When early on in the COVID 19 lockdown the wearing of face masks was mooted I knew that I would almost certainly be making my own. I had no intention of writing a blog about them though!
Time went on (and on) and I found myself trialling a range of styles for fit, comfort and effectiveness.
This is the version I’m sticking with. I like it because:
- the flap fits under specs and helps prevent steaming
- the pleats under the chin give a snug fit
- its the most comfy one I’ve made.
There are a lot of patterns out there but after posting a picture on instagram I had a few requests for instructions so here there are.
I suggest scrolling down and looking at the images first as they will give you a good sense of what you need to do then read the instructions and come back to them step by step for your first make.
Small: 32 x 22cms (12 5/8 x 8 3/4inches)
Medium: 34 x 23.5cms (13 3/8 x 9 1/4)
Large: 36 x 25cms (14 1/8 x 9 7/8)
The medium is perfect for me and I make the large for my husband.
If you are using a directional fabric cut your rectangle as above with the top of the pattern on the short edge. When you begin the process you will turn the fabric a quarter turn so that the short side is on the right.
Folding to mark up
As you make each fold press with the fingers to make a light crease. Fold in half three times
- from left to right
- from bottom to top
- from right to left.
- Open up the first fold and make a mark at the top edge.
- Fold the right edge to the centre, press the top of the fold, open up and mark.
- Repeat with the left edge.
- Measure and mark 4cms from the bottom right up the right edge.
Mark a slightly curved line between the marker on the side edge to the first marker on the top edge, cut along through the four layers of fabric to make the chin shaping.
Inserting the elastic
Cut two 11cm pieces of elastic. This is ‘face mask elastic’ from Amazon, it’s soft and comfortable.
Pin the elastic pieces in a C shape between the two layers of fabric
Ready to sew.
Pin the elastic in a C shape between the two layers of fabric
Sew a quarter inch seam around the outer edge from X to X. Take care when sewing over the elastic, I sew back and forward over it to keep it securely in place.
Snip triangles from each corner to seep them tidy when the mask is turned through.
Snip little cut into the curved edge to allow for the stretch that curved edges need.
Turning the mask
Using the gap you left in the seam turn the mask to the right side, it’s a little tedious to begin with but once the first bit is through it comes quickly. Have something on hand to push the corners out and run along the inside of the seam. I have a push tool but a pencil, a knitting needle or your seam ripper will do the job. Leave the unsewn corner open for the time being.
Press the mask
Press and make a fold across the top just above the top of the ear elastics to create the nose flap.
Making the chin pleats
- First make a vertical fold down the centre of the mask, press a crease at the bottom and mark.
- Mark either side of this mark at 1inch and 2inches.
- Pinch the mark closest on one side of the centre mark and fold a pleat to the centre and pin in place.
- Do the same on the other side so that you have two pleats. make sure the bottom of the pleats are flush and tidy.
- Make two more pleats by taking the next mark and folding it halfway to the edge of the first pleats.
- Again make sure the bottoms are flush.
Pin the flap in place, making sure the pattern on the front of the mask is the right way up.
You are going to sew around the mask from one side to the other about 1/8th of an inch from the outer edge.
The fabric of the pleat is thick so take care. Pull out the pins as you go. Again at this point I sew forwards and backwards three times to make this seam is secure.
Addition
I’ve added a final step here that makes putting the mask on easier.
Fold the mask in half and pull out the ‘peak’ and press in place.
Sew along the upper edge of the crease to hold the ‘peak’ up permanently.