How To Make A Face Mask

        Picture Illustrations of sewing a Face Mask 

Finished Face Mask

See bobby pin on the side. Fully opened and flattened out as much as possible.

 You will need 100% cotton fabric, narrow elastic, thread, a bobby pin, a ruler and scissors.

Shows a bobby pin opened widely and flattened, then slid through a casing formed in the seam allowance.

Attach narrow elastic pieces to an 8" x 9" cotton fabric. Place the elastic 5/8" from the top and 5/8" from the side, then swing piece down and attach 5/8" from the bottom and 5/8" from the same side.

Fold under the seam allowance about 1/4" and sew along unfinished edge. This will form a casing for the bobby pin. Fold under twice and form a narrow finished edge on the bottom.

Now you have a casing for the bobby pin and a finished edge for the opening at the bottom.

Center the smaller piece of fabric on the larger piece with right sides together, sew using a 5/8" seam. Cut the corner seam allowances at an angle. Keep an opening at the center of the bottom. This is where you will turn it right-side-out.

For a large mask use the 9" as the width. For a smaller mask use the 8" as the width. Insert the opened, flattened bobby pin into the casing. Center the bobby pin, then sew the seam allowance where the bobby pin ends. This will keep the bobby pin from sliding.

When you have turned the fabric right-side-out, this is what it will look like. The elastic straps will help you pull the corners out.

Make three 1/2" depth pleats, then pin in place

Pleats are 1/2" deep

Use a zipper foot. The width of the zipper foot is used for top stitching through all layers.

Leave an opening in the middle of the bottom edge. An air filter, or a disposable face mask can be inserted inside.

Read through all instructions first. Then cut out two pieces of 8" x 9" cotton fabric.
Assemble your supplies.
Refer back to pictures and instructions as needed.
Keep safe, isolated, and busy making face masks for family, friends, and health care professionals.
Keep washing your hands and keep your hands away from eyes, nose, and mouth.
We can get through this!

This is the latest version of face mask that I have been making.
It fits a smaller face better, and can be pulled up tighter with the tie straps.

More are prepped and ready to sew. I believe the general public will be wearing these to the grocery store and pharmacy for a while yet. Stay Home-Stay Safe!