DIY Fitted Face Mask
What has everyone been up to?! Yes, do not roll your eyes… I have a lot of fabric and abundance of ideas. I’m just keeping hands busy and mind content. My gift to you; a DIY fitted face Mask with pattern.
Yes, I know!
I know, I know; before you tell me that this mask will not replace a N95, I know. Depending what fabric you use will depend on the amount of particulates it will filter. There is some interesting data here. I’m not a scientist, but I can draft a pattern.
I’m a maker, and spending safe time in my house I wanted to be productive and make a difference for those I care for if even just a tiny bit. DISCLAIMER: I am not giving any assurance that this will protect you from all airborne virus or like. Research carefully and make your own decisions.
My main purpose is to make a mask that fits me as I like. My international students have the etiquette to wear masks even in the best of times many years ago and I have marvelled at how stylish and comfortable some are.
You will need:
- Fabric (t-shirt knits, tight weave cotton, dish towel fabric, vacuum bags)
- Thin elastic (1/8″ – 1/4″)
- soft bendable wire
- sewing machine, thread scissors…
- PATTERN
Using my ‘mug’ and a mask I designed this pattern (print full size, no reduction on letter size paper) to fit over the nose and give space for the lips. Yes, it has a seam down the middle, you choose. Some have pleats and are quite flat. I find the leakage around the nose can be a problem, and this has a wire shaping as well.
In my research for fabric and material I found that vacuum bags provide good filtration. I do have some HEPA vacuum bags, which have 3 layers. One thing to consider is comfort and breathability and the vacuum bags work quite well.
UPDATE: I am getting a lot of comments about the possibility that these vacuum bags have fibreglass in them. It seems to be a debate, so please choose wisely. This article also addresses it.
One way to help make them more efficient is to layer, as I did here with 3 layers. Cut 2 pieces of each layer. Such a great way to use up some of the scraps of ice-dyed t-shirt fabric.
Easy Assembly:
Double up 2 layers and with right sides together, sew the front centre seam. Sew a 3/8″ centre seam of lining as well.
Since every face is different, it a good idea to make a test one. Adjust as you like from there. Here centre seam is sewn.
To keep the shape I press open the centre seam and stitch flat.
This will keep the form of the mask firm.
Since the seams may get thick trim back at top and bottom.
Just like a Pillow:
To join the inside to the outside, is much like making a pillow; sew all the way around (right sides together) and leave an opening to turn right side out.
Note: If you want to attach elastic before turning add to each piece at dots marked on pattern and loop inside. I like the option of adding later so that adjustments can be made; your choice.
After sewing clip corners off without cutting stitches and trim seam allowance as close as possible.
Such a nice shape:
Turn right side out and push corners out with a chopstick or skewer.
The nose bridge fits better if wire is inserted. I used a thin floral wire that it a slight bit stronger than a twist tie. Bend in the ends for safety. An alternate way is to use wired ribbon. Another great option is to use strips cut from tin cans (like the top flap of a sardine can or tomato can) See this post for details on how to make it iron-in.
Before top stitching the perimeter of the mask, insert the wire as close to edge as possible and pin/clip. Top stitch all around and close the opening.
To add elastic after turning loop a bit under so it is 2x secure and stitch on.
UPDATE: Due to some shortage of elastic, An alternate is using some t-shirt fabric cut in 3/4″ strips. It rolls when pulled and has some stretch and is soft on the ears. You can also adapt this Pattern to have a casing and open ends for filter pocket. See this post.
The Form & Fit:
The fit is quite comfortable. To size smaller a slight reduction in print size can work.
Everyones nose is different! If you like, you can reduce the height as seen on pattern. The nose wire can be shaped well to fit around your’s.
I wear glasses so I always find issues when wearing my masks for concreting! Yup, when you are a ‘designer’ you are much fussier!
If you would like an even flatter fit over the nose for glasses see this pattern as an adaptation of this pattern. We are all quite different (imagine how many fits of jeans we have)
This mask scoops under that chin of mine as well!
TADA! I can feel a bit better. I especially like the ‘vacuum bag’ face masks. They should be cleaned washed after each use. I would not just through them in the washer due to the wire. If you put them in a bag the heat of the dryer will hopefully kill anything.
Some more effectiveness can also be had by spraying the fitted face mask with a solution of citric acid and allowing to dry. Leaving them in the sun lets the UV also disinfect. Again, do your research and make good choices.
I’d rather be making pretty things than medical supplies or a fitted face mask… But this gives a bit of comfort anyways. DO be careful out there my friends!
See the look in my eyes!? The wonder, the caution, the hope of better times soon… but as a very very wise person said to me quite often; things coud be much worse so be grateful.
Yup, it’s odd, I’m a grandma now but I really wish my ‘Mommy’ was here to reassure me right now…
As a chid I used to watch my mom design fashionable hats from scratch; so now it’s my destiny to design some masks… like this and this.
Thank you so much for sharing this! I’m going to make some for my husband (diesel mechanic who has to be near/inside trucks that have been all over the country) and friends who are in other “essential” jobs right now. I know they don’t give the same protection, but some in my opinion is better than the current none at all… I have a question though. I have whole bolt of Pellon stabilizer (70 peltex 100% polyester), I’ve seen some using Pellon for filters (the polypropylene though) and was wondering if what I have might work for filters? Thanks again for the pattern!
Being more of a maker I can’t really comment on that. It’s quite difficult to determine exactly how dense a fabric is for letting particle through. Try to ask the manufacturer… Good luck
Thank you so much for the pattern. I am having trouble understanding how it’s possible to turn the mask inside out once you’ve sewn the center seam through all four pieces. Am I not understanding this instruction correctly: “Double up 2 layers and with right sides together, sew the front centre seam.” Do you mean sew the center seam separately for each pair of mask halves?
Yes, sew the middle seam of both the inside and outside pieces. Then sew around the outside leaving a little opening to turn inside out. I hope that helps.
Thank you for this pattern! To clarify…in your photo with the 3 layers of fabric, is the white material the filter layer and the black the “inside” piece (touching your face)? So you would sew the middle seam on all three layers separately or would you sew the filter layer in with the outer (print) layer?
In that one it was 3 layers, no filter material. When I used the filter I sandwiched with the outside layer. It also depends how well you can breathe through the multiple layers.
I love your pattern! Can you make one with a pouch so you can remove the Hepa Filter when you want to wash the mask? That would be WONDERMOUS! THANKS SO MUCH!!!
Adapt it as you like! That’s the beauty of making them yourself!!!
So sew middle of outside fabric. Then sew middle of inside fabric?
Layer faces together then stitch middle again then border?
I still don’t understand how you can turn it inside out when there are 2 halves after sewing the middle seam and before the outer seam. If the middle seam is together before doing the outer seam you cant flip it inside out. Some more clarification would be nice as you have all 4 pieces together before you are sewing the outer seam.
Thank you though for this because I work at Target and I wear glasses and was hoping to have a mask that I could wear.
Once the centre front seams are sewn for the inside layer and outside layer, then sew the outer edge seam (with small opening)
Do you sell these? I do not see nor have the time to try. I just want to purchase a couple.
I’m sorry I don’t sell them. Maybe someone more local is making some. I wish you luck.
Anyway you can send a picture of the mask pattern, the download site wants my credit card information and I don’t trust it.
nope credit card needed, I’ve emailed it…
I do hope you know that vacuum bags (even the HEPA filter ones) contain fiberglass and that you will be inhaling it, and it could cause greater lung issues if you get the virus!!
I can’t guarantee that but then those vacuums would be blowing that air into your house wouldn’t it?
My family and I clean, which is considered an “essential” service currently but we still want to be safe. I had a couple disposable masks from last year’s allergy season (I have terrible allergies) left but I need to make masks for us now. I’m making these tomorrow and I have a question! At what point is the vacuum bag added? I can improvise I’m sure but yeah. I think maybe I missed that part? Also, how about the shaping of the bag? Same as all other pieces and I sew it like that white middle piece of fabric you used? Questions questions. Sorry. I just want to do it well without the struggle lol. Already tired enough without fighting with my sewing machine before my long work week.
I have gotten some comments that the vacuum bags may contain fibreglass. It’s hard to decipher what is reliable info these days. Maybe just use some dense fabric. I offer a pattern to help but sadly can’t be the scientist about the rest.
Hi thanks so much for posting your fabulous pattern. Would you please be able to let me know the measurements on the pattern though? I don’t have a printer and couldn’t see any measurements on the sample. Thanks again Vanessa
The squares in the background are 1″ squares, so that should help to ‘grid it’ without the use of a printer. Hope that helps!
God Bless you for posting this wonderful pattern for free in these trying times!
Should have known you would come up with great pattern Barb! Thank you for putting this one out there to share with everyone! Bless you sweet Lady!
Hi Barb. Thank you for posting this. I’m a fashion designer and am working on making masks here in France to help out with the situation. I’m doing it through a fashion brand. A lot of friends have been asking me for a pattern so I send them a link here. We are all grateful as I don’t have the time to explain, this tutorial is perfect. ❤️
Anh
Very cool! Anything to help!
Thank you for creating such a great pattern.
I did a little research about using a hepa filter vacuum bag as a filter layer in the mask. Apparently hepa filters have glass fiber particles in them that can get in the lungs and are bad to breathe through. Here is a link to a doctor talking about this. https://youtu.be/qiYbXsIcI7E
Just wanted to let people know.