We’ve made hundreds of masks for Navajo Nation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Why?
My mom and I have made hundreds of masks and began directing them to Navajo Nation during the pandemic.
Navajo Nation, which has had the 3rd highest rate of COVID-19 infections in the U.S.
As they are an overlooked and underfunded community, please donate to:
The Navajo & Hopi Familes COVID-19 Relief Fund.
This article was posted a years ago, if you’re interested to read more, see below:
If you’re just starting out and you want to help make masks to protect from Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), this article is for you. It took me about a week and a half to go through videos and articles in until I decided which pattern to use.
I will continue to post information as I come across it. To settle on what type of mask to make here are some questions and answers.
How will the Mask(s) be used?
If you’re looking to make masks for a specific place or for a specific hospital, it’s best to check on their website to see what their requirements are. Not all hospitals or establishments are excepting all types of masks. For example, some hospitals are just excepting single layer pleated masks to be worn over the N95s.
What Are The Best Household Materials for Making DIY Masks?
“Test data shows that the best choices for DIY masks are cotton t-shirts, pillowcases, or other cotton materials. These materials filter out approximately 50% of 0.2 micron particles, similar in size to the coronavirus. They are also as easy to breathe through as surgical masks, which makes them comfortable enough to wear for several hours. Doubling the layers of material for your DIY mask gives a very small increase in filtration effectiveness, but makes the mask much more difficult to breathe through.” source.
Please note: There’s debate on the use of vacuum cleaner bags to make masks. Some are made from glass microfiber / fiberglass which makes it dangerous to inhale. https://www.oregonlive.com/coronavirus/2020/04/is-it-safe-to-make-a-diy-mask-out-of-a-vacuum-bag-debate-erupts.html
What are Some pattern options and what materials are involved?
There are a few main mask patterns out. Some are single layered, or double layered, some have pockets to insert a filter.
1. Rectangular pleated, some people are doing them as a single layer for public general public use.
3. Single-corded square. This video was made by a nurse and she explains how comfortable it is and there’s a pocket to fit in an N 95. Unfortunately, when my mom made it, I didn’t work out, it seemed like the fabric was too thick and or what was used for the cording wasn’t right. She uses a synthetic clothesline as the cording. Using T-shirt yarn doesn’t work, you’ll need something more slick so there’s isn’t added friction when pulling to tighten the mask.
4. University of Florida’s prototype 1. Another sewer said she didn’t like the fit and between the thick fabric and pleated design, the sewing needle kept breaking.
5. University of Florida’s prototype 2/duck bill.
For both patterns from University of Florida, the Halyard H600 is to be used. It’s the material that is used to store surgical instruments for surgery. It’s made from recyclable #5 polypropylene fabric and made in the USA. The H600 has a higher strength than the other grades; H100, H400 or H500.
It comes as a sheet of two layers fused together. It’s not to be washed or to get wet. To sterilize the fabric, it goes into an autoclave at 272°F and can be reused 20 times. For home use, the masks can be sterilized by putting them in an oven at 165°F for 30 minutes more than once. They are to be used if N95s are not available and have passed the fit test.
For more specific questions on the Halyard fabric H100-H600, contact Halyard.
Tips for Halyard H600 Duck Bill Masks
Here are notes, sewing tips and general information I found most helpful in choosing and making the duck bill pattern from the University of Florida’s website.
Please be sure to review the following links below from the University of Florida:
Mask Alternative https://anest.ufl.edu/clinical-divisions/mask-alternative/
Mask DOs and DON’Ts https://anest.ufl.edu/clinical-divisions/mask-alternative/mask-dos-and-donts/
Mask TIPS and TRICKS https://anest.ufl.edu/clinical-divisions/mask-alternative/mask-tips-and-tricks/
Frequently Asked Questions https://anest.ufl.edu/clinical-divisions/mask-alternative/frequently-asked-questions/
Where to get Halyard fabric
Thanks to FaceBook’s Stitched Together group, Megan Hobza and Lisa McFadin, I was able to get a hold of medical grade fabric to make masks for those on the frontline of the COVID virus; to the University of Florida for providing a template patterns for 2 masks for public use and the people on Buy Nothing on Facebook who loaned and donated me materials and a sewing machine to do this work.
For more tips, visit Facebook group Halyard H600 Medical Masks + H100-500 Non-Medical
I chose Prototype 2/duck bill based on this video, here’s how the fit test works and how well this pattern worked from University of Florida.
Halyard H600 fabric. Made from recyclable #5 polypropylene fabric, made in the USA
Perforated edge that binds the blue and white layers of each sheet. Do not use as the main/face part of the mask. They can be pulled apart for 2 pieces for ties but sometimes rips. Best to cut along the entire length of the 40 inch sheet along this edge into one long 1-inch wide strip and use for ties, no need for yarn to be inserted since it is two layers.
Using a sharpie is easier to see than a pen. Draw out the pattern all at once, saving the top and bottom perforated edges for ties. Any unused portion in the size of 1”x20” can be saved for ties.
Batch prepping will speed up making masks. Prepare one mask and make sure the fit and measurements are all good first. Then prepare the materials in batches; cut all the wire, curl the wires, draw the pattern, cut the fabric, sew the darts and so on. That way, you don’t have to switch between tools as often and as you work on one repetitive task at a time, you will find small ways of going faster.
Save a step by not cutting out the darts. Instead, make a pen/Sharpie marking on the line to be stitched instead of the cut out.
For speed sewing: how to do chain piecing. Chain piecing is a sew quickly, it also saves thread.
Straps
Using material other than the Halyard fabric will save it for better use for the face part of the mask. Alternative options are bias tape and cotton twill tape.
Sew bias tape without tools or ironing. What’s needed: 1. Your bias strip cut to 1.75in wide, either made by cutting your fabric at a bias or just vertically
2. A piece of paper: 2.75in x 2.75in (7cm x 7cm)
**EDIT: SIZE OF PAPER SHOULD BE 2.75IN X 2.75IN
** Printable template: https://gum.co/zBBEK
I tried using a cotton jersey type fabric (in lavender) for the straps. It had a four-way stretch which had too much give for this duck bill pattern. Other sewers are using them for ear loops and say they work well and is very soft and comfortable.
Using a paper towel holder with a weight on it helped make this go by quicker, I used a wireless speaker. I sewed the tape at all once, it took maybe an hour with breaks to let the machine cool down.
One 50 yard roll of bias tape made enough straps for 19 masks, each with four 22" long straps. Surprisingly, one bobbin was more than enough to make tape for the whole roll.
If you make the mistake of sewing on the main part of the mask, don’t use a seam ripper to remove the stitching and finish the mask. The holes left behind will jeopardize how effective the mask is.
Chain piecing is a way to sew the topstitching step after the straps are sewn in and before the wire is placed. It also saves on thread
Nose Wire
To avoid hitting the needle on the wire, sew on the white fabric to see the wire easier. Use the right side of the presser foot to guide the wire into as you’re sewing.
How To Get Masks To Where They’re Needed
Completed masks can be matched up with needs by going to:
https://stitchedtogetherus.com/sign-ups/
https://www.mask-match.com/