Making Masks

Now that it is recommended that we all wear masks in public, we are in a position of needing masks.  JP could bring a couple home from work, but I don't want to ask him to waste precious PPE that could keep him safer at work.

I decided to make some for our family.  I have lots of scraps of colorful fabric, and I like this pattern from JOANN - it includes a layer of interfacing, making them even less permeable, which I thought was important.

I did alter the pattern just a bit - moved the elastic down 5/8 inch from the top edge and created a tube that I could slide a pipe cleaner into.  This makes the top edge adjustable and helps keep glasses from steaming up.

I made a half dozen today for my family, but if I can pick up some more elastic, I would like to make some more to donate where needed.  They are fully machine washable and reusable.

** ADDENDUM:  After making all of these masks, JP pointed out that they are impermeable.  This actually counteracts the entire point of wearing the masks, which is the FILTER the air - you should be able to breathe THROUGH the mask, not have air come in and out around the edges.  I went back and removed the interfacing from these, and they work more appropriately.  So, IF YOU USE THIS PATTERN, DO NOT USE THE INTERFACING.  Two layers of fabric is really all the CDC is recommending.