How to Make a Mask

This is a very basic cloth mask that is easy to sew and comfortable to wear! Grab a sewing machine and some fabric and let's get sewing!

Fabric (any kind, but make it non-irritating, and not too thick)

Pipe cleaner (for the nosepiece)

Elastic (don't need much just about 2 foot)

Thread (for sewing of course)

Sewing Machine

Fabric Cutting Mat

Clear straightedge

Scissors and/or fabric cutter

Iron and Ironing board

Pins (for holding fabric)

2 mask templates (1/2" spaced)

Binder Clip

Fabric Clips

You should always wash any fabric that you are going to use for sewing to pre-shrink the fabric.

Make sure to iron the fabric slowly to remove any wrinkles, so that your cuts are straight and accurate.

Make sure that your fabric is straight on the cutting mat, and use 2 straight edges to create a T at 15" and 7". This will make sure that your cuts are straight. The length will be folded down to create a 2 sided 7.5 inch piece.

Turn the fabric on the "wrong" side and fold sew the top and bottom edges about a 1/4". This should be a zigzag-very long stitch. Don't lock stitch this or worry about the stitches looking bad! No one will ever see this, this is just to ensure that the fabric doesn't fray.

Fold the fabric longways (non-patterned side out) and align the needle right along the edge that you just did. You do not want to sew the edge that you just created, because you want to fold this edge as seen in the second photo

Fold the back of the fabric up to the y-shape that you have created. It will have created a fold behind it as pictured above. I recommend ironing this fold, to keep it from unfolding. It is very difficult to keep folded, believe me.

Use a straight edge and cut two pieces of elastic that are 7.5" long. These will keep the mask on your face.

Insert the elastic into the pocket that you have created in the mask. The first picture is where the elastic should be inside of the mask, and the second shows what it should look like when it has been sewn. It's hard to tell exactly but it should be inside the back side pleat.

After, use the binder clip to hold the elastic in the bottom as shown in picture 3.

Stich it all the way along the edge, and lock stitch both ends. These stitches should be extremely secure.

Repeat this on both sides

To hold the pipe cleaner in the mask, you want to sew a 4 inch pocket into the top of the mask.

You can go ahead and cut your pipe cleaner to be ready for when the mask is done

Turn the mask right side out now.

Using your two mask templates, placed on the front and back of the mask, fold the mask into the pleated shape, and use the fabric clips to hold it into place.

Sew on each side around a 1/4" from the edge

Well done! Now just insert your nosepiece into the sleeve at the top and its ready to wear!