Want to help the community? Protective Face Mask Tutorial and New Patch Opportunity

Here's a community service project that you can do that can benefit your family and friends in the community. Throughout our area and many places in the nation, there is currently a need for protective face masks. For those of us who sew - or want to learn to sew - this project can make a huge difference. Let's give a helping hand and follow best safety practices by making protective face masks. While doing it, you can earn a Girl Scout patch!  

Learn how to easily sew a surgical face mask with this step-by-step tutorial done by our very own Girl Scout Caroline! You can also read how-to instructions below for making a standard face masks below. 

 Making A Face Mask

Materials Needed

· Cotton fabric, tightly woven

· 1/8" elastic, or fabric ties

Tools

· Sewing machine and thread

· Scissors

· Ruler

· Sewing pins or clips

Instructions:

1. Cut the fabric.

For an adult size mask, cut 1 fabric rectangle 16″ long and 8.5″ wide. Cut 2 pieces of elastic, each 7″ long. Or, cut 4 fabric ties 18" long.

For a child-size mask, cut 1 fabric rectangle 14″ long and 6.5″ wide. Then, cut 2 pieces of elastic, each 6″ long.

2. Sew the top side, with pocket opening.

Fold the fabric in half, with the right sides facing.

Sew along the 8.5″ width edge, using a 5/8″ seam allowance. Leave a 3” opening in the center of this seam to create an opening for the filter pocket, and to allow the mask to be turned right side out after sewing.

Press the seam open. Topstitch/zig-zag stitch along both sides of the seam for a neater edge.

3. Pin Elastic or Fabric Ties.

Pin one piece of elastic to each side of the mask, one end to the top corner and one end to the bottom corner. If using fabric ties, pin one tie to each corner, with the rest of the tie sandwiched inside the two layers of fabric.

4. Sew the Sides.

Sew the sides of the facemask. Backstitch over the elastic or fabric ties to secure them.

Clip the corners, turn the mask right side out, and press with an iron.

5. Sew the Pleats.

Create three evenly spaced 1/2” pleats. Pin the folds in place, making sure all pleats are facing the same direction. Sew down each side to secure the pleats.

For information on how to donate your masks or if you have questions, contact Donna at customercare@gsccc.org. 

If you'd like to receive the Mask Making patch, they may be purchased at our GSCCC shops.