Skip to Content
Featured

How to Make Easy DIY Face Masks, as Explained in English and Spanish by the Latina Costume Designer From ‘Gentefied’

[dropcap size=big]W[/dropcap]hile the media continues to argue the validity of using face masks in public as effective preventative measures against COVID-19, the truth of the matter in the larger picture still stands: There aren’t enough of them out there. 

This reality prompted some like Jen Martin, and many others, to redirect their skills to teaching people how to make them at home through simplified video tutorials. The difference, however, between Martin and everyone else?  The local Costume Designer who recently worked on Gentefied did it to the tropical Afro-Latin sounds of the L.A. band, Quitapenas turned all the way up. 

English

Español

"When the pandemic started it became clear immediately that there weren’t enough face masks, so I started using my sewing skills to make masks for friends who work in hospitals and do community outreach,” she writes L.A. Taco via email. 

She shares that the situation was so dire, that “After I finished my first batch of masks, I received about 50 more commissions from people who desperately needed PPE.” This prompted her and her creative friends to collaborate remotely and create a short, very danceable video tutorial. “[We] got to support all those folks working to keep Los Angeles running.” 

The video’s director informs L.A. Taco that they are working on a version en Español, which we will post when it becomes available. 

Credits:

Sewing Pattern and Produced by Jen Martín @jenmar10

Song by Quita Penas @quitapenasmusic

Illustrations by Richie Velasquez @deladeso

Cinematography by Daniel Trujillo  @DdTtru

Editing and lots of help by Andrew Vasquez @flandres.la

Voice over by Selene Santiago @dear.selene

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from L.A. TACO

L.A.’s 30 Best Black-Owned Restaurants: Vegan, Brunch, Coffee and More for Juneteenth and Beyond

Use this guide to eat your way through all of Los Angeles in real solidarity and keep coming back to support these businesses and chefs.

June 22, 2026

Smoke From The Lineage Logistics Fire Continues To Pollute L.A.

Smoke from the fire in Boyle Heights floated throughout the county, into Dodger Stadium, and as far east as Pomona, into Montclair and San Bernardino County.

This El Sereno Art Show Pits Luchadores Against ICE

For one day only, The Eastside Cafe will host 200% Mexa, a lucha libre-focused art exhibit featuring artists from Mexico and the USA.

June 19, 2026

The Best Tacos Around SoFi Stadium and Intuit Dome

There’s no shortage of taco shops, trucks, and stands in and around the Inglewood area. You can drive down Hawthorne Blvd between Century Blvd and the 105 freeway to find a dozen taco trucks competing for your attention.

June 18, 2026

Free Flautas and Fresh Beer: L.A. TACO’s Watch Party at Homage Brewing Today at 5 PM!

Indie journalism, some of the best cold beers in L.A., free crispy taquitos for members, and Mexico (or South Korea!) kicking the ball around for 90 minutes. Winner gets first place. Come cheer your team on.

June 18, 2026

I Went Inside Tanlines, L.A.’s New Bikini Coffeeshop

Tanlines presents itself as something transgressive—a bikini coffee shop in an industrial corner of Los Angeles. But after a few hours inside, the novelty wears off and something much stranger emerges: It's just a neighborhood café.

June 18, 2026
See all posts