23 March 2020

Pattern for a non-medical face mask

Non-medical face masks don't replace professional gear. But in our days it's better to wear a mask - and when it's only for preventing to touch with the own fingers the face, the nose or mouth when walking through the grocery, for example. It seems as if the opinion about homemade face masks change with the amount of people infected. Interesting arguments for wearing a non-medical mask can be found at an article on bostonglobe.com.

The material of the homemade non-medical mask should fulfill two important criteria - breathability and narrow woven fabric. Textiles of pillow cases or t-shirts will work fine, such as explained in an article about a study concerning mask-protection in an influenza pandemic conducted by researchers at Cambridge University in 2013.

Currently, various patterns and DIY-instructions are spread online.

Images: On view on this page are inspirations for developing an individual face mask at home. The picture below, left shows the development of a pattern from a larger to a smaller version made of cotton chintz. For the lining of the mask, the same material is used. The size is not as important as the sealing at the edges; a wire such as used in the kitchen for food storage is incorporated at the nose part on the upper side. At the image below, right on view is the smaller pattern (without seam allowance) used for masks made from t-shirts and elastic bands.