How to make your own homemade face mask videos:

[BillsFan4]

With more states recommending that people wear masks in public I wanted to put together a thread with some of my favorite homemade face mask how-to’s (feel free to add some of your own too). There are so many different videos out there. Some very easy to make, others more complex. Some with more protection, others less. So I wanted to gather some of each style.

 

Lets start with one of the most basic - a no-sew mask made with a piece of cloth. Anyone should be able to make one of these in minutes. All that’s required is a piece of cloth (and some extra filter material, like a coffee filter or piece of blue shop towel for ex.), a couple folds and 2 rubber bands or hair ties:

 

 

 

 

 

Video on making this style of mask:

 

Edited April 11, 2020 by BillsFan4

[BillsFan4]

Next is a much more complex mask. It’s probably not required for most people, but I wanted to share it anyway.

 

 

It’s made from a HEPA filter vacuum cleaner bag. I’ve read these masks are more for front line workers that don’t have n95 masks.

 

 

 

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Here’s a super easy mask made out of paper towels, a coffee filter and 2 rubber bands.

 

 

Edited April 11, 2020 by BillsFan4

[BillsFan4]

No-sew mask from blue shop towels.

 

He uses paper shop towels. I would recommend using the polyester/hydro-knit version (like Scott’s Pro or Zeb’s or Toolbox’s brands. Look for hydro knit material, not paper).

2 layers of hydro knit material is supposed to filter up to 93% (which, if true, is pretty good for a homemade face mask)

 

Here’s another video using 2 layers of blue shop towel (which is what the business insider article recommended. Article linked below)

 

 

 

Article on why to use the blue hydro knit shop towels:

 

https://www.businessinsider.com/homemade-mask-using-hydro-knit-shop-towel-filters-better-2020-4

Edited April 11, 2020 by BillsFan4

[BillsFan4]

Here’s another super simple mask that can be made with an old t shirt and a couple cuts:

 

 

 

Another version made from a t shirt:

 

 

Edited April 11, 2020 by BillsFan4

[BillsFan4]

This one requires a bit of sewing. It’s still a pretty simple design though. It is washable and has a filter pocket, so you can easily discard/change your filter material.

 

 

 

[Hapless Bills Fan]

Here are 4 different patterns requiring sewing, evaluated by a physician who sews.

 

She actually had the 4 masks FIT TESTED (it may be of interest to see the fit testing gizmo, @SDS: I never had a fit test that sophisticated myself, it was just a nebulizer sprayed around my face, but pretty cool) and one of them passed!!!!
 

 

 

[Hapless Bills Fan]

And here is my favorite video about making your own mask.  I like it because she demonstrates how to fit to different size faces, how to use different size scarves, and provides a list of filter material tested and recommended in her country at the end.

 

We used a 5" 8" piece of shop towel as a filter.  The Crazy Ninja Sewist Ladies bought a particle tester and found them to work.

 

For our use, make it bigger than she says - cut a filter 5" x 8", and fold a bandana not quite in quarters. 

Place a pipe cleaner or piece of 18 gauge wire at the upper fold and use it to fit the mask over your nose - if you place it at the fold and have about 1/4" double layer of bandana above it, tuck that in against your cheeks face after donning the mask and it will help keep your glasses from fogging.

 

I used stretched-out hair ties scavenged from the kid's room.

 

I have compared this on walks to a hand-sewn pleated face mask with a filter pocket.  Both stayed in place comparably and were comparably comfortable.

 

This is more effective than just putting a scarf or gaiter over your face - We scent-tested both, and it does provide reduction, about comparable to the filter pocket mask (a scarf or gaiter DO NOT).  Neither make a tight seal, but both will stop most of what you exhale, helping to stop transmission chains.  If everyone wears one, life may be able to be closer to normal.

 

 

[Saxum]

My daughter asked my wife (who was professional tailor) to teach her to make masks.

My daughter almost never leaves house except for doctor appointment or to walk her (our) dog.

She must have heard of something in one of her computer boards.

[Chandler#81]

[The Dean]

7 minutes ago, Chandler#81 said:

 

 

I came to post that. Disgusting. But since this is a pinned thread, perhaps not appropriate. 

 

 

But I bet it works!

Edited April 12, 2020 by The Dean

[Chandler#81]

Hell yeah, it’ll work Dean. Even the virus won’t come within 6’.

 

But yeah, if it’s not compatible with our TBD Sewing Bee, I’ll kill it.

[BillsFan4]

37 minutes ago, Chandler#81 said:

Hell yeah, it’ll work Dean. Even the virus won’t come within 6’.

 

But yeah, if it’s not compatible with our TBD Sewing Bee, I’ll kill it.

I thought it was funny. No issues here. 

[The Dean]

No idea how effective this might be. But it's a hoot!

 

https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipOqbJestwsUtBNqY1QVuGqTIwdElvQvpTu6v9sFun6RaYvH1nHYGjbH1OgOYl7j6g/photo/AF1QipPWkjcZlMzexMSSW2HoQCUM9NzfUPTvq2XS9b2w?key=Q0U4VHg0Zi14ZHpRbTF1WXJCRFRlWHFCQjk0X1lR

[Hapless Bills Fan]

11 hours ago, The Dean said:

I came to post that. Disgusting. But since this is a pinned thread, perhaps not appropriate. 

But I bet it works!

 

I think we all need a laugh

[unbillievable]

[Hapless Bills Fan]

13 hours ago, unbillievable said:

 

That's marvelous!  Ineffective - in our tests, knit scarves were the worst - but marvelous!  Where did you find it?

Edit, nevermind, tineye to the rescue!
https://www.etsy.com/listing/195687262/xenomorph-alien-face-hugger-ski-mask?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping_us_a-clothing-unisex_adult_clothing-costumes&utm_custom1=223bb356-0f06-8c69-126c-00006722f40a&gclid=CjwKEAiAp_WyBRD37bGB_ZO9qAYSJAA72IkgVzlrf_SRrVe4-9vGS220KjUwosLJf6SOUtPClgRmgBoCgyrw_wcB

[WhoTom]

This may not be the best, but it's ... alright, alright, alright.

 

 

[Saxum]

I wonder how good motorcycle helmets with face shields are compared to some of the home made masks.

[Hapless Bills Fan]

52 minutes ago, Limeaid said:

I wonder how good motorcycle helmets with face shields are compared to some of the home made masks.

 

It probably depends upon what you're trying to do.  My understanding is the point of a homemade mask is to protect other people from you.  The inner surface of the mask absorbs particles you exhale or cough out.  If everyone wears one, your mask protects ME; my mask protects YOU.

 

I think a face shield would probably do better at blocking other people's particulates from reaching you, but would deflect your own exhalations downward.

[The Dean]

4 minutes ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

 

It probably depends upon what you're trying to do.  My understanding is the point of a homemade mask is to protect other people from you.  The inner surface of the mask absorbs particles you exhale or cough out.  If everyone wears one, your mask protects ME; my mask protects YOU.

 

I think a face shield would probably do better at blocking other people's particulates from reaching you, but would deflect your own exhalations downward.

 

Quick question. Now that they are recommending anyone out in public wear a mask, I thought that was (at least partially) to protect you from the airborne droplets left after someone coughed/sneezed. I understand (when they were suggesting people who were well leave the masks for others) the main use for the masks is/was to protect others. But aren't these homemade masks meant to  protect you, as well?