
Get exclusive shopping offers and guides
Straight to your inbox
Finder is committed to editorial independence. While we receive compensation when you click links to partners, they do not influence our content.
Updated . What changed?
The Center for Disease Control recommends that we all wear face masks in public and around those who don’t live in our households to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19. This means if you want to lead life like in pre-COVID days, you’ll need a variety of face coverings.
If cloth or N95 masks are hard to find or out of stock online, consider sewing your own. People all over are pulling up to their sewing desks to make masks for themselves, friends and family — and, in some cases, for sale or donation. And it’s not as complicated as it sounds: In a pinch, you can even ditch the sewing machine and make a no-sew face covering instead.
For most types of face masks, you’ll need:
You can make a mask with a small swatch of fabric about the size of a napkin, shoelaces, scissors, a needle and thread.
Most mask tutorials require cloth, elastic, rubber bands or T-shirts. Get what you need from craft stores such as Spotlight or from sites like Etsy.
You’ll find plenty of patterns online to get you started, like the sewing blog Threads Monthly, which offers 41 free, printable sewing patterns.
If you’re after something more fashionable, pick up cute and quirky face mask patterns on Etsy for a few dollars.
Sewing veterans and newbies alike can look to helpful online tutorials for machine- and handmade masks.
How to sew a mask on a sewing machine
This video from Good Housekeeping can take you from beginner to pro in 30 minutes:
How to sew a mask by hand
Cosplayer and crafter the Woodland Elf provides this 6-minute tutorial to a handcrafted face covering:
If sewing ain’t your thing or you don’t have access to a sewing machine or kit, look to other ways for crafting a homemade mask. For instance, you can make a simple mask using a bandana and some rubber bands or get creative with an old T-shirt.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers detailed explanations on cloth masks you can make to do your part in preventing the spread of COVID-19.
When deciding whether to get to whipping up your own mask or picking one up at the store, weigh such factors as:
A quality mask at an affordable price is ideal. But if you can’t find any in stock or afford to pay surging prices, a homemade version is an alternative.
Confused about DeFi? Find out how it works in this easy-to-read guide.
Learn how to choose an air purifier to filter harmful particles out of the air so you can breathe easier in your home or office.
Shop these stores to easily buy cheap face masks and face masks in bulk so you can stay covered without breaking the bank.
Order transparent, accessible face masks with a clear panel online from these top stores — and see where you can get fast and sometimes free shipping.
If you’re looking for full-face protection, you may want to consider investing in a face shield from one of these online retailers.
Face mask news and where to buy during COVID-19. Find in stock sellers, state requirements, how to make them, wear them and more.
See our list of where to buy verified N95, KN95, 3M and respirator masks online, including made-in-USA options. Page is updated daily with in-stock masks.
Receive payments in five local currencies and convert them to dozens of others using one account.
Convert cash and make payments overseas with the TransferWise debit card.
Apple is rolling out a credit card, but points fans should look elsewhere.