Face Mask + Pattern to Download

It is a sad truth that a face mask is one of the most needed items nowadays because of the COVID-19 pandemia. However, it's the least we can do to protect ourselves and others, so take out your sewing machines and let's do this! This is one type of the three I make and if you want to add a filter pocket to your mask, here I show you how to.

I also have tutorials on several other types of face masks as well as homemade hand sanitizers and other useful tips on my website, everything is for free and where pattern is needed I provide it to download. I hope to contribute to the awareness and accessibility of protection against covid-19, so please visit the page and make face masks and hand sanitizers for those who cannot make them or afford to buy them themselves.

Supplies

- patterns to download HERE (EDIT: Due to the feedback that the sizes are too small for some of you I added one more size and also divided the files for each pattern to be downloaded separately)

EDIT 2020/05/01: Please read the instructions for the pattern, they are right there for you! By reading them you might avoid some disappointment printing a pattern that is too small for you. Also please check that your 1 inch square is the correct size.

- 100% cotton fabric

- elastic band or cotton lace

- scissors

- needle

- thread

- sewing machine (It’s much easier to sew this mask with a sewing machine but you can sew in hand as well.)

Pattern: There are four sizes - XS-L - all sizes are approximate and I recommend you to cut out the pattern and put it on your face to see if it's not too big or too small. Add 0,5 cm seam allowance on each side. Also, before you print the pattern, make sure the box "Adjust to page" in the print window is unchecked.

For the US-readers. I know the papers in US have a bit different dimensions than those in Europe. My patterns fit the scale of the DIN A4 sheet (standard European) and Sfspfan was so good to share the following advice for those in the US who have trouble printing the pattern: "Using the pdf document: In the print dialog box, there is a 'more settings' option, click on that and then you see a 'scale' option. I changed that to custom and 120%. That got me real close to the 1 inch scale when printing. I tried changing the paper size option from 8 1/2 X 11 to A4, but that didn't seem to change anything. I'm using a Dell laptop/Windows 10 and a Canon Pixma MX922 printer"

Fabric: The material has to be 100% cotton because of the sterilization, especially if you want to donate the mask to a hospital or any other medical facility. However, if you make the mask for yourself, you can replace the lace/string with another material, like elastic band. It can stand boiling water as well as washing on 95 °C, just make sure the band is rather thick (round or flat) so you don’t need to change it after each washing.

Step 1: Pattern and Cutting

Print the pattern (remember, with the “Adjust to page” unchecked!) and cut the shape in desired size twice on the outside fabric and twice on the inside fabric.

Step 2: Sewing

1. Place two shapes right sides together and stitch the round side. Do the same for both layers.

2. When you open the layers now, you will notice it already has the “muzzle” shape.

3. Now place both layers right side together.

4. It’s quite important to pin them, especially the centers of the layers should align.

5. Stitch three sides, leave one short side open.

6. Turn the mask right side out through the unstitched side.

7. Iron well and stitch around all the edges.

Step 3: Tunnel and Elastic

1. Fold the short sides inside just enough to pull an elastic band through the tunnel you create. Stitch.

2. Pull the elastic band through and stitch its ends together.

Step 4: Sterilization

The mask needs to be sterilized after every time you wear it. Place it in a pot with water, don't add any soap. Bring the water to boil and boil the mask for 10 minutes. Take it out, let it dry and iron without steam.

Comments

[magic.healer1]

I am a massage therapist who works with her hands alot, And I love to sew but my free time it's not my free time I'm either cooking for my 94 yr. young husband So in other words he really doesn't look 94 for a lot of my clients say he looks like hes in his late seventies. I started back to work on May 4th But thing is it's I'm not bringing in a whole lot of money which I wish I was but I'm fulfilling everybody's packages that they bought last year. So yes unemployment is helping helps pay my house payment which is a blessing, It's not a lot of friends but Hey it helps. And my question is How much do you charge for your face masks For both sizes?.
I bought some face mask but they are either For people with gigantic face or large ears I have neither one of those I have small slender face with little ears some basically all the face mask I have which I have to wear when I'm doing massages is Very hard to keep on me I have to stop every now and then re adjust them and then use my And cleanser and start all over again which gets really monotonous. Please send me an email to [e-mail]
Again my name is Joy Olsen
I hope this is readable.

[Creative Mom CZ]

Hey Joy, my mask sewing days are over since the masks are almost not needed anymore in my country. Moreover, I was donating, not selling. I am not from the US so I think the best option for you would be to join one of the MANY facebook groups for US-based mask sewers and people who are looking to buy a mask. You will find there not only sellers but also people who are willing to send you a mask or two for free.

[Espe79]

Thank you so much for that pattern! I printed it at 130% (currently in US) and I used your filter pocket hack and additionally added a little tunnel to insert a pipe cleaner for an adjustable fit over the nose. For my 3 year old I used size S and just hemmed the inner layer pocket sides at 1.1 inch to have enough space for the rubber band. (All being a first time sewer). I think you did a really great job with the description, I found it easy to follow :)

[Creative Mom CZ]

Hi, I am so glad I could help! That's a great idea with the pipe pleaner! Later on I started making another mask type with a wire and then also a pleated mask with a short wire at the bridge. I am very glad this worked for you.

[Melodie87]

What seam allowance do you suggest?

[Creative Mom CZ]

Generally I use 0,5 cm/0,19 in. If you thing your fabric could fray a lot use 1 cm/0,39 in.

[Big Mark]

Hi
So by looking at the pattern for let’s say large the bottom line should be about 5”, 5.5” long and small should be about 3”. Is that correct? Forgive me I’m new to this

[Creative Mom CZ]

Hi, sorry, I don't have the printed pattern with me these days but that sounds about right!

[Big Mark]

Thank you 😉

[laura.a.smith5568]

I mass cut out mask pieces for a family and wasted all of the fabric. I should have only practiced on one, as others stated: the mask was extremely small and could fit my eight month old granddaughter, using the Large size! Now I spend time attempting to recreate the pattern, recut, sew, fit, etc. All would have been easier with a reliable pattern.

[Creative Mom CZ]

I'm sorry that happened to you but as was commented here several times: the pattern is scaled for european standardized scale DIN A4. I understand the US scale is different but I just have no way of creating the pattern on US scale. As was stated, it works for the US-readers to print on a 120% scale (one or two even said they prefer 140%). And theb of coirse there are 4 sizes of the pattern. No way the L size fits an 8 month old child.

[lo1s.hitch]

How long are the elastic pieces suppose to be?

[Creative Mom CZ]

It's quite individual for each pface. You can do the following: Cut two 7.9 inch long elastics, pull them through the tunnels and knot the ends to create loops for the ears. Try the mask on. Of it doesn't fit, adjust the knots. If and when it fits, you can wear it with the knots or cut the elastics right under the knots and stitch the ends together.

[Phoenix665]

Very small; will fit a 2-4 year old. But then I saw to print at 120% of original size, and much much bigger. I'll try this one, thanks.

[Creative Mom CZ]

Hi, there are 4 sizes, the 2 largest are definitely not for a child. I suspect the different scales of standardized papers (and therefore, printers) in Europe and the US migh be the issue here because whilst my friends use the pattern without any problems I have comments from the US that the printed patterns come out small. However, there's a comment here from sfspfan who explains how to print it in a correct scale in the US. It's a pity I'm not a sewing professional and I don't know how to make professional patterns, I can't solve the scale problem:-/

[coleencaren]

How many inch of elastic cut for each side?

[Creative Mom CZ]

I cut about 30 cm each. Then I make a knot and see of it fits or if the elastic needs to be shorter. If so, I adjust the knot..

[mtaherkhah]

I'm confused by the photo of the man wearing the white sewn mask. It seems to be upside-down, since most of the fabric is below his chin and his nose is not very well covered. Covering both mouth and nose are the only reasons for masks.

[Creative Mom CZ]

You're right about the size. It's my brother, I didn't want to photograph myself and I asked him to pose for the photo, however, I only had my mask at that point. Kind of hoped it wouldn't be so much visible but it is. The mask isn't upside down, it's just smaller than he needs because I have a smaller face. I will eliminate that photo.

[sfspfan]

I'm having a problem with the printed pattern template - it seems to be too small. I clicked on the download here button, but on the next screen, I don't see an 'adjust to page' option.