It looks like the recommendations for masks may change and they may recommend that masks be worn if you go out to protect others … Fauci acknowledges that they do little to protect the wearer against the coronavirus but states they may offer some protection from spreading the virus to others if you are infected and unaware (because obviously you wouldn’t go out at ALL if you had symptoms except to seek medical care, Right?).

So this news comes just as we’re getting ready to leave for GA for our closing next week… keeping our distance from everyone of course … and I’m going to be away from my sewing stuff for the next week. I decided I’d make each of us a couple masks in case a directive is issued for people to wear them while out of their homes. (If no directive comes then we won’t wear them). I have very little batik fabric but enough for several masks. Batik is a tighter weave so it’s thought to be better but if I end up having to make more than the first batch I’ve cut out, they’ll have to be out of regular quilting cotton.

I like this tutorial that was shared by a quilted in my HeartStrings group except that they’re also recommending the lining of the mask be of a different fabric so you can tell the inside from the outside. I cut the first few according to guidelines I found online … rectangles that are 6×9 and I cut my ties 1.5 x width of fabric but you can shorten those if you like.

You can see in the photo above I did put some pins in to hold my pleats but I didn’t fuss with them much. After making the first one and trying it on, I woke Keith up and had him try it … I felt like it was going to be too small and I was right. So I cut the rectangles for his masks 8×10 inches and woke him up a second time to have him try it on (he wasn’t very happy with me!). You can see the difference in the two below. I kitted up the rest of the batik making the last few for me a little larger with rectangles cut 7×9.5 inches and grabbed some yardage just in case I find I need to make more for some reason.

Don’t be afraid to adjust the size of that starting rectangle if you make one and it’s too small. Experiment a little to find the right size and if you’re making them for medical personnel and first responders realize that the patterns on the web may be too small for many men … have your husband try one on for size.

Also, there was a recommendation to use flannel on the inside of the mask and I did on the first one but I’ve got to say I found it hot even just the few minutes I had it on to try it for size so the others got a second layer of batik.