Cotton Jeans - The type of fabric used to make jeans is denim. Denim fabrics are made from cotton yarns woven into a tight twill weave. Upcycled denim is ideal to use as the outer layer of a mask. Denim jeans that are not ripped and have intact fabric should be used. When upcycling jeans for this purpose, do not use the waistband, pockets, zippers or seams. Those areas are thick and difficult to sew.
Cotton dress shirts - Cotton dress shirts that are made from plain weave and sateen weave fabrics are good options for upcycled cloth face coverings. Cuffs, collars, and plackets with buttons should not be used.
Flannel - A lining cotton flannel provides soft comfort to the face, and the napped surface aids in filtration.
High thread count (600 +) bed sheets - High thread count bed sheets which are 100% cotton are also good to upcycle for cloth face coverings. The elastic in fitted sheets can also be upcycled to make elastic ear straps. Flat bed sheets supply fabric yardage at the following rate based on their sizes.
Flat Sheets Fabric Yardage Based Upon 60-Inch Wide Fabric
| Twin | 2 2/3 yards |
|---|---|
| Full | 3 11/2 yards |
| Queen | 4 11/2 yards |
| King | 5 yards |
Although there are several designs available for constructing cloth face coverings, it is important to achieve a snug fit without large gaps. Any gaps, around the nose for instance, from an ill-fitting mask will greatly reduce its effectiveness up to 50-60%. There are multiple studies that support the use of cloth masks to potentially provide protection against the transmission of germs and viruses. Cotton fabrics that provide filtration can be used to create highly functional cloth face coverings at home. As many businesses, healthcare facilities, and other entities are requiring masks for entry. It is important to secure them in a way that is efficient and cost effective.
cloth masks to potentially provide protection against the transmission of germs and viruses. Cotton fabrics that provide filtration can be used to create highly functional cloth face coverings at home. As many businesses, healthcare facilities, and other entities are requiring masks for entry. It is important to secure them in a way that is efficient and cost effective.
Abhiteja Konda, Abhinav Prakash, Gregory A. Moss, Michael Schmoldt, Gregory D. Grant, and Supratik Guha (2020, April 24) Aerosol Filtration Efficiency of Common Fabrics Used in Respiratory Cloth Masks. ACS Nano Article ASAP DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.0c03252
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2020, May 15). Use of Cloth Face Coverings to Help Slow the Spread of COVIS-19. http://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html
Larsen, D. (2020, March 31). Homemade cloth face masks to fight the COVID19 pandemic; a call for mass public masking with homemade cloth masks. https://doi.org/10.31235/osf.io/grbzj
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