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DIY Face Mask with Ties, Fitted Nose and Filter Pocket

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Hey everyone! Yesterday, I posted the 10 minute homemade face mask tutorial and it featured elastic. I know that elastic is hard to find right now, so I made a diy face mask version with ties, a fitted nose and a filter pocket.

diy face mask

DIY Face Mask with Ties

I am using high quality 100% cotton for these. There is so many ideas and opinions spinning around about what fabric is best so I encourage you to do some research. Some have recommended bed sheets or mens dress shirts, so there are other options out there if you don’t have this type of fabric.

DIY face mask

Here is a link that has more info about materials to use. These will mostly keep your own germs to yourself and keep you from touching your nose and mouth while you are out.

What can you use for face mask filters?

There have been lots of great ideas like, swiffer cloths, blue shop towels, furnace filters, applying interfacing and HEPA vacuum bags. I have not tested all of these, but the main thing you want to make sure of is that it is still breathable. We want to use safe products that we can breathe through. After all, these are not mean to filter out the virus, they are meant to keep our germs to ourselves and keep us from touching our faces.

Here is a great link from the CDC, to give us some more info.

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Yield: 1 Mask with Ties

DIY Face Mask with Ties

diy face mask

This version of the diy face mask features a filter pocket, fitted nose and ties.

Active Time 20 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Difficulty beginner

Materials

  • (1) 9 x 6 fabric in Color A
  • (2) 9 x 6 fabric in Color B (filter pocket)
  • (2) strips of fabric 1 3/4 x 40 inches
  • Coordinating polyester thread
  • 4.5 inch pipe cleaner

Tools

Instructions

  1. Place 2 fabric from color b right sides together. Make a 2.5 inch mark along the center on both short sides. Sew along the line back stitching well. diy face mask
  2. Flip fabric right side out and press. diy face mask
  3. Place the right side of color A fabric and the pocket unit and sew all the way around the rectangle. diy face mask
  4. Trim corners and flip unit right side out and press seam flat. diy face mask
  5. Make 3 marks for pleats 1 inch apart. Make first mark in the center and measure out from there. Sew along the side folding at the marks and clipping in place or using seam ripper for making the pleat and sew down well. Back stitch over pleats. Do both short sides. diy face mask
  6. At this point, if you are using a pipe cleaner, insert that at the top of the mask and zig zag over pipe cleaner really well. diy face mask
  7. Take your strips of fabric and use a 25 mm bias tape maker to press it. (if you don't have a bias tape maker, press in half to make crease and then fold edges toward center and press. The fold in half and press) diy face mask
  8. Find center of tie and center of mask and clip the tie around the mask. diy face mask
  9. Trim ends of tie and fold in to prepare to sew it. diy face mask
  10. Start from one end of the tie and sew down to the other end. When you get to the mask part, make sure your needle position is such that it catches the top and bottom of the ties. DIY face mask

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© Melanie Ham
Category: sewing

Comments

  1. This is a great method. I need to make some for my 8 year old grandson. How would you alter the measurements for a child size mask? Thanks!

  2. Thanks for the idea of zigzagging over the pipe cleaner!! I made 28 with pockets for filter and pipe cleaner inserted on top-washed in hot water and the pipe cleaners pushed out of the sides or tore right through the fabric! So disappointed!! Pushed them all back in but think I will do the zig zagging before I give them away!!

    • Because the pipe cleaner will rust when washed, I think it is a good idea to not zigzag but leave the little pocket open so the pipe cleaner can be removed before washing. Just my opinion – that’s how I’m making them.

  3. This is my favorite face mask tutorial. Thank you for your help. I’m new to sewing and I wanted to ask you what length and width of your zigzag stitch is when you sew over the pipe cleaner. I’m have the same issue with mine poking through.

  10. Can I use grosgrain ribbon instead of making bias tape? If so, what width would you recommend? Thanks!

  11. I work at a hospital. I made a few other designs for us. Cant find the elastic anymore; so i made a slightly larger width and used hair ties for the ears.

    One nurse made some with a small pocket to insert a tightly folded piece of tin foil to fit in that is removable to wash Your mask. This is awesome and i plan to use this video with the tin foil insert for the nose and the ties.

    Thank you melanie. I am getting welled up as i am posted this. Its a sad day when we have to make masks. You are a lifesaver girl.

  12. This pattern is a good one. However, the 9×6” size is too small to properly hit the bridge of the nose and fit under the chin. I would suggest a 9×9” square making 3 slightly larger pleats. This would make the mask more like a surgical mask with better coverage. The 9” width is perfect for most adults.

  13. I did a little research on the hepa filters and we have to make sure they don’t have microglass or fiberglass in them! if you find those you have a winner!

    • You are correct! If it’s pleated, you’re theoretically good to go (no fiberglass). But also double check the packaging to be sure. Stay safe out there!

    • Filtrate HVAC filter is designed for filtering viruses also. Difficult to cut away the metal to access the sheet. The filter sheet is accordion, so I had to lay it on a flat surface with pins to flatten it.

      • DO NOT USE HVAC filters. They are not designed to be breathed through. This is what 3M has to say about using their HVAC filters.

        Our filters are designed to be used in HVAC systems, and the filter media has not been tested to be used as a face mask for respiratory protection. Altering any of our 3M Filtrete™ Air Filters is not recommended or supported by 3M or the Filtrete™ Brand. Customer safety is our number one priority.

  14. I tried your pattern today. I ended up adding the same trim to the sides as used for the ties. I like the ties over the elastic because the elastic begins to hurt my ears after some time. Thank you for the great pattern and instructions and giving me reason to use my bias tape maker again. I also had never tried clover clips and I’m now a big fan!

  15. Are you selling the mask? I need to buy some. I do not see nor do I have access to sewing machine. Can I buy some from you? Please.

  16. Hi Melanie. Thank you for this and all your helpful videos. I am teaching myself to sew and this is the project that inspired me. I am looking for advice on the neccessary supplies. There are so many options. I need a fabric scissors and a rotary cutter and thread. I have cotton fabric and elastic. Can you please make recommendations on the above? Like I said there are too many options. Normally I would join a class, but… Thank you again. Teresa

    • Hi Teresa. While I’m not Melanie, I thought I’d point out that you need a rotary cutting mat (which come in many sizes and for many prices). I’d recommend you start with JoAnn’s Fabric and Crafts shop if you’ve got one in your area. You can download their app for free and find great coupons on everything quilting. They DO NOT slam you with ads. Or you can just go to their website and click on coupons at the top right side of the screen and get the current coupons. Another item I’d recommend is at least a small box of straight pins. You can research online what they have available. I love the ones with the flower heads because they stand out well on my fabric and I’m not on as likely to stitch over them. You want to pull straight pins out just before you get to each one. Stitching over them can cause you to break a needle. Hope this helps. Welcome to quilting. Two notes of concern about quilting though –
      (1) it’s addictive and (2) there are so many awesome fabrics and tools out there!!! ☺ Welcome aboard, from Colorado Grammy!

  18. The best filter to use is a vacuum bag HEPA filter., but any good vacuum bag filters will work. I hope this helps

    • The HEPA filters are reported to contain fiberglass and they should not be used. Wearer would inhale fibers which damage lungs

  20. Thanks for creating and posting these great videos! What do you think about using a soft cutaway stabilizer for the filter? Also, what about using wire from wire ribbon? Thanks again!

    Stay safe and healthy.

    New fan,

    Caryn

    • A nurse told me that since interfacing is not woven that it adds more protection. Another person mention using pipe cleaners to mold the mask around your nose.

  21. Great video!! Saw the original (elastic) on Friday then this morning (Saturday) watched this one on YouTube. This a GREAT compliment to the CNN directions which did not have a video demonstration. My sister is an MD in the greater Chicago area. So she needs the 3M masks & I made these for my wife & I in the SF Bay area. Made a total of four for my wife & I. Each one became progressively better & faster.

  24. I have watched this video and love it! however, you don’t show how you did the slit for the filter. Help?

    • The slit is created with the 2 grey pieces when you only sew a couple inches from the ends. This creates a tube with the middle open. Then you attach that to the front piece In a different video, the seam “flaps” are sewn down to create a nice finished edge that doesn’t unravel, which would be done before attaching the front piece.

  25. Could you recommend what size to cut the fabric to make masks child sized? I have a 7,5 and 1 year old I want to make masks for. Thanks

    • 7.5″x5″ fabric cut for kids. I have made several for my grandkids, and friends. Elastic is about 6 inches. I did 5 ” for my 2 year old grandson.

  27. Hey Melanie very help mask video! I’m a male nurse and my daughter and I want to make a few of these for our family. We have a cheap machine i bought her four years ago, Dont know if it has all the fancy stuff yours does, but, any first time help would be appreciated, well shoot problems back your way. Due to my work schedule this weekend we cant start til mid next week.

    • Pipe cleaners will rust . 😬😖Use aluminum wire gauge 14 20 or24gauge , Nigeria # the smaller the wire, cut double length wire fold in half twist and bend sharp ends back to form tight loop zig zag over the wire in the seam binding to secure❣️😊👍🏻

      • thanks Martha!! I have been wondering about options for the wire, hope I can find some in my jewellery making supplies 🙂

        and THANK YOU Melanie for posting the videos 🙂
        Stay Safe!!!

      • I have been using floral wire, 20 gage. Been working well, with the ends in a tight loop.

  28. Thank you for this..are you still looking to donate to a hospital? My niece works in one in Sacramento California and they pa $7 for each one from a lady making them. I would like to get as many to them as possible. Were you still looking for a place to donate? Please message me if you are. Thank you for sharing

    Or you can call me at 650-518-6834

  29. Help, I don’t sew… don’t have a sewing machine (not that I would know how to use it if I did), we could use a mask for our little girl who’s 9 + my husband who is considered an essential worker as he delivers Oreos and Ritz cracker., Can you make a mask for them & me? How would I pay you for them?

  30. Help, I don’t sew… don’t have a sewing machine (not that I would know how to use it if I did), we could use a mask for our little girl who’s 9 + my husband who is considered an essential worker as he delivers Oreos and Ritz cracker., Can you make a mask for them & me? How would I pay you for them?

  31. Help, I don’t sew… don’t have a sewing machine oh, not that I would know how to use it if I did, and could use a mask for our little girl who’s 9 + my husband who is considered an essential worker as he delivers Oreos and Ritz crackers, can you make a mask for them & me? How would I pay you for them?

    • Use a bandana across their faces. Google masks and there are videos showing how to make a mask without sewing.

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