Jordan Ellis
During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a severe shortage of face masks, prompting sewing enthusiasts to use their talents to help those on the front lines. While hospitals welcomed the donation of homemade masks, they could not be used when caring for COVID-19 patients. However, they could be used by healthcare workers not directly caring for COVID-19 patients and those who felt more comfortable wearing them. Hospitals provided approved patterns for sewing homemade masks, with instructions for materials and delivery.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Sewing ability | Basic sewing skills required |
| Sewing machine | Required |
| Materials | Fabric for front and lining, elastic or fabric ties, bias tape |
| Fabric type | Light-colored cotton or cotton blend with a high thread count |
| Fabric preparation | Prewash and dry fabric before sewing |
| Fit | Should achieve a close facial fit |
| Filtration | Should filter at least 95% of particles in the air |
| Face shield | Recommended for use with a face shield extending to or below the chin |
| Packaging | Place completed masks in plastic bags in multiples of 10 or less |
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What You'll Learn
Basic sewing skills required
Sewing your own face masks can be a great way to contribute to your community during a pandemic when there is a shortage of masks. While homemade masks are not as effective as N95 masks, they are still useful when there is a complete shortage of masks.
Basic sewing skills are required to make a hospital-approved face mask. You should be able to pin, iron, sew in a relatively straight line, and read a basic pattern. You will also need a sewing machine. If you do not have a sewing machine, JOANN Fabric stores are donating pre-cut fabric to anyone who wants to make masks, and all 860 stores will offer the materials in their classrooms with sewing machines.
You can use clothing or bedding items made from cotton cloth, dish towels, t-shirts, or pillowcases to make your mask. You can also use old scraps of fabric (at least 10 inches by 7 inches square). If you do not have a sewing machine, you can use a needle and thread to sew your mask by hand.
There are many free patterns and tutorials available online for making hospital-approved face masks. These include patterns and tutorials from hospitals, such as Northside Gwinnett Hospital, St. Francis Medical Center, McLaren, Mercy One, and Community Health Network. Additionally, there are patterns and tutorials from health organizations like the Deaconess Health System and the Syracuse Mask Project.
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Use a hospital-approved pattern
If you want to make a hospital-approved mask, you must use a hospital-approved pattern. For example, Stony Brook Stitchers has an SBU-approved pattern for surgical masks on its website, along with instructions and a video. Centura Health also has instructions and a pattern for homemade masks on its website, which can be used for other hospitals with approval from their COVID-19 Incident Command. University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Health also previously provided a hospital-approved pattern, although this is no longer available.
The Stony Brook Stitchers website provides a list of materials needed, which includes fabric for the front and fabric for the lining. Centura Health's instructions specify that the fabric must be light-coloured so that soiling is easy to spot. They recommend using cotton or cotton blend fabric, such as pillowcases, sheets, or quilting fabric, with a high thread count. They also ask that the fabric is prewashed and dried before sewing.
Both Stony Brook Stitchers and Centura Health were mobilizing their communities to make masks for hospital staff during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, as of May 24, 2020, Stony Brook Hospital asked volunteers to stop making surgical masks as they had started receiving regular deliveries of PPE. Centura Health also specifies that homemade masks are not to be laundered before shipping or delivery, as the hospital will launder all masks before use.
It is important to note that homemade masks are not considered personal protective equipment and are not appropriate for preventing disease transmission. Hospitals may not allow their staff to use them when caring for COVID-19 patients, and the CDC advises that they should only be used as a "last resort" when surgical face masks are unavailable.
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Fabric must be pre-washed and dried
When making a hospital-approved mask, it is important to use pre-washed and dried fabric. This is because the fabric may shrink after the first wash, and you want to ensure that the mask remains snug against the face for maximum protection. Pre-washing the fabric also ensures that any potential contaminants are removed, and that the mask will not be damaged or change shape after subsequent washes.
It is recommended to use 100% cotton fabric, as it is breathable, and to choose a light colour so that it is easy to see when the mask is soiled. Cotton fabric should be washed in soapy water, as the Coronavirus will dissolve in it. You can also add a non-biological detergent to your wash, but be careful not to exceed the recommended amount, as this may cause breathing issues.
After washing, the fabric must be completely dry before use. Bacteria grows and reproduces in moisture-like conditions, so it is important to ensure that the mask is dry to prevent bacteria from growing on it. Masks can be dried by machine or ironed, and should always be dried thoroughly before use.
It is also important to note that cloth masks are considered single-use items, and should be washed after each use. This means that it is ideal to have multiple masks so that you always have a clean, dry mask ready to use.
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Use cotton or cotton blend fabric
Cotton or cotton blend fabric is a good choice for making hospital-approved masks. You can use tightly knit cotton material, such as a T-shirt. First, cut off the bottom 7 to 8 inches of a T-shirt. Lay the material out flat and turn it 90 degrees so that the bottom hem is facing left or right. Fold it from the bottom to the middle, and then from the top to the middle. Repeat this step to create a thick layer of fabric.
You can also use cotton fabric from pillowcases, sheets, or quilting fabric. The fabric should be light-coloured so that soiling is easy to spot, and it should have a high thread count. Make sure to prewash and dry the fabric before sewing the mask. This step ensures that the fabric is pre-shrunk.
If you are using a sewing machine, you can stitch the sides of the mask to create a sturdier mask. You can use elastic for the straps or make your own fabric ties using bias tape or twill tape. Each tie should have a finished length of 18 inches.
It is important to note that homemade cloth masks may not be as effective as manufactured masks. These masks are intended to be used as an additional layer of protection over a disposable medical mask. Always follow the latest guidelines and recommendations from health authorities regarding mask usage and safety measures.
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Package masks in plastic bags in multiples of 10 or less
To make hospital-approved masks, you will need a sewing machine and some basic materials. You can use fabric from home, such as leftover fabric from previous projects, or purchase new fabric. It is important to follow the specific instructions and patterns provided by the hospital you are making masks for, as they may have different requirements. For example, Stony Brook Hospital has specific instructions on their website, including a video tutorial, for their hospital-approved mask pattern.
Once you have the necessary materials and have followed the pattern instructions to make your masks, it is important to package them correctly. Centura Health, for instance, requests that homemade masks be placed in plastic bags in multiples of 10 or less. This means that each bag should contain 10 or fewer masks. It is also important to write the number of masks on the outside of each bag, indicating how many are inside. This helps with infection control, so those receiving the masks do not need to handle them individually.
Banner Health, another healthcare organization, has similar instructions for donating homemade masks. They request that masks be placed in a separate box, bag, or container in the trunk of your car, with a label indicating the quantity enclosed. They also specify that there is no need to individually bag or package each mask.
It is always a good idea to check with the specific hospital or healthcare organization you are donating to, as they may have unique requirements or instructions for donating homemade masks. Some hospitals may also provide drop-off locations or mailing addresses for donations, such as Centura Health and Banner Health, respectively. It is important to follow their instructions carefully to ensure your donations are received and used effectively.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need fabric for the front and fabric for the lining. The fabric must be light-coloured so that soiling is easy to see. Please use cotton or cotton blend fabric. Pillowcases, sheets or quilting fabric are good examples. A high thread count is best.
If you have basic sewing skills, you can follow a hospital-approved pattern to make a hospital-approved mask. You can find these patterns online. The fabric must be prewashed and dried. After the masks are sewn, they do not need to be laundered before shipping or delivering them. The hospital will launder all masks before they are used.
A face mask is a product that covers the wearer's nose and mouth. Face masks are not considered personal protective equipment and do not meet fluid barrier or filtration efficiency levels. A surgical mask is a loose-fitting, disposable device that creates a physical barrier between the mouth and nose of the wearer and potential contaminants in the immediate environment. An N95 respirator is a respiratory protective device designed to achieve a very close facial fit and efficient filtration of airborne particles.
