Rylie Horrall |  Lifestyle Editor

Many people began buying face masks in bulk when COVID-19 was starting to sprout up, which resulted in an exuberant amount of stores to start limiting purchases. Other alternatives that individuals have begun using are painter’s masks and bandanas, but another option can be to make homemade masks — or to find someone who is sewing savvy to make one for you.

SUPPLIES AND TOOLS:

Cotton fabric

Some type of elastic

Basic sewing supplies

DIRECTIONS:

Cut out two pieces of the fabric out; for precise measuring, measure from the bridge of the nose to the chin and then the distance from one side of the jaw to the other — ten inches by eight inches is a good standard size to use.

Place the two pieces of fabric together with the wrong sides out, and leave a mark along the edge of the shorter side every inch and half. This marks where the pleats will go. Then sew along the edge of the longer side, leaving a few inches unsewn to turn the mask inside out. 

Cut two pieces of elastic around six inches in length and insert into the corners of the open ends of the mask. Pin them and sew across the sides to secure it into place. Alternatively, hair ties or cut up headbands can be used in place of elastic.

Turn the mask right side out and press the seams flat. Fold up the pleats on each side, and make sure they are folded in the same direction. Pin them into place, and then top stitch around the whole mask, closing the opening and securing the pleats.

For a step-by-step visual tutorial, JoAnn Fabrics has a video titled ‘How to Make a Face Mask’ on YouTube.

Contact the author at rhorrall17@wou.edu

Photos by Caity Healy