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We have created a prototype for a washable fabric face mask design, using the OLSON pattern, which is being used in some hospitals in the US. It includes a pocket for a disposable filter to be placed into. The fabric can then be washed at a high temperature and re-used.
If you have access to a sewing machine and want to help provide masks to support people in your community to stay safe, then we have provided a step by step guide for this design.
faBRIC FACE MASK STEP-BY-STEP
faBRIC FACE MASK STEP-BY-STEP
What you will need to make the fabric face mask:
What you will need to make the fabric face mask:
Cotton weave fabric (approx. 50 cm x 50 cm) - This could be upcycled from clothes e.g. shirts or bed linen. Ensure that it is washed at high temperature first.
Scissors (preferably fabric scissors, but large standard scissors will cut most fabric)
Sewing machine (this can be done by hand too but will take longer)
All purpose thread
Either: 2 x 30 cm lengths of elastic, ribbon, or 2 x hair ties (lengths of the same fabric for the mask can be cut and sewn to make DIY ribbon if needed)
Pins
Iron
Pencil
30 cm ruler or fabric tape measure
stEP 1
stEP 1
Cut out the printed paper patterns using scissors
Cut out the printed paper patterns using scissors
step 2
step 2
Pin the patterns to the fabric and cut one of each shape.
Pin the patterns to the fabric and cut one of each shape.
TIP: You can cut the following together to save time by cutting 2 layers of fabric at once:
Mouth 1 and 2
Face 1 and 2
Cheek 1 and 2
step 3
step 3
Sew along the edge shown by the red dashed line about 10 mm away from the edge of the fabric.
Sew along the edge shown by the red dashed line about 10 mm away from the edge of the fabric.
IMPORTANT: The top side of the fabric (the one that will be seen) should be on the inside (for both pieces) when sewing.
step 4
step 4
For Cheek 1 & 2
For Cheek 1 & 2
Fold and iron the edges shown by 10 mm.
Fold and iron the edges shown by 10 mm.
Sew down the middle of the fold shown by a red dashed line.
Sew down the middle of the fold shown by a red dashed line.
step 5
step 5
For Mouth 1 & 2
For Mouth 1 & 2
Fold and iron the edges shown by 10 mm.
Fold and iron the edges shown by 10 mm.
Sew down the middle of the fold shown by a red dashed line.
Sew down the middle of the fold shown by a red dashed line.
step 6
step 6
Take Mouth 1 & Mouth 2
Take Mouth 1 & Mouth 2
Put both pieces together so that the top side of the fabric (the one that will be seen) is facing inside (for both pieces).
Sew along the edge shown by the red dashed line about 10 mm away from the edge of the fabric
Sew along the edge shown by the red dashed line about 10 mm away from the edge of the fabric
step 7
step 7
Place the sewn mouth piece so that the top side of the fabric (the part that will be seen) is facing down. The stitching should be facing up as shown.
Place the sewn mouth piece so that the top side of the fabric (the part that will be seen) is facing down. The stitching should be facing up as shown.
step 8
step 8
Take Cheek 1 & 2 and draw a lines to match the ones shown on the printed pattern. Shown by a red dashed line.
Take Cheek 1 & 2 and draw a lines to match the ones shown on the printed pattern. Shown by a red dashed line.
step 9
step 9
Place both cheek pieces so that the line that you marked (red dashed lines) line up with the straight edges of the mouth piece. Pin in place.
Place both cheek pieces so that the line that you marked (red dashed lines) line up with the straight edges of the mouth piece. Pin in place.
The sewn mouth piece should be laid out as in Step 7.
Top side of fabric should be facing down
step 10
step 10
Sew 10 mm from the edge along the parts of the fabric shown by red dashed lines.
Sew 10 mm from the edge along the parts of the fabric shown by red dashed lines.
step 11
step 11
Place both pieces of sewn fabric together. The top side of the fabric (the part that will be seen) should be facing inside for both pieces.
Place both pieces of sewn fabric together. The top side of the fabric (the part that will be seen) should be facing inside for both pieces.
Sew around the whole face mask design along the red dashed lines shown 5 mm from the edge)
Sew around the whole face mask design along the red dashed lines shown 5 mm from the edge)
Sew around the whole design whilst facing this way around to secure the design
Sew around the whole design whilst facing this way around to secure the design
STEP 12
STEP 12
Turn the mask inside out (by folding through the pocket) so that the stitches are now on the inside.
Turn the mask inside out (by folding through the pocket) so that the stitches are now on the inside.
STEP 13
STEP 13
LOOP FOR TIE ATTACHMENT
LOOP FOR TIE ATTACHMENT
This can be done several ways:
This can be done several ways:
If using elastic, fabric, ribbon lengths then the edges can be folded over and sewn and the the elastic threaded through afterwards.
If using hair ties (bottom right) then these must be place along the edge and the edge folded over the hair tie and sewn along the line shown
STEP 14
STEP 14
Try the mask for size and adjust the elastic or attachments as needed!
Try the mask for size and adjust the elastic or attachments as needed!
STEP 15
STEP 15
GIVING FABRIC-FACE-MASKS
GIVING FABRIC-FACE-MASKS
There are a few methods we recommend for giving fabric-face-masks. Please do so in the following order:
Make fabric-face-masks for you and your family
Make fabric-face-masks for people around you that have access to those in need, for example: We have making fabric-face-masks for our portero who is redistributing them to his family
Create a free collection box outside your house for people walking past
Send them to school and we will forward them to the Ministry of Health who will give them to health-workers in hospitals.
Also, we would love to see what you've been doing! Please send us pictures of you making or giving your fabric-face-masks by taging @markhammakerspace
Happy Making!
useful video tutorial with top tips for batch manufacture
useful video tutorial with top tips for batch manufacture
Olson Face Mask Patterns.pdfPage updated
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