DIY your own face mask with South Australia’s CWA

As an organisation that thrives off its strong community, the South Australian Country Women’s Association (SACWA) has found new ways to reach its members and friends during the COVID-19 pandemic, launching a weekly ‘Corona Crafts’ series.

Rising to the challenges faced by COVID-19, SACWA’s State Handicraft Committee launched ‘Corona Crafts’, a series of at home DIY’s posted online each Wednesday.

The series started back in March at the very beginning of the pandemic with SACWA State Handicraft Committee Secretary Linda Terrell making over 80 masks for her family.

A handful of those masks were also sent to police officers at a police station just north of Adelaide.

“Masks were in short supply at the start of the pandemic and I felt that our front-line workers needed them the most,” Ms Terrell said.

“I’ve since made another 30 masks to send to Melbourne, Sydney and Canberra.”

The State Handicraft Committee shares a different craft each week, providing detailed photos and patterns which Chairman of the Committee, July Baily says has gone a long way keeping their audience engaged.

“Corona Crafts is a great way to nurture the love of crafting,” Mrs Bailey said.

“It also showcases the SACWA Handicraft Shop and the supplies it has available to make the crafts.”

With COVID-19 cases continuing to risk in Victoria and face masks now mandatory for all Victorians on Monday, the SACWA have revisited the face mask DIY and are sharing their tips and tricks on how to make your own!

Fabric Face Masks

What you need

• Cotton fabric (a pretty print is best).
• Rope elastic (beading cord elastic will work, you may also use 1/8” flat elastic).

Instructions

1. Cut the elastic 7 inches long and tie a knot at each end (DO NOT knot the ends of the flat elastic).
2. Put right sides of cotton fabric together.
3. Cut 9×6 inches (Adult) or 7.5 x 5 inches (Child).
4. Starting at the center of the bottom edge, sew to the first corner, stop.
5. Sew the elastic with the edge out into the corner. A few stitches forward and back will hold this.
6. Sew to the next corner, stop, and bring the other end of the same elastic to the corner and sew a few stitches forward and back.
7. Now sew across that top of the mask to the next corner. Again put an elastic with the edge out.
8. Sew to the next corner and sew in the other end of the same elastic.
9. Sew across the bottom leaving about 1.5” to 2” open. Stop, cut the thread. Turn inside out.
10. Pin 3 tucks on each side of the mask. Make sure the tucks are the same direction.
11. Sew around the edge of the mask twice. It is so easy to make this. Be sure any fabric design is placed horizontally.

Lisa’s tips!

This pattern was one that I felt was the easiest to make, but I did do a couple of modifications:

• I used 6 1/2 inches of elastic, instead of the 7 inches in the pattern.
• I made a pocket at the top of the mask (3” x 1/2”) encasing a 3” piece of pipe cleaner. I added this after Step 6 in the instructions. This then allows a better fit across the top of the nose.
• It has only 2 layers of fabric, so you can add another layer of fabric if you want, my step mum suggested a layer of Chux.