There are so many tutorials out there with different ways for people to be able to make their own face mask or face covering.
There are an increasing number of sources of information and evidence about the benefits and limitations and correct use of face masks. Check out the UK government advice and CDC recommendations as a starting point.
The tutorials here are not my own designs. I may be used to designing dolls but I wasn’t really sure where to start with making face masks. However I have tried a few designs and these two are my favourites. You can follow my instructions or click the links through to the original tutorials.
Fabrics
If you are making your own mask you want it to be as effective as possible. Your choice of fabric is therefore really important. Thin, flimsy fabrics with an open weave are not going to work well. Close weave fabrics like cotton or T-shirt fabric will work much better. Many tutorials also involve double layers of fabric. If you have any fat quarters for sewing projects they are ideal. However you can also make them from clothes or other fabrics you have around at home.
Filters
Many face mask tutorials give the option to include a filter in between the layers of fabric. I’m still figuring out what I think will be the best option for filters for our masks, but many options seem to be suggested. I have seen lots of suggestions including coffee filters, paper towels, dried out baby wipes, and even vacuum filters. Do your research to see what works best for you.
Elastics
Most face mask tutorials use elastic to hold the mask in place. Elastic works best as it is stretchy so will hold the mask securely. However many people are discovering that suitable elastic is in very short supply and hard to get hold of. If you don’t have any elastic then you can make fabric ties which you can then adjust.
Pleated face mask
The first tutorial I wanted to highlight is from Creative Tien. This tutorial uses one piece of fabric folded over to make the double layer. It includes pleats which work to shape the mask around your face and the option to add a nose wire.
Some of the tutorials I have tried were simply too big and baggy, I liked this one as it provides different size options. I tried making the medium adult size and it worked well. I will be trying out the smaller sizes for my kids next. For this size you need one piece of fabric, 20cm x 33cm and two 17cm pieces of elastic.
Once you have the fabric cut to the correct size, begin by folding the short edges over by about 1/2cm. Press them flat with an iron and then sew.
Position the fabric with the short edges top and bottom, with the right side of the fabric facing up. Fold the top edge over by around 1 cm then fold the bottom edge up until it overlaps, with the right sides of the fabric facing. Pin them in place so they don’t slip as you work.
Take your elastics and pin into the top and bottom corners on each side.
Next, sew along the two raw edges down the sides. Make sure you secure the elastics in firmly as you sew. Once you have sewn down both edges you can use the opening to turn the whole thing the right way out.
At this stage you can add a nose wire. This is optional so miss this step if you like. You will need a length of wire, Creative Tien suggests a twisty tie (those things you get in boxes of sandwich bags that you never know what to do with). Alternatively use a straightened out paper clip.
Put it into the inside of the fabric in the centre, just under the top fold. Then sew around it to lodge in place.
The final step is to add the pleats. Turn the mask over to the front (the pocket is on the back). Then make a small fold in the middle of the short edge, fold downwards and pin in place.
Make another fold of the same size above and a third one below. Keep them as evenly spaced and sized as you can and make sure all fold downwards. Pin as you go, checking they are level on both sides. Once you have them correctly positioned sew down each side to fix them in place.
That’s all – your pleated face mask is finished. You can add a filter using the pocket on the back.
Gathered face mask
The second tutorial I have tested is from Sew Crafty Me. This one differs in two ways. Firstly, it uses two pieces of fabric – one on the front and one on the back. Secondly, the shape is made from the gather of the fabric when the elastic is pulled through, rather from formal pleats.
Begin by measuring and cutting your two fabrics. I used cotton for both but you might want to try a softer t-shirt fabric for the lining as that is the bit that will touch your face.
Sew Crafty Me gives measurements for adult and child sizes. The adult sizes are: a 7.5 inch wide by 10 inch long piece for the outer fabric and a 7.5 inch wide by 8 inch long piece for the lining fabric. You will also need two 12 in pieces of elastic.
Once your fabrics are cut, fold each piece in half width-wise and mark the centre point with a crease. Unfold them and lay the lining fabric on top of the outer fabric with their centre points aligned and the right sides facing each other. Once they are in position, pin them in place.
Sew along the two edges to secure in place. The tutorial shows a hand sewn example but for speed I used my sewing machine.
At this point I have made a small edit to the original pattern. Along the top edge I left a gap in the stitching to act as a filter pocket.
Turn the whole thing the right way out, then straighten the sewn edges and iron them flat. The outer fabric is longer than the lining, the next stage is to use that extra fabric to make a slot for the elastic. You will need your iron for this stage…
First, fold the edges in on the diagonal and press in place. Then fold the outer edge in just enough to press in place and keep the raw edge of the fabric hidden away. Finally fold the whole thing over at the point where it meets the edge of the lining fabric. Press one more time and pin in place.
Repeat on the other side. Once both sides are folded, pressed and pinned then sewn down each close to where it meets the lining fabric to secure in place.
Now it is time to add the elastics. If you have a safety pin, attach it to one end of a piece of elastic and use it to thread through one edge of the fabric. It is possible to do this without, but the safety pin makes threading much easier. Once it is pulled through repeat with the other elastic on the other side.
Tie the loose ends of elastic together on each side. You might want to hold the mask to your face first to work out where to put the knot. Pull the elastics tight to make the fabric gathers up – this is how you create the shape in the mask.
Once you are happy that it is tied to the right length you can wriggle the elastic through the fabric until the end is hidden away and the knot is away from where it might rub against your ears.
The finished mask. You can adjust how the gathers make the mask sit on your face. I found this was a better fit for me than pleated versions. although others in my family found the pleated one fit better.
No sew tutorials
As someone who sews regularly, and owns a sewing machine, I was happy making these masks. If you don’t have a sewing machine you could make then by hand but it will take a little longer. Alternatively you can look for a no sew mask – there are lots of options out there to try. One of the simplest I have seen a few times uses a scarf or bandanna and two hair elastics. There are others that involve cutting to a pattern but don’t require sewing. Pinterest is always a good source for these things.
