How to Make Face mask with no Elastic and Sewing Machine.

Hello Omoge, how do you do? I want to share with you on how to make wearable facemasks without an elastic band. Facemask has become like a necessity for the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Facemask

Everywhere you go, you see a different type of facemask. Some are big while others are small, simple while others are complex. No matter the looks and shapes, the most important thing is that it is protective and wearable.

It is compulsory to wear a facemask in a crowded environment and when you are out of your house to buy things you need.  There are several other things you can do to stay safe during the Covid-19 pandemic. They include the following;

1. Wash your hand always with alcohol-based soaps under running water. It is preferable that you put a bucket of water with a tap attached and soap at the entrance of your house to wash hands.

2. Use alcohol-based sanitizers when you are out of the house and can not get soap and water to wash hands on the go. There are different types and brands of hand sanitizers in the market but the best is one of 75% alcohol.

3. Keep social distance from others and avoid crowded environment. This includes places like market, worship, and educational centers.

4. Avoid unnecessary visits to relations, friends, and neighbors.

5. Help those who are in need as we can only get through this pandemic by being our brother and sister keepers.

The Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) has made wearing facemasks mandatory. This is because many people lack obvious symptoms of the virus and can spread it fast. For this reason, it is important to always wear a facemask to protect yourself and others.

Surgical and N-95 facemasks are in short supply and would not be able to go around the entire public. This has prompted the use of cotton or homemade face masks. Homemade facemasks are not difficult to make, all it takes is to be creative and make good use with what you have. Some materials you can use include;

1. Ankara cloth, pillowcases, unused T-shirts, and wears. Whatever cloth material you use, it should be tight-woven for better protection.

2. Measurement tape or meter rule.

3. Pair of scissors.

4. Sewing machine or threaded needle.

5. Pad or filter.

The following steps will guide you on how to make a wearable facemask without an elastic band. 

1. Get a cloth material of your choice. I will be using a beautiful pillowcase material for this post.

2. Fold the pillowcase in two.

3. Measure the length of your facemask. Starting from the beginning of your left ear around your chin to the beginning of your right ear. Divide the measurement you get by two. For adults, it is about 11-12 inches while for children, it is about 8-9 inches. 

4. Measure from the tip of the nose to the bottom of the chin. This is for the width of the facemask. My measurement for this post is 4 inches.

5. Measure 4 inches on the opening fold horizontal and mark it using a marker or chalk. Call this point B

6. Measure 6 inches on the closed fold vertical and mark the point with marker or chalk. Measure addition 1 inch vertical and mark as well. The addition of 1 inch is for the attachment of the facemask ear holder. Call this point C.

7. Measure 1 inch horizontal from C to Point D and draw a line to join both points

8. Measure 1 inch horizontal from the 6 inches vertical mark and draw a line across to join both points. Call this point A.

8. Draw a diagonal line to join points A and B.

9. Draw a line to join points A and D.

10. With the use of scissors, cut out fold with marked edges.

11. Spread open the fold to display the facemask.

12. Fold the cut edges twice and sew around using a sewing machine or threaded needle.

13. Cut out a pad or filter of about 4X4 inches and place it on the center of the facemask.

13. Hold the tip of both ends of the facemask and the pad/filter together with sewing machine or thread and needle.

14. Cut out about 8X2 inches of material, fold the cut edges inward and sew with a machine or threaded needle. Do the same for both ears.

15. Attach both ends of the folded material in step 14 to the left and right side of the facemask.

16. Wear the facemask on the face to know if it fits in very well. If it does not fit, you can adjust it with the sewing machine or threaded needle.

Make sure that you can breathe well when wearing the facemask. If you find it difficult to breathe, you can adjust it in a way that makes it easier to breathe. The aim of the homemade facemask is to prevent the virus from spreading out to others. It is not to suffocate yourself. 

The following test will determine if the facemask is protective or not;

1. Wear it around your face. Make sure you do not rub it with hand sanitizer as this can result in a serious face burn.

2. Light a flame about 1-2inches distance from the worn facemask.

3. Blow air through the facemask and watch to see if the flame goes off.

If the flame goes off, then it is not protective. If the flame remains after several attempts to put off through the facemask, it is protective.

There are other methods of making a protective facemask such as the use of bandana worn around the face. Which one you choose, ensure that they pass the above test. 

To find out more about how to make easy and wearable facemasks, check out these youtube channels. You can also find out the difference between a surgical and N-95 facemask here.

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