Easy DIY face mask for frontline staff

I mentioned in this post that I started sewing masks and donating them to healthcare professionals. My heart aches for these wonderful humans. They are risking their lives to help others without protection. Seeing nurses wearing the masks I sewed for them seriously made my day. I know my sewing skills is questionable but I wanted to help. I spent my entire weekend (between doing chores and spending time with my family) sewing these masks. This batch is on its way to those in need. I found a simpler way to sew a mask. Take a look if you're interested. If I can make them, you certainly can. Please note homemade masks aren't intended to replace N95 respirators. They are approved by the CDC to be used as a last resort when all other PPE options have run out. This is just an added barrier between you and the outside world. If you know how to sew, please consider making masks for front-line staff. I want to do my part to help. Together we are stronger and can get through this!

Supplies:

• 100% cotton fabric 6" x 9"
• Interfacing or swimwear lining fabric 6" x 9"
• 1/4" elastic band (the white is completely sold out everywhere last week so I bought the black one instead)

Instructions:

• For an adult size mask, cut 1 piece of cotton fabric 6" wide and 9" long
• Cut 2 pieces of elastic, each 11" long
• Put the right sides of fabric together
• Start at the corner, sew both layers together, make sure to leave about a 2" opening
• Turn them right side out through the opening, Make sure to push out the corners
• Iron the mask flat, make sure the seam allowance at the opening is tucked inside
• Fold 3 evenly spaced pleats and iron in place
• Top-stitch around the entire perimeter of the mask. Make sure all pleats are facing the same direction
• Fold the right side of the fabric along the shorter sides to create a pocket for the elastic band and sew a straight line.
• Insert the elastic band through the pocket and tie a knot to the ends
• Pull the elastic band until the knots are hidden in the pocket

..and you're done! 

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Easy DIY face mask for frontline staff