Masks

I have been making masks since last April due to the coronavirus pandemic. I started with masks with ties and have now found a mask that everyone in my circle seems to like so, I am sharing the pattern and the pictures of what it looks like during the process. I predict mask wearing will continue to be common place for awhile. I make 4-6 masks per week – they are washable in hot water loads, then I throw them in the dryer and iron them flat. I wear the masks for one full day and then I launder them.

Step 1:
Cut two pieces of cotton fabric 11 1/4 inches x 7 1/4 inches for an adult sized mask or 9 1/4″ by 6 1/4″ for a child-sized mask. (You can also measure from ear-to-ear and adjust the mask size for a custom fit).
Cut a 5″ strip out of a shopping bag (Green Dollar Store bags work great or any re-usable shopping bag) because they are the right type of fabric for the middle layer (it isn’t seen and so words or letters don’t matter)..you can make the strip as wide as you want. I usually make mine quite wide (6″) but 4-5 inches is sufficient.

Step 2:
Layer the fabric right sides together and place the middle layer of shopping bag fabric on the piece of fabric that will eventually become the inside of the mask (the one against your face). Pin them together.

Step 3:
Measure 2 3/8″ for adult and 2″ for a child from each corner. Join the “dots” and cut off the four corners.

Step 4:
Starting at what will be the bottom of the mask (be careful if you mask has a pattern on it), sew an 1/8″ seem around the outside, leaving a slit to turn the mask. Make sure that you catch all the layers of fabric. Trim the corners and any excess fabric off the sides. Turn right-side out and press the mask. I use a crochet hook to ensure that I have poked out all the corners.

Step 5:
Insert the nose wire (I buy them at Fabricland but, you can use bag ties) and lay it along the top of the mask. Sew a seam that is wide enough just below the wire to encase it in the mask. Sew a 1/8″ seam around the outside edge of the entire mask on the right side of the mask (make sure that you push the wire out of the way on the top so that it doesn’t catch in the seam).

Step 6:
With right side down, fold the mask into thirds from the upper and lower corners. Press the folds. Sew a very small seam along each fold.

Step 7:
Fold each end of the mask back as shown in the pictures below, clip and sew down to create the space for the elastic. Be sure to press with steam at this point and try to sew as straight a line as possible.

Step 8:
Cut two lengths of elastic (11″ for adult and 9″ for child size). Tie each elastic.
Fold over the end of each side of the mask and press. Insert the elastic and pull to the edge. Sew the flap down. I sew it twice for strength (once each way). Do not catch the elastic in the seam. This is important because you want to be able to replace the elastic when it gets tired.

Step 9: Pull the elastic sew the knot is inside the flap. Your mask is complete…trim the threads and off you go.