Hi there,
Seems like I have overthrown the claim of the easiest face mask ever, because I have found a totally new way of making a fabric face mask which is even easier than that. You can make it – even without a sewing machine. All you have to do is sewing straight lines and do some fold.
And here is a simple photo tutorial of this easy DIY fabric mask with filter pocket.
What you’ll need:
– Needle and thread
– 1 piece of fabric with measurements below
– 2 pieces of 12.5cm (5in) long elastic cord (or strips cut from old T-shirt, pantyhose, bias tape, etc., anything that you can get your hands on
If you are looking for materials to make face mask, visit our little store here:
We have plastic nose wire, elastic, non-woven fabric for filters, anti-microbial fabric masks, hand made fabric masks to meet your needs. All items are ready in stock and will be shipped from Toronto, Canada. Same day shipping for orders before 3:00 PM. Free standard shipping for orders from US$75.00.
Fabric measurements:
For men, 20cm * 40cm (8in * 16in)
For women and teens, 18cm * 36cm (7 1/8 in * 14 1/4 in)
For kids, 16cm * 32cm (6 1/4 in * 12 1/2 in)
Sewing instruction:
Step 1: Fold one short end of the fabric piece twice to the wrong side and sew a narrow hem. Repeat with the other end. Draw two lines according to the picture shown below.
Step 2: Fold the fabric (right side of fabric facing in).
Step 3: Sew along the sides, leaving the top (with hemmed end) open.
Step 4: Trim the corners, turn the fabric inside out. Press if necessary. You will get something similar to a small pillow cover.
Step 5: Draw the center line of the mask. Draw two parallel lines 5cm (2in) from the center line (the red lines).
Step 6: Make a box pleat from the lines and pin to secure.
Step 7: Top stitch around the side of the mask, securing the pleat, leaving an opening at the top of the mask (with the flap). This is where you insert your filter in.
Step 8: Attach elastic to the sides of the mask. Actually you can do this from step 2, but because this tutorial is intended for inexperienced sewers, I think adding the elastic at this last step is easier.
And here is the view for two sides of the mask. You can see the flap at the inside side of the mask.
You can put the filter in from the top of the mask:
And this is the mask on the very reluctant model (aka my hubby):
I definitely think that this DIY mask is better than any other masks, because it is quick to make and still has the ‘pocket’ to put the filter in for extra protection. It only requires a small piece of fabric (and as I have tried, a pillow cover can make up to 8 masks of this type). It is so simple that anyone can make it, even without a sewing machine.
The mask fits nicely on the face, even without nose wire. However, if you want to add one, just put it inside the top of the mask.
Now let’s try to make more masks. I am making and donate a dozen of them to the hospitals.
See my other posts in the DIY masks series here:
How to use your face mask the right way
Face mask filter materials – what can we use for DIY face masks?
Stay home, sew masks, save lives!
Love,
Tiana
Thank you! An online friend gave me a link to your website as somewhere to find clear and simple mask-making information; of all the sites I have looked at, yours seems to have the best options for someone like me who is a stranger to needle and thread.
Do you have a youtube tutorial? I’m a beginner and a video would be so much easier. Thanks
How exactly do you attach the elastic in Step 8, since it is already top-stitched?
Thank you!
Can you suggest dimensions for a child’s mask? I am making masks for a children’s hospital (sibling visitors) and I don’t have any children to measure. Thank you.
Please disregard – I didn’t see the dimensions the first time. 🙂 Thank you so much.
Hi I really like your face masks. I have made the other two you have posted, but I think this is much easier. I will try to make it. What type of fabric do you recommend for this particular face mask? By the way is AB always 2 cm for any size (meaning male, female, child) or do I need to adjust this measurement?