How To Sew a Face Mask (Step by Step GIFs): Style One
So you've decided to make your own face mask! This is awesome for three reasons: 1) it's WAY better for the environment than using disposable masks, 2) you can make your mask super stylish or to match your outfits, and 3) doing a little DIY project is good for the soul. Now let's get started.
Keep in mind that this is one of two styles, so check out this tutorial if you prefer the second style. Now let's get sewing! Or if sewing isn't your thing, you can make a no-sew mask from a t-shirt (see here for style one or style two). To see all tutorials for making face masks, check out our complete guide.
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What you will need
This is what your mask will look like when it's finished! Before you get started, these are the materials you will need to have:
- Fabric (preferably something breathable like 100% cotton). You can use the same fabric for both sides of the mask or you can use different kinds of fabric to make the mask reversible. You will need two 10 inch X 10 inch pieces of fabric for each side of the face mask (all together four pieces).
- Elastic string (no more than 12 inches is required)
- Sharp scissors
- Sewing pins or pegs
- An iron and ironing board or something to iron on top of
- A piece of printer paper
- Tailor chalk (but a led pencil will work fine)
- Thread to sew the mask with
- Either a sewing machine or a sewing needle, depending on if you're masking the mask by hand or sewing machine
Once you've gathered all these items, you're ready to get started! Side note: if you are sewing by hand and have never sewed before, here's a tutorial to get you started.
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Step 1
This pattern determines the size your mask will be. If you have a printer, print this pattern out and cut out the mask suitable for your size. If you don't have a printer, you can trace the pattern from a laptop screen, or you can try to freehand draw the pattern. Keep in mind that there is a size reference in the corner, so make sure you align the size reference properly to get the right size face mask.
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Step 2
Once you have printed or drawn the pattern, cut out the shape from plain paper.
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Step 3
Now you need your fabric. Cut out two squares of each color of fabric (four squares in total) that are at least a few inches larger than the mask pattern. Then place the two pieces of the same fabric together with the wrong side* facing out and the right sides facing inwards.
*All patterned or colored fabrics have a right and wrong side. The right side is more colorful and vibrant: it's the side that is meant to be seen. The wrong side is the underside of the fabric, or the side that was not printed on: it will not be as colorful or vibrant as the other side.
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Step 4
Place both colors of fabric on a flat surface (wrong side facing out). Put the mask pattern on top of one color of fabric (containing two pieces) and using your fabric marker or led pencil, outline the longest, curved side of the pattern. Do the same to both colors of fabric.
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Step 5
Using a sewing machine or a sewing needle, stitch along the curved mark you made on both colors of fabric.
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Step 6
Keeping the pattern in place on the fabric with your hand or pins, cut out around the pattern leaving about 1 or 2 cm width from the pattern. Do the same to both colors of fabric.
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Step 7
Take the pattern away from the fabric. Lay the fabric on your ironing board and open up the top side of the seam you sewed. You want to iron this small piece of fabric away from the seam.
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Step 8
Flip the fabric over and do the same on the other side: iron the small piece of fabric along the curved edge away from the seam. Now the fabric on both sides of the seam will naturally fall away from the seam, making it more comfortable to wear.
Iron the fabric away from the seams on both colors of fabric.
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Step 9
Leave one color of fabric as it is (wrong sides facing out). On the other colored fabric, turn it inside out so the right side of the fabric is facing out. Now slot the second piece of fabric into the first one. One inserted inside properly, the edges of the two pieces should be exactly the same size. If your piece looks wrong, make sure that it was not inserted upside down.
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Step 10
Open up the mask, with the wrong side facing upwards. Pin or peg the pieces together on every edge.
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Step 11
Now stitch along the top and bottom edges of the mask. It is best to use a straight stitch on a sewing machine. It's always good to leave a 1 or 1.5 cm gap between the edge of the fabric and the line you are stitching. Do this when you sew along the top and bottom edges.
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Step 12
Once you have sewed the top and bottom edges, you will make a few small snips along the 1 cm gap you left between the stitching and the fabric's edge. Make about 6 small snips along each side, making sure that you don't cut into the stitching. The purpose of making these small cuts is to make the mask more flexible to wear.
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Step 13
Now cut a small V shape on the top and bottom edges of the center seam (where your nose will go). Be sure to stay away from the stitching: you're only cutting off excess fabric to make the mask easier to wear.
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Step 14
Now turn your mask inside out and smooth down the sides. The right side of the fabric will be facing outwards now.
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Step 15
Time to use the iron again. Gently iron along the outside edges of the mask so that it flattens into the natural shape it will take. Before ironing the left and right sides (which will sit on your cheeks/near your ears), fold in both colors of the fabric so the frayed, unsewed edges are tucked inside. Then iron over this new fold to keep it in place.
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Step 16
Now it's time to measure your elastic string, which will go over your ears. Follow the measurements written above and cut the elastic accordingly, making two pieces for each ear. You can also pin or peg the elastic in place and measure it on your head to make sure it feels right.
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Step 17
You should have two pieces of elastic. Take one piece and tuck it into the top corner of one side of the mask. Pin or peg it in place. Then tuck the end of the elastic into the bottom corner of the mask. Only about 1 cm of elastic should be inside the mask - just enough for you to sew over.
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Step 18
Now attach the elastic to the other side.
You have two options for the elastic:
- If you want the elastic to sit right behind your ears, simply attach the second piece of elastic as you attached the first piece. Measure the pinned elastic on your head to make sure it's the right size, or make adjustments. You should have to take some length off the elastic.
- If it irritates you to have the elastic resting behind your ears, this option makes the elastic go over your ears sit on the back of your head. There will not be any pressure on your ears from the elastic. To make this version, pin the elastic into the top corner of the mask, then loop the elastic through the other piece of elastic to make an X shape. Now pin the end of the elastic into the bottom corner of the mask.
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Step 19
Once the elastic is pinned into all four corners of the mask edges, sew around all edges of the mask. To make your mask look professional, leave about 0.5 to 1 cm gap between the stitching and the mask's edge, and make sure it is the same width the entire way around. When sewing over the elastic (which is tucked in to the sides), just make sure that the elastic is pointing in the right direction. You can't change it after sewing it, and you don't want it to be wonky.
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Step 20
Cut off the spare bits of thread and open up your mask. You're all done! Good on you for ditching disposable masks and helping the environment out. If you want to watch the video for this tutorial, see the YouTube video below.
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