At this point in lockdown, we’ve seen, shared and tried multiple DIY face mask options. We’ve seen masks that include coffee filters. We’ve seen makes made with napkins. We’ve seen more traditional masks that actually use sewing skills, but we tend to favor the options that don’t require a sewing machine.

While most of us are staying home day after day, there are many essential workers out there who need a comfortable mask to wear to work (thank you for your hard work!), and we all have to make the occasional grocery run.

While some people tend to think that a mask is not necessary for walking your dog or picking up groceries, other people wear a mask whenever they step outside. Whichever side you take, you’ll probably find yourself needing a mask at least occasionally, and what do you do if you can’t find any fabric to use?

A t-shirt is a great option when it comes to making DIY masks. Many t-shirts are 100% cotton or a cotton-poly blend. The fabric is thick yet easy to breath through, which is obviously very important. Plus, you can wash it!

If you have an old t-shirt that doesn’t fit right or you just don’t think you’ll wear anymore, instead of tossing it, consider upcycling it into a few DIY masks for your family. ArtsnCraft4u shared a very easy-to-follow mask making tutorial on YouTube, and we love how the pattern doesn’t involve any sewing. Literally all you need is a t-shirt, a marker and a pair of scissors. She even shares a special way of cutting the t-shirt so that there are built-in ear holes!

Go grab a t-shirt and watch the video below.

Unless you want to wash your DIY masks every day, having a few on hand is a good idea. The DIY pattern from this tutorial couldn’t be easier, and you could make multiple masks from one t-shirt. 

If you’re making masks for your kids, maybe choose a t-shirt that they have outgrown but that has a fun pattern that they like. They’ll probably be more likely to use the mask this way. Depending on their age, you might need to experiment with cutting the t-shirt mask slightly smaller so that it fits correctly.

If you’re homeschooling right now, we think this DIY mask could be a great home ec project! Let your kids make their own masks!

Are you going to try this DIY mask pattern?