Hi friends! Many of you have reached out and asked me for a homemade face mask tutorial, so here it it! I was hesitant to post about this because there was some debate about the effectiveness of these masks, but last night our mayor recommended that every person heading out for essential errands use masks. So here we are 😉
These use a small amount of fabric and only take 10 minutes to make. If you make a lot, assembly-line fashion I bet you could make them quicker.
Homemade Face Mask
Best Materials for Face Masks
There has been a lot of debate about the effectiveness of these masks. Here is a great 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.
There are many variations to these masks. If you would like to make masks to donate, find a local facility that is asking for them and make what they request. Many of these place have a preference on style 😉
Many medical professionals are also asking for these to wear over their n95 masks to prolong their use or to use because they are out of masks and it’s a last resort.
These don’t replace good hand washing and social distancing, but I hope you will utilize these to help stop the spread we are currently facing.
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More Simple Sewing Tutorials
Kids Size Face Masks
Many of you have asked about optimal sizes for kids. My daughter is 8 and I made her a mask that was 8 x 5.5 with 6 inch elastic. I only did 2 pleats for hers and that worked well.
Homemade Face Mask with Elastic
Learn how to make this homemade face mask in 10 minutes with this simple tutorial. This mask features elastic to go over the ears.
Materials
- (1) 9 x 6 inch Color A
- (1) 9 x 6 inch Color B
- 2 pieces of elastic 6.5-7 inches each.
- Polyester coordinating thread
Tools
- Iron and Ironing board
- seam ripper
- clover clips
- Cutting tools
Instructions
- Place fabric pieces right sides together and clip elastic into the corners on the short side.
- Sew all the way around the rectangles using a 1/2 inch seam allowance leaving a whole to flip right side out. note: backstitch well over elastic in corners.
- Trim corners to reduce bulk, flip right side out and press.
- Create 3 pleats and clip into place by eyeballing the measurement OR make 3 marks and use the seam to create pleat as you sew down. Back stitch over pleats to make sure they are strong.
- Sew around the rest of the mask, trim threads and you're done!
Notes
It is helpful to prewash fabric, but you can wash it at the end as well.
Use polyester thread
Make front and lining 2 different fabrics so you know which fabric has been exposed to potential contaminates.
6.5 elastic works better for women or those with a more narrow face. 7 inches each for men or those with a more broad face.
I did 3 pleats, or if you do smaller pleats you can do 5.
If you have floral wire, you can insert that in the nose section to make a tighter fit. I used pipe cleaners in some of my test, but they did not hold up in the wash.
Recommended Products
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Stacey Shipp
Sunday 26th of April 2020
Can you tell me the size for toddler masks?
Joni Young
Tuesday 21st of April 2020
I need a sewing machine. I am looking for a machine that has a case that lays flat and winds in place. What is the name of yours?
Melanie
Thursday 30th of April 2020
I mainly use the juki dx 7 ;)
rhonda brenzikofer
Tuesday 21st of April 2020
you were the best yet for making the mask and instuctions, NO one elsenwas that. great bless you!!!!
MOnica
Wednesday 29th of April 2020
Can you wear the mask either way is that why you use 2 colors? Thanks!
Terrie Bergman
Tuesday 21st of April 2020
What is the dimensions of the mask that is made with the seam ripper. I got that one done in no time but when I compare it to the pleated ones I had someone else make it is double that size..in comparison. Any help would be appreciated. I have trouble making the pleated ones. 😩😩😩😩
Karen Halpern
Monday 20th of April 2020
What size elastic do your recomend? 1/4 inch or 1/8 inch?