[NFB-Krafters-Korner] No-sew mask directions

[Tracy Carcione]

I don't remember seeing directions for the no-sew mask written down on this
list, and I was writing it out for a friend, so I'm posting it here, too.

Karen Renae Anderson taught us this.

 

Here are the mask directions I have.  I learned it on one of the NFB
Colorado calls.  It's called a no-sew mask, but I like to think of it as
origami (a Japanese decorative paper-folding technique).

You need a piece of fabric about 20 X 20 and a pair of shoelaces, or some
other thick string that's easy to tie and untie.

I picked out 3 pieces for my fabric:  an old T-shirt, a pillowcase, and a
cloth placemat.  They all work.

Lay your fabric flat.  Fold the top down one-third, and the bottom up
one-third.  You now have a long rectangle.

Slide one shoelace under the fabric about one-third in from the left side.

Slide the other shoelace under the fabric about one-third in from the right
side.

Place the lace so it sticks out about the same length on the top and bottom
edges.

Bring the bottom end of the shoelace up over the fabric, so now it's
sticking above the top.

Bring the top end of the same shoelace up over the fabric, so now it's
sticking below the bottom.

You have basically wrapped the shoelace around the fabric.  Do the same with
the other shoelace.

Fold the left end of your fabric rectangle up and over the shoelace and into
the center.

Do the same with the right end of your fabric, tucking the end into the
pocket you made in the end of the left piece when you made your first fold.

 

That's all the folding.

Pick up your mask.  Put it against your face, covering your nose and mouth.
Put the shoelace loops sticking out the sides around your ears.  Tie the
shoelaces sticking out the top behind your head, and the laces sticking out
the bottom around your neck.  This snugs the whole thing up against your
face and under your chin.

Whenever you want, unfold it, take out the laces, and toss the fabric in the
laundry for a good wash.

I think the whole thing is really clever.  And I could make enough just from
stuff I have around the house.

Tracy