Professionally manufactured face masks are mainly needed in hospitals. For private use, however, makeshift masks can be made from scraps of fabric - how it works.
- Mouth-nose masks can also be sewn yourself - at least makeshift masks .
- For the simplest variant, you don't need a lot of sewing skills .
- Important to know: The face mask does not protect against infection, but against the transmission of the virus if you yourself are ill.
Step 1: the material
It is best to use a tightly woven cotton fabric measuring 40 by 40 centimeters for the masks , advises the magazine "Burda Style" (online). You also need a rubber band that is 50 centimeters long and five millimeters wide.
A tip: If you don't have the fabric or the rubber band at home or can't buy it now, you may find an old T-shirt to cut or another not-loved item of clothing with an elastic band to take it out at home.
You will also need: around 20 centimeters of craft or flower wire and inserts for the masks to replace. This is either kitchen paper, a highly filtering vacuum cleaner bag or a sponge cloth with a hygienic coating.
Step 2: the preparation
The fabric is optimally washed and put in the dryer , if available, advises the "Burda Style". This prevents the sewn mask from running in later when washing *. The fabric should also be smoothed for cutting.
Sewing patterns are available online or you can draw them freely depending on the size of your head. Sewing patterns have around a centimeter seam allowance on each side - this means that the needle is placed one centimeter from the edge inwards.
"Burda Style" does not only provide for a layer of fabric, but also an inside and an outside , into which an insert is later added. For these, kitchen paper or vacuum cleaner bags are cut like the outer fabric part, but you also take one centimeter away from the top and bottom edge. This way, the inserts fit well into the mask later.
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Step 3: sewing
The two outer parts (left and right half of the mask) are now sewn together at the center seam . The cleanest and easiest way is with a sewing machine, but of course handwork is also possible .
The seam allowance of the center seam, which is now on the inside, is best cut back to around five millimeters wide, the DIY experts advise. Maybe a little more on the curves.
Further sewing is easier if you now iron the parts apart as they will be used later. The remaining seam allowance of the center seam can also be fastened with another seam - this seam is later flatter, which can increase comfort.
The same is done with the two parts of the feed. In addition , fold the narrow side edges inwards with a zigzag or overlock stitch of the sewing machine a centimeter , so iron and then sew on.
The fabric for the inside is now placed on the outer piece and the top and bottom edges sewn together. The sides remain open so that the inserts can be pushed in later.
Step 4: adjust the elastic band and shape
The outer fabric of many patterns is longer on the sides than the inner lining - half of it is folded in and sewn so that a tunnel is created. Thread the rubber band here and tie the ends together to match the face .
In the seam tunnel at the upper edge of the mask there is now a 16 cm long piece of wire , the ends of which are bent over for safety. This allows the mask to be adjusted to the face when put on.
Finally, there is the interchangeable insert made of kitchen paper, for example, in the middle of the mask.
Step 5: the care
The masks are only safe if you wash them regularly. The magazine "Burda Style" advises once a day at at least 60 degrees *. The insert, the rubber bands and the wire are removed beforehand.
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* Merkur.de is part of the nationwide Ippen-Digital editors network.