Face Mask tutorial with ties

Many of you have asked me for a simple DIY face mask tutorial since the CDC recommended wearing them.

I held off on doing a tutorial earlier on face masks but I have now made several different ones and made a few changes to come up with one that my daughter likes. She is the one going to the grocery store and I want her to be protected as much as possible.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has now officially recommended that everyone but infants should wear a cloth mask or face covering in certain public settings so many of us are making face masks for friends and family.

Something I don’t have in my stash is elastic so I have been making masks with ties. You can either cut four separate ties or make two long ones.

If you would prefer to print out the instructions, there is a pdf below for you. I also have links at the end of this post for other patterns and important information.

I made the masks a little wider so they will work well for men. The size I made for my daughter is shown at the end, the fabrics are cut one inch shorter in width.

This pattern has 2 layers of fabric and a pocket in which you can add additional layers of disposable filtration material if desired.

Materials

• Prewash your fabrics
• Cotton fabrics including batiks
  • one – 11-inch x 9-inch (this makes the larger size mask)
  • one – 11-inch x 6½-inch (this makes the larger size mask)
  • 1¾-inch strips for binding
• 7 inch – Wire, pipe cleaner, twist tie or flexible garden tie

Finish one long edge on each piece. You can zig-zag the edges, use a serger or turn under ¼ inch twice and topstitch.

Place right sides together, sew with a ¼” seam allowance. Mark approximately 2½” on each side and leave the center open.

Press and turn right side out. Fold the front fabric to the back about ½ inch. Press the fold line.

Now fold back with right sides facing and sew the bottom seam with ¼ seam allowance.

Notice the fold line is not at the top, do not press it.

Fold on the fold line and press, the front fabric will show on the bottom. Press that also.

Ties

Cut four 18 inch – 1 3/4 inch strips. Fold in half lengthwise and press. Open up and then press each side toward the center. Fold and press. Topstitch each tie.

Align each tie inside the mask at each corner, pin, and stitch a ¼” seam allowance on each side. Your ties will be inside (I hadn’t tucked two of them in yet).

Turn the mask right side out and press.

Next, add the 7-inch piece of nose wire inside of the mask.

Sew close to the wire but don’t hit it.

Your pleats should fold downward

• Make the pleats starting 1″ from the bottom on either side.
• Fold the pleats with approximately the following spacing: 1″, ½”, 1″, ½”, 1″.
• You want the sides to be about 3 – 3½ inches.
• Topstitch the pleats and the bottom of the mask.
• I used Clover Wonder Clips to hold my pleats.

You can place a filter inside the mask through the opening in the back.

Note: if you would prefer to add the binding at the end, cut two 38-inch strips. Fold and press but don’t stitch until you fold the binding over the edges of the mask.

Use the following measurements for a mask that fits a smaller face.

You can also cut binding the width of your fabric and add the binding as the final step. Here are two made that way.

I have been making most of my masks with wire for a flexible nose piece. You can use pipe cleaners, wire, twist ties but my favorite is the flexible garden tie that I bought at the Dollar Tree store. If you have one near you I would recommend getting it. I looked online but it seems like you have to buy a case of it right now.

I also found the garden tie on Amazon but the price is higher. If you don’t have any other access then this might be an option.

Download the free DIY Face Mask tutorial

Stay safe and healthy my friends!

More information for you

Here is a great video for making the same type of mask.

The CDC has information and guidlines on using cloth face coverings to help preventing you from getting sick. There are also several patterns for masks.

Visit WeNeedMasks.org to look at their database of places that need masks. Some have a specific style of mask needed and patterns.

Joann Fabric has several patterns and information also.

Julie from The Crafty Quilter has an excellent tutorial for a different style of mask.