Download - Face Mask Pattern

Use of Cloth Face Coverings to
Help Slow the Spread of COVID-19

The Covid-19 virus has really affected most everyone, not only in the USA, but around the world. I won't go in to the negitive issues, but will focus on self protection.

CDC recommends?wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies),?especially?in areas of significant community-based transmission.

 

CDC also advises the use of simple cloth face coverings to slow the spread of the virus and help people who may have the virus and do not know it from transmitting it to others.? Cloth face coverings fashioned from household items or made at home from common materials at low cost can be used as an additional, voluntary public health measure.

Batting Rack Pattern

Everyone wants and NEEDS a facemask or two or three. At Shadywood Quilts & T-Shirt Quilts of Texas, we have made a LOT of masks. Mostly, given away. While Jasmine at TSQ has a different pattern that she has been making in vast quantities, the one that we have been making is much simpler.

It is a simple pattern that can be made for just family members, or in quantities if you want to donate.

So, checking in with the CDC, here are some guidelines for personal face masks:

How to Wear a Cloth Face Covering

Cloth face coverings should:

    • fit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face
    • be secured with ties or ear loops
    • include multiple layers of fabric
    • allow for breathing without restriction
    • be able to be laundered and machine dried without damage or change to shape

    These are important points.

    Pros and Cons of Personal Fabric Masks & Social Distancing.

    I went to Wally World a few days back for the first time using one of our masks. I was surprised at what was I encounterd while wearing a mask at Wal-mart.

    • Fogged up my glasses
    • Fog made my bangs go limp!
    • Fitted mask (with wire in the nose area) was not fitted properly.
    • Noted that everyone else in the store was wearing masks, but most were not using correctly (masks hanging BELOW their nose, ties not tied, hanging around the neck....
    • I sneezed (allergies) in my mask - wanted to take off and throw away.
    • High thread count masks we made from sheets (600 thread count) made it a little difficult to breathe through several layers.
    • Wanted to pull it down whenever I talked to someone.
    • Talked to EVERYONE in the parking lot (OK, we have been hunkering down for waaaaayyy more than a few weeks).
    • OH! figured out WHY there is a TP shortage. Everyone that was 'pooping' at work, is now 'pooping' at home!!!!
    • The store clerks park their 'personal shopping' carts everywhere. Can't help but 'bunch up' going down the isles.

    So, really the main take-away; if you can't stay home, try to limit the exposure to others that may or may not have the virus (or the flu). If you need stuff, try ordering curbside shopping (first time for me!), limit your shopping at online shopping at Amazon, and order 'Food to Go' from your favorite restaurants. Buy stuff you don't necessarily need from your local quilt shop (LQS), and support your local businesses.

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