Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala): As the world is fighting the pandemic of coronavirus and is finding ways to keep the infection at bay, EJ Athira, a girl from Kerala, has set an example of awareness and has found its own way to deal with the virus by making face masks to avoid infection.
Cloth masks made to the standard size and measurement can be used and reused, unlike the surgical masks which must be discarded after each use.
Though, it is not recommended to protect you while interacting with a COVID-19 infected person or anyone in quarantine (Only N 95 masks have been recommended for this purpose by the health experts), use of cloth masks can help prevent the infection spread to another person by checking the droplets while coughing or sneezing.
This DIY cloth face mask can be reused for many times by thoroughly washing, drying and sterilizing it after each use.
The reusable cloth masks have two layers of cloth. It is pleated and stitched so that all the users get a snug fit, by adjusting the strap tie.
All one needs is some cloth material and thin ribbon-like strap rolls that are available in the market.
Raw material requirements:
- Lining cloth material (easily available in the market, normally used as lining in churidars and other dresses).
Cost ranges between Rs 30 to Rs 40 for the cloth material per metre.
Eight standard sized face masks of 19 centimetres length and 12 centimetres width can be made using 1 metre of cloth. The cloth is to be folded in two layers.
- Strap roll: Of the 4 straps, each strap on the mask should be of 27 centimetres length. So, you might need a small roll for making a few masks.
Athira, a tailor by profession, elaborated the techniques to make masks in a very simple way.
Directions for stitching:
Take half-a-metre of lining cloth material. With ½ metre of cloth, we can make four face masks. It is very simple and can be done easily.
Cut the cloth into 4 parts. For one mask, we need to cut the cloth and fold it once to form one layer, into a size of 19 centimetres length and 17 centimetres width (12 centimetres width after pleating).
As it has to be folded to form two layers, one side should be double the measure while cutting.
Now we can fix the straps. First, join the long free side of the folded cloth and reverse it so that the sewn edge goes inside.
When reversed, two edges are open and two are sewn and joined. Now fold half an inch of cloth inside on the free side and fix the end of one strap on to the top corner of this inner folding.
Give a double stitch over it so that it remains fixed. Stitch over it on that side till the bottom end. Now fix the second strap on to the bottom corner and complete one side.
Similarly, fix the remaining two straps to the other side. All four straps have been fixed now. Stitch over both the sides once again. Also, do double stitching over the corners where the straps are fixed.
Let us now give small horizontal pleats to the mask. Keep in mind that we should get 12 cm of width after pleating. So, check if the size is correct by just folding the cloth into pleats.
Stitch over the three pleats with the 2-inch difference between each one on one side. On completing this side, do the same on the other side. You can do the finishing works by cutting and removing extra threads on the sides.
The reusable cloth mask is ready now. It fits all, as the adjustment is done by tying up the straps.
Athira wore the newly stitched mask herself and shown how to use it.
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