Make a Safe Face Mask 🌱

In light of the current situation, we need to be more vigilant than ever - keep social distancing, wash our hands, wear a mask and be mindful of each other. Even-though the spread of this pandemic is slowing down - it’s not over.… That's why we need compassion.

Compassion is being mindful of one another. It means wearing a mask and washing your hands, even though you might not be the high-risk group, but your next-door neighbour might be. Compassion is wearing a mask and using a sanitizer on your hands, when in the supermarket because the workers are at risk. Compassion is wearing a mask and washing your hands, waiting in line and following instructions from health professionals to help them safe lives. Compassion is wearing a mask, washing your hands, being restrained, knocking at a window when all you want to do is run and hold your grandmother. For her, you and for others - Be compassionate and wear a mask!

We are all unique. From a large nose to a small. From high cheekbones to a low. However we might look, our face mask needs to be safe and adjusted to our facial features. This means when wearing a mask, you need to wear a mask that doesn't expose or let vicious bacteria in. The solution is to make a customised safe face mask.

Besides fitting your face, the face mask also needs to contain 3 layers of safe fabric. The outer layer has to be water-resistant. The middle layer can be made of recycled old clothes. Whereas the inner layer has to be water absorbent. This really easy pattern was put together by the Victorian State Government. It contains 6 simple steps, and if you want 7, to follow. Besides being easy to make the safe face mask will be made in max 20 min!

Read the 6 step instructions or download the PDF on how to make a safe face mask. At the end, you will find recommendations for safe fabrics to use as well as care instructions for the fabric.

Please keep you and everyone you love safe!❤️

Cut out the outer layer, middle layer and inner layer pieces (see above for dimensions and material to use). Place the outer layer on the bottom, the middle layer in the middle, and the inner layer on top.

With the inner layer facing up, fold over 1 cm of the three pieces of material for the top and bottom edges and stitch at the borders (see red dotted lines).

With the inner layer facing up, fold over 1.5 cm of material for the side edges and stitch (see red dotted lines).

Thread a 20 cm piece of elastic, string or cloth strip through the wider edge on each side. Use a safety pin or large needle to thread it through

Knot the ends tightly or stitch them together.

Put on the mask with the outer layer facing away from your face. Adjust the mask to make sure it fits tightly over your nose and mouth. While wearing and removing the mask, do not touch the outer layer. Wash your hands before putting your mask on and after taking it off.

If you want to improve the fit of your mask you can add a nylon stocking over the mask and tie at the back of the head.

Download the PDF on how to make your own safe face mask.

Below follows recommendations on what type of fabrics are safe to use.

Examples of water-resistant fabrics are polyester/polypropylene. However, cotton sateen twill is a natural cotton fabric which is water repellent and easy to wash after being used. Have a look at one of these fancy cotton sateen twills as examples:

Amy Butler:

Nigella Primrose grey

Nigella Primrose pewter green

Nigella Water Lotus ivory

Nigella Water Lotus spinach

Nigella Starflower tile brown

Nigella Starflower tile spinach

Nigella Starflower tile blue

Momo:

Wonderland Tea Time Jam

For a middle layer recycle and use parts of some piece of old clothes you no longer use. This layer will not be seen from the outside as it is sewn within.

Examples of water-absorbing fabric are cotton which is safe to use as an inner layer on your face mask. Below you have examples of these:

American Jane Pattons:

Sandy Klop 21102-11

Sandy Klop 21102-17

Amy Butler:

Midwest Modern Happy Dots inLinen AB29-Linen

Midwest Modern Happy Dots AB29-Grey

Midwest modern Nouveau Trees AB30-Green

Midwest modern Honeycomb AB25-Ice

Midwest Modern Honeycomb AB25-Linen

Midwest Modern Garden Maze AB23-Grey

Midwest Modern Garden Maze AB23-Olive

Midwest Modern Garden Maze AB23-Red

Midwest Modern Fresh poppies AB32-Rose

Midwest modern Martini AB26-mustard

Lotus Full moon polka dot AB13-Slate

Lotus Wall Flower AB17-Pink

Lotus Wall flower AB17-Cherry

Lotus Wallflower AB17-Sky

Belle Chrysanthemum AB10-Mustard

Belle Royal Garden AB06-Turquoise

Daisy Chain Pressed flowers AB39-Rose

Daisy Chain Dandelion Field AB42-Rose

Daisy Chain Dandelion Field AB42-Grey

Daisy Chain Clematis AB41-Grey

Lotus Full moon polka dot AB13-Cherry

Belle French Wall Paper AB02-Orange

Belle Royal Garden AB06-Clay

Kaffe Fassett:

Floral Stripe GP62

Paperweight GP20-Pastel

Roman Glass GP 01-Pink

Jennifer Paganeli:

Happy Land Candice PWJP068-Redx

Happy Claudia PWJP066-Skyxx

Happy Candice PWJP068-Skyxx

Happy Martha PWJP067-Skyxx

Circa Maggie Rose PWJP076-Rosex

Modern Girl Laurie D1545.0625

Modern Girl Patsy D1550.0625

Urban Chicks:

Sweet Sassy Bubble Gum 31050 16

Sweet Sassy Icing 31050-14

Sweet Spots Cream Bright 3105411

Sweet Carnival Bubble Gum 31052 16

Sweet Carnival Lollipop 3105215

Momo:

Wonderland Tweedle Dee Jam

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The advantage with sustainable fabrics, like quilting cotton, is that it will hold for many items of washing. The fabrics will change colour over time, adding sustainable wear and charm to each piece.

To keep the intricate design and colours for as long as possible, please be advised to machine wash warm 40° C (105° F) with normal cycle with like colours. Use only non-chlorine bleach and do not sundry. Tumble dry low, remove promptly, and use warm iron if necessary. This will ensure sustainable use of the fabric.