Making disposable facemasks

Posted by ihatediabetes @ihatediabetes, Apr 24, 2020

Hi everyone, I am trying to make disposable facemasks with blue shop towels, tape, and a stapler. I have been making fabric masks with a sewing machine for the community. But it takes a long time. Plus people need a sewing machine, skills, fabric. I can do max 24 per day. I believe we need a simpler way for people to wear facemasks. I get that we aren't supposed to wear medical masks. But why can't we make disposable masks with materials we can get in stores. I don't get the whole emphasis on fabric masks that have to be laundered.

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John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Apr 24, 2020

Thanks @ihatediabetes, great idea! Here's another no sew example....

How to make a no-sew mask with an old t-shirt and shoelaces -

Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Apr 24, 2020

@ihatediabetes That might be a really great idea for people who repeatedly need to use masks throughout the day, going in and out of multiple places. I wonder if they might also be better for people who have trouble breathing through the N95 or multi-layer fabric masks too? Let us know how it goes.
Sue

ihatediabetes | @ihatediabetes | Apr 24, 2020

I already think it's more comfortable. The shop towel is absorbent so I don't feel that it gets damp. I have trouble breathing through my tightly woven cotton mask. I got a twelve roll pack of shop towels at Sam's Club pretty cheap. I could make these much faster and cheaper than the cotton facemasks. I am part of the effort to provide facemasks to North Minneapolis. But I fear we can't sew fast enough to meet the needs. I think we need more options.

Parus | @parus | Apr 25, 2020

@johnbishop This technique of making a no sew mask is the one I have found to work the best for me. I hope it is helpful to others.

ZeeGee | @fourof5zs | Apr 25, 2020

The reason behind the fabric mask is the disposable ones ... like the gloves too ... tend to be thrown on the ground or in shopping carts. They add to landfills.

I haven't made a mask. I did try to do one with a bandana and hair ties. The ties just pulled off my ears.. I failed. I have a bum thumb right now and the folding is hard on my hands. I have disposable masks. .. like Harbor Freight sells. I wear them in the yard because of pollen allergies. When I went to the doctor the other day I wore a thicker one that my husband had just happened to pick up in the surgical center I had my thumb surgery at in January (pre covid-19). It was harder to breath through. He says he wished he had gotten more, but that would have been greedy.

I do know how to sew. I just need my husband's help in cutting out the fabric... which I have enough to make several. He may have to do the sewing part too under my direction. I do like this shop towel idea. I will show it to him. I am not sure it would be big enough to cover his big face though 😏.

Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Apr 25, 2020

In reply to @fourof5zs "The reason behind the fabric mask is the disposable ones ... like the gloves too ......" + (show)

@fourof5zs Try using two towels for your husband if one isn't large enough?
Sue

Parus | @parus | May 3, 2020

I have found a no sew approach to face masks which uses a T-shirt sleeve. I now have a selection of colorful face masks to choose from. I found it on youtube-of course.

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