How to Make a DIY Face Mask
Y’all, I am not crafty and sewing is definitely not in my wheelhouse but my friend Michelle over at Empty Nest DIY , she’s a creative and crafty lady. So, when she asked for a Norwex Window Cloth, I gladly sent her one. Then when she showed me what she had done, I asked her to share her face mask instructions with you. I’m excited for you to read her post so here we go.
Hello! Who would have thought at Christmas time, we’d all be sewing up fabric face masks while we all stay home at Easter. Certainly not any of us. But here we are, searching for fabric & elastic or finding a friend who sews.
Since commercial face masks are extinct for all practical purposes, it’s time to whip out the sewing machine and dig through my fabric stash and make some face masks.
The CDC recommends a cloth face covering if you have to go out where social distancing could be a challenge. Places like the grocery store or pharmacy. A simple cloth covering your nose and mouth is suggested.
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Best Fabric to Use for a Face Mask
I made a handful of facemasks for family and friends. Then, we got a directive from the local hospital that better fabric was recommended. One hundred percent cotton batik style fabric was a better choice. Why? Because it was tightly woven.
So that got me to thinking about the other “fabric” I use around my house.
I’m a big fan of cleaning with microfiber cloths and was recently introduced to Norwex. Norwex is a company that sells fantastic cleaning cloths that don’t require any toxic cleaning solutions. Just water.
So that got me to thinking. I contacted my Norwex Rep, Heather and she told me the company had tested several of their clothes and found the Window Cloth to be the best option. This is due to the tight weave of the fabric. It had been tested to filter out 60% of particles.
In addition, Norwex was ramping up to produce masks that would be available in May. Now, if you are like most people, you don’t want to wait. I didn’t. So, as much as it pained me, I cut up my Window Cloth to make a face mask.
The best part – when you no longer need the face mask, you can clean your windows with it. Nothing cleans windows and mirrors better than a Norwex Window Cloth.
Face Mask Directions – Sewing
The following directions are to create a face mask using a serger, sewing machine and some elastic. You can also create a no-sew face mask version.
To begin, you will want to wash your window cloth and then cut it. I used a rotary cutter and cut it about 8 1/2 ” since it is about 17″ square.
Then cut your 8.5″ strip in half
You should have 2 cut edges that you will want to finish. You can either stitch a zig-zag stitch around these 2 edges or serge them. I own a serger but unfortunately didn’t have any other thread than white. I didn’t think serger thread was a necessity, so I’ll just deal with white thread.
You will pinch the square to make 3 pleats. Pin or clip these pleats in place and stitch them down
I used a pipe cleaner along the top to create a more secure fit around the nose. Luckily I found a pipe cleaner in the craft box. I cut it in half and folded the ends down so they weren’t so sharp. Place the pipe cleaner at the top of the cloth and stitch it down.
You’ll also want to stitch at the ends of the pipe cleaner to insure it doesn’t slide around.
Next, I cut 2 pieces of elastic seven inches long. I used an oval cord elastic but any small elastic can work. If you only have wide elastic, cut it in half lengthwise and use that.
Tuck the elastic ends into the fold at the top and zig-zag stitch to secure it.
Tuck the bottom end under and fold over the corner to secure it and stitch it to secure it as well.
Backside of finished mask
Side View of finished mask
Front View of finished mask
Face Mask No-Sew Directions
If you don’t have a sewing machine, or sewing isn’t your skill, there is a “no sew” version of our face mask you can do as well. It doesn’t require cutting or sewing!
Simply lay your window cloth flat and fold the edges to the center. Then fold the edges to the center again and place a large hair elastic over each end. Fold the ends in toward the center of the mask and put the elastics over your ears.
I hope these directions will help you to make a fabric face mask with a Norwex Window Cloth. If not, you can always wait until May to purchase a ready-made mask. Click here to purchase a Norwex Window Cloth.
DIY Norwex Face Mask
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