Facemasks: how to make them

This article is for the more adventurous who'd like to make their own facemasks. We start with how to fold one up with a bandana and rubber bands (in a pinch) and then we proceed to making a very basic mask and we end on how to make a fashionable high end mask. If this is all too much work for you, see our article about how to buy masks in Nairobi.How to fold a simple face mask from a bandana (no sew)You will need:A bandana or a cloth of choice2 hair tiesMethod:

• Fold the bandana or cloth vertically until you are left with a piece of cloth big enough to cover your face
• Put the hair ties around both ends of fabric and move them to the centre
• Take one end of the bandana and tuck it into the other end
• To wear the mask, put the bandana to cover your nose and mouth and put hair ties behind your ears.
• See more on: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aeRFnFKW_A4

How to make a functional face maskYou will need:A piece of clothSewing machineElasticBonding wireMethod:

• Measure the piece of cloth to cover both your nose and mouth and from one cheekbone to the next
• Cut the cloth, fold some pleats into it and pin them in place
• Sew the fabric as pinned on both ends
• Measure 1.75 inches of the remaining cloth and sew on the length of the fabric leaving some room for the bonding wire on the top side of the mask
• Insert the bonding wire on the open side and sew around it to secure it
• Cut two 8 inch pieces of elastic to sew on the sides
• Sew the elastic on the sides
• Cut excess thread and the mask is ready for use
• To try it on, secure the elastic bands behind your ears and make sure the bottom part of the mask moves past your chin.

See more on: https://youtu.be/pJvyuKPw7AgHow to make a high end, fashionable facemask by Mimi GYou will need:A sewing machineA printable pattern; get one hereTwo pieces of cotton clothing fabric (one for the lining) that are closely knitted together8 to 10 inches of elasticPinsSafety pinMethod:

• Cut 2 individual pieces of both the lining and outer fabric using the printable pattern as a guide. For your lining, use the shorter indicated length and for the outer fabric use the slightly longer one.
• Match the 2 pieces of similar fabric right sides facing each other and pin them to secure their shape
• Backstitch the front ends of both fabrics separately using the sewing machine or by hand giving a quarter inch seam allowance
• Press both your seems together with your iron box, right sides facing and align the seam lines and pin the top and bottom sides
• Backstitch across the top and bottom leaving a quarter inch seam allowance
• Turn the joint fabric right side out and press again using your iron box.
• Fold half of the outer fabric on both sides, press with your iron box then fold again and press again
• Stitch along both sides of the edges leaving enough space for your elastic to pass through
• Fold the fabric into two and press with your iron box
• Measure elastic that will cover your head comfortably
• Attach the pin to one side of your elastic and sift it through the ends starting on one side and leaving a tail end and finishing on the other side also leaving a tail
• Overlap the tails by half an inch and then stitch using zigzag pattern
• Your face mask is now ready!
• To try it on, pass both the top and bottom elastics through your head. Have the top elastic sit on your head and the bottom on your neck.

See more on:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hpzLQTy-SA