Just a heads up... this isn't an N95. I work in a hospital and you have to get fit tested in order to use them because any small break in the seal around your face makes the mask fairly ineffective to airborne agents. Some people cannot use N95's if your face shape causes an incomplete seal. I failed my fit test and have to use a crazy whole head contraption for safety. I'm all for homemade masks, but I wouldn't want anyone going out and about more than they should or visiting at risk people thinking that this is the same as an N95.
This is not n95, but many hospitals are asking for these because they no longer have enough n95 or head shields. If your hospital isn't asking for them, don't make them. A cloth mask is better than nothing. I have seen masks with a pocket so that you can add a filter, and others that have an insert for a paperclip so that you can make a tighter seal around the nose.
N Goodwin Thank you for this comment. Seeing N95 thrown around is worrisome. I was about to post a comment similar to yours. I also cannot wear these masks due to my face shape
www.project-cloth-masks.com/make-a-mask this pattern is approved by medical professionals. It uses a fabric called NWPP (non woven polypropylene, often used for reusable shopping bags)
@@melissac5740 I would like to know who else uses a pocket besides Riley Blake that fits the N95. I made Riley Blakes and you can't squeeze the mask inside the pocket.
For anyone that is trying to make a mask here´s a tip. Fabrics as we know them are mostly knit, which means, a thread is literally knitted, which results in a bunch of tiny holes, and as tight or microscopic as these might be, they are still there and allowing the virus to pass through. Which is why you need to line them with a fabric made out of fibers such as tnt (a type of fiber they make reusable bags with) or interfacing. There are other certified fabrics, but these are the easiest to get our hands on, and the cheapest. Cyber hug to all of you, stay safe
This is so stupid, but I have been steadfast this whole time, through this, and then I watch this tutorial, and the goodness of who you are, and I just cried😭. I have been a worried mom to my 17yo who still has to work, bc he works for the depot, which is an 'essential' store, for my husband, who also works in a different 'essential' store...and for my wee little Korean mother, who is a God fearing woman, doing her part, but also has 2 auto-immune diseases...and there are NO masks...anywhere. Now, what I DO have is an overabundance of 100% cotton fabric and a sew room. My heart has been heavy not only for my own family, but for ALL first responders, some of who are really close family friends.((I do understand that this is not a replacement for an N95 mask, but a cover for N95 masks that 1st responders, nurses, and doctors use. I just feel, for my family, this is better than nothing, esp when forced to work. To clarify for anyone else reading this lol!) You just gave me purpose. I adore you, I love you, you are obviously doing what God wanted you to, through this outlet. My prayers will continually be with you and your family!😍🤗😍🤗😍🤗😍
Hi Sera! Love the tutorial, I'm planning on using it (I'm sick now, so only once my symptoms have subsided and I'm no longer at risk of infecting others/am able to fully disinfect my sewing space)! Would you consider changing the title to just make it extra clear that fabric masks are not the same thing as N95 respirators (e.g. changing it to say "N95 Mask COVER" instead)? There's a fair amount of misinformation going around, and even though it's more clear in the written instructions that these are for prolonging the effectiveness of existing PPE rather than as an equal-quality substitution, it would be good to just make sure that those using the tutorial realize that from the start. Thank you, keep doing the good work and stay healthy!!!!
Love this this! I’m only a minute in but also if anyone has the choice on which fabric to use 100% cotton is the way to do it since it will decompose faster and doesn’t have as bad of an environmental impact! I really appreciate you making this video and taking action to help our medical workers in midst of all the chaos going on
Thank you for this!! Last night I was given one surgical mask and one n95 to last my entire shift in the ER. The doctors I work with say that it the worst is yet to come.
Thank you for this tutorial, as I found a Cricut/Silohouette file and could not find directions and this is spot on. I don't know why people are saying you are calling this an N95 mask, as your title clearly states it's a cover for the N95 mask and that is exactly what I would like to make for my family members who are nurses and have requested me to make for them. Thank you so very much.
ignoring all of the annoying comments, i loved this tutorial!! you made it so easy to follow that i wanted to challenge myself with making the straps instead of just sewing in hair ties lol
Totally not surprised that the best mask tutorial (or just most understandable one for me) i've seen so far is yours. The kind of mask is not that important as the kindness of ur gesture to support the world with doing what you love
I'm contemplating making masks as well, but i'm wondering if such fabrics are good enough, or if one should put some kind of filter material in between the layers, to maybe get a lil closer to the ffp2 quality...
Even if it's not the same as the medical masks, it can free up the medical ones for the doctors in the most needed parts of the hospital. Also, a lesser mask is better than no mask. If you find out about a better fabric, let us know:)
@@cenedra20 Just found an interesting article on types of fabrics and how they perform in both filtering and breathability smartairfilters.com/en/blog/best-materials-make-diy-face-mask-virus/ turns out, cotton shirts and cotton pillowcases might just be the best middle ground :) Now just to figure out how to make sure the mask you make has a good tight fit, whether i want to make a surgical type mask, or the sleeker type,which could possibly be more fitted.
hey, Im a design student, I reached out to my textile teacher on this topic, knit fabrics, such as cotton or basically any fabric you make clothes with, won´t work, because of the fact that there are micro holes in all of them. You need to line them with a fabric that is made out of fibers (not thread), she suggested that we line the face masks with a fabric like TNT (the one they make reusable bags out of) or just use interfacing. There are other fabrics that work, bust these are the easiest to get our hands on and the most affordable
Can I use this template to make and wear without N95...not a front liner...just going out to stores? I like the size of these masks as well as the ties instead of elastic. Also, is it possible to add the nose piece (metal twisty)? I made these and I absolutely love them. How can o tag you to show you?
I've been making these over in Minnesota to donate to our hospitals/clinics :) Ours are calling for elastic though! ELASTIC IS THE NEW TOILET PAPER haha Glad I found your channel!
Great tutorial. In Spain many companies are dedicating their work to making masks, gowns and everything they can to try to stop this shit. I just made one this morning without a skipper or anything, but this one of yours is understood very well even without understanding the language well. It may be a good idea to put the title in Spanish, for example, so that it reaches more people. Thanks for your videos and encouragement with the quarantine, kisses from Spain
I really like your video. Just nice music and not a lot of chatting which can make a video so much longer than in needs to be. Mask came out well and easy to do. This has been a great opportunity to use up a lot of my stash fabric including bias tapes that I have lying around. I use this instead of making the straps if I don't have to. I have a bias maker (a little metal thing) and it is fabulous and so worth the under $10 price. THANK YOU. I have subscribed.
Hi Sera! I love this tutorial! I’m very new to sewing using a machine and had a few questions- when you say stitch down (for ex. with the wrap/ties) do you mean by hand sewing or machine sewing? Thanks!! 🧡
The 'N95' designation means that when subjected to careful testing, the respirator blocks at least 95 percent of very small (0.3 micron) test particles.
Heads Up: Call Your Hospitals First! They might not be willing or able to accept donations right now. Find out ahead of time so your hardwork doesn't just get thrown out because it is not suitable or simply taking up too much space for staff to deal with. PLEASE! Check ahead to see what, if anything, is needed!
I work for Stanford and during a virtual meeting our leaders specifically state to NOT donate handmade masks 😔 I’m positive this is the case across all hospitals
I will disagree. Both my children are right out there in the medical field. They each have 1 mask. They both asked me to make them covers for their masks and some for their friends. They are scared about not being protected. I say every little thing helps. But, I am making them about 5 covers each so they at least can keep switching to a clean one during their shift if needed. Then, bring them home for a good boil; yest in a pan of hot water.
Heather Freeman If you wash/dry this, it should certainly be reusable. A mask like this one, is really designed to be worn *over* one of those M95 masks, largely to extend the live of the M95 since they are both critical, and in desperately short supply, so they are having to be reused. It may come out of your dryer sort of wrinkly; it will iron up nice and flat again. I've been using a homemade mask like this one for years every springtime, when the tree pollen is so abundant, everyone has a yellow car 😊. Remember, in the general public, a mask is worn mostly for you to "keep your germs to yourself," or to cut down on allergy symptoms caused by breathing in all that pollen. It has been suggested, to have 2 different fabrics for the front and back of the mask; since the design is reversible, you'd want to make sure the next time you put it on, the same side was facing outwards. I just finished assembling a bunch of kid-sized masks with a heroic Spier-Man print: lined several with pink, and several more with dark purple. If there's a JoAnn's fabric and crafts store near you, they've been making Take and Make mask kits available for free. They are the flat surgical mask style, and the kits come with directions you can easily copy for making more with fabrics from your own personal fabric collection.
Challenge for your fans. My daughter is a nurse. My son a first responder. They are using their mask over and over now. :(. Anyways my daughter want to know if there is a way to use some stretchy material like those thin headbands as the top strap and keep the tie on the bottom. Unfortunately I can sew but I cannot create patterns. Shout out to your fans for help. Stay Safe and practice social distancing. This virus is in all of our hands. Peace
I only use 2 pieces of fabric and interfacing. You want to be sure it is breathable. Just one mask isn't going to help a medical person they need at least 5 so they can switch it out if it is no longer useable during their shift and get a clean one. THis is most important. It doesn't help if the cover is soiled and you keep using it.
You shouldn't make cotton face mask. Or any other fabric. They get humid from breathing, and they are actually not good. I know this from hospitals and doctors.
Hospitals are actually requesting these from people because they are running out. they are requesting 100% cotton because it can be boiled to be sanitized.
Hi Barbara, This mask is to help with the longevity of the N95 mask not to USE as a mask for protection. For instance, my daughter is a nurse. She is given 1 yes 1 N95 mask to use over and over. For instance I make her 10 covers. She can in essence put the cover over the mask see a patient and toss cover in a bag and use another cover over the mask keeping it as clean as she can for her entire shift. Then, she can take the cover home and boil them and reuse on her next shift. Please help make. Stay well.
Just a heads up... this isn't an N95. I work in a hospital and you have to get fit tested in order to use them because any small break in the seal around your face makes the mask fairly ineffective to airborne agents. Some people cannot use N95's if your face shape causes an incomplete seal. I failed my fit test and have to use a crazy whole head contraption for safety. I'm all for homemade masks, but I wouldn't want anyone going out and about more than they should or visiting at risk people thinking that this is the same as an N95.
The pattern is from a nurse calling it a N95. I know hospitals in my area are using these to cover "true" n95s to help elongate their supplies.
This is not n95, but many hospitals are asking for these because they no longer have enough n95 or head shields. If your hospital isn't asking for them, don't make them. A cloth mask is better than nothing. I have seen masks with a pocket so that you can add a filter, and others that have an insert for a paperclip so that you can make a tighter seal around the nose.
N Goodwin Thank you for this comment. Seeing N95 thrown around is worrisome. I was about to post a comment similar to yours. I also cannot wear these masks due to my face shape
www.project-cloth-masks.com/make-a-mask this pattern is approved by medical professionals. It uses a fabric called NWPP (non woven polypropylene, often used for reusable shopping bags)
@@melissac5740 I would like to know who else uses a pocket besides Riley Blake that fits the N95. I made Riley Blakes and you can't squeeze the mask inside the pocket.
For anyone that is trying to make a mask here´s a tip. Fabrics as we know them are mostly knit, which means, a thread is literally knitted, which results in a bunch of tiny holes, and as tight or microscopic as these might be, they are still there and allowing the virus to pass through. Which is why you need to line them with a fabric made out of fibers such as tnt (a type of fiber they make reusable bags with) or interfacing. There are other certified fabrics, but these are the easiest to get our hands on, and the cheapest. Cyber hug to all of you, stay safe
As far as I know- can't these interfacing materials be nonwoven materials like dried wet wipes or layers of tissue paper?
@@heatherfreeman5274 sure, but those would be for single use face masks
This is so stupid, but I have been steadfast this whole time, through this, and then I watch this tutorial, and the goodness of who you are, and I just cried😭. I have been a worried mom to my 17yo who still has to work, bc he works for the depot, which is an 'essential' store, for my husband, who also works in a different 'essential' store...and for my wee little Korean mother, who is a God fearing woman, doing her part, but also has 2 auto-immune diseases...and there are NO masks...anywhere. Now, what I DO have is an overabundance of 100% cotton fabric and a sew room. My heart has been heavy not only for my own family, but for ALL first responders, some of who are really close family friends.((I do understand that this is not a replacement for an N95 mask, but a cover for N95 masks that 1st responders, nurses, and doctors use. I just feel, for my family, this is better than nothing, esp when forced to work. To clarify for anyone else reading this lol!) You just gave me purpose. I adore you, I love you, you are obviously doing what God wanted you to, through this outlet. My prayers will continually be with you and your family!😍🤗😍🤗😍🤗😍
Sending you love and light over the interwebs
Hi Sera! Love the tutorial, I'm planning on using it (I'm sick now, so only once my symptoms have subsided and I'm no longer at risk of infecting others/am able to fully disinfect my sewing space)! Would you consider changing the title to just make it extra clear that fabric masks are not the same thing as N95 respirators (e.g. changing it to say "N95 Mask COVER" instead)? There's a fair amount of misinformation going around, and even though it's more clear in the written instructions that these are for prolonging the effectiveness of existing PPE rather than as an equal-quality substitution, it would be good to just make sure that those using the tutorial realize that from the start. Thank you, keep doing the good work and stay healthy!!!!
^^^^ yes to this important clarification!
YES thank you so much for pointing this out!
@@SeaminglySera :-)))) Thanks for making the change! Stay safe and stay healthy!
Love this this! I’m only a minute in but also if anyone has the choice on which fabric to use 100% cotton is the way to do it since it will decompose faster and doesn’t have as bad of an environmental impact!
I really appreciate you making this video and taking action to help our medical workers in midst of all the chaos going on
Thank you for this!! Last night I was given one surgical mask and one n95 to last my entire shift in the ER. The doctors I work with say that it the worst is yet to come.
I hope you and the rest of your coworkers get masks and any other supplies!
Thank you for doing this job! I wish you a lot of energy to get through this - thank you!
Thank you for your hard work and putting yourself at risk on our behalf. Will pray for you guys who are on the frontline.
Thank you for this tutorial, as I found a Cricut/Silohouette file and could not find directions and this is spot on. I don't know why people are saying you are calling this an N95 mask, as your title clearly states it's a cover for the N95 mask and that is exactly what I would like to make for my family members who are nurses and have requested me to make for them. Thank you so very much.
ignoring all of the annoying comments, i loved this tutorial!! you made it so easy to follow that i wanted to challenge myself with making the straps instead of just sewing in hair ties lol
Thank you Sera. I have materials and elastic and thinking of making some but planning to add a filter material inside of it.
Totally not surprised that the best mask tutorial (or just most understandable one for me) i've seen so far is yours. The kind of mask is not that important as the kindness of ur gesture to support the world with doing what you love
This is a cover for an N95. A lot of the hospitals are handing the staff one N95. They are asking for something to cover it to keep it clean.
Sera out there doing her best during these tough times
I'm contemplating making masks as well, but i'm wondering if such fabrics are good enough, or if one should put some kind of filter material in between the layers, to maybe get a lil closer to the ffp2 quality...
Even if it's not the same as the medical masks, it can free up the medical ones for the doctors in the most needed parts of the hospital. Also, a lesser mask is better than no mask.
If you find out about a better fabric, let us know:)
You can also sew a pocket in it to put a disposable filter
@@cenedra20 Just found an interesting article on types of fabrics and how they perform in both filtering and breathability
smartairfilters.com/en/blog/best-materials-make-diy-face-mask-virus/
turns out, cotton shirts and cotton pillowcases might just be the best middle ground :)
Now just to figure out how to make sure the mask you make has a good tight fit, whether i want to make a surgical type mask, or the sleeker type,which could possibly be more fitted.
@@melissafiore9460 That's actually not a bad idea indeed!
hey, Im a design student, I reached out to my textile teacher on this topic, knit fabrics, such as cotton or basically any fabric you make clothes with, won´t work, because of the fact that there are micro holes in all of them. You need to line them with a fabric that is made out of fibers (not thread), she suggested that we line the face masks with a fabric like TNT (the one they make reusable bags out of) or just use interfacing. There are other fabrics that work, bust these are the easiest to get our hands on and the most affordable
Hey Sera! This isnt a N95 this is just a surgical mask. love you tho great video
She is aware of that and states it in her intro. Just an fyi.
MaryAnn Russum I watched it and she didn’t just wanted her to know!
@@squirellbrain She knows, it is in the titile as a COVER.
Can I use this template to make and wear without N95...not a front liner...just going out to stores? I like the size of these masks as well as the ties instead of elastic. Also, is it possible to add the nose piece (metal twisty)? I made these and I absolutely love them. How can o tag you to show you?
I've been making these over in Minnesota to donate to our hospitals/clinics :) Ours are calling for elastic though! ELASTIC IS THE NEW TOILET PAPER haha Glad I found your channel!
**That is not an N95 mask** That's a DIY surgical mask
I'm sure most of the audience is clear on this based on the info in her description box. Not really a helpful comment based on the video
Great tutorial.
In Spain many companies are dedicating their work to making masks, gowns and everything they can to try to stop this shit.
I just made one this morning without a skipper or anything, but this one of yours is understood very well even without understanding the language well.
It may be a good idea to put the title in Spanish, for example, so that it reaches more people.
Thanks for your videos and encouragement with the quarantine, kisses from Spain
This is amazing! Thank you so much for making this video
I really like your video. Just nice music and not a lot of chatting which can make a video so much longer than in needs to be. Mask came out well and easy to do. This has been a great opportunity to use up a lot of my stash fabric including bias tapes that I have lying around. I use this instead of making the straps if I don't have to. I have a bias maker (a little metal thing) and it is fabulous and so worth the under $10 price. THANK YOU. I have subscribed.
Amazing, I am going to start making these
For better use you should wash it and boil after 2-3 hours of wear, so it can be reused
so, make 3 per person, and use one while another is washing and yet another is drying :D
@@lalystar4230 tbh just make a whole bunch, that way you can go a day or two without washing. if you have enough fabric of course
None of the links work. Would love to have a downloadable pattern.
Good video though. Thanks.
Hi Sera! I love this tutorial! I’m very new to sewing using a machine and had a few questions- when you say stitch down (for ex. with the wrap/ties) do you mean by hand sewing or machine sewing? Thanks!! 🧡
The 'N95' designation means that when subjected to careful testing, the respirator blocks at least 95 percent of very small (0.3 micron) test particles.
Heads Up: Call Your Hospitals First! They might not be willing or able to accept donations right now. Find out ahead of time so your hardwork doesn't just get thrown out because it is not suitable or simply taking up too much space for staff to deal with. PLEASE! Check ahead to see what, if anything, is needed!
Thank you for this video! This is so important and a great tutorial for it too.
I work for Stanford and during a virtual meeting our leaders specifically state to NOT donate handmade masks 😔 I’m positive this is the case across all hospitals
It could be different around the globe due to shortages anyways. Still worth making a video about it as a last case scenario
I will disagree. Both my children are right out there in the medical field. They each have 1 mask. They both asked me to make them covers for their masks and some for their friends. They are scared about not being protected. I say every little thing helps. But, I am making them about 5 covers each so they at least can keep switching to a clean one during their shift if needed. Then, bring them home for a good boil; yest in a pan of hot water.
Hospitals and nursing homes alike are begging for fabric masks!
THIS IS AWESOME!
Is there any discussion around if this option is reusable? If I use it to run to the store can I wash it and reuse? JW!!
Heather Freeman If you wash/dry this, it should certainly be reusable. A mask like this one, is really designed to be worn *over* one of those M95 masks, largely to extend the live of the M95 since they are both critical, and in desperately short supply, so they are having to be reused. It may come out of your dryer sort of wrinkly; it will iron up nice and flat again. I've been using a homemade mask like this one for years every springtime, when the tree pollen is so abundant, everyone has a yellow car 😊. Remember, in the general public, a mask is worn mostly for you to "keep your germs to yourself," or to cut down on allergy symptoms caused by breathing in all that pollen. It has been suggested, to have 2 different fabrics for the front and back of the mask; since the design is reversible, you'd want to make sure the next time you put it on, the same side was facing outwards. I just finished assembling a bunch of kid-sized masks with a heroic Spier-Man print: lined several with pink, and several more with dark purple. If there's a JoAnn's fabric and crafts store near you, they've been making Take and Make mask kits available for free. They are the flat surgical mask style, and the kits come with directions you can easily copy for making more with fabrics from your own personal fabric collection.
Tried your link for pattern, and page came up as Not Found, etc.....
Never mind, thanks just the same....just wanted to let you know your link does not work.
Can somebody please send me the link to the pattern?
Challenge for your fans. My daughter is a nurse. My son a first responder. They are using their mask over and over now. :(. Anyways my daughter want to know if there is a way to use some stretchy material like those thin headbands as the top strap and keep the tie on the bottom. Unfortunately I can sew but I cannot create patterns. Shout out to your fans for help. Stay Safe and practice social distancing. This virus is in all of our hands. Peace
Thanks for making this video!
Is there a link to that pattern?
yes in the description is a printable readout with the pattern on the last page.
Read the description box before your fingers start typing. Thanks a bunch!
To work, you should use 4 pieces of fabric for each mask 😷
I only use 2 pieces of fabric and interfacing. You want to be sure it is breathable. Just one mask isn't going to help a medical person they need at least 5 so they can switch it out if it is no longer useable during their shift and get a clean one. THis is most important. It doesn't help if the cover is soiled and you keep using it.
Thank you
You shouldn't make cotton face mask. Or any other fabric.
They get humid from breathing, and they are actually not good. I know this from hospitals and doctors.
Hospitals are actually requesting these from people because they are running out. they are requesting 100% cotton because it can be boiled to be sanitized.
This nice but it’s not an N95, not even close. This wouldn’t protect you against much
Hi Barbara, This mask is to help with the longevity of the N95 mask not to USE as a mask for protection. For instance, my daughter is a nurse. She is given 1 yes 1 N95 mask to use over and over. For instance I make her 10 covers. She can in essence put the cover over the mask see a patient and toss cover in a bag and use another cover over the mask keeping it as clean as she can for her entire shift. Then, she can take the cover home and boil them and reuse on her next shift. Please help make. Stay well.
Not a N95 mask
That is not an N95 mask, that is a surgical mask. Huge difference!
She never said it was. This is a cover that goes over an N95 mask.
@@evyby14 oh wow, cool beans!
Please kindly change your video title. This is not a N95 mask.