This cat face mask is easy to make for both child and adults and fits great. If we’re going to have to wear face masks for a while they might as well be cute right? You can make this with my basic sewn face mask or with my easy no-sew face mask from a tee!
A quick word before we dive in. While I like the idea of making face masks to have on hand for the kids IF they have to go out like say to the doctors or some other urgent situation, these best thing is to stay home.
These are great fitting but still social distancing is best for the little ones and the grown ups. Please understand this is not a real substitute for a surgical mask and more of a better than nothing alternative while we are trying to keep the real masks for the medical community.
If you want to read more about whether homemade mask actually work or thoughts on various styles of face masks check out this article.
How to Make A Kitty Face Mask
I have made this face mask project available in Cricut Design Space but if you don’t use a Cricut you can print this out and just cut out the design to use as a pattern.
If you don’t sew you can just cut out my kitty decal out of iron-on fabric and use my no-sew 5 minute face mask tutorial. To do that you would just iron it to the middle of the face part.
What You Need to Make a Kitty Face Mask
Knit fabric is much more comfortable an conforms to the face best so you will be fiddling less with your mask.
On the other hand I have read some articles that hight quality woven quilting cottons perform better in virus testing. Please be sure to do your own research since I am not a medical professional.
I have both styles for our family. For very low contact experiences like picking up groceries and to-go food we are using knit masks. If we had to go to a medical facility I would use a woven one.
- Fabric (this works on either knit or woven fabric) for the adult size cut the fabric 12 inches x 11 inches. For the child size cut the fabric to 10 inches x 9 inches.
- Iron-on Vinyl
- Cutting Machine (I use this one) or just use scissors with some patience
- Iron
- Sewing Machine (this is my favorite great for beginners and seasoned seamstresses alike)
- 1/4 inch Elastic (21 inches for the tied adjustable option, 10.5 inches for the sewn in elastic saving option) for elastic substitute ideas see this article.
- Loop turner or safety pin for the adjustable elastic option
Making a Homemade Kitty Face Mask
If you have a Cricut cutting machine that is compatible with Design Space I have made this project available.
If not you can print my screen shot and cut out the cat shape to use as a pattern. It will be a little more annoying but totally doable.
- If you have a Cricut Maker you could cut everything out on your machine or use a Cricut Explore machine to cut the vinyl with the uploaded project. Otherwise you can use scissors for everything including the fabric.
- With right sides fold the fabric (folded child size should be 5×9 folded adult size should be 6×11). Sew the edges together with a 1/4 seam allowance.
- Turn right side out and iron.
- Iron the kitty face onto the center top portion of the mask.
- Turn over and mark the dark points with a fabric marker or pin on the underside of the mask. Use the cutting guide available in my FB group in the files section or if you sign up for my mailing list you will be emailed the link to my downloads and the password to access them.
- To mark without the guide, fold the fabric in half length wise with the vinyl towards the inside of the fold. After that fold it widthwise.
- Then fold one side over again widthwise and mark this will be the point of the dart.
- Mark the other end of the dart half way between the folded edge and the top edges when folded in half.
- You can see me doing the marking in the video it sounds more confusing to type out but makes sense if you watch.
- Sew the darts. Make sure to backstitch to keep them nice and secure.
- Fold the darts down.
- For the adjustable elastic option: Fold the side ends of the mask over 1/2 inch and sew in place with a 1/8 seam allowance if using knit. If using a woven fabric do this step with a zigzag stitch making sure to go over the end edge of the fabric (this will keep it from unraveling. Be sure to backstitch at both ends.
- For the elastic saving option: Fold the side ends of the mask over 1/2 inch and sew in place with a 1/8 seam allowance if using knit making sure to tuck in the edges of the elastic as you go. If using a woven fabric do this step with a zigzag stitch making sure to go over the end edge of the fabric (this will keep it from unraveling. Be sure to backstitch at both ends.
- For the adjustable elastic step, thread elastic pieces through the casings you just made I like using a loop turner but you can use a safety pin too. For both adult and child I cut the elastic to 10.5 inches that allows for a knot that will fit a variety of sizes that can be tied tighter or looser!
- Once the knot is tied tightly pull the elastic around to hid the knot in the casing.
Oh and here’s the side view.
Wear with pride, but really just stay home ;)
How to Make a Cat Face Mask
Supplies
- Fabric for the adult size cut the fabric 12 inches x 11 inches. For the child size cut the fabric to 10 inches x 9 inches.
- Iron-on Vinyl
- Cutting Machine or scissors
- Iron
- Sewing Machine
- Elastic 21 inches for the tied adjustable option, 10.5 inches for the sewn in elastic saving option
Instructions
- If you have a Cricut Maker you could cut everything out on your machine. Otherwise just use your cutting machine (or scissors) to cut out the cat face and cut your fabric seperately.
- With right sides fold the fabric (folded child size should be 5x9 folded adult size should be 6x11). Sew the edges together with a 1/4 seam allowance.
- Turn right side out and iron.
- Iron the kitty face onto the center top portion of the mask.
- Turn over and mark the dark points with a fabric marker or pin on the underside of the mask. Use the cutting guide available in my FB group in the files section or if you sign up for my mailing list you will be emailed the link to my downloads and the password to access them.
- To mark without the guide, fold the fabric in half length wise with the vinyl towards the inside of the fold. After that fold it widthwise.
- Then fold one side over again widthwise and mark this will be the point of the dart.
- Mark the other end of the dart half way between the folded edge and the top edges when folded in half.
- You can see me doing the marking in the video it sounds more confusing to type out but makes sense if you watch.
- Sew the darts. Make sure to backstitch to keep them nice and secure.
- Fold the darts down.
- For the adjustable elastic option: Fold the side ends of the mask over 1/2 inch and sew in place with a 1/8 seam allowance if using knit. If using a woven fabric do this step with a zigzag stitch making sure to go over the end edge of the fabric (this will keep it from unraveling. Be sure to backstitch at both ends.
- For the elastic saving option: Fold the side ends of the mask over 1/2 inch and sew in place with a 1/8 seam allowance if using knit making sure to tuck in the edges of the elastic as you go. If using a woven fabric do this step with a zigzag stitch making sure to go over the end edge of the fabric (this will keep it from unraveling. Be sure to backstitch at both ends.
- For the adjustable elastic step, thread elastic pieces through the casings you just made. For both adult and child I cut the elastic to 10.5 inches that allows for a knot that will fit a variety of sizes that can be tied tighter or looser!
- Once the knot is tied tightly pull the elastic around to hid the knot in the casing.
Video
Cute and protective. Again I really think this should be a last resort.
But I do see some value letting kiddos play with the mask and wear it around home just so they get used to it in the event that you need it for a serious situation.
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dinosaur game says
Lovely and cute mask. Please wear masks more diligently because from now on we have these special masks.