I recently got asked by my boss if I could sew a bunch of face masks for our staff. This could be a good 50 people. It’s a medical device manufacturer and therefore considered “essential”. Disposable face masks have been ordered, but there’s no telling when they’ll arrive from Asia. Since, I’m crafty, I’m the person who gets asked such things.
I have a sewing machine, but my skills are limited. At best, I can sew 2 squares together. I also don’t think any of my fabrics are tightly woven enough, and my fun prints are meant for other projects. Selfish, I know.
I know there are some no-sew patterns out there. Yeah, I could google them, but I was looking for recommendations for decent patterns. For example, I saw one, where you cut a sock in half and add 2 slits for the ears. I guess that would work in a pinch.
Another caveat, I can’t use anything with natural rubber latex.
Will your boss provide the materials and let you make them while on the clock? It seems unfair of them to ask this of you otherwise. I’ve been sewing some masks for friends and family and it takes materials and a lot of time to make them and I haven’t even made 50 masks.
I would definitely think about the no-sew fabric options out there. This video has 3 options, including an option for using t-shirts as a mask. (The second tshirt mask option, not the ninja mask option. ) really like that one as everyone has t-shirts and it doesn’t harm the shirt, you just tie it and wash it. An endless supply of masks. Perhaps suggest these options to the staff there. The workers could make their own masks from their own shirts or bandanas (or cut up an old sheet). The paper towel version could be modified for fabric and hair elastics so it could be washed and reused.
As for quick sewing options, maybe like your sock pattern, a cut up t-shirt and make ear slits, or a piece of tshirt with ribbon ties sewn down the side on so it could tie around the top of the head and neck?
I’ve been attempting to work from home - mostly doing some research and getting caught up on paperwork. So if I make them, while at home, I’m getting paid, and they’d provide supplies. Or I buy them, and I get reimbursed. I’m certain I could figure out how to sew a mask, but it seems like a lot of work for that many people. Especially, if I could come up with a quick way of making something, without sewing.
You’re welcome! And that’s good to hear they would pay you and provide materials. Best of luck, and I would love to hear what you eventually came up with as a solution.
Inserting a filter like paper towel or non-woven interfacing and using more than one layer of whatever fabric the mask is made from are said to increase functionality. Simply folding a square handkerchief over a layer of paper towel and tying around the head seems to me the easiest no-sew option. Anybody can do that and it’s at least as effective is a homemade mask for keeping our germs inside our own mouth areas. Just be sure not to touch the face or the mask without washing hands before and afterwards.
I was supposed to take a series of sewing classes March thru April of this year but Covid happened. I ended up pulling out a small “craft” sewing machine and doing Magpie’s pattern: Fastest, easiest fitted face mask pattern tutorial and it was super easy. Especially if you can work out a system of doing all of the same steps at one time and go through each process. I did take some shortcuts through it based on my abilities. The ones I’ve done have held up pretty well.
I cut all of my interfacing on the fold and use a piece on each of the ‘meeting’ sides since I didn’t want two layers of interfacing. (It was still in the 80’s here today - so not happening.) Oh and clipping the fabric around the curve (just up to the stitches). Not sure how to explain that. And then I trim around to reduce the bulk.
I may leave my ends with more room to turn inside out just because of difficulty turning. Using the end of a pen to get the fabric turned out.
I am hand-stitching the elastic together because some of what I have is super narrow (depending on what color I use). After I get the elastic stitched, I tuck the edges in and, with the elastic pulled so it doesn’t get in it, use a no stitch fabric glue to tack down those inside edges and clip down until it dries. Sounds tacky but the edges seem to lay as though they’ve been stitched.
I’m still chicken to even try top stitching with this thing.
) really like that one as everyone has t-shirts and it doesn’t harm the shirt, you just tie it and wash it. An endless supply of masks. Perhaps suggest these options to the staff there. The workers could make their own masks from their own shirts or bandanas (or cut up an old sheet). The paper towel version could be modified for fabric and hair elastics so it could be washed and reused.
Best of luck, and I would love to hear what you eventually came up with as a solution. 
