how to make a mask from fabric

how to make a face mask from fabric

I have no advanced sewing skills.  I will admit when it comes to sewing, I’ve had to do a lot of research on how to make a face mask.  I’ve made 3 different types before finally settling on this style of fabric mask to make.    I’ve made them for our local Meals on Wheels and family.  I hope you find these instructions useful and if you have any questions, please ask.  Be safe.

These instructions will be for making 1 mask.  If you need to make more, then you’ll need to add additional material.  Don’t worry about having matching thread.  White will be fine.  We aren’t trying to win awards here with fashion.

We will use a straight stitch on this project.

Watch the video tutorial to make a mask

what you’ll need:

quilt fabric 9″ x 15″
fusion fabric 7.5″ x 9″
2 – 7″ pieces of elastics (we used 1/4″ or 3/8″)
sewing machine
scissors
iron
clips/pins

what type of fabric should you use to make a mask?

I used fabric based in recommendations from Joann Fabric and purchased cotton blend quilting material.  You want the fabric to be easy to breath from.  The masks we are making here, will have 3 layers.  2 layers of quilt fabric and 1 layer of fusion.

instructions

Turn your iron on.

To get started, you will want to take the fabric and fold it in half so the 9 x 15, is now 9 x 7.5.

Make sure the seems like up and are as perfect as possible.  Iron the fabric, both sides.

Add the fusion material.  It will have a tacky feeling side. Place that side down even on the fabric and iron.  It may or may not stick, that is ok.

Take the fabric with the folder over edge, take the  elastic and place it about 1 1/2″ from the top.  Sew down the 9″ side leaving 1 1/2″ from bottom.  Grab the other end of the elastic and holding it down to sew between the pieces of fabric.

Repeat this on the other side of the 9″ side.

what if I don’t want to sew the elastic inside?

No problem, if this is a little difficult. You can sew the elastic on the outside using a straight then zig-zag stitch once the entire fabric is sewed closed in the next couple steps.

sewing the bottom of the mask

You will sew the bottom edge, leaving a 2-3″ gap in the middle (be sure to back stitch).   You will use this section to pull the material through to turn it inside right.  I recommend a 3″ space, or it will take longer to pull through.

Once you have sewn the edge, you can turn the material inside right.  Be sure to push the material to the edges to get as crisp a corner as possible.  They do not need to be pointy.

You will want to iron the fabric again.  Make sure the opening used to right side the material is gathered and pressed in to hide the edge.  Iron this in as well. The fusion fabric inside may keep this pressed in.

how to make pleats in face mask

 

You will want to gather  your material about 1 1/2″ from the top and secure with a pin or a clip.

Repeat this for a second pleat near the middle of the mask.

Iron the pleats in place.

You will want to sew around the entire edge of the mask.  I sew about 3/8″ from the edge or as I measure…to the edge of the foot (give or take).  Remove the clips/pins while sewing around the pleats.

Go slow when sewing as the pleats are going to be thick.  You may need to lift the foot up and move the fabric a little to help guide it through (while the machine is not in motion).

Iron the mask.

Note:  If you don’t sew the bottom open end when you are sewing the project, you can use a zig-zag stitch at the bottom to help keep it secured as well.

Second note:  If you did not want to sew the elastic on the inside, now is the time to sew it on the outside.  You will want to position the elastic 1 1/2″ from the top/bottom  and use a zig-zag stitch on the elastic and you can give it a straight stitch too for extra measure.

Trim any strings that you have on the mask to complete the mask.

Iron it one last time.

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