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Calling All Sewers!

Help Protect your Community from COVID-19

Over the last few days we’ve been doing a lot of research about DIY face masks to protect us from Viruses like COVID-19. We all need to be proactive about corona virus and it’s easy to feel like we can’t help much while being stuck at home but if you’re able to sew at home; this might be a great way to feel like you’re doing a bit more and keep you busy! Here are our findings in a very easy to understand format:

Q&A:

Q: Why make a Face Mask?

A: In many parts of the world it’s easy for consumers to see that it’s becoming more difficult to find supplies at retail level – and so getting your hands on a box of sterile gloves or surgical masks right now is seeming more like a day dream rather then an obtainable item on your shopping list. Face masks are proven to reduce the risk of contracting certain viruses and so having one of any kind during outings and using public transportation is a great way to improve your chances of everyone staying healthy in a time like this.

Q: Can A DIY face mask specifically help keep me safe from the COVID-19 Virus?

A: A lot of work has already gone into this! (Thank you to all the badass scientists who ran these tests to help us better understand this – let’s get these masks made!) There are obviously so many things to consider when someone says “DIY Face Mask for Corona Virus Outbreak” So according to a number of studies; If you’re going to make a Face Mask from home (or more than one!) it is best to use a cotton or cotton blend fabric, this can include a Tea Cloth, A Pillow Case, Tee-Shirt etc. A surgical mask is able to block about 80% of COVID-19 particles being transferred from person-to-person contact via droplets. A single layer DIY cotton mask blocks out about 50%. This percentage has the potential to dramatically increase with the use of more than one layer added to your mask depending on the fabric used.

Q: Is this really necessary?

A: We believe so! On March 20th Fox 26 News Reported that Washington State Hospital, Washington is calling for volunteers to sew medical masks as part of it’s “One Million Masks” Challenge. This was the first time I had ever heard of an industry that we all depend on so much calling for the help of everyday people for a task so important, I felt like we are absolutely obligated to help if we are in a position to do so. I would advise maybe beginning by making some for those we live with and then progressing to contact-free local distribution. I realized that I know a number of people that either I went to college with or I worked with or connected with through my business who are into sewing and it feels like this is a great place to start.

Free Mask Pattern & Instructions

Sewing is empowering! And because of this unfortunate and uncertain time, it can be really important too. At Von Gruning we have stopped production of bags and are strictly making COVID-19 masks at this time. we encourage sewers to download our pattern and join the crew!

Download mask pattern

How To Make a COVID-19 DIY Face Mask

Before We Start:

- Disinfect your sewing area, scissors, machine etc. and wash your hands.

- Remember not to place the mask on your face at any point to test it unless it is for yourself.

-The link to download the pattern pieces is below along with a PDF of these instructions for printing.

Materials:

-Cotton Based Fabric (Pillow case, tea towel)

-Cotton thread

-Non-Woven interface (optional but recom

Step 1.

-Cut out attached template.

-Cut out 4 pieces of cotton or cotton blend fabric. This pattern can also be made out of pillow cases or tee-shirts for example.

If available – cut out 2 pieces of non-woven interface to act as your filter layer. Without this layer your mask will still function effectively – this is just an additional layer of protection and is suggested if you have the material o

Step 2.

-Take two pieces of cotton and lay them one on top of the other so all the corners and sides line up.

-Sandwich them between your two layers of interface if you’re using it. Making sure all 4 layers are now cleanly lined up.

Step 3.

-Sew a line with ¼” Seam allowance down the convex ‘center front’ side of your 4-part material sandwich – attaching them all together. You can do this with a norm

Step 5.

(only preform this step if you are using a serger – if not; skip to step 6.)

-Laying both parts wrong-side together, one on top of the other, serge the 2 conjoined parts together as neatly as possible, it is difficult around the curves and requires some patience – this is the hardest part.

Step 6.

(only preform this step if you are using a straight stitch machine and no serger. If you’ve alrea

Step 7.

You should now be able to see the general shape of your mask. If you used interface – the side that your interface was attached to in step 3 is now your external piece, you should be able to feel a slight difference between the side with facing and without. Remember not to place the mask on your face at any point to test it unless it is for yourself.

-Folding in onto the inner side – “hem”

Step 8.

If you are able to use a straightened paper clip or thick jewelry wire in the nose piece to hold the shape of the mask it is highly recommended.

-Begin to “hem” down the top of the mask, it is curved and will require some patience. I slipped a copper wire with a tiny bit of hot glue on the ends into the seam allowance of the nose area of mine. It allows the use to manipulate the mask around

Calling All Sewers!

Help Protect your Community from COVID-19

Free Mask Pattern & Instructions

How To Make a COVID-19 DIY Face Mask

Download Mask Pattern & Instructions

Our Masks