If you can find a mask these days, more power to you. Majority have been sold out or deemed for medical providers only. Many states now require for masks to be worn at most grocery stores and essential stores. If you want to protect yourself while outside, but don’t know where to buy a mask, why not make one?

Below we have rounded up supplies around the house and crafted a protective mask, and you can too. With these easy steps prevention is cure.

Materials

• Scissors
• Safety pins
• At least 20 by 20 inches of 100% cotton fabric (ex. towels, tablecloth, old shirts)
• Two strips of cotton fabric for ties (clean shoelaces work as well)
• Needle and thread (optional)

Step 1: Wash all materials.

It’s important that you wash everything as it will be touching your face. Make sure to wash on the warmest setting and dry on high heat.

Step 2: Create the base. 

Fold fabric in half and cut two identical rectangles (ideally they would measure at 9.5” by 6.5”).

Step 3: Cut fabric ties.

Cut two long strips of fabrics (at least 18” long) and fold into two, this will form a loop.

Step 4: Connect ties with base.

Lay both pieces of the base on a flat surface. With your scissors, make a small puncture in all four corners of the mask. Next, grab your four safety pins and begin to pin the fabric ties to each side. (It should now look like two loops on both sides.)

Step 5: Sew sides down.

For extra strength (and if you know how to sew), sew down the sides of the mask base. This step, while optional, adds an additional layer of protection.