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