Materials and Patterns

What type of fabric should be used for the masks?
Please use cotton or cotton blend.  If you are making the three-layer mask, the middle layer needs to be a mid-weight or lightweight non-woven, non-fusible,...
Fri, Apr 3, 2020 at 10:58 AM
How do you know which pattern to use for each facility?
Your state lead will send you a list of facilities that need masks.  If the facility requests a specific mask, you should make that specific mask.  If the f...
Fri, Apr 10, 2020 at 10:49 PM
What kind of interfacing should be used for the masks?
Any mid-weight or lightweight non-woven, non-fusible, high-polyester % interfacing is acceptable.  Examples are: Pellon 830 Pellon 810 Pellon 30 Pell...
Fri, Apr 3, 2020 at 11:04 AM
Is there a way to tell if fabric is 100% cotton?
One way to test this is to light a small piece of the material on fire.  If it burns to ash, it's cotton; if it melts or leaves anything other than ash,...
Fri, Apr 3, 2020 at 11:05 AM
What kind of wire do you recommend for the nose?
Right now, wire is not recommended; the high cleaning standards used by most medical facilities will degrade most metals.  Many of the materials available t...
Tue, Apr 7, 2020 at 2:29 AM
Does muslin fabric work for these masks?
100% cotton muslin will work.  
Fri, Apr 3, 2020 at 11:05 AM
Is there any reason to cut the fabric to be 8.5x9" instead of a perfect square?
Due to the size of a bolt of fabric, this size will get the most mask out of a given cut of material.  
Fri, Apr 3, 2020 at 11:06 AM
Is 100% denim acceptable?
We do not suggest using denim for masks―the material is course and can irritate skin, and in hotter climates it can become stifling. However, if there is no...
Thu, Jul 30, 2020 at 11:57 AM
Is there a quality control process in place?
Our main focus right now is to get as many masks to as many people as possible.  Any mask is better than no mask.  Even if a mask is not sewn perfectly, it ...
Fri, Apr 3, 2020 at 5:25 PM
Do you have a process in place to make sure that the correct materials are being used?
When packaging the masks, sewists are instructed to include a packing sheet that includes information about the material that was used to make the mask.   ...
Fri, Apr 10, 2020 at 11:04 PM