Cloth Face Masks Tutorials Plus Free Pattern

Hello Everyone!

We are currently all affected by the coronavirus pandemic, and I thought a face mask tutorial was a perfect project during this difficult time. I must point out that, while these cloth masks offer some form of protection, they do not necessarily protect you from the coronavirus. There is, however, a great shortage of masks in most countries, and by making cloth masks for your family and the community, you will greatly help alleviate this problem.  Click here to download the pattern.

Mask One

You will need the following:

100% cotton fabric washed and ironed.
Matching sewing thread
1.8 mm hat elastic, or 6 mm wide flat elastic. Strips of cotton lycra also work well if you do not have elastic.
A bodkin or hairpin to pull the elastic through the casing.
4 mm thick batting

Sewing instructions:

Cut 2 fabric panels for the mask, 2 panels of cotton fabric for the lining, and 2 panels of batting. Cut the batting 1 cm shorter at the sides, as illustrated. Use a 1-cm seam allowance throughout.

Place the two mask panels right sides together, and pin the two batting panels to the wrong sides of the mask panels. Machine stitch around the curved edge. Trim and grade the seam allowances.

Press the centre seam open and machine stitch on both sides of the centre seam.

With right sides together, sew the curved seam of the lining panels. Clip and trim the seam allowance, and press the seam open.

Pin the lining to the mask, right sides together. Sew around the mask and leave an opening on one side. Trim the corners and clip the seam allowance.

Pull the mask to the right side through the opening. Press the opening seam allowance inward and machine stitch it close.  Topstitch around the edge of the entire mask.

Fold 1 cm of the sides of the mask towards the lining and stitch in place to form a casing. Cut two pieces of elastic 25 cm long. Use the bodkin or hairpin to pull the elastic through the casing. Make a knot at the end of the elastic and pull the knot inside the casing.

Mask Two

You will need the following:

100% Cotton fabric
Hat elastic, 4 mm flat elastic, or strips of cotton lycra
Matching sewing thread

Sewing instructions:

Cut fabric for the mask and line 24 cm by 20 cm each.  A seam allowance of 1 cm is included.
Pin the fabric and the lining right sides together. Sew around the edges, using a 1 cm seam allowance. Leave a 7-cm opening, as illustrated. Trim the corners.

Turn the mask to the right side. Press the seam allowance of the opening inward.

Topstitch the edge of the mask and close the opening.

Starting 2 cm from the bottom edge, fold 1.5 cm upward and make 3 pleats at an even distance. Pin the pleats and machine-baste to hold the pleats in place. The completed pleated edge should be about 9 cm wide.

Turn 1 cm towards the lining and machine stitch on the edge to form a casing. Thread the elastic through as described before.  Press the mask.

Mask Three

This one is plain, super fast to make, and yet just as effective. It covers the nose and chin well.

You will need the following:

100% Cotton fabric
Matching sewing thread
Elastic (cut 2 pieces of 17 cm each)

Sewing Instructions:

Cut the fabric 22 cm by 32 cm.  A seam allowance of 1 cm is included.

Fold the fabric in half and press the fold. Open the fabric and pin the two elastic pieces on the right side, inside the fold, and 1 cm from the outside edge.

Machine-baste the elastic to hold it in place.

Fold the fabric right sides together and machine stitch, leaving a 7-cm opening. Cut the corners.

Turn the mask to the right side and stitch the bottom open edge close.

Mark the centre of the mask with tailor’s chalk, as illustrated.

Fold 1.5 cm towards the centre mark on both ends to form a pleat. Pin and machine stitch across the pleat.  The completed pleated edge should be about 9 cm wide.  Press the mask.

Have a great week, and stay safe!

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