SHORTAGE OF MASKS
SHORTAGE OF MASKS
UPDATE: Masks are a great way to help in the midst of this global pandemic. We all need to be wearing masks when going on essential errands or outside, both to protect our essential workers and the most vulnerable, and to help de-stigmatize the wearing of masks. Below we have collected many different patterns and resources for sewing masks. Please keep in mind that if you are making masks for medical professionals, hospitals may have specific guidelines so please do your own research on what local organizations are calling for. We’ve shared this mask pattern as a video tutorial available on our IGTV channel. No face uncovered!
RESOURCES & PATTERN LINKS
Fancy Tiger Crafts video tutorials
- Make A Fabric Face Mask - made from two layers of tightly woven quilting cotton and option to include wire nose shaping and interfacing layer for extra filtration
- Make Jersey Straps for Masks - our favorite way to add straps for a faster mask finish
- How To Make Your Own Bias Tape - make bias tape from woven cotton for a sturdier and comfortable strap
Other Tutorials
- Make a Medical Style Mask video tutorial by Emily Platzer of BLDG61 (Boulder Public Library's Makers' Space) This is the tutorial we shared on our IGTV recently.
- Colorado Mask Project includes resources and tutorial videos and pattern downloads. Goal of making 5 million masks by April 15th for civilians to wear in public. ##coloradomaskproject
- UC Berkeley School of Public Health Database of all hospitals in the US and the current mask needs and specific pattern requested.
- Manus Supply are looking for volunteers to sew masks, and will ship necessary supplies to home sewers. Your efforts will go to help support medical professionals and volunteers in CA, CO AND LA.
- Find The Masks #findthemasks This is a website you can find by state what they are accepting, what their requests are this is useful across the board. There website is part of the getusppe.org coalition. #GetUsPPE
- Denver Mask Task Force FB group to join if you want to support this movement. They have an excel sheet of updated patterns, volunteer sewers, in need of masks and an entire spreadsheet.
- 1 Million Masks pattern and resources
- Masks For Heroes pattern and database of facilities that need masks.
- We Need Masks You can register a healthcare facility. They have mask instructions and have an updated system for locations and what type of mask they are in need of.
- Denver St. Joseph Hospital Pattern This pattern has been developed with St. Joseph Hospital in Denver to meet their medical requirements and staff needs.
- Sew The Curve Flat This link has 3 patterns and one pattern is "designed to work over N95 Mask, potentially extending the lifespan".
- Craft Passion The second half of the pattern has a version with a pocket in which an insert can be added as a filter. They also have patterns for kids too! Craft Passion Windowed Face Mask for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing communities.
- Make Face Masks tutorial and video recommended by the Belgian Federal Public Service for Public Health.
- Sweet Red Poppy video tutorial.
- Gather Here video tutorial
- Sew to Save pattern with video tutorial and distribution/drop off info
- Fu Face Mask Pattern by freesewing.org
- A.B. Mask designed by a nurse for a nurse, fabric mask and N95 cover sewing pattern.
- Confessions of a Homeschooler Erica Arndt has two simple, fast face mask patterns in her video tutorials. Mask With Fabric Ties and Mask With Elastic
- GETUSPPE #getusppe This comes from doctors on the front lines. Best filters to use click here.
A friend and medical professional, Margaret Parsons, MD, reached out to us with information to share. From Maggie:
"Makers and Crafters can help with the shortage of surgical masks!
Sewn masks have not been scientifically tested, but they certainly can provide some level of protection for individuals and health care workers as we face a serious shortage of regular surgical masks. They could be particularly valuable for lower risk health care providers, and since are washable, provide a good economic, reusable alternative as well.
There is information below on materials and construction.
Fabric Choice and Preparation: It is important to use a tightly woven fabric.
Quilters and Sewers know their high-quality quilting cottons vs. less tight woven fabric. Think of weight like Kona Quilting Cotton as a gauge. Also, it is suggested to use a cotton duck, canvas or similar weight for the outer layer, and the cotton fabric on inner layer (would need a tweak on some patterns to use two fabrics). Just allow an extra 1⁄2 inch or so as cut fabric pieces to allow for the two fabrics variation and additional seam.
• It is important to not use a polyester, stretchy, or textured fabric.
• If using just cotton quilting type fabric, please consider one of the patterns that allows for a filter of some sort. A filter might be a piece of HEPA filter (like for
vacuums) that can be cut to fit the pocket! Or it might be a not-too-stiff piece of a non-woven such as light-medium interfacing, another layer of fabric, or a piece of surgical fabric (like surgical gowns are made of). Or get creative and adapt a
pattern to have an optional filter pocket.
• If your supplies/skill-level are at just the cotton basic mask, that is OK.
• Pre-washing of fabric in HOT water is suggested so they won’t shrink in hospital laundry.
Constructing the Mask Ties: Make sure they are long enough, and that they will tie securely.
• Some patterns use elastic loops, which can fit nicely over ears, but may be less an option as stores are out/restocking. Elastic loops can be knot-tied rather than sewn and OK to leave not tucked into the mask channel. Allows for adjusting size.
• Bias tape can make great ties. Or you can make your own, using bias tape as the ideal. If you can bias cut, it curves better as the mask wraps around face, but straight cut is OK. It is important to have the mask fit snuggly to be protective covering nose, and mouth/chin areas. You may need to adapt patterns based on supplies available.
• Be sure what you create does not have ties that fray easily.
Nose shaping: Most surgical masks have a flexible piece of metal along the top edge to fit over the nose.
• A 4-1⁄2 inch length of craft pipe cleaner sewn into middle of the top edge of the mask can work very well. Just push it up against the top seam/edge and carefully do a top stitch along the edge against the pipe cleaner, being careful not to hit it with your sewing machine needle. If pipe cleaners are not available, that’s ok, it’s just a very nice addition if you can. This was tested on different patterns and
worked very well."
• A 4-1⁄2 inch length of craft pipe cleaner sewn into middle of the top edge of the mask can work very well. Just push it up against the top seam/edge and carefully do a top stitch along the edge against the pipe cleaner, being careful not to hit it with your sewing machine needle. If pipe cleaners are not available, that’s ok, it’s just a very nice addition if you can. This was tested on different patterns and
worked very well."
Thanks Maggie for sharing this info with us!
Comments on this post (21)
Dani – You can find the Mask Kits to make a mask on our website Fabric Mask Kit: Make Your Own Bias Tape Version. These kits sell for $18/each – This kit includes enough fabric to make 12 masks! On the product page it has links to tutorials we have made on how to make your own masks. Even if you choose not to make the bias tape you can make Jersey Straps, there is a video tutorial for that as well. If you are looking to purchase a mask already made Winter Session in Denver is making them to sell.
— Fancy Tiger Crafts
Can you please tell me how much your masks are and how to get them?
— Dani Foster
Kathy,
Thank you! We just checked the Manus Supply and they still have information on their website that says “WE ARE CURRENTLY ACCEPTING VOLUNTEERS TO SEW OUR CCFM.”, that is as of April 16th, 2020. Good for us to know to keep an eye on that, thank you!
Regarding the filters there is a study completed by Cambridge University, testing two different microorganisms and various filters. It’s quite interesting, you can find that at the end of our blog, #20 GETUSPPE there is a link about “best filters” to use. We are not medical nor have we done testing. We are leaving that to the experts. We recommend everyone read the information and make the decision that is best for their family.
— Fancy Tiger Crafts
Thanks for the in FCC information! Just a note that Manus Supply has closed their program. Also, will reiterate that neither vacuum cleaner bags nor furnace air filters should be used for filter materials in a face mask. Vacuum cleaner bags contain glass particles which become more dangerous when cut. Air filters are a construction material specifically made for furnaces, and the manufacturers caution against use with face masks. Oddly enough, the most effective non-woven filters to add are are a folded paper towel, facial tissue, or a coffee filter. Thank you.
— Kathy DeLucio
Anne we will be adding more masks, we are selling them faster than we can cut with our limited staff.
Alexis the blog has been updated for the “Operation: We Can Sew It”, it is a great pattern for anyone to use!
April we have new video tutorials coming soon to show you how to make bias tape.
Nikki thank you for your helpful feedback!
Thank you each one of you for your feedback! Masks are a great way to help in the midst of this global pandemic. We all need to be wearing masks when going on essential errands or outside, both to protect our essential workers and the most vulnerable, and to help de-stigmatize the wearing of masks. Below we have collected many different patterns and resources for sewing masks. Please keep in mind that if you are making masks for medical professionals, hospitals may have specific guidelines so please do your own research on what local organizations are calling for. We are apart of Colorado Mask Project includes resources and tutorial videos and pattern downloads. Goal of making 5 million masks by April 15th for civilians to wear in public.
— Fancy Tiger Crafts
Hello Terese! Yes we do! You could have them pick out the quilting cotton on our website. This is Mindy with Fancy Tiger Crafts. I did this with my nieces and nephews, they loved being able to pick it out themselves. When I was done sewing them I sent photographs and Facetimed them. They were jumping up and down. Such an uncertain time for them they don’t understand and have no control over a lot of things in their lives. This was my way a an Aunt to give them just a little bit of control back:) Hope this helps!
— Fancy Tiger Crafts
Funny I came here after searching for how to make a tiger face mask for my grandson. Do you have any creative ideas to make these fun for the little ones?
— Terese Cooper
When will you have more mask kits?
I would like at least 2
Thank you
— Anne Cady
Hepa filters are dangerous and should NOT be used. Microscopic pieces of glass can end up in lungs. Especially dangerous for children. Mask makers need to stop promoting the use of hepa filters meant for industrial uses such as furnaces and vacuum cleaners!
— Becky Stout
Hepa filters are dangerous and should NOT be used. Microscopic pieces of glass can end up in lungs. Especially dangerous for children. Mask makers need to stop promoting the use of hepa filters meant for industrial uses such as furnaces and vacuum cleaners!
— Becky Stout
Do you have a pattern for someone without a sewing machine and very little supplies to make masks? I have some bandana’s that might work. Thank you
— Teresa
You said it perfectly, that we need to protect our essential workers and de-stigmatize masks. I made masks for myself and David so we can wear them to the store and hopefully keep our grocery stockers more safe, or at least more comfortable. Thanks for making the list of resources!
— Samantha
Wanted to let you know that the St. Joseph’s hospital pattern is still being used and more masks are needed. I am getting this information (as of today 4/1) through “Operation: We Can Sew It” who I am sewing for. The website is operationwecansewit.com. I thought you could maybe update #9 on the mask shortage information page. The email they sent today states that they still need more sewers and the masks have been approved for use by multiple SCL Health hospitals (including St. Joe’s).
— Alexis Matter
Thank you! All of this is so helpful! As always, you’ve shown yourselves to be not only amazing crafters but also amazing people. 💚
— Bear
This is a great idea. Thanks for putting together all of these resources. I know what my next project will be!
— Charlotte Shepic
I’m concerned that you are advocating the wearing of masks when this goes against the CDC and WHO guidelines. The surgeon general said that they may actually be detrimental.
— Jenny Wilcock
I’d like to make my own bias tape but not sure what width is best to use…?
— April
FYI, The craft passion mask is very small. Consider upsizing if using that pattern.
— nikki kelly
Thank you so much for the fabric mask information. I’m sending it out to all the crafty types that I know.
— Karen Elliott
Here’s another link a doctor friend just sent me:
https://www.phoebehealth.com/media/file/PatientsVisitors/MaskProductionInstructions_Revised3-20-2020.pdf
— heidi
You ladies continue to amaze me. Well done! Thank you!!
— Jen Jess