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Make this face mask pattern with a tiny bit of fabric and elastic. The surgical mask style pattern is simple enough even for beginner sewers!
If you are making masks for others here are some super cute printable face mask gift tags.
This information is from The Deaconess Health System. According to the CDC, fabric masks are a crisis response option when other supplies have been exhausted. While it isn’t ideal it does offer some support to our communities.
DIY Face Mask Supplies
- 2 – 9 inch X 6 inch rectangles of fabric for adult (7.5 inch X 5 inch for child)
- 2 – 7 inch pieces of 1/8 inch flat elastic (cord elastic or beading elastic may also be used) Women and teens might get a better fit with 2 – 6 1/2 inch pieces of elastic. Use 2 – 5 1/2 inches for a child.
- scissors or rotary cutter and mat
- sewing machine
- thread
- iron
How to Make a Face Mask
Place the right sides of the fabric together. This photo shows where the elastic is placed on each end.
Instead of pinning the elastic, it was simple to place it in as you sew around the outside edge of the fabric. If using cord or beading elastic tie a knot in the ends. In this case, the knot will hang outside of the edge of the corner when you sew around.
Stitch all the way around leaving an about a two-inch in the opening along one of the long sides. The pins mark my opening in the photo. We used a 1/8 – 1/4 inch seam allowance.
Turn right side out and press.
Make three pleats on each end. Pin. Just eyeball the placement. Make sure the pleats are going the same direction on each side.
Stitch all the way around the masks twice.
That is it! Super easy!
The Deaconesses have these details about making/delivering fabric masks.
- The pattern is courtesy of The Turban Project
- Use tightly-woven cotton fabric on both sides. (we used a tightly woven cotton on one side and cotton flannel on the other)
- Please remember that both women and men in a variety of roles may wear these masks.
If providing masks to a specific organization please make sure you follow their directions. My hope is that the DIY Masks be used by the general public if that makes them feel more comfortable and we save the real masks for our health care workers.
Free Printable Face Mask Sewing Pattern
If it helps to have something by your sewing machine you can download and print this PDF pattern as a handy reference guide. I think you will really like this pleated mask pattern.
Filter Mask Pattern
There are so many mask designs. If you are looking to add a filter to your mask try this face mask with a filter pocket. So quick and easy! I used blue shop towels but you can use whatever you like. This is also a nice face mask pattern because it works without the filter too so it gives the user options.
How to Make a Mask with Filter Pocket
More Patterns for Face Masks
If you prefer an easy fitted face mask whip up this soft and cozy mask in minutes! I have a free printable pattern in three sizes, even a kids’ face mask pattern sized just for them
Now that you are sewing If you want to provide comfort to someone these rice heating pads are another easy sewing project that provides comfort and shows care.
There are so many ways we can provide support to each other and help our communities. These uplifting message hearts are the perfect way to brighten someone’s days and show a bit of love.
Easy Sewing Projects
Now you have all my easy mask making ideas. If you find yourself at home looking for ways to enrich your life sewing is a great activity. It is so satisfying to make something yourself.
Here are some easy sewing projects:
- Zippered pouch – Let me walk you through step by step how to put in a zipper. I bet you will be surprised at how easy it is.
- Reversible Tote – This makes a useful project to give or keep.
- First Aid Pouch – So cute!
- Tissue Cover
- Hot Pad Tutorial
- Fabric Coffee Sleeve
- Pet Bandanas
- Yoga Mat Sling
- Key Chain Wallet
Let’s Keep in Touch
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LIsa says
And you do it again!! You explain things so well, whenever I need to sew anything (not that often) I struggle to understand patterns and you make it so easy to understand SO THANK YOU
PS I am the proud owner of lots of reversible tote bags – self-taught by your tutorials 😍
Cindy Hopper says
Wos Lisa, thank you! You made my day!
shel.b.phd says
I just made a couple of these for my niece and it was so easy! Thank you for developing such a clear pattern! 🙂
Susan says
What a wonderful easy pattern. Also thank you for answering everyone’s questions, sure make
it easier for me.
Deborah Smith says
Thank you for this easy pattern. I tried two others before finding your post and yours is by far the best. I have made masks for the whole family following your easy instructions.
Thank you
Ashma says
Thank you so much for your design and pattern to follow. I will use it to make some masks for family and friends.
Donna Dugas says
I am having a hard time gauging the length of elastic for around the ears. Can you give advice for the length for an adult, teen, and child.
Thank you for your time.
Donna Dugas
Cindy Hopper says
Hello Donna,
Women and teens might get a better fit with 2 – 6 1/2 inch pieces of elastic. Use 2 – 5 1/2 inches for a child. Hope this helps.
Susie in the country says
you also might try crocheted or fabric ear extenders. loads of patterns on Youtube or pinterest.
Try an Olson mask too as I like that fit much better using a thinner elastic, not so close to the face or even a mask folded from a man’s handkerchief.
Jenny says
I used a pony bead on both pieces of elastic – added after I was finished sewing. I used a crochet hook to pull a loop of the 1/4″ width elastic through a pony bead. It makes it snug enough to stay in place. Plus, the bead and loop of elastic point away from your ear, so it’s not resting against your head. Good luck! (Note: Not my original idea. Saw it on the first ‘how to make a mask’ video and implemented it when the elastic was too long for my daughter and I.)
Cindy Hopper says
Thanks, Jenny, great idea. If you have a picture I can add it to the post to help others.
Karen Gravelle says
Hi
Thank you for the pattern it is excellent. I did add a permanent filter inside it though. You can use the re-useable grocery store bags(weave, not solid plastic, just saying!, you need to prewash them though). You sew it in like interfacing. Bam! Simple filtered masks that are washable and reusable. Just don’t iron the bag directly(trust me!), once it is in between the fabrics it is fine to iron. Hope this helps someone. Stay safe, stay sane! Scrapper from Markham
Cindy Hopper says
Karen, great idea. You can also make the fabric mask with an opening to slip in the filter and be able to remove it. Here is the tutorial for a mask with filter pocket.
Mary says
Do you pleat both pieces of fabric together?
Thank you for the wonderful instructions! 👍
Cindy Hopper says
Yes, Mary, pleat both layers of fabric together. Glad you liked the pattern.
Angie says
Hi. Thank you so much for this pattern. Approximately how deep are the pleats that you make in the masks.
Cindy Hopper says
Angie, the fabric laps over about 1/4 inch. Let me know if you have any questions.
Angela V. Wijas says
Dear Cindy,
Thank You kindly for sharing the face mask pattern. I will be using it for the medical personnel I know and my little grandchildren. Hope you stay safe and well.
❤️Angela
Lisa says
This is great! I googled how to make masks and this was my first review. I am so happy thank you
SHARON FARWELL says
THANK YOU FOR THE DIRECTIONS,. I THINK I CAN MAKE THIS! I HAVE COPD SO THIS IS IMPORTANT. NEVER SMOKED A DAY IN MY LIFE!+
Robin says
A tip I picked up from a blog here in New Zealand [cravingfresh.nz] is to place half a pipe cleaner in the top seam. Then you can mould the mask to sit very snugly on your nose, because the pipe cleaner is flexible.
I placed the pipe cleaner on the seam before turning inside out. (I left my turning gap on the lower edge.) After turning the mask inside out, I bent the ends of the pipe cleaner, so it wouldn’t wriggle out, like a bra underwire. Then I pinned the pipe cleaner into place. When I edge-stitched the mask, I went slowly and carefully at this part, to reduce the risk of a broken needle! I used zigzag stitch, to straddle the pipe cleaner.
It works well, and I’ve made three like this for my daughter, who works in a supermarket, and one for myself. Hers fit perfectly, mine needed the elastic shortened slightly.
Thank you so much for sharing this pattern.
Robin
Karen Gravelle says
Hi Robin! I did this too! But what I did was add an extra inch of fabric to the bottom piece only, and then folded it down half an inch, sewed the piece of pipe cleaner to it and then folded it again to make a mini casing. Then I just sewed like normal, but with my filter in place as well. It made the top a bit thicker, but if you adjust you seam allowance there a bit, you won’t hit it with your needle and the likelihood of the pipe cleaner moving or poking you is lessened. Hope this helps!
Scrapper from Markham
JG says
Thank you for sharing this easy sew pattern – I tried several different patterns and until I found your site I was not happy with the results. Your instructions and demo helped me create a safe, comfortable and effective face mask.
Damaris says
Thank you so much. I wanted to surprise my brother who has been delivering oxygen tanks and propane tanks , to hospitals and dr’s offices and working crazy hours and had found another pattern online and was killing myself sewing. With my medical condition has been strenous on me. So happy I can do this faster now for him and make it problably a littler larger since he is a big guy. Be blessed and and be safe. Thanks for this post and clear instructions.
ELIZABETH BROOKER says
I really love the handicapped options on your website. It is a great & highly considerate!
Theresa Turnbach says
I gave a lot of beaded elastic but am having a devil of a time sewing that down. Any tips ?
Cindy Hopper says
Theresa, do you tie a knot in the end and let it hang out of the fabric pieces that are placed right side together? Try using a wonder clip to keep it in place, then stitch around leaving the opening. I would think the second topstitching on the ends would keep it in place. Let me know if this helps.