Welcome to the ‘Make a Mask’ Challenge
Our care homes are short of masks.
We have been in touch with Primrose Hill Care Home, the care home one of our church members resides in. They are inviting our help.
We would like to respond by making home-made masks for Carers in our community.
Here are two designs you can use to make your mask(s):
#1 Pleated Face Mask
# 2 DIY No Sow Masks [Upcycle T-Shirt]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r51YroAFPds
Instead of using elastic we are encouraging masks to be made with the use of fabric ties for a more customizable, comfortable fit. Our doctors are saying this are much preferred than elastic.
Make Contact
If you need help, have an enquiry, need to source any fabric or items please contact: masks@hccuk.org
What Fabrics to use?
See the guidelines at the bottom of the page or check out this link:
https://www.today.com/style/what-type-fabric-best-face-masks-t179615
Can you donate fabric?
See below for the kind of fabric that is needed. If you have fabric you can donate for others to use, please contact us via the email.
Drop off Points
Once made please place in a plastic bag with your contact details included on a piece of paper so we can acknowledge your shared efforts and drop the packet through the letter box at either of these 2 locations:
Debby Flint’s home: 30 Flamsteed Road, Hinchingbrooke, Huntingdon, PE29 6JG
HCC’s Church Centre: 83a High Street, Huntingdon, PE29 3DP
Alternatively, if you are shielding, give Debby a call and she will arrange collection from you.
Keep updated
Keep updated or exchange ideas via the HCC Facebook page.
Advice on best fabrics
Extract from the link article from the Today website:
‘When you’re assessing the quality of material for a face mask, consider these tips from Ferrer, Wang and Segal:
- Use woven fabrics over knits. The tighter the weave, the better the protection, as long as you can breathe.
- Avoid porous materials and those with large openings.
- Use multiple layers of material. Just make sure you can still breathe adequately.
- Don’t pay extra for antimicrobial interiors. There’s not much research to support its value.
- Avoid fabrics treated with bleach and harsh chemicals.
- Try a tie-on design for a more customizable, comfortable fit.
- Consider adding a HEPA filter to boost your masks’ filtration. Just make sure it doesn’t come in direct contact with your mouth.
- When in doubt about the quality of your mask material, conduct the light test, Segal advised. Hold up your fabric to the light, and check if you can see the individual fibres in it. If you can,it’s likely too thin to provide adequate protection.Gal also stressed that because the purpose of a mask is to protect other people and not the wearer, “anything that covers your mouth and nose is better than nothing.”’
Please download this fact sheet.