Construct a quick and easy face mask with fabric and a paper towel

Need to wear a mask while at work or running errands? This DIY mask made with fabric and a paper towel will help protect people around you if you cough or sneeze. The paper towel acts as a filter and traps respiratory droplets, while the fabric shell is both pleasing to look at and helps hold the filter in place.

You don’t need an abundance of sewing ability to create this fabric mask. If you can thread a needle, you can assemble an attractive and effective mask with a paper towel filter inside. After each use, discard the paper towel and insert a new one before wearing the mask again. This will keep your mask clean and help prevent the spread of germs.

Materials
- Piece of fabric, 16-inches-by-18 inches
- Needle
- Thread
- Scissors
- Iron
- Paper towel
- Hair ties, 2

Instructions
1. Take a piece of fabric that's 16-by-18 inches, and fold it in half with the printed sides together. The folded fabric should now be 16-by-9 inches.

2. Thread your needle. Tie a knot in the end of the thread. Sew together the long edge of the fabric with a simple running stitch. Tie off the thread, then trim with scissors. You should now have a fabric tube.

3. Turn the fabric tube right-side out. Lay it lengthwise. Iron the fabric flat with the seam in the center.

4. Fold the top half of the fabric, so the top edge meets the seam. Repeat with the bottom half of the fabric, folding it, so the bottom edge meets the seam. The folded fabric should now be 16 inches-by-about 4 1/2 inches. Iron it flat.

5. Fold the left side of the fabric, so the left edge meets the middle. Repeat with the right side. The fabric should now be about 8-by-4 1/2 inches. Cut a paper towel to match the size of the folded fabric.

6. Unfold the left and right sides of the fabric. Insert the paper towel into the tube. Refold the fabric so that it’s 8-by-4 1/2 inches.

7. Thread the left and right sides of the fabric through a hair tie. Position each hair tie, so it's near one of the folds created in step 5. Loop the hair ties around your ears. Adjust the positioning of the mask as needed. You’re ready to go!