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
I would love to keep you fully stocked with creative ideas, yummy recipes, fun crafts, and loads of free printables. Subscribe to Skip to my Lou to get new ideas delivered to your inbox. Follow me on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, and Instagram for all my latest updates.
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.
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.
I gave a lot of beaded elastic but am having a devil of a time sewing that down. Any tips ?
I am making this pattern and it is the second pattern I’ve used and the easiest one so far. I got my elastic from old cammies that I never wear!
Ellen, yes finished size is about six inches tall (in the middle top to bottom) the side will be 3 – 3 1/2 inches after pleating by about 9 inches wide (side to side). Let me know if this helps.
Julie, After doing a bit of research I found a possible solution to the issue with the printing. https://answers.acrobatusers.com/Why-pdf-files-printing-black-background-white-letters-photo-negative-q214562.aspx
In the Print dialog, disable “Print in grayscale” if selected, click on the “Advanced” button and make sure that the “Negative” option is not selected. If you can’t deselect “Negative”, change Color option from Composite to Composite Gray, for example, deselect Negative and change Color back to Composite. Click OK to confirm and you can select “Print in grayscale” again if necessary.
Click the link above and it will walk you through with images. Hope this helps.
Go corner to corner. It can hang slightly outside the fabric. It needs to go clear to the edge at least so when turned it is caught in the seam and then again topstitched. I hope this helps. Let me know if I can help further.
Printed black on mine too
Is the pattern 6 inch wide by 9 inch long?
I’m a long-time follower, but a first time commenter. Thank you for one of the easiest to understand patterns for face mask that is paired with great photos. I need one clarification though, when attaching the elastic, do you stretch it from each corner or should it be sewn 1/4″ or 1/2″ or so in? I hope that is clear. Thank you so much and take care!
Dana, don’t let the pleats intimidate you. Play with making them by lifting the fabric starting about an inch from the edge and bring it about an inch up. Do this two more times. Once you mess with it a couple of times I bet you get the hang of it.
You also could just take a running stitch along the edge and gather the fabric. I hope this helps.
Jaki, do you have the free version of adobe acrobat reader. The file is a pdf. When you download then open the pattern and select print you should see a print preview. What you see on the preview should print, unless there is a problem with the printer. I am so very sorry about your ink. Maybe pull up the post on your phone and take a screenshot of the pattern and keep that handy by your sewing machine.
I’m so upset, I just printed the pattern and it came out completely black, it used up all my ink 🙁
Thanks for the pattern!! Is there a way to make without the pleats. I’m just not a seamstress and the pleats stress me out. Sewing by hand 🙂
Kendra, yes there are several alternatives to the elastic. I have seen people cut apart elastic headbands, open up a bungee cord which is made from many small strands of elastic, and beading cord. You can also slip in pieces of shoelace at each corner and make a mask that ties. One package of 45-inch shoelaces will give you 6 – 15-inch pieces from the two laces.