Needed Materials:

2 - 7.5"x8.5" pieces of quilting cotton (back flaps)

1 - 7"x8.5" piece of quilting cotton (front)

2 - 6.5" strips of elastic

1 - small acrylic-coated paper clip, straightened

2 - Pins / Sewing Clips

Scissors / Thread / Sewing Machine

Instructions:

1. Cut the three pieces of quilting cotton and two elastic strips.

2. Start with the *front* piece of fabric facing pretty/finished side upward. Fold one *back* piece of fabric lengthwise, and set it on top of the *front* piece of fabric. Repeat folding the second *back* piece of fabric lengthwise, and set it on top of the *front* piece of fabric so that the *front* fabric is now covered, and the two *back* pieces of fabric are slightly overlapped in the middle. Clip/pin the fabrics together at the middle.

3. Lifting up the *back* fabric from the *front* fabric, lay one piece of elastic inside the mask. Line up the elastic about an inch from the side that is about to be sewn. Check that the elastic hasn't "folded" itself under the side that is about to be sewn. Flip the *back* fabric into place on the *front* fabric.

4. Use 1/4" seam, and sew the first side of the mask (while making sure the elastic doesn't get caught under this first seam.)

5. Turn the fabric 90°, and sew until you've crossed over the second piece of fabric. Wait to "finish" the second side until you can reach into the right side of the mask, pull down on the "sewed" piece of elastic, and place the other end into the path you're about to sew. Lay the *back* fabric down again, and (if needed) pin/clip the fabric/elastic into place until you sew over it. Pro tip: I sew Step 5 all the way down until the point where I'm ready to insert the elastic. That way, I don't have to pin/clip/hold things in place only to lose that "hold" once I get close to the sewing needle.

6. Turn the fabric 90°, lay the other piece of elastic into the mask (about 1" from the side that is about to be sewn), check that the elastic will not get caught under the seam, and flip the *back* fabric into place on the front fabric.

7. Use 1/4" seam, and sew the third side of the mask (while making sure the elastic doesn't get caught under this seam.)

8. Turn the fabric 90°, and stop sewing 1" BEFORE reaching the second piece of fabric. Reach into the right side of the mask, and pull down on the "sewed" piece of elastic. Hold the elastic in place until you can lay the *back* piece of fabric down and pin/clip everything together. Consider also holding the elastic "straight" as you sew this final side.

9. Flip the mask right-side-out, and push the corners out.

10.

This is a great little project that can be sewn up in less than five minutes! Once we switched to a "paperless kitchen," it seemed like an easy switch to eliminate disposable, cotton "circle rounds" from the store, and they've been fun to make with scrap/repurposed flannel from around the house. To wash, I hang a "delicates bag" on my bathroom towel rod, and they go in there when they're used. Once the clean makeup pads are running low, I zip up the delicates bag and send it all through the washing machine.

Needed Materials:

2 - 3" flannel squares (I used scrap flannel...)

Pin / Sewing Clip

Scissors / Thread / Sewing Machine

Instructions:

1. Cut 2 - 3" squares of flannel fabric.

2. Lay the fabric on top of each other with the pretty/finished sides facing inward.

3. Use a 1/4" seam, and sew around the square, leaving a 1.5" opening.

4. Snip off the "extra fabric" on the four corners.

5. Using the opening, flip the fabric right-side-out. Push the corners out (but be careful because flannel can tear.)

6. Fold the "opening" inward, and pin/clip it closed.

7. Use a 1/4" seam, and sew around the square again.

Congratulations - You've done another small thing to lessen the use of daily-disposable products!