Thread by @GeorgeJulian

Homemade masks. A thread (opinions, science, patterns, videos etc)....

Disclaimer: I'm not a doctor (well not that kind of doctor), or a scientist, or a technical fabric expert, or a designer, none of it, this is just based on a couple weeks trial and error 1/17

Overview: The science on homemade masks is mixed, there have been reviews of materials used, whether it compromises safety as people become too relaxed about social distancing and hygiene, whether #Covid19 can pass through the masks etc 2/17

Science: the first summary I found smartairfilters.com/en/blog/best-m… was from Paddy at @SmartAirFilters and more recently there is this
fast.ai/2020/04/13/mas… a summary by @trishgreenhalgh and @jeremyphoward

TLDR: wearing a mask keeps your germs to yourself, this is good 3/17

Making masks: there are lots of patterns out there if you google or search instagram. Most of them fall into two groups, a plain mask, no filter that sits close to the face (I've made these following a request from an NHS nurse who wanted masks to wear under visors) 4/17

These are two layers of cotton fabric sewn together, no filter, quite quick and easy. I've used a sewing machine but you could in theory stitch by hand, no reason not to. I find these fine for a quick trip out w minimum interaction, they don't fit great when you're talking! 5/17

The pattern I used was by @mimigstyle and you can grab it here dropbox.com/sh/0fymxhh97qm… there are two versions of the pattern, one if you have a printer and one with measurements if you don't so you can draw it out on paper. 6/17

There's a brilliant video tutorial from @mimigstyle showing you how to make that mask Mimi recommends 22 inches of elastic per mask but I've found that depends how stretchy your elastic is, so you might need to trial and error that a little. 7/17

My preferred mask for wearing, is a bit more fiddly to make. I used a pattern from @trend_patterns that you can download here trendpatterns.co.uk/shop/free-face… download is free but optional charitable donation on the page. It includes a pocket for a filter, I use kitchen roll. 8/17

There's also a video tutorial for this mask, with two options for finishing it trendpatterns.co.uk/blog/2020/3/27… What I love about this mask is the fit, a wire is suggested to be used but not included in the video. 9/17

I sew right sides together along the top, then turn right side out and topstitch the lining down, a little way from the top, this allows you to slip a wire along the top edge. I made one with a paperclip unfolded but then found gardening wire which is ideal 10/17

I then finish the mask by binding the bottom edge, I find the lining tends to be a little long at this point so I pull it down below the top layer, sew 3/8 from the edge of the top layer, trim the excess and then bind with bias binding. 11/17

You can see @sarasiobhan modelling one of these here

https://twitter.com/sarasiobhan/status/1247127914656739329

the wire pinches across your nose for a close fit, and I used ties rather than elastic so it can be tied at the back of the neck. 12/17

Ties: I find elastic uncomfortable and it's as rare as loo roll was a few wks ago. I like twill tape but you could also use ribbon (although it might not grip as well) and if you've nothing else you can cut 2" strips of jersey and pull them until they roll in on themselves. 13/17

You thread the ties through with a safety pin so don't sew your side channels too small, but it's good if it gathers the mask slightly.

This has been trial and error learning, I've now made 50, they're fiddly but easily achievable if you're only making a small number. 14/17

I got most of my ideas and initial knowledge from an instagram post by Bess from our local fabric shop, the brilliant Stone Fabrics in Totnes. They're not on twitter but you can order beautiful fabrics from their website here stonefabrics.co.uk 15/17

Cleaning masks: remember to wash your hands before removing your mask. Take it off and put it straight in the wash if you can (throwing away the kitchen roll first) or put it in a bag until you next wash. A normal wash with detergent should kill any lingering germs. 16/17

Hope this is helpful, it'll save me having to repeat myself at least. Looking forward to seeing more masks materialising over the coming days. Stay safe people, stay home and wash your hands /END

Forgot to include this; I’ve not made these because I’ve not got any clear vinyl but if you did have some these are recommended for ppl who need to lip read /END+1

Pattern and instructions available here drive.google.com/file/d/1Pk7hMT… /END+2