Making and Ranking Homemade Masks

By: Jordan Bucknor ‘22

Whether or not you’re completely sold on the effectiveness of fabric masks, in many places they are now required whenever going out in public. Right now, masks aren’t the easiest thing to get a hold of, but there’s always another option: Make your own! There are all sorts of tutorials, ranging from ten minutes to sixty, and with all different sorts of styles.

All things considered, I thought it would be a good idea to try out some of the most popular designs for myself. The easiest weren’t always the best and the hardest weren’t always the most efficient, but there certainly is one for everyone, regardless of skill.

Curious as to which would be best for you? Ranked from easiest to hardest to make, read on below!

1. Bandana + Hairbands

This one has been trending all over social media and with good reason. It’s a great option if you’re looking for something that’s quick, easy, and will meet health guidelines. Is it the most effective? Probably not, but it works!

2. Just Two Sheets

Considering this one is literally just two rectangles with strips cut into the sides, it’s not that bad. It’s a tight fit and you can even fold the edges in to make it look a bit more put together. Considering this took less than three minutes to make, not bad!

3. Scissors Only

Again, not the most effective of options, but maybe a bit more fitting than the ones before it? The tightness and fit is really going to depend on how many holes you poke through the fabric (the more the better I think). This only took a few more minutes than the first. Honestly, if you want to go with an easy option I think it would be better to just choose #1 (Bandana + Hairbands) or #2 (Just Two Sheets), but to each their own!

4. Three-Fold + Elastic

Maybe it was the type of fabric I used, but as pretty as this mask was, it did not fit well on my face. It didn’t mold around my mouth; instead it kind of just stood like a fabric wall. You don’t need a pattern for this which makes it pretty quick and easy to make, but it wasn’t my favorite. This might be a good option if face coverings make you feel stifled or claustrophobic though!

5. Three-Fold + String

This is one of my favorites. There’s no complicated pattern to follow, can be made without taking too much time, has strings so you can adjust it to your face, and is large enough to cover your nose and chin entirely. There’s no filter pocket and making it snug around your nose can be a bit difficult, but it’s still a pretty good option! 

6. Two-Fold

This one is pretty is pretty similar to the last. The main difference is the design which fits a bit more snug around the nose. The folds are a tad more difficult but again: adjustable fit, wide enough to cover the face, and a pretty good option!

7. Fitted Fabric (w/ Filter Pocket)

This is another favorite! This one is a bit more complicated and takes more time than #3 (Three-Fold + String), but you don’t have to be a genius to follow it. This one is probably a bit easier for people hand-sewing as well. The adjustable strings will make this one will fit snugly on your face without a wire and it has a filter pocket! It’s a really great option all around.

8. Fitted Fabric + Chin Piece (w/ Filter Pocket)

This one took me so long to do. Cutting out all the different patterns and fabric pieces took forever. This one is especially difficult because I had to alter the chin and nose bridge to fit my face; you’ll probably have to do the same should you choose to make it. The fact that it was set elastic instead of adjustable string also made “a perfect fit” difficult. This could be made better by switching out the elastic bands, but I honestly would not recommend going through all the trouble. The other fitted fabric design pretty much has the same fit but is way easier to make!

So, which one is the “best”?

Obviously, this comes down to personal preference and what feels most comfortable for whoever is wearing it, but if you were to ask me: go with either #5 (Three-Fold + String) or #7 (Fitted Fabric)! They both have relatively simple designs and can be adjusted for either a tight or breathable fit.

Again — personal preference, but hopefully this helps just a little bit! Whether hand-sewing, machine-sewing, or just making it work with a bandana and two hairbands, stay safe out there!

Want more from Trojans 360?

Visit Trojans 360 on Facebook & Twitter to stay up to date with more student content! You can also Ask A Trojan an anonymous question, and we’ll try to answer it in a future post. And don’t forget to follow us on Instagram!

Trojans 360 is USC’s official student-run blog. Content created by students, for students.