Navigating the new reality of COVID-19 has shown that face masks have become a major part of our daily life. In fact, today, in many cities or communities they aren’t only much-needed to keep yourself safe and those around you, but they may also be legally-required to be worn in public depending on where you live. And not only do face masks need to be worn when we go out to the grocery store, for example, they also need to be worn by many of us when we have to travel for work and other obligations. But, if you’re one of those people that would rather not wear one, the only option you have when it comes to safety, is to just avoid people. However, avoiding people really isn’t an option when you start to think about it, and let’s face it: we’re social creatures. No matter how much we may think that we can go it alone, brave the world all by ourselves, without the help of friends or family, we really can’t. We need others in our lives for a variety of reasons. So in reality, we don’t want to avoid other people (most of us don’t, anyhow).
At this stage in the pandemic, everyone pretty knows that you have to wear a face mask when you go out in public. And thankfully, we’re all in a little bit better of a situation that we were back in late-March when COVID first landed in the United States–masks are readily available now. Back in late-March and early-April it was quite difficult to find a face mask. If you went to your local grocery store or pharmacy, the shelves were empty; Amazon was sold out; Home Depot had sold out of N95 respirators, etc. About the only place you could find critical PPE gear was Ebay, and the prices were outrageous.
Thankfully, over the last several months that have passed, with manufacturers working around-the-clock to refill stock, face masks are now easily available; they have now become easy to acquire, which means that it is even easier than ever before to make yourself safer when it comes to engaging with the public. While face masks can be purchased virtually everywhere now, there have still been people that have not only preferred to make their own face masks than buy one, but they’ve decided to do so as a means to keep their family safe, but also because they’ve wanted to express themselves creatively.
Wearing a mask doesn’t need to feel like a chore. So, if you’re one of those people that would rather make their own mask instead of buying one, there are actually a number of ways that you can make your own face mask, even with limited resources, even without a sewing machine.
How To Make A Face Mask
Making your own mask at home is fairly easy. However, it is important that you follow these strict CDC Guidelines [1]:
- Fold washable, breathable cotton fabric (cut approximately 20-inch x 20 inches) in half.
- Fold top-down, Fold bottom up.
- Fold rubber bands or hair ties about 6 inches apart.
- Fold side to the middle and tuck
- Ensure your mask fits snugly but comfortably, completely covers the nose and mouth, is secured, includes multiple layers of fabric, is breathable, and can be washed and machine dried without damage or change to the shape
Making Your Own Custom Mask
Making a mask at home can be something that is super fun and rewarding. But, if your idea of a DIY face mask isn’t one that you make by cutting up a bunch of cotton material and folding or sewing it together, but rather, is just a way for you to customize a face mask so that it expresses your personality while protecting your health, there is an option you might want to consider. Maybe you have a specific logo, phrase, or other design or pattern you’d like to wear on your face? One option is to use our custom mask app. Like the one offered by MaskMarket. It’s as simple as uploading your graphic to our app and following the basic instructions.
Designing your own Custom Mask using our Mask App
- Choose your Mask color
- Upload your artwork
- Add any text you’d like
- Choose your size and quantity
- Agree to the terms & conditions
- Click the Buy Now Button
- Go through the Checkout Steps
But, if taking the time out of your busy schedule with work, dealing with the kids, cooking dinner every night, etc. seems like it might be too much to do, or if you’re simply just not in the mood to upload art to create your own mask, a site like MaskMarket also has over one hundred ready-to-print designs that you can explore as well. Who knows, you might find a ready-to-print design that best suits your personality already! After all, MaskMarket has become famous already for it’s LED smart mask, camouflage masks, villain, and Day of the Dead masks. Their masks have been seen on such national TV shows as The Today Show and Good Morning America, for example.
One Mask Sold = One Mask Donated
And what’s great about shopping on the MaskMarket website, is that when you order a custom mask that you create yourself, or any of their ready-to-print designs, you know that you’re also helping the world out. Ordering from MaskMarket means that you’ll also be helping out critical care workers Because, for every mask that MaskMarket.com sells, the company will also donate one PPE face mask to an organization that is in serious need of essential personal protective equipment. MaskMarket.com masks are all made in the USA, are breathable, machine-washable, two-way stretch, and are all made of a 2-layer cotton / poly-blend fabric.
References
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/how-to-make-cloth-face-covering.html
