HOW TO MAKE A DIY FABRIC FACE MASK

So face masks. Talk about a HOT topic. 

As I’m sure you’ve noticed, fabric masks are now in major demand. Mainly thanks to new recommendations by officials across the country…& a little group called the CDC. 

Which makes perfect sense IMO from a precautionary standpoint. Especially when we have health professionals facing legit shortages of medical-grade masks up against (~as Jackie Schimmel would say~) Brenda: wearer of a new N95 every time she goes to buy frozen chicken nuggets for the kiddos at Kroger. No offense to all the Brendas out there. 

So in an age where we simply have to embrace looking like an ensemble of Mortal Kombat meets Burning Man rejects dueling it out for a carton of eggs, I figured it was time for a little tutorial on how to make a super solid, good-for-what-it’s-worth fabric mask! 

After doing a bunch of research, I landed on some well regarded patterns from the blog Craft Passion, which include elastic ear pieces, a tight fit around the jaw & optional nook for a fantastically functional nose wire that helps customize the form even more. 

Seriously, on a scale of paper towel & hairband to 3M, I have to say this design definitely holds its own. So grab your quarantine snacks & let’s get into it:

(but quick side note: this is definitely not a “hard” project – it’s just a little tricky to explain. But if you follow the pictures, it’s easy to see the process after you make your first one. Promise!)

// WHAT YOU NEED //

+ Printed mask patterns (from Craft Passion)

+ Cotton fabric for the outer layer

+ Cotton fabric for the lining

+ Elastic (or a shoelace, string, ribbon, etc.)

+ Pipe cleaners (or any other type of thin, bendable wire – even an un-bent paperclip) 

+ Sewing pins, scissors & a ruler

// STEPS //

++ Fold your fabric in half with the right-sides facing each other. Pin the two sides together (so they don’t slide around) & trace your patterns for the outer layer & lining.

++ Cut the outer layer pattern & sew a straight stitch along the large, curved line that’ll become the center seam of the mask. Repeat for the lining.

++ Take your scissors & make very small cuts (approximately 1/4” to 1/2” apart) all the way down the seam allowance on both pieces. Turn the fabric right side out & you should have smooth, curved forms that already start to look mask-like.

++ For both pieces, push the snipped seam allowance to the right & topstitch along the same seam.

++ FOR THE NOSE WIRE: Make a 2” by 6” strip of bias tape out of your original fabric by folding it diagonally in half & cutting out the rectangle along the diagonal line (this produces a strip that’s stretchy & easier to work with). Fold 1/4” of fabric down on the right end, then fold the entire strip in half lengthwise & sew a straight line along the end to give it a finished edge. Repeat on the left end. 

++ Center your bias strip along the top of the lining layer & pin it into place with the OPEN long edge on top. Topstitch the long, bottom edge of the bias strip, so it starts to create what will become the wire pocket.

++ Flip both layers of fabric inside out & pin them together with the center seams lining up. Sew the top & bottom edges of the mask, leaving the right & left sides open. Remove all pins & turn the mask right side out.

++ At each end, you’ll notice there are two flaps of the main fabric that are larger than the lining fabric. Fold each of these pieces down so they’re flush with the lining & sew a little stitch to lock each into place. 

++ Try on the mask (as best you can) to measure & cut your two elastic ear bands. Each one will likely be around 8” to 9” long. 

++ Double fold & sew the raw edge of the right side to make a pocket for the elastic, making sure it’s wide enough to slide in the elastic.  Repeat for the left side.

++ Slide in each piece of elastic & sew the ends together. Then rotate the elastic so the connected ends are inside the pocket (& out of sight). 

Like I said, it’s truly not hard once you get the hang of it. It just takes…getting the hang of it. So scavenge whatever materials you have around the house & just pretend like it’s an unconventional materials challenge on Project Runway!

Except, you know, in the name of public health.

Stay well, friends.

xxAA

(( feature image includes design elements from ©Melanie Britt Digitals™ & Starecat.com )) 

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