Indispensable for shopping or taking public transport, the washable fabric mask is very easy to make at home. To sew a “general public” 3-ply mask, all you need to do is bring our tutorial and the AFNOR pattern. Follow the guide !
It is displayed on all faces with different patterns, but always the same function: to act as a barrier to covid-19. The essential accessory of deconfinement is him. The coronavirus protective mask so-called “general public” model, comprising three folds and according to AFNOR mask recommendations is easily done at home. If you want sew your mask, all you need to do is bring a sewing machine (or failing that, a needle and thread), the famous cotton canvas and elastics and follow our easy tutorial to sew In two shakes of a lamb’s tail.
How to sew a protective mask by machine (or without)?
If you are equipped, you can also sew a protective mask. Discover all the stages carried out with the seamstress and model maker Clotilde JD Faure.
Materials required for the protective mask
- Cotton-type fabrics woven fairly tight and in good condition (more details on the AFNOR document)
- Elastic (if you don’t have elastics replace them with longer ribbons or bias)
- A ruler
- Iron
- A sewing machine
1. Prepare the elements
For a paper pattern of a size 20x20cm (measurements already include seam allowances)
- Iron your fabric (washed beforehand).
- Cut out the cotton square 20x20cm 3 times with your boss.
- Cut two rubber bands of a length included between 25 and 30 cm.
2. Arrange your three pieces of fabric on top of each other and pin everything
3. Stitch
- The bottom of the fabric on both sides.
- The top of the fabric, being careful to leave an unstitched space (preferably in the center) to return the work later.
- Be careful to tie off well at each seam.
4. Insert the rubber bands
Between the first and the second layer of fabric, positioning them snugly against the seam.
5. Pin the rubber bands
A little far from the edge and perpendicular, so as not to interfere with the foot when you stitch with the machine.
6. Stitch
At 1 cm from the edge of the fabric, taking care to make good securing stitches on the elastics.
7. Return the work
Through the unstitched space, then iron well.
8. Stitch again
Against the edge of the fabric, to close the opening that was used to return the work.
9. Fold the job in half
Mark it with an iron, to have a visual mark of the center of the mask. If you have a frixion pen, you can mark the center to help you.
10. Fold accordion
Preform with an iron a system of “accordion folds” which are positioned along the center of the mask (line marked with an iron or a pen). Don’t be afraid to miss it, it’s not a matter of millimeters.
11. Stitch the fabric
To keep the folds in place.
12. Cut the wires
The mask is ready! Reminder: never touch it whether inside or outside once it is positioned. It must be handled by its rubber bands only. It must imperatively cover the mouth and the nose.
How to make a protective mask without a sewing machine?
From Containment mask making tutorials, the one that presents itself as the most accessible to all is the protective mask without a sewing machine. Because not everyone is equipped to make a seam mask, Professor Garin, former Doctor of the Army Health Service and expert in biological and infectious risk, has delivered in video very simple explanations to achieve a paper anti-virus protective mask easily.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Lg0jnJ3hEo
To make a mask without a sewing machine, another option is to make a fabric mask with a folding and a pair of rubber bands. If the mask can be done with any scarf, it is important to know that it will only be useful for a few hours and should be washed at high temperature after each use. The technique of bandana mask has gone viral on social media thanks to its ease of execution.
If your fingers are nimble and your sewing skills are good enough, you can crochet a mask. For optimal protection, cotton is recommended by AFNOR, but the inclusion of fabric panels at the back will add the layers necessary for its effectiveness. To do this, you can sew a cotton pocket on the back which will strengthen the mask while ensuring that it is breathable. Keep in mind these layers should cover your mouth and nose.
