How to sew protective masks and gowns

John Bobel

May 3, 2020

Lexington Emergency Management is coordinating the donation of Personal Protection Equipment or PPE that will be distributed to hospitals and health care providers.

We are accepting UNOPENED boxes of surgical masks, N95 masks, face shields, gowns, latex or nitrile gloves.

Many individuals, groups, and businesses from the community have generously offered to help assist in our preparedness efforts by sewing cloth masks. While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention does not suggest cloth material as a first-line defense against the coronavirus causing COVID-19, cloth masks work well for other conditions and can help conserve precious reserves of N-95 respirator masks.

We are unable to accept packages through the mail, nor can we offer pick-up service for amounts fewer than one dozen boxes or packages.

Donated masks are thoroughly laundered and sanitized before being distributed.

Hand-sewn masks and other donated materials can be dropped off between 9 am-3 pm at 115 Cisco Road in Lexington.

A recommended sewing pattern, along with suggested cloth materials, can be found below. Note versions with and without elastic (because apparently “elastic is the new toilet paper” and in short supply!).

Your efforts will help make a difference.

Sewing Pattern for Masks

Sewing Pattern for Gowns

Video on How to Make a Face Mask

Instructions from JoAnn Fabrics on sewing masks

INSTRUCTIONS FOR HOMEMADE FACE MASK (WITH ELASTIC)

Materials needed (with elastic)

• Tight-weave cotton fabric (i.e. quilting cotton)
  • Fabric must be newly purchased within approximately the past year and never used.
  • Wash and dry fabric without fragrance or dyes before sewing.
• Rope Elastic, beading cord elastic will work (you may also use 1/8″ flat elastic if ¼” is unavailable. Some have used wider flat elastic and cut it in half with some success).

One adult mask requires two (2) 9″ x6″ pieces tight-weave cotton and two 7″ pieces of 1/4 inch elastic. Therefore, one yard of 44″ wide fabric yields 12-15 masks. You need 7.5 yards of elastic for 25 masks (14 inches per mask).

You can make two sizes: Adult or Child. Adult-sized masks will be the greatest need.

1. Put the right sides of the cotton fabric together (Be sure any fabric design is placed horizontally.)
   1. Cut 9×6 (Adult) or 7.5 x 5 (Child)
2. Starting at the center of the bottom edge, sew to the first corner, stop. Sew the elastic with the edge out into the corner. A few stitches forward and back will hold this.
3. Sew to the next corner, stop, and bring the other end of the same elastic to the corner and sew a few stitches forward and back.
4. Now sew across that top of the mask to the next corner. Again, put an elastic with the edge out.
5. Sew to the next corner and sew in the other end of the same elastic.
6. Sew across the bottom leaving about 1.5″ to 2″ open. Stop, cut the thread. Turn inside out.
7. Pin 3 tucks on each side of the mask. Make sure the tucks are the same direction
8. Sew around the edge of the mask twice.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR HOMEMADE FACE MASK (NO ELASTIC NEEDED)

Materials needed

• Tight-weave cotton fabric (i.e. quilting cotton)
  • Fabric must be newly purchased within approximately the past year and never used.
  • Wash and dry fabric without fragrance or dyes prior to sewing.
• Options for Ties
  • Bias Tape (either ½ or 7/8 as available)

OR

Make ties from strips of fabric indicated above (cut strips 2″ wide by 16″ long)

One adult mask requires two (2) 9″ x6″ pieces tight-weave cotton and four (4) 16″ pieces of bias tape or fabric ties (64″ total per mask). Therefore, one yard of 44″ wide fabric yields 12-15 masks. You need 21 1/3 yards of bias tape for 12 masks.

You can make two sizes: Adult or Child. Adult-sized masks will be the greatest need.

1. Place right sides of the cotton fabric together (Be sure any fabric design is placed horizontally.)
   1. Cut 9×6 (Adult) or 7.5 x 5 (Child)
2. Starting at the center of the bottom edge, sew around the edges of the fabric leaving about 1.5″ to 2″ open.
3. Stop, cut the thread. Turn inside out.
4. Pin three (3) ½” tucks on each side of the mask. Make sure the tucks are in the same direction.
5. Make ties using Bias Tape or Fabric.
   1. Bias tape: stitch closed.
   2. Fabric: Fold in half, turn under 1/4″ on each long side, iron in place. Stitch long edges closed.
6. Pin one (1) tie at each corner.
7. Sew around the edge of the mask twice, catching the bias tape as you go.

Some information courtesy Vanderbilt University Medical Center