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Sew A Flu Mask

Save your family and friends from the dreaded Swine flu with this easy to make mask.

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Comment by westbrook on September 6, 2009 at 3:43pm: after researching sewing your own flu mask in case none were available, I found several links on the Internet. I preferred the 8 layers each turned at 90 degrees and then sewn together. I also prefer the pleated version for comfort.

While a single layer is better then nothing, using several layers is going to create a better barrier. Make sure the fabric can be boiled and bleached. Best to shrink fabric before making. The N95 masks are good for about 2 hours of constant use before needing to be replaced (they are paper and I guess loose their effectiveness when moist from breath).

While the media says that these surgical masks are not effective, I believe they are more effective then nothing at all! be sure to carry several in a baggy in your purse and a baggy for used masks. Change them often, especially if someone sneezes or coughs your way.

here is a link for fluwiki on masks... http://newfluwiki2.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=758 there are more links on making your own masks on the net if you are interested in doing the research.

Comment by Triciababe on September 6, 2009 at 2:55pm: I'd reeeeally like to know where you got your sewing table (I'm a piano/music note fanatic)?!?

I also wonder if you line the inside of your mask with the same fabric we use for diaper liners, if this would help keep the germs from penetrating the mask?

Comment by Margaret Hogan on September 6, 2009 at 3:56am: Many years ago when I was nursing we used masks made from cotton material. Like that used in sheets. The ties were just cotton tape and tied at the back of the head. The material was easy to breath through. They were just washed by the hospital laundry . Those for the theatre were then autoclave.
I wonder if the dies in the coloured materials is O.K. to breath through?
Recently I had to take my 3 year old grand daughter to the hospital as her mother was in hospital with the swine flue and we had to wear their throw away masks. They had a little bit of wire above the nose area to mould against the nose but were very hard to breath through. I had to keep taking the mask away from my face to be able to breath.
Just something to think about

Comment by Alanapr on September 5, 2009 at 9:14pm: Interesting - but I don't think this will be all that effective, considering the size of holes in fabric and the size of individual virus particles.