   | #ShowUsYourMasks! Have you been sewing facemasks? Or have you found the perfect library facemask to purchase online like this one pictured top left? Why not #ShowUsYourMasks on social media? Tag us in or use the hashtag. Are you still looking for the perfect sewing pattern? Helen from the LIANZA Office has tried a couple of patterns so you don't have to - read on for pattern links and hot tips. The first mask pattern I tried sewing was the Twig + Tale free mask pattern that a friend recommended. The pattern comes in multiple sizes, is simple to sew and fits true to the size as you'd expect. I made a large one for my partner, who has a fairly large head and nose. He liked the fit and style but found that it fogged up his glasses, which was less than ideal for working on the train. We passed this one on to our university student son, who actually thought it was stylish and does wear it on the bus! For this one, I used an off-cut of denim for the outer layer and part of an old sheet for the inner layer. This pattern also has a pocket so you can slip in a piece of chux cloth or paper towel if you want a filter layer. We found that an extra layer made the fog even worse but this shouldn't matter if you don't wear glasses. Having learned from sewing the first mask I looked around for a simple, no-fog pattern online and hit on a very simple YouTube tutorial that didn't even require a pattern. You just measure a rectangle, fold and sew - simple! I did have to size the pattern up for my partner. This version (pictured bottom left) does not have a filter pocket but the same YouTuber has now posted a similar tutorial that includes a a filter pocket, using a slightly larger piece of fabric. I have since heard that sewing a button on to the nose bridge of the mask (for your glasses to sit on) also helps further. The best fabric to use is tightly woven cotton like quilting or craft cotton (like I've used for my mask) but something is better than nothing. You can read what Siouxsie Wiles has to say on the matter here. |
What do you do if you don't have a sewing machine and can't get to the shop to buy disposable ones? Never fear - Nanogirl, Dr Michelle Dickinson, can show you how to make a face mask in under 10 seconds. I tried it using a large hanky and two hair ties that were lying around the house and it worked well!
So get sewing, or folding, and take a picture to share on social media using #ShowUsYourMasks (remember to 'smize' (smile with your eyes) - you might inspire others to do the same! The more of us wearing masks the better.
So get sewing, or folding, and take a picture to share on social media using #ShowUsYourMasks (remember to 'smize' (smile with your eyes) - you might inspire others to do the same! The more of us wearing masks the better.
Watch: Guide to using and storing Covid-19 face masks
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