How to Sew a Fabric Face Mask Free Pattern

When it comes to an average person using a face mask fit and comfort are high priorities. This homemade face mask pattern was made to fit well for a variety of face shapes while be comfortable and breathable so the wearing won’t need to fiddle with it while out and about. If you don’t sew this No-Sew Face Mask from a t-shirt is a great alternative.

I spent A LOT of time doing research on DIY fabric masks both on how effective they are in protecting individuals as well as the different types available and this is hands down my favorite style for a number of reasons. 

If you just want to get to the tutorial though scroll down. There are a few things I think are important for me to cover before we get to the craftiness. 

Do Fabric Face Mask Work?

I’m not a medical professional so be sure to do your own research. But what I’ve learned from lots of digging is that while cloth masks are not the first choice for a hospital setting, for regular folk running errands who are trying to save medical grade masks for the professionals and sick they are a good option for community health if worn properly.

Even still out of desperation for a lack of protection some medical facilities are requesting cloth masks because they do offer a level of, albeit imperfect,  perfection. Most places have specific requirements for what they can use so please make sure to double check if you want to make masks for donations.

How Do You Properly Wear a Face Mask?

First off when using cloth face masks the only negative concerns (aside from not being as great as N95 masks) was that germs *could* build up. But this seemed to be from using the masks for prolonged periods (like wearing all day or for medical workers wearing them for a whole shift).

For the average person practicing social distancing and venturing out for very rare instances of grocery shopping or other essential activities, this shouldn’t be as big of a worry as long as a clean mask is used every single outing AND the mask is immediately removed and washed after the quick public encounter. Again this is not medical advice this is just my understanding based on reading many articles written by medical professionals. Please do your own research. 

What Style Face Mask is Best?

I tried a ton of different styles in masks in multiple styles. This type of mask was hands down my family’s favorite. If you are in higher risk of exposure situations I recommend using high quality 100$ cotton woven (non-stretchy) quilting cotton as that has shown to be the best easily accessible fabric for filtering. If you are not and have a larger nose you could try a 100% knit fabric for better stretch and conformity (that’s the kind my husband likes).

The no-stretchy fabric will at first seem slightly less uncomfortable than the knit but if you will be face to face with people it’s a good option AND from my experiences in the long run more comfortable and gets less hot since it keeps it’s shape and allows for more airflow than the flimsy knits. Just please keep your hands off your face

Some of the other styles looked more contoured to the face and I assumed I would like those but in reality they were not very comfortable (I worried about face touching) and left more gaps on my face. For my husband, even with tons of tweaks, I couldn’t get the contoured (with the stitching down the front that kind of looks like a bra cup) over the nose style it to fit him at all! And while my 6 year old love that version of the mask because I used koala fabric he ripped it off within 20 seconds because it was not comfortable. 

But the style I’m sharing in this post,  is both comfortable and flexible in fit.  If you have knit fabric or even old knit clothing you’re willing to cut up I highly recommend this style but keep in mind if it’s not 100% it will get hotter! That being said I am updating my opinion and now I’m a fan of using 100%quilting cotton all around. It’s just the best for coverage, comfort, and longer term breathability to be best in this one.

How to Make a Cloth Face Mask

I tried very hard to make this a very simplified construction. It was my hope that if people wanted to make many of them for their friends, family and community members that I would keep things fast and easy.

What that means is that I left out finishing steps like top-stitching or making all the details hidden between layers of fabric. I went for the quick and dirty but still does the job if that makes sense.

So you perfectionist feel free to tweak things as you want. Just know I was aiming for ease and speed not beauty ;) 

What You Need to Make a Fabric Mask

I am including amazon affiliate links on the supply list for convenience but you can get these supplies at a variety of places. 

Knit or stretchy fabric in a high cotton fiber content is a great option. Make sure to have the highest stretch of the fabric positioned so it will stretch across the face. Get my cutting and marking guide sent to your email.

• Fabric (see variations for how to make one out of quilting fabric or other woven/nonstretchy fabric verse stretchy cotton). Try to use 100% cotton when possible. This is the most breathable option. I have made a few out of 95% cotton 5% polyester and while they are okay for very short term use the 100% cotton are my favorite and did not frustrate me after over an hour long walk talking with my family.
• Elastic or stretchy material (I used 1/4 inch elastic since I had that on hand but 1/8 inch elastic, ribbon elastic, elastic cording, extra lengths of knit fabric to make loops, or anything similar would work)
• Loop turner (my personal fabric tool), bobkin, or a safety pin
• Pattern available in the files section of my FB group or get access via email here (optional)
• And if you are looking for a great inexpensive sewing machine this is my favorite I’ve recommended them and sew on them myself!

How to Sew a Fabric Face Mask

Watch the video to see the steps but here is also a written out version. I would love to help you if you get hung up on any step. Feel free to join my free FB group and ask any questions (or just hang out with other awesome creative folk).

1. Go here to get access to the printable pattern access emailed to you. 
2. Cut the fabric.
   1. adult size: cut two 6X11 inch pieces. (If using a knit make sure the stretch goes across the 11 inch side of the pieces since this will be the width of the fabric to stretch across the face.) To save time you can cut one 12×11 piece and you’ll only have one side to sew in the next step, this is great if you are making a bunch this is how I now make all of mine!
   2. child size: cut two 5×9 inch pieces (or one 10×9). To save time you can cut one 12×11 piece and you’ll only have one side to sew in the next step, this is great if you are making a bunch.
3. With right sides  together sew or serge the top and bottom edges together with a 1/4 inch seam allowance. 
4. Turn right side out and iron. 
5. If you are using a woven fabric and have a serger, serge down both short sides (yes you are serving the sides together and finishing the edges) if using a knit or if you don’t have a serger skip this step.
6. Mark the dark points with a fabric marker or pin. Use the cutting guide you can get 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.
   1. To mark without the guide fold the fabric in half length wise then widthwise.
   2. Then fold one side over again widthwise and mark this will be the point of the dart.
   3. Mark the other end of the dart half way between the folded edge and the top edges when folded in half.
   4. You can see me doing the marking in the video it sounds more confusing to type out but makes sense if you watch.
7. Sew the darts. Make sure to backstitch to keep them nice and secure. 
8. Fold the darts down.
9. Fold the side ends of the mask over 1/2 inch and sew in place with a 1/8 seam allowance. If using woven fabric and you skipped step 5 do this step with a zigzag stitch making sure to go over the end edge of the fabric, this will keep it from unraveling. If you serged it already or are using knit the will not be a problem. Be sure to backstitch at both ends. 
10. Thread elastic pieces through the casings you just made. I cut the elastic to 11 inches that allows for a knot that will fit a variety of sizes that can be tied tighter or looser!
11. If it is for someone you can fit it to hold the mask to their face and knot the elastic to make a great fit. If it is a gift knot loosely and stop on this step. Have your recipient fit it to themselves after they receive it.
12. Once the knot is tied tightly pull the elastic around to hid the knot in the casing.

Mask Variations 

Just in case you want to know how to use different materials than what I did here are some suggestions that may work. If you have other ideas please leave them in the comments and I can update this for others.

• Tie options (if you prefer to have ties over the head instead of ear loops you can make a long tie from fabric, use longer pieces of elastic, or even ribbon).
• To save on elastic you can sew the elastic onto the side of the mask but this isn’t a great option if you are gifting the masks since you want to have a snug fit and this would not be adjustable in the same way that my regular technique is.
• Elastic alternatives: knit fabric made into straps, socks cut tubes cut in rings, nylons cut in rings, office rubber bands, hair rubber bands, all different kinds of unusual elastic (lace, swim, cording, etc.), ace bandages cut lengthwise to make long strips of elastic.

I hope this helps some of you that have been stressed about trying to help slow the spread of things down.

Please let me know if you have any questions or suggestions I would love to keep improving this resource!

I will be updating it later with child sizing too so make sure to pin this and come check back or sign up for my mailing list so you don’t miss it!

How to Sew a Fabric Face Mask

Print Project

Pin Project

Supplies 

• Fabric
• Elastic or stretchy material
• loop turner bobkin, or a safety pin
• Pattern available in the files section of my FB group or get access via email here  optional

Instructions

• Get access to the printable pattern emailed to you https://www.raegunramblings.com/mailing-list-sign-up/
• Cut the fabric into two 6X11 inch pieces making sure the stretch goes across the long side of the pieces for an teen or adult size mask
• For a child size mask: cut two 5x9 inch pieces.
• With right sides  together sew or serge the top and bottom edges together with a 1/4 inch seam allowance.
• Turn right side out and iron.
• Mark the dark points with a fabric marker or pin. Use the cutting guide you can get 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 then 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.
• Fold the side ends of the mask over 1/2 inch and sew in place with a 1/8 seam allowance. If using 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.
• Thread elastic pieces through the casings you just made. I cut the elastic to 11 inches that allows for a knot that will fit a variety of sizes that can be tied tighter or looser!
• If it is for someone you can fit it to hold the mask to their face and knot the elastic to make a great fit. If it is a gift knot loosely and stop on this step. Have your recipient fit it to themselves after they receive it.
• Once the knot is tied tightly pull the elastic around to hid the knot in the casing.

Video

Notes

• To save time you can cut one 12x11 piece and you'll only have one side to sew in the next step, this is great if you are making a bunch.
• Tie options (if you prefer to have ties over the head instead of ear loops you can make a long tie from fabric, use longer pieces of elastic, or even ribbon).
• To save on elastic you can sew the elastic onto the side of the mask but this isn’t a great option if you are gifting the masks since you want to have a snug fit and this would not be adjustable in the same way that my regular technique is.
• Elastic alternatives: knit fabric made into straps, socks cut tubes cut in rings, nylons cut in rings, office rubber bands, hair rubber bands, all different kinds of unusual elastic (lace, swim, cording, etc.), ace bandages cut lengthwise to make long strips of elastic.

Love this recipe?Follow @RaeGunRamblings or tag #RaeGunRamblings!

You also may like: 

In a pinch? This no-sew face mask from a tee shirt is quick and actually stays in place great!

Tons of quick and easy sewing tutorials!

I love reading and here are TONS of books perfect for fans of Young Adult books so great for the teens and tweens as well as the adults who love fun stories like Harry Potter!

Best Spinach Artichoke dip recipe and it’s so so easy you can make it in the crock pot or on the stove.

Super delicious 3 ingredient corn bread recipe!