Protective Masks Made From Recycled and Sample MuskOx Fabric

Lindsey, our head of design, is putting recycled and sample MuskOx fabric to work! Once the work day is done and her kids are in bed, she's been making reusable face masks for health providers and at-risk individuals. 

Here are inspirational words from Lindsey if you'd like to do the same:

With over 15 years in the fashion industry, I have a good size collection of fabric that spans years from various brands. When selecting the material, it is nice to know its origin so I can make sure it is high quality, densely woven cotton.

My first mask was made using MuskOx flannel fabric. It is 100% cotton heavy-duty flannel from Portugal. The masks are fully washable so they can be tossed in the machine right away and then reused with a fresh filter.

Presently I am passing the masks out to neighbors, friends, friends of friends, etc. on request. Some are in the medical field but many have preexisting conditions, including severe asthma, diabetes and IPF, that make just going for a walk terrifying. Mine is definitely a small operation; to date I have 30 sewn or under sewing.

Due to my own work and family commitments I can't make tons of masks at a time but I hope the ones I donate give the recipient some much needed relief in this scary climate we all find ourselves in.

Here are a few tips for making these: 

• I select densely woven fabric; it doesn't necessarily have to be heavy but you do want avoid loose weaves like gauze.
• Cotton is preferable and I make sure to prewash the yardage so we aren’t surprised by any shrinkage the first time the finished masks are washed.
• To save some time you can use bias tape or ribbon to create the nose wire tunnel.
• The nationwide toilet paper shortage seems to be followed by an elastic shortage. You can use something like paracord rope (available at a hardware store) and use a sliding knot to make the ear loops adjustable.
• For a removable filter, I deconstructed a 1900 Virus grade furnace filter. I am not sure the degree that this will boost the mask's “filter power,” but I figured it can’t hurt. (If you take this step, DO NOT try to iron the accordion fold out of the filter, it will melt. You can hold a steam iron a few inches above and this will relax the folds a bit. Any medium to high heat iron or dryer, will melt the filter paper.)