PEOPLE in England are advised to wear "face coverings" as part of the Government's strategy to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
And with supplies rapidly dwindling, experts are recommending the public make their own face masks.
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The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says cloth face coverings from household items or made at home from household objects are effective in preventing the spread of the Covid-19.
The organisation has shared three easy ways to make your own costing next to nothing by using household objects you probably already have.
Whether you're a whizz with a sewing machine or have never picked up a needle in your life, these patterns mean anyone can make a mask.
The CDC urges people to remember to clean their mask thoroughly after each use, and recommends chucking them in the washing machine.
SEWN CLOTH FACE MASK
You will need
- Two 10”x6” rectangles of cotton fabric
- Two 6” pieces of elastic (or rubber bands, string, cloth strips, or hair ties)
- Needle and thread (or bobby pin)
- Scissors
- Sewing machine
Method
Step 1: Cut out two 10-by-6-inch rectangles of cotton fabric. Use tightly woven cotton, such as quilting fabric or cotton sheets.
T-shirt fabric will work in a pinch. Stack the two rectangles; you will sew the mask as if it was a single piece of fabric.
Step 2: Fold over the long sides ¼ inch and hem. Then fold the double layer of fabric over ½ inch along the short sides and stitch down.
Step 3: Run a 6-inch length of 1/8-inch wide elastic through the wider hem on each side of the mask.
These will be the ear loops. Use a large needle or a bobby pin to thread it through. Tie the ends tight.
Don’t have elastic? Use hair ties or elastic head bands. If you only have string, you can make the ties longer and tie the mask behind your head.
Step 4: Gently pull on the elastic so that the knots are tucked inside the hem.
Gather the sides of the mask on the elastic and adjust so the mask fits your face. Then securely stitch the elastic in place to keep it from slipping.
NO-SEW T-SHIRT MASK
You will need
- T-shirt
- Scissors
Method
NO-SEW BANDANA MASK
You will need
- Bandana (or square cotton cloth approximately 20”x20”)
- Rubber bands (or hair ties)
- Scissors (if you are cutting your own cloth)
Method
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