How to Make Your Own Face Covering
If you’ve been panicking about getting a face covering before you need to dash to the shops, we feel your frustration. Thankfully, we created a range of comfortable face masks made with that typical Joules attention to detail you’ve come to expect, with a double layer of soft cotton fabric and elastic hoops for comfortable snugness.
Even better, they come in a range of Joules prints, created from offcuts of fabrics that would otherwise not have been used, so we’re thinking about the environment too. They’ve been selling like hot cakes, so don’t worry if they’re out of stock, we hope to have more in very soon.
In the meantime, if you need one ASAP, you could have a go at making your very own with this easy guide. There are even two different options depending on how adventurous you’re feeling! So, grab yourself a cuppa (and maybe a few biscuits) and let us guide you through how to make a face covering – even better, no sewing is necessary for our first design!
Before we start, it’s worth noting that the Government has suggested that homemade masks may not help the wearer, but could stop you from passing the coronavirus on to others if you have it and are not showing symptoms. Of course, it goes without saying that if you do have symptoms, you should stay inside and isolate for the recommended time.
Design One: The No-Sew
This is the easiest and quickest way to make a face mask at home, with very few items needed and only a couple of steps from start to finish. This one also uses materials you have probably got lying around at home.
Materials:
Two elastic bands (hair ties will do just fine)
Bandanna or handkerchief that measures around 50cm x 50cm
Step One
Ensure your piece of cloth is flat and fold it in half.
Step Two
Fold the top third down and then fold the bottom third up so that they meet in the middle.
Step Three
Grab your two elastic bands (or hair ties) and thread them onto the material, 12cm or roughly 5 inches apart.
Step Four
Fold each side into the middle and tuck into the folds.
Step Five
Hook the bands around your ears and move until it covers both your mouth and nose.
That’s it!
Design Two: The Sew It Yourself
If you’re a bit more of a confident crafter why not try this slightly fancier version, not to worry, it’s still easy-peasy! Just like the first design, this method uses materials that you’re likely to have hiding somewhere around the house and it even has a handy place to add a custom filter.
Materials:
A piece of cloth (big enough to make two 25cm x 15cm rectangles)
Needle and thread
A pair of scissors
Two pieces of elastic (15cm long)
Kitchen roll or a coffee filter
Step One
From your piece of cloth, cut two rectangles, measuring 25cm x 15cm. Place the two pieces on top of each other horizontally.
Step Two
Next, fold over the top of the fabric by about 0.6cm and use your needle and thread to stitch all the way across.
Step Three
At the bottom, fold up by 0.6cm and stitch 2.5cm inwards from the edge on either side, allowing you to create a filter pocket. The shorter sides should now be folded in about 1cm, leaving enough of a gap to thread your elastic through.
Step Four
Using your elastic, thread a piece through the hem on one side and tie the ends. Repeat this step on the other side of the mask.
Step Five
Put your kitchen roll or coffee filter inside the pocket.
Step Six
Move the fabric around the elastic until you find a comfortable fit for you then stitch the elastic in place. Done!
So there you have it; one, two (or three) cups of tea later, you’ve got a face covering that you can wear as you pop to the shops, allowing you to safely follow the government guidelines. Once you have got your covering prepped, it is important to look after it as much as you can, so make sure to wash it regularly.
Happy sewing!
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