If you want help there is a printable template on this PDF

 

Stitch the folds in place along the raw edges

 

Fold in one end of the binding (fold down two triangles like this then fold the point in 

Line the binding up with one stitched edge and clip into place.  Cut to a suitable length and fold the other end in the same way, and clip into place.

ELASTIC

I add the elastic like this (wrong elastic, just there to show the angle) so it emerges at the top and bottom.  Just tuck the raw ends inside and make sure you stitch it down at the short ends. I found the 6" elastic was too short so I have been cutting it at 8" - people can make it shorter if they need to

Stitch all the open edges (as indicated in white) making sure the elastic is securely anchored

Finish with a pipe-cleaner or another type of metal strip pushed through the nose strip casing so it can be bent to fit around the bridge of the nose but can be removed when the mask is washed.

The mask is reversible: it can be worn with either fabric facing out

I have been giving them to people with an instruction sheet that says

MASKS

Please consider the following:

·      These are not medical specification masks: they may be better than nothing but are not as good as the “real thing”.  They will hopefully reduce the likelihood of you getting / spreading the disease but please proceed with caution

·      They should be changed regularly and washed with soap and water (or apparently soaked in neat Gin!).  They can be machine washed, even boil washed – they have been made from t-shirts and fabrics pre-washed at 90^o. To iron the creases back gently tug the sides apart and it should fall back into pleats for ironing (ironing is optional)

·      They are made using materials found (by University of Cambridge researchers) to be about 70% effective

·      We ran the idea past a medical professor who said the research was sound and suggested we use t-shirts and pillow cases as there are too many t-shirts going to land fill.  I have used t-shirts and shirt fabric which is a closer weave than pillowcases. 

·      Ideally there should be a strip of metal at the top.  I have added a channel for the metal – a pipe cleaner, food ties or other bendy metal can be used so the mask can be pressed around the nose

·      They have NOT been made in a sterile environment.  I think I am well but would suggest you wash these before using just in case

 

Keep safe!!

Benta Hickley.  WraysburyStitch@gmail.com

https://wraysburystitch.blogspot.com/2020/04/covid19-masks.html

 

ADVICE ON USING THE MASK: Treat your mask like underwear.

1)      Do not touch or adjust  it (especially in public)

2)      Do not borrow or lend.

3)      Make sure it’s tight but comfortable.

4)      Make sure it’s clean (daily or as needed).

5)      Wear the right side out.

6)      If there are holes in it, throw it away.

7)      If it’s stained, throw it away.

8)      If it’s damp, change it.