How to make a mask to help yourself and others

By Las Vegas Sun Staff (contact)

Thursday, April 2, 2020 | 2 a.m.

There's a national shortage of personal protective equipment for health care workers battling coronavirus, and the need for supplies is urgent. Individuals across the country have sprung into action, dusting off their sewing machines to produce homemade face masks in an effort to help. Hospitals in Southern Nevada aren’t accepting homemade masks at this time (citing that they do not offer the same level of protection as N95 masks); the shortage has caused a strain on other types of providers who can use them, however, such as rehabilitation centers, homeless shelters, nursing homes and behavioral health clinics. In short, there's a need for masks everywhere. This is where you come in.

The following instructions, provided by Phoebe Putney Health System and edited for clarity, are a step-by-step guide to making face masks. The masks are intended to be reused after laundering and can be worn alone or over an N95 to prevent it from being soiled, extending its life during severe personal protective equipment (PPE) shortages. 

The team at Phoebe Health notes that it's using surgical sheets to make its reusable masks, but a thicker, breathable, water-repellent fabric, such as a machine-washable 55/45 cotton/polyester blend, may be used.

This mask pattern is designed to fit over an N95 mask, but there are many other helpful patterns, including simpler, rectangular options, that can be found online. 

Note: This information is provided for your independent evaluation. Neither the materials nor design of these masks has been reviewed or approved by the Food and Drug Administration or any other regulatory agency. Each institution must make its own independent determination as to whether the masks are suitable for any particular purpose.

1. Fold fabric in four layers measuring at least 5 1/2 inches wide by 8 1/2 inches tall. Using sharp scissors, cut through each layer of fabric around the base pattern so that you have four separate shapes when complete. Remove pattern.

2. Take two of the cut shapes and place them directly on top of each other. Pin them securely in place using straight pins. Repeat with the remaining two shapes.

3. Cut elastic into two 9 1/2-inch pieces. Place one piece of elastic between two of the pinned fabric sheets, making sure the elastic is flat and not twisted inside the fabric sheets. Once the elastic is flat and in a U-shape, center the elastic loop and pin down each end about 2 1/2 inches apart, even with the edge of the fabric. Place a single pin through the middle of the 2 sheets to secure the elastic loop and ready it for sewing. Repeat with the second set of sheets using the first as a guide to make sure the elastic loops are even on both.

4. Place one two-piece section on the sewing machine, using a zigzag stitch to sew along the entire side that has the elastic ends (first seam, aka ear seam). Remove from the machine and take out pins. Repeat with the second two-piece section.

5. Turn the now-sewn sheets inside out so that the rough sewn edge is inside and the elastic is now outside, forming the first ear loop. Sew a straight stitch on the elastic edge to make it extra secure. Repeat with the second two-piece section.

6. Now place both sections directly on top of each other. Sew along the open edge (second seam aka nose seam) of the mask, through all four layers of fabric using a zigzag stitch. Make sure there are no gaps and that all pieces are caught in the stitch. Backstitch to finish, and cut loose threads.

7. Open the completed mask and trim any frays. Examine product and correct any defects. 

Organizations accepting masks

Interested in donating homemade masks? Here are just a few of the organizations accepting them in Southern Nevada. Want to donate elsewhere? Call ahead to ask what’s being accepted and how to safely deliver supplies.

• Salvation Army Southern Nevada: salvationarmysouthernnevada.org, 702-870-4430

Contactless drop-off at 35 W. Owens Ave. Call 702-701-5347 upon arrival and someone will retrieve your donation.

• Share Village Las Vegas: sharelasvegas.org, 702-624-5792

Contactless drop-off: 50 N. 21st St.

• Lutheran Social Services of Nevada: lssnv.org

To schedule a donation, contact Tristan Hightower at [email protected].

• Palmeira Home Health: palmhh.com

To schedule a donation, email [email protected].

• To donate out of state, mail masks to Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital, c/o Supply Chain, 1108 N. Monroe St., Albany, GA, 31701.

This story appeared in Las Vegas Weekly.