You can make an easy face covering using a Scout neckerchief, T-shirt or a bandana. It doesn’t require any sewing, and you can use these face coverings during essential trips to the grocery or pharmacy, where social distancing is challenging to maintain.

As recommended by the CDC, make sure your face covering:

• fits the sides of your face snugly but comfortably
• is made of multiple layers of fabric
• doesn’t obstruct your breathing
• can be washed in your washing machine and dried in your dryer without damage

Face masks and coverings do not take the place of social distancing or hand washing. Follow the guidance of your local authorities and always stay home if you are ill or have been around someone who is ill.

What You’ll Need to Make a Neckerchief Face Covering

• Triangular Scout neckerchief
• Coffee filter
• 2 large rubber bands or elastic hair ties
• Scissors

What You’ll Do to Make a Neckerchief Face Mask

1. Cut the coffee filter into a wedge shape.

2. Unfold your neckerchief, then fold in the two points to form a square.

3. Place the coffee filter in the center of the neckerchief.

4. Fold the neckerchief into thirds, by folding the top down and the bottom up.

5. Slide the neckerchief through the rubber bands (or hair ties), so they’re about six inches apart.

6. Fold each side to the middle, and tuck one into the other.

7. Place the mask on your face, with a rubber band over each ear. You may need to adjust the mask so it fits the sides of your face snugly but comfortably.

Here are two other methods for making easy, no-sew, face masks:

How to Use a T-shirt to Make a Face Covering

What You’ll Need to Make a T-shirt Face Mask

• T-shirt that you don’t mind cutting up
• Scissors
• Ruler (optional)

What You’ll Do to Make a T-shirt Face Covering

1. Cut off about 7 inches from the bottom of the t-shirt. This should give you a tube of cloth that looks like a rectangle when it’s folded flat.

2. Cut out a 7-inch long rectangle from one side of the shirt. Leave about an inch of fabric on the top and bottom. Those flaps will be the strings to tie the face covering behind your head.

3. Snip the two narrow loops.

4. Place the mask over your face. Tie the top set of strings high toward the crown of your head. Tie the lower set of strings at the base of your head where it meets your neck.

5. Adjust the mask so it fits the sides of your face snugly but comfortably.

How to Make a Face Mask With a Bandana

What You’ll Need to Make a Bandana Face Covering

• Bandana or square cotton cloth, approximately 20″x20″
• Coffee filter
• 2 large rubber bands or elastic hair ties
• Scissors

What You’ll Do to Make a Bandana Face Mask

1. Cut the coffee filter into a wedge shape.

2. Fold the bandana in half.

3. Place the coffee filter in the center of the bandana.

4. Fold the bandana into thirds, by folding the top down and the bottom up.

5. Slide the bandana through the rubber bands (or hair ties), so they’re about six inches apart from each other.

6. Fold each side to the middle, and tuck one into the other.

7. Place the mask on your face, with a rubber band over each ear. You may need to adjust the covering so it fits the sides of your face snugly but comfortably.