Festive Face Coverings

Face coverings are now part of our everyday outfits when we go to the grocery store, to work in the office, to the bank and more!

Featured are two popular patterns for DIY face masks: an origami style and a traditional tri-fold style. Get festive with your fabric choices to be ready for the holiday season!

NOTE: Current government health agency recommendations advise using non-fusible interfacing or polypropylene for the filter/3rd layer of your handmade face masks.

Masks made using this DIY are not medical-grade quality and do need to be laundered after each use.

Origami (3D) Fabric Face Mask DIY

Supplies Needed:
– 2 or 3 pieces – 10”W (25cm) x 8.5” H (22cm) of 100% cotton
USE: 1x face fabric, 1x lining, 1x inner 3rd layer*
– 2 pieces – 2” (5cm) x 4” (10cm) of same 100% cotton
USE: elastic casings
– 2 pieces – 9” (23 cm) narrow elastic
– Nose Wire (Optional)
– Sewing Machine & Thread
– Scissors or Rotary Cutter & Mat
– Ruler
– Sewing pins
– Iron

*Optional inner 3rd layer can be:
lightweight non-woven interfacing
polypropylene
100% cotton

Suggested elastic size/type:
1/8” (3mm) braided or knit
1/4″ (6mm) braided or knit
1/8” (3mm) elastic cord

What To Do

1. With right sides together sew seam along top & bottom. *If using the inner 3rd layer, put it on top of the lining so when flipped it will be in between the face and lining.
2. Turn so right sides are out. Press. Edge stitch along top & bottom edges.
3. Optional pocket for nose wire: Center pocket along top edge. Size will depend on the nose wire. Sew along 1 short end & long edge. Insert nose wire. Sew to close pocket.
4. Fold top edge down 1.5” (3.5 cm) press, edge stitch.
5. Measure in 3/4” (2cm) at each corner. Cut off corners.
6. On both sides, measure down 3” (7.5 cm) from top edge (‘A’) and 4” (10cm) from top edge (‘B’).
7. On both sides, fold bottom corner up to mark ‘A’ and top corner down to mark ‘B’. Sew to secure.
8. Add casings: Using a 2”x4” casing piece, center long edge on one side, right sides together. Fold over to enclose sides and stitch. Press. Fold edge 1/4” fold over. Edge stitch. Feed elastic through casing. Knot or sew and move knot/seam into casing.

Tri-Fold Fabric Face Mask DIY

Materials
• 0.25m of 100% cotton fabric – tightly woven, such as quilter’s cotton
This will give you two, self-lined masks.
• 0.5m of 1/8″ elastic or fabric ties
• Optional Filter – lightweight non-woven interfacing or polypropylene

Tools
• sewing machine & thread
• scissors or rotary cutter & mat
• ruler
• sewing pins or clips

What To Do

Cut the fabric. For an adult size mask that is self lined cut 1 rectangle 16″ long and 8.5″ wide. If using two different fabrics, cut one 8.5” square out of each fabric. Cut 2 pieces of elastic, each 7″ long. Or, cut 4 fabric ties 18″ long. For a child-size mask that is self lined, cut 1 fabric rectangle 14″ long and 6.5″ wide. If using two different fabrics, cut one 6.5” square out of each fabric. Then, cut 2 pieces of elastic, each 6″ long.

Prep mask and pocket opening. For self lined mask, fold the fabric in half, with the right sides together. Sew along the 8.5″ width edge, the top edge, using a 5/8″ seam allowance, leaving a 4 inch opening for filter insert and for the mask to be turned right side out after sewing side seams. Press the top seam open. Topstitch or zigzag stitch along both sides of the seam for a neater edge.

If using two different fabrics, put two rectangles right sides together. Sew along the 8.5” width edge, the top edge, using a 5/8” seam allowance, leaving a 4 inch opening for the filter insert and for the mask to be turned right side out after sewing the side seams. Press the top seam open. Topstitch or zigzag stitch along both sides of the seam for a neater edge. Sew the bottom seam.

Elastic or Fabric Ties. Pin one piece of elastic to each side of the mask, one end to the top corner and one end to the bottom corner. If using fabric ties, pin one tie to each corner. The rest of the elastic or ties sandwiched inside the two layers of fabric.

Sew both side seams. Be sure to backstitch over the elastic or fabric ties to secure them. Clip the corners, turn the mask right side out through the 4 inch opening Press with an iron.

Make the Pleats. Create three evenly spaced 1/2” pleats. Pin the pleats in place, making sure all pleats are facing the same direction. Top stitch, down each side, to secure the pleats in place.

Note: When the mask is worn, the pleats should point downwards to prevent any particles from collecting in the pocket folds.