Staying Safe- Simple DIY Face Mask Tutorial

Never in my wildest dreams did I think I'd be hunting online for face mask tutorials to make for myself and family, but that's life right now. The new normal is weird but hopefully temporary... I think I'm about to go into TJ Maxx and Target withdrawals. With the current social climate being so precarious, I'm taking to precautions to be as safe as I can when I do have to venture outside of my home (these excursions are few and only for necessities).

I wanted to make these masks as a way to protect myself as well as those I may come into contact with. 
When looking for a pattern to make I had a few boxes I wanted to check. First, I wanted a simple sewing pattern with only a few steps. I'm no seamstress and only have basic sewing skills but I found this pattern very easy to figure out. I'm self-taught, so sewing is a learning game for me.
Second, I wanted to be able to add and remove a liner. I found the pattern I used on Hobby Lobby's website here. This site has both the PDF pattern with instructions and an easy to follow video. Here are the instructions:

Simple DIY Face Mask Tutorial

SUPPLIES:

• 1⁄4 yd. fabric 
• 14" elastic (I used 1/4" elastic but you could use fabric ties, ribbon, or elastic cording)
• Straight pins
• Iron for pressing fabric
• Scissors
• Sewing machine

STEPS:

1. Cut 15" x 8" piece of fabric. 
2. Fold fabric in half and sew in 3 inches on each side, leaving open space in middle for filter.
3. Cut two 7" pieces of elastic. Place a piece of elastic between layers of fabric on each side of mask, pinning ends at corners.
4. Sew edges.
5. Turn piece right side out and press.
6. For pleats: Place pins, starting 1" from bottom on either side. Continue placing pins with the following spacing: 1", 1⁄2", 1", 1⁄2", 1". These pleats are important, because they help the mask expand completely to cover your nose and chin.
7. Fold pleats and match up pins.
8. Sew around piece, close to edge.

Step 2

Step 6

Step 7

All Done!

A few things to note, pressing the mask with a hot iron before each step makes sewing go smoother. If making the mask for children, I would reduce the size of fabric in step 1 to probably 13" or 14" by 7" to 7 1/2" and the elastic length in Step 3 to 5" or 6". I did not do this so the masks were a little too big for my 8 and 4 year old. I ended up making a little insert that they can wear on the back of their heads that helps the mask fit snuggly. I remember seeing this idea for nurses whose ears were raw from wearing masks that go around the ears. I used a 3" x 4" scrap of fabric which I folded and sewed together on the inverse then flipped right side out pressed, made sure the ends were tucked in, and then sewed closed. I added two buttons which the mask could attach to and it worked perfectly. 

My son's mask with the back of the head attachment

There you have it. I made four and it took me about an hour and half. I think I'll be faster the next time but I was a little slow making sure I followed everything in order to do it correctly. Even though it took a little while, I really like how they turned out. 

Let me know if you make them and how they turn out for you.

Leaf & Book Page Banner

In addition to planning Oliver's party I've also been trying to get the house ready for fall by incorporating little bits of autumn decor throughout the house. One of the main reasons I love this time of year is that it gives me an excuse to decorate. 
I've got mums on the porch, fall flowers on the mantle, and pumpkins all over the place. Today I wanted to share a little craft you can make in less than thirty minutes for about $10. I was hunting Pinterest for ideas for my mantle when I came across a cute fall banner on Sondra Lyn At Home which inspired me to make my own. 
I bought all of my supplies from Joann's except for the book. I used an old book of fairy tales and pulled out the pages for the stories I didn't care far. 

Leaf & Book Page Banner

What you'll need:

Twine

Clothes pins

Faux leaves 

Ribbon

Book pages

Serrated scissors

Hang your string onto the mantle. Cut out your leaves from the book pages using some of the smaller and a few of the larger leaves as templates. Clip together a book leaf to a faux leaf and arrange on the string. Once all the leaves were hung, I added in the gingham ribbon. I'm really loving gingham this fall so I thought it added a nice touch. 

That's it! So easy and so cute. If you've got any of the ribbon left, you can add it around the room to a vase or wreath to tie everything together.

I echoed the gingham from the ribbon in my centerpiece. I also plan on making a throw pillow for the sofa in this same pattern. 

Happy Fall! Have lovely day.